Bình Liêu – an amazing motorbike adventure along the northern border

Bình Liêu, with its magnificent wilderness, is attracting numerous young adventurers.

Quảng Ninh isn't just about Ha Long, Cô Tô anymore; nowadays, when people mention this region, they also talk about a mesmerizing Bình Liêu with winding roads through lush green majestic mountains.

Being a poor mountainous district in the northeast of Quảng Ninh province, Bình Liêu is approximately 270 km away from Hanoi. This area enjoys a mild climate year-round, diverse terrain, and beautiful natural landscapes, often likened to a 'Mini Sapa'.

Travelers heading to Bình Liêu by motorbike will follow the route: Hanoi – National Highway 1 – National Highway 18 – Quế Võ (Bắc Ninh) – Phả Lại – Sao Đỏ – Đông Triều (Quảng Ninh) – Uông Bí – Ha Long – Bai Chay Bridge – Cẩm Phả – Cửa Ông – Mông Dương – Tiên Yên – Tiên Yên Intersection turn left onto National Highway 18C, heading towards Hoành Mô, approximately 28 km further. If you're traveling by car, the route is much faster and simpler, taking the new Hải Phòng highway from Hanoi, then turning onto National Highway 10 towards Thái Bình, and about 40 km later, you'll reach Uông Bí.

The western border patrol route in Bình Liêu will enchant motorbike enthusiasts. Sitting at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level, the road not only poses challenges with its ruggedness but also traverses through rugged mountains and picturesque fields, allowing you to admire the incredibly romantic and poetic scenery.

As a border area with nearly 50 kilometers of border roads adjacent to China, Bình Liêu offers opportunities for motorcycle rentals or trekking along mountain trails to conquer the Vietnam-China border milestones. Don't miss the four main milestones: 1300, 1302, 1305, and 1327.

After about an hour's drive from Bình Liêu town towards Hoành Mô on QL18C, turn right into Ngàn Chuồng village, then left towards milestone 61, approximately 8 kilometers from milestones 1300 and 1302.

Next, embark on the journey to conquer milestone 1305, located at the highest peak in Bình Liêu district. From milestone 1302, continue for another 9 kilometers to reach the trail nestled amidst the mountains, known as the 'dinosaur's backbone'. Trekking through this area for at least 2 hours in good weather, you'll arrive at milestone 1305.

For milestone 1327 in Phạt Chỉ village, Đồng Văn commune, you can inquire with the border guards for a clearer route. Along the way to milestone 1327, you'll pass through many other milestones.

Bình Liêu unfolds a fresh and beautiful landscape with terraced rice fields, lush greenery of forests with the fragrance of cinnamon, gum trees, and cinnamon, alongside quaint old houses embodying a tranquil rural life, and meandering streams. Each season brings its own allure, attracting tourists. For instance, during spring, visitors can participate in unique festivals like the Lục Nà communal house festival, the charming Soóng Cọ singing festival, or 'wind abstinence' day. In summer and autumn, the thundering waterfalls complement the lush terraced fields. Towards the end of the year, it's harvest season and time for the flower festival, celebrating the new crop.

Here, you can also experience cloud hunting on Cao Ly mountain, conquer the peaks of Quảng Nam Châu and Cao Xiêm, or visit the Thành Hoàng village temple dedicated to revolutionary heroes to hear stories of the upside-down bamboo tree and admire the ancient temple with its 5 chambers, brick walls, and tiled roof.

Additionally, from Bình Liêu town, inquire about the route to Húc Động commune to reach Khe Văn Waterfall, where you can marvel at the stunning three-tiered cascade once frequented by Sán Chỉ youths for romantic rendezvous.

Moreover, Bình Liêu is a home to various ethnic groups such as the Tày, Dao, Sán Chỉ, Kinh, and Hoa, boasting a rich and diverse cultural heritage. The vibrant highland markets showcase a kaleidoscope of indigenous costumes, offering unique specialties like bananas, bamboo shoots, and pure forest honey as souvenirs.

Don't forget to indulge in the region's signature delicacies such as rainbow sticky rice, cooc mò cake, wobbly cake, ngải cake, dong vermicelli, grilled mountain fish, stir-fried bamboo shoots, and more.

According to Ngôi Sao

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide