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Sapa boasts a rich history, notably recognized since the arrival of the French in Indochina. Let's explore the ancient architectural wonders, the icons of Sapa tourism.
Embark on a Journey to Discover Sapa's Architectural Treasures
1. Sapa Stone Church
Tả Phìn Monastery, located in Tả Phìn village, approximately 12 km east of Sapa town center, is a favored destination for many Sapa enthusiasts. The monastery, built in 1942, sits at the foot of the mountain. It was once a place of meditation for 12 nuns following a life of austerity under the Christian evangelical missionary. In 1945, the nuns returned to Hanoi, leaving the monastery abandoned.
3. Ancient Cát Cát Hydroelectric Plant
Located next to the Tiên Sa waterfall, the historical site of the Cát Cát hydroelectric plant adds a distinctive touch to the picturesque landscape of the Cát Cát village tourist area – one of Sapa's renowned tourist destinations. Visitors walking along the terraced valley on the narrow steep path from the village to the waterfall area will come across the sight of an iron electric pole, weathered and covered in moss, bearing a small plaque with the inscription: 'Electric pole since 1925'.
The Cát Cát hydroelectric plant is one of the first two hydroelectric plants built by the French in Sapa. After nearly 100 years, to date, the Cát Cát hydroelectric plant is still protected and preserved to conserve its historical values as well as to serve tourism. Due to the difficulties in transporting materials and equipment from the Lào Cai railway station to the construction site at that time, the construction took several years to complete. It is known that construction materials were shipped from France via sea to Hai Phong port, and then transported by train to Lào Cai.
According to historical records, the Cát Cát hydroelectric plant had an initial design capacity of 50 kW/h, primarily supplying electricity to the telegraph system and serving the daily needs of French officers and soldiers. By 1953, during the anti-French resistance movement, to avoid destruction, the local authorities decided to relocate the power generation system to Yên Bái for preservation, resulting in the facility ceasing operation.
By 1960, when Polish experts constructed a geophysical station in Sapa district, they also undertook the repair and restoration of the Cát Cát hydroelectric plant. Polish experts designed and installed a new turbine generator locally, increasing the capacity of the Cát Cát hydroelectric plant to 100 kW/h, providing sufficient electricity for the geophysical station and some key agencies in Sapa at that time.
4. Ancient Villas within the Trade Union Hotel
When visiting Sapa, you cannot overlook the ancient French villas. Within the expansive 2-hectare compound of the Trade Union Hotel, there are 8 buildings constructed in French architectural style. However, only 2 buildings remain in their original condition, 3 have been renovated, and 3 have been newly built on the foundation of old villas. These villas were built between 1937 and 1941. Each villa has an area of over 200 m2 with a height ranging from 2 to 3 floors.
All villas are constructed along the leveled road, surrounded by greenery, flower gardens, stone walls, and beautiful views. Skillful architects have chosen stone materials for building house walls. Each stone is bonded together with honey and salt. The roof tiles and floor tiles are a type produced in France under the SATIC brand. Despite enduring centuries of wear and tear, the red tiles, though no longer vibrant, remain sturdy.
As per Mytour
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourSeptember 29, 2023
