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When exploring Dien Bien, you can't ignore the westernmost point of our country at A Pa Chai. Let's discover fascinating insights about A Pa Chai in this article.
Traveling to Dien Bien: Conquering the Westernmost Point A Pa Chai of Our Homeland
A Pa Chai is a village in Sín Thầu commune, Mường Nhé district, Điện Biên province, Vietnam. Located in the far Northwest, A Pa Chai is approximately 8 km straight west from A Pa Chai village, near the peak of Khoan La San, which stands 1864m above sea level. It serves as the tri-border milestone between Vietnam, China, and Laos (milestone number 0). It's famously known as the 'place where a rooster's crow can be heard in all three countries.'
This milestone is about 250 km away from the provincial capital, Điện Biên Phủ. The area is mainly inhabited by the Hà Nhì people and some other ethnic minorities. A Pa Chai in the Hà Nhì language means 'flat, spacious land.' Although A Pa Chai has separated and established Tá Miếu village in Sín Thầu commune, it remains the true westernmost point in northern Vietnam. Despite this, the name 'tri-border milestone A Pa Chai' is still widely used in introductions to this fascinating Northwest travel destination.
The journey to conquer A Pa Chai is extremely challenging due to steep and winding terrain. The 10km trek involves overcoming sun, wind, and even muddy areas during rainy days. However, the more challenging it is, the more rewarding the feeling of accomplishment when touching the westernmost point of our homeland.
To conquer the westernmost point A Pa Chai, you must bring complete identification documents and proceed directly to outpost 317 for registration. The outpost will assign soldiers to guide you to the A Pa Chai conquering area. As this is a border region, strict regulations must be adhered to during your visit.
In 2018, Điện Biên province completed a terrazzo road along the mountain walls and constructed three-level stairs to make it easier for travelers to conquer the milestone. However, you still need to walk a few kilometers on this terrazzo road and climb 500 stairs to reach the milestone. From the high point of our homeland's westernmost A Pa Chai, the vast and majestic landscape of overlapping mountains and forests unfolds before your eyes.
According to Mytour
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourFebruary 20, 2023
