Buzz
Ever hiked in Lạng Sơn?
Oh, Lạng Sơn has mountains to climb, not just a quick car ride up Mẫu Sơn to admire the views, huh?
My journey to conquer Mount Phia Pò in Lạng Sơn began with an enticing invitation from a friend. Prior to that, my impression of traveling to Lạng Sơn was limited to Đồng Đăng border gate, occasional mentions of snow on Mẫu Sơn, and Tam Thanh Pagoda. Hiking in Lạng Sơn was a completely foreign concept to me. In my mind, mountain climbing was associated with familiar names like Lảo Thẩn, Lùng Cúng, Bạch Mộc Lương Tử, Ngũ Chỉ Sơn… And on a late autumn day in November, we set out to conquer the summit of Phia Pò amidst the season of golden grass.
Phia Pò during the season of golden grass is as beautiful as a painting.
Phia Pò
Compared to the challenging treks and hikes that travel enthusiasts embark on nowadays, Phia Pò is considered a younger sibling in terms of difficulty and elevation. However, the landscape of Phia Pò is grandiose and enchanting, rivaling any other destination. This is a route you can cover in a day or two, perfect for a change of scenery, immersing yourself in nature, and testing your limits. You can ascend and descend Phia Pò in a single day if you start early. Alternatively, you can hike to the camping site on day one, enjoy the sunrise and sunset, organize a BBQ party, sleep in tents, and on the second day, ascend to the summit before descending.
Phia Pò stands as the tallest peak among the 80 large and small mountains in the Mẫu Sơn range.
The scenery of Phia Pò is as majestic and poetic as any other place.
Exploring vibrant shades of green.
Our journey this time is to conquer Phia Po in a single day. Since we have never been to this mountain before, we decided to enlist the help of Đinh Văn Hồng – a local tour guide specializing in the Phia Po route to ensure the safety of the entire group.
On that sunny morning, the sky was a deep blue, not a single cloud in sight, signaling a beautiful day ahead. The temperature was around 18 degrees, perfect for outdoor activities like mountain climbing. After an hour's journey from the city center of Lạng Sơn to the gathering point at the foot of the mountain, we embarked on a trek that covered approximately 14 km, taking 6 - 10 hours depending on each person's health and endurance.
Our journey began from the Nà Mò cave, following a trail that led us past charming wall houses nestled amidst the mountainous terrain. We traversed a lush and diverse forest area before breaking through the forest edge, where we were captivated by the vast open space and a golden meadow extending gracefully. In the summer, this place bursts with a vibrant green, while in winter, the mountain peak might be adorned with pristine white snow.
The first check-in spot atop the mountain.
Ascending the backbone of a prehistoric giant.
Moments of repose with a breathtaking view.
Relaxing minutes with a serene panorama.
From this lush meadow, the path gently slopes upward, providing us with a leisurely ascent to savor the breathtaking scenery. The golden sunlight and cool air enhance the picturesque landscape. As we gaze into the distance, we see undulating mountain peaks, the towns of Lộc Bình and Na Dương with ripe golden fields, and quaint houses peeking through the greenery. Lost in capturing photos, it wasn't until almost noon that we reached the lunch spot, also the campsite for those embarking on a two-day journey. Imagine sitting here, witnessing the serene sunrise and later enjoying a hearty meal of sizzling grilled meat, succulent roasted chicken, and a sip of Mẫu Sơn wine. At night, the two towns below the mountain sparkle with lights – a truly magnificent experience.
Arguably the most challenging stretch is ascending the spine of the dinosaur, a narrow path with a steep drop on one side. From the ridge to the summit of Phia Pò, the climb demands effort but rewards with a stunning view and a diverse array of vegetation. Wildflowers intermingle with unknown purple and red berries, creating moments of delightful fascination. You'll traverse lush primeval forests, ancient rhododendron groves adorned with enchanting moss-covered tree trunks. Hong shared photos of the rhododendrons in full bloom around February and March, a fairy-tale spectacle. Perhaps we'll schedule our next Phia Pò visit during the nearest flowering season to witness this enchanting beauty.
Delicate and charming wildflowers.
Delicate and charming wildflowers.
Even a solitary tree becomes strangely beautiful.
Capturing a thousand angles with the solitary tree.
I'm not a professional mountain climber, so I can't speak for other peaks, but I find Phia Pò incredibly satisfying due to its diverse terrain, offering surprises at every turn. There are lush meadows, streams atop hills, steep ascents, pristine forests, rocky slopes, grassy fields, and numerous stunning photo spots. Even the lone tree on the mountain ridge exudes poetic beauty, inspiring countless compositions and perspectives.
Phia Pò stands out as one of the mountains with diverse and exceptionally beautiful landscapes, relatively accessible for exploration.
Summoning clouds to dance amid the vast mountains.
Phia Pò can be described as one of the mountains with diverse and exceptionally beautiful landscapes, relatively easy for non-professional mountain climbers. This mountain is truly worth exploring at least once, but I believe that after your first visit, you'll be drawn back for a second, third time in different seasons throughout the year.
Author: Tran Hong Ngoc
*This article is part of the Mytour Golocal program.
Mytour Golocal is a blogging program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam. It's an excellent opportunity to promote local tourism. For each qualified article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a Mytour Contributor. For detailed information about the program, visit: https://www.Mytour/en-vn/golocal
