10 tips to remember when conquering Fansipan by cable car in Sapa

Located in Sapa town, Sun World Fansipan Legend is a complex of cultural tourism, cable car services, entertainment, and luxury resort hotels. However, because this tourist complex is so vast, you may sometimes overlook interesting points or important notes to fully explore.

10 tips to remember when conquering Fansipan by cable car in Sapa

1. Purchase tickets

You can buy cable car tickets at various locations. If traveling in a large group or during peak times, it's advisable to pre-book with your hotel in Sapa to avoid queuing on-site. For smaller groups or off-peak times, you can purchase tickets directly at Sun Plaza in the center of Sapa town or Sapa station. The advantage of buying tickets directly is that you'll receive additional discounts for dining services within the Fansipan Legend complex. Additionally, you'll receive more specific advice and guidance on how to purchase mountain railway tickets to save money and be most suitable. The cable car ticket price for tourists is 700,000 VND per person round trip.

2. Operating hours

Due to the cable car operating hours from 7:30 to 17:30 daily, it will be difficult for you to catch the timing to admire the sunrise or sunset on the peak of Fansipan. However, you can choose to ascend around noon. That is when there's less fog, gentle breeze, and the brightest sunlight on the summit, making it easy for you to take photos and explore the scenery.

3. Elevation and temperature difference

Unlike trekking, the elevation difference between the two stations is 1410m and it only takes about 15 minutes for the cable car to reach this height. So when the cable car reaches Fansipan station, you may experience ear popping and slight altitude sickness as your body hasn't adapted to the new height. The best way to alleviate this is to breathe deeply and regularly. Additionally, you should bring a scarf, warm jacket as a precaution because the temperature on the summit is lower and the wind is stronger. If you feel shortness of breath or any unusual symptoms, you should immediately contact the staff at the station for medical assistance.

4. Muong Hoa mountain railway

Starting from Sun Plaza (Sapa town center) to Sapa station (Muong Hoa station), if you take the Muong Hoa mountain railway, you don't need to spend money on a taxi to Sapa station but still can enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of Muong Hoa valley. The Muong Hoa mountain railway ticket costs 70,000 VND per person round trip. The train runs continuously so you don't need to wait long. The railway station is designed in European style, spacious yet with many beautiful details, don't miss the photo opportunities here.

5. Do Quyen mountain railway

From Fansipan station to the peak of Fansipan, you will have to climb an additional 600 steps. For those who are fit or on fine weather days, this is not a problem. But for older people or unfortunate weather days with lots of wind, you should choose this mode of transportation to go straight to the top of Fansipan. The advantage of the Do Quyen mountain railway line is that you can choose to buy round-trip or one-way tickets. The ticket price is 100,000 VND per trip, and the travel time is 1 minute. Mytour advises you to only buy a one-way ticket up and walk down. This way, you save time, energy, and can fully visit the Ha Pagoda, Upper Pagoda, and the beautiful Do Quyen flower road on the top of Fansipan.

6. Peak of Fansipan

Currently, the old stainless steel peak marking the 3,143m peak of Fansipan has been fenced off by the tourist area. You won't be able to take pictures next to this old peak. However, the tourist area has built three new stainless steel peaks that are more beautiful, larger, and more luxurious, making it easy for you to take check-in photos. Here, there are also photo shooting and printing services available, so those who want to capture beautiful moments with family or loved ones can use this service.

7. Pagoda complex on the peak of Fansipan

Stepping out of Fansipan station, you will immediately reach the Lower Pagoda (Thanh Phong Zen Monastery). Here, you can pray for yourself and your family. Throughout the 600-step climb to the peak of Fansipan, from the Lower Pagoda to the Upper Pagoda, everywhere you go, you will hear very pleasant Zen music, feeling like entering the Buddhist realm. Remember not to miss paying homage to the largest bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha in Vietnam (21.5m), considered the symbol of the spiritual and cultural complex of Fansipan. Here, there is also Kim Son Bao Thang Monastery, Dai Hung Bao Dien with many exquisitely crafted Buddha statues, a 11-story stone pagoda, a La Han road with 18 bronze La Han statues, flanked by blooming azaleas. Along with that are many typical Buddhist works such as Bich Van Zen Monastery, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue, Bell tower – Vong linh high tower, Son Than temple...

8. Dining services

Visiting Fansipan Legend tourist complex, you can experience and enjoy the cuisine at Do Quyen restaurant (at Fansipan station) and Hai Cang restaurant (at Sapa station). The chain of restaurants and cafes here serves a variety of European-Asian dishes, ethnic specialties in Sapa such as armpit pig, salmon hotpot, trout hotpot, grilled mountain fish... and many other regional dishes at very affordable prices. The difference in dining experience at Fansipan Legend lies not only in the brand and taste of each dish but also in the exquisite French architectural space imbued with the cultural essence of the Northwest in every decorative detail.

9. Van Son Tea House

Also on the 600-step path to the peak of Fansipan, near the Lower Pagoda, you will pass by Van Son Tea House. This place is designed to remind you of Tru Vu Tea House at Ba Na Hills. With a tea ceremony style, sitting cross-legged, low tables. Surrounded by clouds, you can enjoy a hot cup of tea, admire the blooming azaleas, and feel the serene atmosphere everywhere.

10. Accommodation

Currently, the accommodation at the Fansipan Legend cable car complex is still incomplete and not operational. You can only explore during the day and are not allowed to stay overnight on the peak. The only hotel under construction is the MGallery in the center of Sapa town by Sun Group in cooperation with AccorHotels. The hotel is also the departure point of the mountain railway to Sapa station (Muong Hoa station) in the Sun Plaza complex. However, don't worry too much because the mountain railway station is located in the center of Sapa, so you can still stay at other nearby hotels such as Sapa Charm, Amazing Sapa, Pao's Sapa Leisure, Silk Path Grand, Sapa Highland... and walk to the station.

By Tieu Duy

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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook