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Embrace domestic tourism, but have you truly marveled at the majestic beauty of Hoang Lien Son? Let's explore the Hoang Lien Son mountain range and its renowned tourist spots!
Youth, the desire to conquer Fansipan peak, known as the 'Roof of Indochina,' is irresistible. This captivating destination appeals not only to professional mountaineers but also attracts fervent Sapa travel enthusiasts.
Fansipan, part of the Hoang Lien Son range, resides in the Northwest of Vietnam. Hoang Lien Son boasts spectacular natural scenery, immersing everyone who sets foot here in its beauty. This majestic mountain range offers not only treks through the forest and diverse ecological experiences but also provides the opportunity to learn about the daily life of ethnic minorities in the villages at the foot of Hoang Lien Son. Let's explore one of the best check-in points in Sapa with Klook: Hoang Lien Son!
(*) #teamKlook, Sapa travel has never been so simple and economical. Now you can rent a motorbike in Sapa and book Sapa hotels at great prices on Klook Vietnam. Start planning your mountainous journey right away!
All About Hoang Lien Son
Hoang Lien Son is a mountain range approximately 180km long, stretching from Northwest to Southeast, connecting the provinces of Lao Cai and Lai Chau, and reaching the western part of Yen Bai.
Beneath the vast forest, a picturesque valley unfolds, featuring terraced fields extending through villages, home to ethnic minorities such as Dao, Tay, H'Mong, etc.
Thanks to the appearance of the world's longest three-rope cable car in 2016, tourists have the opportunity to easily reach the summit of Fansipan, attracting a large number of visitors to Sa Pa. However, much of the mountainous forest areas in Hoang Lien Son retain their pristine beauty, separated from the hustle and bustle of the mountain town with deep green primeval forests and cascading waterfalls.
In November 2019, National Geographic magazine voted Hoang Lien Son as one of the 28 most attractive travel destinations for 2019, also naming it the most intriguing destination in Southeast Asia.
National Park Hoang Lien & What You Need to Know
Parallel to the cable car route that takes you through the sea of clouds to the summit of Fansipan is the fascinating exploration journey through the core of Hoang Lien National Park.
Hoang Lien National Park is one of Vietnam's vital specialized forests, situated at an elevation ranging from 1,000 to 3,000m above sea level in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. To reach this area, you must traverse winding roads over O Quy Ho Pass and Hoang Lien Pass.
Hoang Lien National Park is likened to the green lungs of the Northwest region and serves as a biodiversity hub with many endemic species listed in the World Red Book. Here, you immerse yourself in a rich ecological environment with four seasons in an hour. Perhaps, the most impressive experience is camping halfway up the mountain, embracing a life amidst nature.
From Hoang Lien National Park, you can continue trekking to explore Fansipan Peak or delve into the culture of the ethnic groups residing in the park's buffer zone.
Currently, Hoang Lien National Park harbors many ancient plant species yet to be studied and is one of the ten ASEAN Heritage Parks in Vietnam.
Indigenous Peoples in Hoang Lien Son
The picturesque valleys at the foot of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, especially the Muong Hoa Valley, are home to various ethnic groups: H'Mong, Dao, Xa Pho, Tay, Giay, Lu, Kinh, Hoa, concentrated in villages like Ta Van, Ta Phin, Cat Cat, Lao Chai, Sin Chai, Ho.
These ethnic groups have settled here for a long time, creating a community with unique cultures, customs, and traditions. These distinctive features breathe life into Sa Pa tourism, fostering community-based tourism, focusing on villages, and locals.
Notable Festivals in Hoang Lien Son
When approaching the communities of ethnic minorities in Hoang Lien Son, you'll have the opportunity to experience their unique festivals and traditional games during holidays and Tet, such as spring mountain festivals, down-to-the-field festivals, singing competitions, traditional dances, fan dances, bell dances, fan dances, spinning tops, tossing fabric balls, roóng poọc, ceremonial rituals, and more.
Every festival sees locals donning meticulously crafted, brightly colored traditional attire, perfectly suiting the lively and festive atmosphere.
Apart from festivals, the bustling open-air markets and love markets are distinctive cultural highlights to explore when traveling to Sa Pa.
The open-air markets convene on specific days, and during these times, they are lively and bustling. For some ethnic groups, the market is not just a place for trading and exchanging goods but also an opportunity for young men and women to meet and make connections.
For the Dao and H'Mong people, the Sapa Love Market every Saturday night at the Stone Church Square is a space for young locals to socialize, dance together, and a chance to promote and attract Sapa tourism.
Fascinating Facts About Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range
- Hoang Lien Son is named after the abundance of Hoang Lien flowers. The Thai people also refer to Hoang Lien Son as Khau Pha, meaning Horns of the Sky.
- Hoang Lien Son has a year-round cold climate with abundant rainfall. Therefore, the best time to visit is from December to April. During this period, the climate is cool, with less rain, making it convenient for travel and enjoying the natural scenery.
- Volcanic eruptions and high mountain loess are prominent geological features in Hoang Lien Son.
- The forests in Hoang Lien Son consist of two main types: low mountain evergreen forests and high mountain evergreen forests. You can experience the forest ecosystem in Hoang Lien National Park.
Famous Tourist Attractions in Hoang Lien Son
When traveling to Hoang Lien Son, you'll likely pass through the winding O Quy Ho Pass, spanning nearly 50km along the slopes of Hoang Lien Mountain. Especially, Sapa Heaven's Gate, where the pass's summit offers a panoramic view of the entire mountainous forest and the Sapa valley shrouded in mist, is an ideal spot for cloud hunting. For #teamKlook trekking enthusiasts, Sapa Heaven's Gate is the highest road pass in the Northwest's four great passes that you can conquer.
If you appreciate gentle, peaceful beauty, then visit the Muong Hoa Valley to pose amidst the terraced fields, interspersed with simple wooden houses. In the flooding season, Muong Hoa emerges through the mist. During the sowing season, the entire valley is adorned with the lush green of young leaves. And in the ripe rice season, Muong Hoa sparkles in golden brilliance.
When in Hoang Lien Son, Sun World Fansipan Legend is a must-visit - a cultural, religious, entertainment, and luxurious resort complex with modern cable car services. The spiritual architecture emerges in the drifting clouds, resonating the deep sound of bells against the rocks, providing a sense of tranquility and freedom.
Additionally, the Eco-tourism Area of Ham Rong Mountain, including Ham Rong Flower Garden, Thach Lam Stone Garden, and Ham Rong Summit, is another beloved tourist destination.
Apart from the tourist areas, attractions like Suoi Vang, Love Waterfall, Silver Waterfall, Saturday Fairy Waterfall, and especially Dragon Pool - Fairy Well are the scenic wonders around Hoang Lien Son.
With the information shared by Klook, we hope your Sa Pa trip with the Fansipan journey will create the most beautiful chapters in your life. Don't forget to visit the Klook Blog for countless Sa Pa travel experiences, lists of Sapa hotels, Sapa resorts, Sapa homestays, and quickly book hotels on Klook Vietnam. #teamKlook will enjoy exclusive benefits and discounts of up to 50%.
What are you waiting for? Start planning your Hoang Lien Son adventure today!
