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Mytour.vn presents you with a travel guide to Quan Lan, offering valuable information on transportation, climate, notable landmarks, and local delicacies. We hope this guide will accompany you on your upcoming adventures to Quan Lan!
Overview of Quan Lan Tourism
Quan Lan is a small island located in the Bai Tu Long Bay area, Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province. It spans approximately 11 square kilometers. Stretching from the foot of Van Don Mountain to Got Mountain, the island boasts numerous long beaches with white sand and crystal-clear water. Quan Lan is rapidly becoming a sought-after destination for many travel enthusiasts.
Best time to visit Quan Lan
Quan Lan experiences two distinct seasons: summer and winter. The summer weather is hot and humid, while winter is cold and dry. Travelers can visit Quan Lan in Quang Ninh at any time of the year. However, the best time to enjoy mild weather is from June to August, when the island's climate is balanced and rainfall is minimal. It's an ideal time for beach activities and exploring the island's attractions.
Transportation and Getting Around
How to get to Quan Lan
To reach Quan Lan Island, travelers need to complete two legs of their journey:
Leg 1: Getting to Quang Ninh
Travelers from southern or central regions can fly to Hanoi, Hai Phong, or Quang Ninh. From there, they can travel by road to the Hon Gai ferry terminal in Ha Long City or the Cai Rong port in Van Don District.
If you're traveling from Hanoi and don't plan to drive yourself, you can take a Limousine or a bus from My Dinh or Giap Bat bus stations to Ha Long or other areas like Cua Ong and Cam Pha. Here are some reputable Limousine services for the Hanoi to Ha Long and Quang Ninh routes:
– Hoang Phu Limousine (door-to-door round trip service):
- Phone: 1900 1085 – 0973 244078
- Fixed seat prices: Front seat 240,000 VND, Rear seat 240,000 VND, Middle seat 270,000 VND. A 10,000 VND extra charge is applied for pick-up and drop-off at Cua Ong per passenger.
- Departure: Every 30 minutes.
– Duy Khanh Limousine (door-to-door service):
- Phone: 0707.611.611
- Price: 260,000 VND per passenger, one way.
- Departure times: From Quang Ninh to Hanoi: 3:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. From Hanoi to Quang Ninh: 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
– Ha Long Travel Limousine (door-to-door service within Hanoi City – Ha Long – Cam Pha):
- Phone: 19000381 – 0363 423 939
- Ticket price: 260,000 VND per passenger, one way. (The bus travels on the Hanoi – Hai Phong expressway – Bach Dang Bridge – Ha Long – Cam Pha)
- Departure times: Every hour from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. (Travel time: approximately 3 hours)
Additionally, travelers to Quan Lan can also choose to depart from Hai Phong to Quang Ninh, with a travel time of about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Limousine tickets are approximately 150,000 VND per trip, while bus tickets are around 120,000 VND per trip.
Leg 2: Travel from Cai Rong Port to Quan Lan Island: Take a speedboat or a wooden boat
Once you reach Cai Rong Port in Van Don, you can continue your journey to Quan Lan Island by either a speedboat or a wooden boat:
- Speedboat: Traveling by speedboat from Cai Rong Port to Quan Lan Island (Quang Ninh) takes approximately 40 minutes. Several boats depart daily between 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM, so you can choose based on your schedule.
- Wooden boat: The wooden boat trip to Quan Lan Island takes longer, as the boat waits for enough passengers before departure. The travel time is around 2 hours.
*Note: When booking a room, you can request the hotel to assist with booking a speedboat ticket and providing transportation from the port for added convenience.
Motorbike: For adventure enthusiasts, it's completely possible to travel from various provinces of Vietnam to Quang Ninh by motorbike. Along the way, you'll be able to admire the stunning landscapes of mountains, forests, and nature on both sides of the road.
Private Car: If you choose to travel by private car, follow the Hanoi – Hai Phong – Ha Long – Van Don expressway to reach Cai Rong Port. Park your car at the port, then board a boat to Quan Lan Island (Quang Ninh).
Getting Around Quan Lan Island
The tourist attractions on the island are quite spread out. To make traveling easier, you can opt to rent a motorbike, take a tuk tuk, or use an electric vehicle.
- Motorbike: The average rental price for a motorbike on the island is 150,000 VND per day (without fuel), and 200,000 VND if you need fuel.
- Tuk Tuk: Rent a tuk tuk for around 700,000 VND per day, while an electric vehicle costs approximately 1,200,000 VND per day. These are ideal for large groups or families.
Alternatively, you can try the electric vehicle experience on Quan Lan Island. Each vehicle can carry around 9 to 12 passengers, with pick-up and drop-off points at Minh Chau Port and Quan Lan. The ride takes approximately 45 minutes, covering all major attractions on the island.
Visitors can rent a motorbike if traveling in a group of 1 or 2 people. This allows for flexibility and the freedom to explore the island's tourist spots at your own pace.
Attractions in Quan Lan
Temples and Pagodas
Quan Lan Temple is the only ancient temple in Vietnam located on a remote island. It honors King Le Anh Tong and General Tran Khanh Du. This temple features intricate, refined architecture passed down from ancient times. It was officially recognized as a National Historic and Architectural Monument in 1990. When visiting Quan Lan Island in Quang Ninh, make sure to stop by this temple to honor the legacy of those who defended and established the nation in the past.
Next to Quan Lan Temple is Quan Lan Pagoda and the Nghè Quan Lan Shrine, which honors Pham Cong Chinh. He was a local hero who sacrificed his life in the historic Battle of Van Don. The Quan Lan Temple Festival is held from the 10th to the 20th of June in the lunar calendar.
Eo Gió
One must-visit spot when traveling to Quan Lan is Eo Gio. Located near the Cau Temple, in the easternmost part of the island, it's about 6 km from Quan Lan's ferry terminal. You can get there by motorbike or by renting a tuk tuk. From the mountain top, you’ll have a panoramic view of the island and a stunning sight of the deep blue sea, with waves crashing and frothing. Be cautious as the path up is quite risky, so be careful and avoid bringing small children along.
European Grass Field
Next to the river is a grassy field that gives you the feeling of being transported to some European land. You can freely pose for photos, and capturing shots from above will give you even more impressive images.
Main Road on the Island
The main road on the island captivates visitors with two straight rows of pine trees. Standing in the middle of the road, you will feel like you’ve stepped into a European-style landscape. The island is sparsely populated, so the road is quite empty, allowing you to take photos freely. However, keep an eye out for tuk tuks, which often drive at high speeds.
The River with White Sandy Banks
This river is located right on the main road of the island, about 100 meters from the turn to Son Hao ferry terminal. The white sandy banks stretch on both sides, and the water below sparkles in the sunlight. For the best photos, it's recommended to capture the scene during the late afternoon, near sunset, to get the most beautiful shots.
Quan Lan Central Market
The Quan Lan Central Market is located right in the heart of Quan Lan Island’s commune. This market operates only in the morning for about two hours, from 3 to 5 AM, right after the ferry arrives. The lively atmosphere at dawn offers a glimpse into the hardworking spirit of the locals.
Ba Mun National Park
Ba Mun Island National Park lies within the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay. It is also known by other names like 'Cao Lo Island' and 'Animal Island'. This is the only island with slate formations in the Ha Long Bay area. When visiting Ba Mun National Park, tourists can experience a pristine forest ecosystem with a diverse range of flora and fauna, including many rare and endangered species.
Sơn Hao Beach
Sơn Hao Beach is situated between Quan Lan Beach and Minh Châu Beach. It attracts visitors who come to swim and explore the long stretches of white sand along the coast. Here, you can also try your hand at fishing and squid fishing like a true local fisherman.
Tran Khanh Du Temple Relic
The Tran Khanh Du Temple is one of the ancient historical sites on Quan Lan Island, Quang Ninh. The temple’s architecture used to be grand and impressive, built entirely from precious timber. The wooden columns are intricately carved with dragons, phoenixes, and symbols of prosperity like the four sacred animals: dragon, unicorn, tortoise, and phoenix. The curved roofs are decorated with dragon and carp motifs. Don’t forget to visit this historical site to learn more about the heroic achievements in our nation's defense of its maritime sovereignty.
Quan Lan Beach
Quan Lan Beach is one of the few remaining beaches that has preserved its untouched, tranquil beauty, despite having been developed for tourism for quite some time. The air here is fresh and unpolluted, unlike many other beaches. The long stretches of white sand and the rhythmic sound of waves lapping the shore give this coastal area a poetic charm. Visitors to this beach can enjoy swimming, partake in festivals, go camping, or take part in team-building activities. You can also savor unique seafood dishes at the beachside eateries and restaurants.
Quan Lan Cuisine
When visiting Quan Lan, travelers can enjoy the local delicacies such as: sá sùng, cù kỳ, cầu gai, cà ghim, and more.
Cù Kỳ
Cù Kỳ is a type of crab found in the sea, known for its large claws and abundant meat. This seafood is a famous specialty of Quan Lan. It can be prepared in various ways, such as steamed, stir-fried with tamarind, cooked in noodle soups or rice, or grilled over charcoal.
Sá Sùng
One of the must-try specialties of Quan Lan is sá sùng, also known by several other names like earthworm, đồn đột, địa sâm, and sea worm. Although they may look intimidating and might not be appetizing to everyone, once you get used to the taste, you’ll appreciate their delightful flavor. Sá sùng can be cooked in many ways, such as in porridge or stir-fried with a sweet and sour sauce.
Cầu Gai
Cầu Gai is a type of seafood that is great for your health, and it's a must-try when you visit this area. The meat of cầu gai is firm and flavorful. Its appearance resembles a rambutan shell, with a black color and many spines. It can be cooked in various ways such as grilled with scallion oil, in porridge, or even eaten raw.
Tu Hài
Tu Hài is a type of bivalve mollusk, also known as 'clam with a trunk' or 'elephant trunk snail.' It is not very large, usually ranging from 7 to 12 cm in size, with an oval shape and a yellow-brown color. Tu Hài typically lives in salty coastal waters and is considered a rare and highly nutritious seafood. Some popular dishes made from tu hài in Quan Lan include grilled tu hài with scallion oil, steamed tu hài, stir-fried tu hài, and tu hài porridge.
Things to Note When Traveling to Quan Lan
When traveling to Quan Lan, here are a few things to keep in mind for a more enjoyable trip:
Ideal Time to Visit
The summer season, from June to August, is the perfect time to visit Quan Lan due to the warm weather, making it ideal for beach activities and relaxation.
Transportation
You can take a speedboat from Cái Rồng port to Quan Lan, which takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
Another option is to travel by traditional wooden boat. Though the journey takes longer, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the surrounding scenery.
Getting Around on the Island
You can rent a scooter or an electric bike to explore the island. Be sure to negotiate the price before renting.
The island is not very large, so walking is also a great option to experience its peaceful atmosphere.
Cuisine
Seafood is a must-try when visiting Quan Lan. Enjoy fresh seafood at local restaurants or buy directly from the locals to cook your own meals.
Environmental Protection Tips
Make sure not to leave any waste behind, especially on the beaches and in natural areas.
Use eco-friendly products and minimize the use of single-use plastic items.
Personal Safety
Always prioritize safety when swimming or engaging in water activities. Keep an eye on the weather and follow any safety instructions from local authorities.
Shopping and Souvenirs
Visitors can purchase local specialties such as pearls, dried seafood, or handmade crafts at shops on the island.
According to Mytour.vn
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Reference: Mytour.vn Travel Guide
Mytour.vnMay 28, 2024
