A otherworldly scene takes over vast portions of the hills surrounding the Vietnam’s central highlands tourist hub of Da Lat and the nearby Lam Vien Plateau at the end of November, making the areas a ‘magnet’ for visitors hoping to snap photos of the unusual landscape.
As rainy season comes to an end in Da Lat, the capital of Lam Dong Province, the final sprigs of last season’s dead grass are washed away, making space for a new generation of vegetation to engulf hilltops and knolls all throughout the city and the neighboring Lam Vien Plateau.
Each blade of grass is home to hundred of tiny flowers which bloom into a collection of soft pink snowflakes which cover the south-central Vietnam’s natural wonderland.
The fantastical scene reoccurs hundreds of times in large open areas dotted with lonely pine trees, empty field in the middle of vast forests, and low valleys where the sun’s rays reflect off each blade and leave behind an explosion of color.
Each morning, tiny dew drops freeze onto the grass. As the sun peaks over the mountaintops and casts light on the frozen landscape, the illusion of a snow sprinkled wonderland mesmerizes visitors. To locals, this ‘snow grass’ creates one of the most beautiful scenes of the year.
In the early morning, frost settles on the originally pink grassland turning it into snow white blanket covering the area. Photo: Dinh Van Bien |
Within a few hours, as the frost melts, the entire grassland magically transforms from a white winter wonderland to a light pink fantasy.
“It’s soft as velvet,” is the common reaction after visitors kick off their shoes and stroll through the rolling pink field.
To witness the “transformation”, visitors should leave the city before the sun rises and aim to reach the nearby pinewood forest, where most of the pink grasslands are located.
Pro tip: Most tourists try to make it to the Dan Kia Lake – Golden Stream area about 15 kilometers from Da Lat to catch the scene, but wind up feeling underwhelmed.
For a truly unforgettable experience, make the 70 kilometer journey to Ta Nang and set up camp in order to catch the view at both sunset and dawn.
“This is a prize for those who are willing to invest time and effort in order to be present at the right moment,” Ngo Anh Tuan, Dalat Discovery professional sightseeing tour organizer, claimed.
He also advised that visitors try not step on the grass and make an effort to follow the paths so as not to ruin its beauty.
Moreover, if the visitors go camping, they should choose an area with less grass, and little wind they leave as little evidence of their presence as possible.
Photo: Trinh Ha |
Photo: Trinh Ha |
Photo: Mai Vinh / Tuoi Tre |
Photo: Mai Vinh / Tuoi Tre |
As tourists are becoming increasingly interested in this natural wonder, the local administration has decided to hold a festival for visitors to enjoy the natural attraction.
The festival will be held for the nine days between November 24 and December 2 in the Dan Kia Lake - Golden Stream area in Lac Duong prefecture, Lam Dong Province.
Aside from sightseeing and photo-taking activities, the festival will also feature a horse racing competition with unsaddled horses native to the ethnic K’Ho minority.
The horses competing in the race will also include those native to Langbiang Mountain, located 12 kilometers from Dalat center.
Photo: Mai Vinh / Tuoi Tre |
Photo: Nguyen Khanh Hoang |
Photo: Dinh Van Bien |
Photo: Nguyen Khanh Hoang |
Photo: Mai Vinh / Tuoi Tre |
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