Vietnam’s 7th-highest peak draws cloud-hunting trekkers, wildflower enthusiasts
Thursday, October 17, 2024, 13:27 GMT+7
Ta Chi Nhu Peak in Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam has recently become a magnet for local trekkers drawn to the mesmerizing cloudscapes and the stunning beauty of blooming 'chi pau' flowers.
According to the Yen Bai Portal, the peak is located in Xa Ho Village, Tram Tau District.
At 2,979 meters high, it is dubbed the ‘Heaven of Clouds on Earth’ and ranks seventh among the top ten highest mountains in Vietnam.
Also known as the 'Kingdom of Sun and Wind,' Ta Chi Nhu is particularly famous for the purple 'chi pau' flowers that blanket the mountaintops each autumn and is an ideal spot for cloud hunting.
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| A visitor admires a stunning scene along her trekking route to Ta Chi Nhu Peak in Tram Tau District, Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Hoang Gia |
Thua Hoa and his group had plans to conquer Ta Chi Nhu in mid-August, but they had to postpone twice. Typhoon Yagi and the dangerous landslides and flash floods wreaking havoc in the northern mountainous provinces last month forced their delay.
“At first, our group planned to go see the 'chi pau' flowers on September 28 and 29, but it was still raining heavily then, so everyone was anxious and decided to postpone it,” Hoa recalled.
"During the wait, we kept a close eye on the weather. The moment the sun came out and the roads were safe, we set off right away."
The group included Hoa and 12 other members who took a night bus to Tram Tau on October 11.
On the first day of the trek on October 12, they departed at 8:00 am from Tram Tau for Ta Chi Nhu.
The group stopped to rest and regain strength every two hours, before sleeping at a rest hut at an altitude of 2,400m.
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| A group of visitors take a rest while trekking to Ta Chi Nhu Peak in Tram Tau District, Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Hoang Gia |
The next day, the journey to conquer Ta Chi Nhu began before 4:00 am, and the entire route was blanketed with thick fog.
Over an hour later, the group set foot on Ta Chi Nhu Peak.
"At that point, we knew cloud hunting might be tough. But around 6:30 am, the sun rose and revealed an endless sea of floating clouds,” Hoa recalled.
“It was amazing, and all our efforts were well worth it.”
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| Trekkers pose for a photo at Ta Chi Nhu Peak in Tram Tau District, Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Thua Hoa |
Hoang Gia, a porter on the Ta Chi Nhu trekking route, noted that with the improved weather, the number of visitors to the peak has surged each week, driven by cloud-hunting season and the blooming of 'chi pau' flowers.
On average, Tram Tau sees several hundred visitors each weekend checking in at Ta Chi Nhu Peak.
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| A visitor stands in the middle of blooming ‘chi pau’ flowers on Ta Chi Nhu Peak in Tram Tau District, Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Hoang Gia |
The cost for a two-day, one-night journey to conquer Ta Chi Nhu Peak ranges from VND3 (US$120) to VND3.3 million ($132).
The 'chi pau' flower season is expected to last until the end of October.
According to Thua Hoa, for those planning to go cloud-hunting and see the 'chi pau' flowers on Ta Chi Nhu, it is essential to build endurance beforehand and closely monitor the weather.
Visitors should pack enough clothing, as the temperature difference between day and night is significant.
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