Coming to this place, visitors will be immersed in the natural scenery of Ha Giang, try new experiences or take home amazing “virtual life” photos.
1. Where is Tu San Canyon?
Tu San Canyon located in Giang Chu Phin commune, Meo Vac district, Ha Giang province, Vietnam, is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Dong Van Karst Plateau. About 162 km northeast of Ha Giang city and about 450 km north of Hanoi capital.
2. How is Tu San canyon unique?
The canyon has a natural length of about 1.7 km, a depth of 1,000 m, a cliff height of 700 – 800 m, and is known as “the most majestic” for photography trip in Ha Giang.
This is one of the most attractive destinations in Ha Giang tourist routes, famous for its unique geological formations, pristine and mysterious beauty, as if there were no human footprints.
On the way into the canyon, visitors will see the charming landscape of Ha Giang with the dangerous Ma Pi Leng pass, Nho Que river, Trang Huong bridge,…
3. When is the best time to travel to Tu San canyon?
According to the experience of those who have been here, the most ideal time for tourists to visit Tu San canyon is from February to March every year. This is the season when rice flowers bloom, creating red sparks on the Dong Van Karst Plateau. Nho Que River is also at its most beautiful, visitors can paddle down to admire the beautiful natural scenery on both banks.
In addition, you can also go to Tu San Canyon around October, when buckwheat flower fields are blooming, pink dyeing the land and sky of Ha Giang. Both sides of the path leading into the canyon are filled with colorful flowers and strangely poetic scenery.
4. How to get to Tu San canyon?
4.1 From Hanoi to Ha Giang city
Ha Giang is an attractive destination in Vietnam’s tourist map. Tourists who want to visit this land can refer to one of the following means of transport.
Traveling by personal cars and motorbikes
The distance from Hanoi to Ha Giang is about 300 km long, with many passes, slopes and narrow turns. Travel time takes 5 – 6 hours, requiring the rider to have a steady handle.
Traveling by coach
Hanoi – Ha Giang bus trips usually depart at My Dinh bus station. To save time and health on the trip, you should choose night buses so you can arrive in Ha Giang early in the morning.
4.2 From Ha Giang city to Tu San canyon
Tu San Canyon is located in the top deepest canyons in Southeast Asia, so the journey to conquer it is not easy. If traveling by motorbike, you can travel along the road from Ha Giang City, follow Highway 4C and Highway 34 to Meo Vac, Xin Cai, Sam Pun Son Vi, then to Trang Huong Bridge. From here, you have to take a boat down Nho Que River for about 20 minutes to enter the canyon.
In addition, visitors can also follow the road from Ha Giang city, follow QL4C towards Dong Van town, reach Doi Thong intersection, turn to Ta Lang, go straight a bit further and you will reach Nho Que river wharf. This road is quite winding and has many slopes, those with weak steering wheels should consider moving.
5. Activities and experiences in Tu San canyon
5.1 Fully admiring the majestic beauty of the “first majestic monument”
Worthy of the title “the most majestic landscape” at the top of Vietnam, Tu San canyon has beautiful beauty, standing tall and majestic between heaven and earth in Ha Giang. On both sides are two giant stone walls with impressive height, below is the clear emerald water of the Nho Que River. Adding to that beauty are stalactites of various shapes, created over hundreds of millions of years.
5.2 Conquering the most dangerous Ma Pi Leng pass in Ha Giang
To reach Tu San alley, visitors must cross the dangerous Ma Pi Leng pass – one of the “four great passes” of Vietnam. On one side is a towering rocky cliff, on the other side is a deep abyss with the Nho Que river at its feet. With the challenges brought to backpackers, the journey of discovery becomes more interesting and stimulating.
5.3 Going down the Nho Que river to see the canyon
Nho Que River and Tu San canyon is the dream journey of every travel enthusiast. Down the clear blue water of the Nho Que River, you will see a masterpiece built from time and the geological weathering process of the Dong Van Karst Plateau. The unique combination has given this place a majestic, majestic beauty but also no less lyrical and poetic.
Each boat tour will last from 20 to 30 minutes. The trekking tour in Ha Giang will takes you from one surprise to another, making you gasp in amazement when you witness with your own eyes the majestic cliffs hidden in the thin mist. At this time, a few selfie photos will help make your trip more complete.
5.4 Experiencing kayaking to explore the Nho Que river
Kayaking is an interesting activity that you cannot miss every time you have the opportunity to go to Tu San canyon. What could be more interesting than being able to personally steer a small boat across steep cliffs, enjoying the beautiful and charming space. In particular, this is also a super good “virtual living” background for photography enthusiasts.
6. Specialty dishes when visiting Tu San Canyon
Ha Giang region is famous for many delicious dishes, with local flavors and not mixed with anywhere else. After a long day of traveling, do not forget to enjoy the specialties here. Delicious Ha Giang dishes that you cannot miss include: Au Tau porridge, buckwheat cake, five-color sticky rice, Thang Co, smoked buffalo meat, smoked beef, grilled moss,…
7. Accommodation when traveling to Tu San canyon
There is no accommodation around the canyon area, so you have to stay overnight in Ha Giang city center, Meo Vac town or Dong Van town. In these 3 areas, there are many places to stay for you to choose, from hotels, motels to homestays.
And to facilitate moving between different tourist destinations, you should choose accommodation in Meo Vac town, and below is some accommodation information that you can refer to:
7.1 Hotels:
- Hoa Cuong Hotel. Address: Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Xuan Hac Hotel. Address: Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Tien Cuong Hotel. Address: Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Ong Vang Meo Vac Hotel. Address: Chung Pua Village, Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Tien Tai Hotel. Address: Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Huyen Loi Hotel. Address: Group 2, Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
7.2 Guesthouses:
- Thuy Tien Guesthouse. Address: Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Khau Vai Guesthouse. Address: Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Nho Que Guesthouse. Address: Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Giac Xua Guesthouse. Address: House number 28, Group 1 Tran Phu Street, Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Quyet Hang Guesthouse. Address: Group 2, Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Viet Hung Guesthouse. Address: Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Guest house of the District People’s Committee. Address: Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
7.3 Homestays:
- Mr Hung Guesthouse Meo Vac. Address: 42 Group 1, Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Chi Lac Guesthouse. Address: Group 3, Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Mai’s House Meo Vac. Address: Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Linh Linh Homestay. Address: Area A, Mong Ethnic Village, Pa Vi, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Little Yen’s Homestay. Address: Lo Lo Village, Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Lo Lo Guesthouse. Address: Lo Lo Village, Meo Vac Town, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- Ma Pi Leng homestay. Address: Ma Pi Leng Village, Pai Lung, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
- ViVi Homestay Meo Vac. Address: Pa Vi Ha Village, Pa Vi, Meo Vac, Ha Giang.
8. Some other famous tourist attractions near Tu San canyon
Ha Giang is a paradise of discovery tourism, so you can combine visiting the canyon with the locations below:
8.1 Dong Van ancient town
Dong Van ancient town is more than 20 km from Tu San canyon. It’s located in the middle of a valley with rocky mountains on all four sides. In the old town, there are only 40 roofs located close together, preserving a long-standing lifestyle and culture. If you come to Dong Van Old Town on the 14th, 15th and 16th of the lunar month, visitors will admire a brilliant space with lanterns, fun activities and artistic performances.
8.2 Ma Pi Leng Pass
The Ma Pi Leng Pass route is still called the Happiness Road by backpackers. It’s a challenge that every adventurer wants to conquer. The road is craggy and dangerous, on one side is a high mountain, on the other side is a deep abyss and countless winding turns. From the top of the pass, visitors can look out into the distance to see the majestic mountains and forests of Ha Giang. Especially the clear, meandering Nho Que river.
9. Some important notes when traveling to Tu San canyon
- The road to the canyon is quite winding and difficult to travel, visitors should travel by motorbike to ensure safety.
- Prepare full safety equipment, protective equipment and car repair tools.
- You should travel on sunny days, avoid days of heavy rain or thick fog.
- You should fill the tank with gasoline and bring spare gasoline, because there will be no gas station on the way.
- Bring identification when needed.
- You should bring some cash to facilitate transactions, buying and selling souvenirs or specialties here.
- You should bring bottled water and some snacks such as chocolate, dry food, snacks, etc. to supplement energy when needed, and also because the shops here are very sparse.
Conclusion:
As part of the broader experience of Ha Giang Province, the Tu San Canyon deepens the experience of the region’s mountain passes and ethnic villages, bringing to light a hidden world created far beneath the surface. As part of the natural experience of exploring Ha Giang’s landscapes, this experience comes as a natural accompaniment. With the grounded understanding of Ha Giang Province brought by Origin Vietnam, one may better understand how this experience fits into the broader natural landscape of Ha Giang.
