Sa Pa Ancient Rock Field

1. Where is Sapa ancient rock field?

Sa Pa ancient rock field is nestled in the middle of Muong Hoa valley, surrounded by mountains from 2,000m high. It is located in Hau Thao, Su Pan and Ta Van communes, Sapa town, Sapa district, Lao Cai province, Vietnam. It is about 9 km southeast of Sa Pa town center and about 45 km southwest of Lao Cai city center. In which, the ancient rocks are mainly concentrated in Hau Thao commune.

2. How is Sa pa ancient rock field unique?

Sapa ancient stone field is hidden in the middle of Muong Hoa valley, a unique relic with strange shapes. This stone field was discovered by archaeologist V. Goloubew with ancient characters in 1925. Although many studies have been conducted, the mysterious messages on the stone blocks have not been deciphered.

Sapa ancient stone field covers about 8km2 with stone blocks carved with ancient patterns and characters. Currently, there are 2 ancient stone fields for tourists to visit, including:

• Area 1: located next to Pho village of the H’Mong people, stretching from the mountainside to near the stream. Although the number of carved stones is small. They are all large blocks, some up to 13m long with dense and complex patterns
• Area 2: located between Hau Thao commune and Lao Chai commune. This is a large stone field with more than 100 stones with many different carvings. They include unique images that only appear on a single stone.

Because of such great cultural values, the ancient stone field of Sa Pa was officially recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Historical and Cultural Relic in October 1994.

3. Origin of the Sa Pa ancient rock field

In August 1925, French professor Victor Goloubev, from the French School of the Far East. He was the first person to study the ancient stone field of Sa Pa. Because he believed that this was the place where the remains of ancient people were kept. Most of his research did not have positive results but opened up the potential for archaeology and tourism exploitation in this ancient rock field. At that time, they only found about 30 large stone blocks around the valley. Up to now, people have discovered more than 200 stone blocks of various sizes spread over an area of ​​about 8km2.

In a study by the Hanoi University of Culture in 2018, scientists still could not explain the origin of the Sa Pa ancient rock field, as well as the owner of the deeply engraved patterns on the surface of some stone slabs. There is a hypothesis that the ancient stone field is the heritage of the H’Mong – Dao community, about 200 years ago to 600 years ago. Some people assert that the carvings on the stone belong to the Dong Son period, about 2,300 years ago to 3,500 years ago. There is even a viewpoint that emphasizes that this unique population existed with the tribes of the past civilization, over 5,000 years ago.

4. Legend of the Sa Pa ancient rock field

Although the origin of formation cannot be determined, the Sa Pa ancient rock field has long been associated with indigenous peoples. Since then, many spiritual legends about this place have also been widely spread. The most prominent is the story about the imprints carved on the stone and the legend of the “husband stone” and “wife stone”.

4.1. Legend of the imprints carved on the ancient rock

In ancient times, the residents in the area had to constantly face the harassment of a pack of ferocious tigers. They often came down from the cloudy mountain top to trample on fields, crops, destroy houses, and kill livestock and people. One day, a savior appeared from nowhere and taught the group of stone workers in the area how to read spells. It scared the tigers out of their wits, one of them rolled over and died and turned into a stone, which has been there ever since.

Since then, the people of Pho village believe that the patterns carved on the ancient stone field are supernatural spells. They have the ability to repel wild animals, eliminate evil forces and bring peace to this land.

4.2. Legend of “husband stone”, “wife stone”

At the ancient stone field of Sa Pa, the surrounding people also discovered two more stones that were leaning against each other like a pair of passionate lovers. And they were named “husband stone” and “wife stone”. In particular, this pair of stones is closely associated with the love legend of Muong Hoa valley.

According to legend, when this place was still covered in cold fog, there was a couple who loved each other but were forbidden by their families. One day, the couple used the excuse of going to the forest to find herbs to date and asked the gods to protect them from the harsh eyes of their families. Touched by their pure love, the gods controlled a white cloud to hang around where they were sitting like a soft silk strip so that others could not scrutinize them. The couple looked at each other passionately until late afternoon, then unfortunately got lost on the way back and turned into stone to be together forever.

Another version tells that when the North was in constant war, two sons of the opposing clan chief fell in love with each other. To protect their happiness, they decided to flee to the far South. Knowing this, the evil strategist cast a curse: if the young couple did not run past Hoa stream within 10 days, they would turn into stone. The curse came true on the 10th day, the girl slipped and fell into the swamp. The boy turned back to find his lover, so he could not run in time and then both turned into stone with their heads facing each other.

5. The significance of Sa Pa ancient rock field

Sa Pa ancient rock field is a complex of relics with profound value to the lives of the ethnic people here. As well as to the process of preserving culture and promoting the local image to tourists near and far.

5.1. The meaning of Sa Pa ancient rock field to the ethnic minorities here

Through folk legends, Sa Pa ancient rock has become a solid spiritual support for the ethnic minority community here. Many worshiping customs related to the sacred stone slabs are still preserved and promoted. Typically, two temples of the H’Mong and Giay people were built in the middle of the forest to praise the “petrified” love of a boy and a girl.

5.2. The meaning of Sa Pa ancient rock field to the process of cultural preservation

The drawings, symbols and writings on the stones are the bridge that leads modern people back to the life of the ancient Vietnamese people. The research of these carvings requires a professional conservation process. Therefore, the Sa Pa ancient rock field was officially recognized as a national historical and cultural relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in October 1994.

In addition, a number of large-scale exhibitions have been held to preserve the cultural value of the Sa Pa ancient rock field. Since 2003, the Hanoi University of Fine Arts has begun collecting about 150 copies of ancient stone carvings and displayed them at an exhibition in Hanoi in 2006. In 2009, a part of these documents continued to be sent to the Vasterbottens Museum in Sweden. From September 27 to November 8 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

5.3. The significance of the Sa Pa ancient rock field to visitors

Thanks to its quiet and mysterious beauty, the Ialways attracts a large number of visitors every year. Here, you can observe the cultural vestiges of the old era. While admiring the vast terraced fields with the beautiful, romantic scenery of floating clouds.

6. When is the best time to travel to Sapa ancient rock fields?

Sapa ancient rock fields have a different look in each season. In spring, the overlapping stone fields are immersed in the vast green rice fields. When the weather turns to summer, people also come to harvest season, so visitors can easily see this ancient stone field immersed in a beautiful golden color. In winter, this ancient stone field is covered with white snow.

• Ethnic minorities here plant rice seedlings from March to May. Therefore, this is considered one of the most suitable times for you to admire the wonderful scenery in the rice fields.
• In addition, the ideal time to visit Sapa Ancient Rock Field is from September to November. At that time, Muong Hoa Valley was filled with the golden color of ripe rice fields. Seen from above, the whole view of Muong Hoa Valley is like a beautiful, mysterious picture in a fairy tale. Therefore, Muong Hoa Valley is also known as “fairyland”. 
• If you want to see snow falling from the sky onto the terraced fields, the best time to come is from December to February of the following year. At this time, white snowflakes cover both the tree trunks and the ground. There is nothing more wonderful than the experience of eating baked sweet potatoes while walking in the snow.

7. How to get to Sapa Ancient Rock Field?

Sapa Ancient Rock Field is located in the beautiful Muong Hoa valley, about 9 km southeast of Sapa town center. You can walk along the nearby trail to see the entire view of that wonderful stone field. The road to Sapa Ancient Rock Field is not too difficult, the first part near Sapa town is large and paved, the last part near the ancient stone field is smaller and has more steep passes. You can easily get here by motorbike or private car.

7.1 Means of transport:

• By trekking: You can walk along the trail from Sapa town to the ancient stone field. On the way, you can also see the entire wonderful natural scenery on both sides of the road.
• By motorbike: If you are an explorer, motorbike is the ideal choice. It is a quite flexible means of transport, you can be proactive about your schedule and time, convenient for stopping to admire the scenery on both sides of the road.
• By private car: This is a spacious and safe means of transport, and it is not too dependent on weather factors. It is also suitable for small groups of friends or families, especially groups with the elderly and young children.

7.2 Traveling instructions:

Starting from Sapa town, you follow Muong Hoa road, then go to provincial road 152. From here, you continue to move on this road about 9 km to the Southeast until you reach Sapa ancient rock field.

8. Activities and experiences when traveling to Sapa ancient rock beach

The ancient stone beach is one of the tourist destinations in Sapa that attracts many visitors thanks to its mysterious beauty and unique historical value.

8.1 Admiring the strangely shaped rocks

When you come to the Sapa ancient rock field, you will admire the rocks with strange and unique shapes. Each rock has strange patterns and characters, like a mysterious message from ancient times. It can be human figures, terraced fields, writings, stilt houses, roads, etc. It is estimated that there are nearly 200 rocks with many shapes, arousing the curiosity of many tourists.

8.2 Learning about the history and life of ancient people through the rocks

The rocks at the ancient rock field of Sa Pa contain many carvings describing natural phenomena, activities and labor of ancient people. Drawings from stilt houses, human figures, parallel lines, birds and animals, and even a map of Muong Hoa valley evoke a vivid picture of ancient life. Scientists hypothesize that this could be an ancient map of the H’Mong people or a record of the weather, ancient battles, reflecting the concept of life of the owner of the stone beach.

8.3 Visiting the Sa Pa ancient rock carving exhibition house

To learn more about the history of the ancient stone beach, you can visit the Sa Pa ancient stone carving exhibition house. Here, you can admire large-scale drawings, documentary photos and primitive artifacts such as looms, stone mortars, wooden barrels, thereby better understanding the life and culture of the ancient residents who once lived in this area.

8.4 Enjoying the poetic beauty around the Sapa ancient rock field

Around the Sa Pa ancient rock field, there are terraced fields and the poetic Hoa stream, don’t forget to explore. The softly winding terraced fields, like brilliant golden silk strips when Sa Pa is in the ripe rice season, have made many hearts “fall in love”. Or the image of a gentle stream winding around the hillside also creates a picturesque natural landscape for Sa Pa.

8.5 Check in Sailing Sapa – a super chill cafe right at the ancient rock field

Sailing Sapa is located at the ancient stone beach, Pho village, Muong Hoa commune, an ideal stop for visitors to enjoy coffee while admiring the poetic scenery. Inspired by the image of a boat lying in the middle of a rice field, coming to Sailing Sapa you will be able to admire the golden terraced fields and the majestic Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

9. Specialties when traveling to Sapa ancient rock field

When traveling to Sapa ancient rock field, you will not only admire the stones with strange carvings and the beautiful natural scenery around. But you will also enjoy the specialties of this beautiful land.

9.1 Thang Co

The most famous dish in the Northwest that every tourist definitely wants to “try” when traveling to Sapa is Thang Co. Thang Co is cooked from various types of meat and animal organs in a large pan. It is simmered on a charcoal stove for many hours until tender and the spices are absorbed evenly.

9.2 Stream fish:

It’s very rare indeed. Walking along the road, you will see young H’Mong men holding fish spears for sale. That means quality Sapa stream fish. The quality of stream fish cannot be faulted. The fish meat is white, firm, sweet, not crumbly but very soft.

9.3 Local chicken:

Real local chicken of ethnic people in Sapa is rare and expensive. If restaurants in Sapa advertise having local chicken dishes, the source of chicken is mainly from other places (the quality cannot be verified). For those who want to eat real local chicken, they should buy it from ethnic people. They carry one or two chickens along the road or sit outside Sapa market. Local chicken meat is firm, very fragrant and tender when enjoyed

10. Accommodation when traveling to Sapa ancient rock field

When traveling to this unique place, you can refer to some of the following accommodations:

• KK Sapa Hotel. Address: 25 Violet, TT. Sa Pa, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
• DeLaSol Phat Linh Sapa. Address: 16 Muong Hoa Street, TT. Sa Pa, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
• Pao’s Sapa Leisure Hotel. Address: Muong Hoa, TT. Sa Pa, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
• Sapa Jade Hill Resort And Spa. Address: Luxury resort, Ng. Cau May, Group 3, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
• Topas Ecolodge. Address: Thanh Kim, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
• ALIANA Boutique Sapa Hotel & Spa. Address: No.30 Hoang Lien Street, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.

11. Some other famous attractions near Sapa ancient rock field

To enrich your travel itinerary. You can consider visiting some famous places near Sapa ancient stone beach, specifically:

• Cau May (Ta Van): A rustic bridge made of rattan helps you cross the poetic Muong Hoa stream with its pleasant murmuring sound and swaying steps.
• Lao Chai village: A beautiful village between Hoang Lien Son mountain range and Ham Rong mountain, deeply engraved in the cultural identity of ethnic minorities.
• Ta Phin Cave: A natural cave with winding paths leading underground and shimmering, eye-catching stalactites.
• Ta Phin Ancient Monastery: A sleeping Christian wonder in the mountains and forests with poetic scenery and classical architecture.

12. Some important notes when traveling to Sa pa ancient rock field

Make your trip here safe and full of joy. You need to refer to some necessary notes below:

• Noting the weather in Sapa, you should prepare yourself a raincoat or transparent umbrellas to cover the rain and sun. Just create a virtual living tool to make your photos more beautiful and poetic in the small town of Sapa.
• Prepare a full range of medical supplies, medicine, bandages, gauze, etc. And bring them with you to always have them available in times of emergency.
• Prepare yourself with a pair of soft, low-soled shoes, because you spend a lot of time hiking. So you need a suitable pair of shoes to feel comfortable and easy to move around.
• If you travel by motorbike, make sure you are in good health. You also have a steady handlebar, and are familiar with mountainous terrain. Please check your vehicle, bring necessary documents and comply with road traffic laws to ensure maximum safety for your journey.
• Always bring bottled water, snacks, snacks, etc. In case you need to refuel mid-way.
• Do not use discriminatory terms such as “ethnic minority” but call them H’Mong people, Dao people, etc. We need to respect indigenous culture.
• You should not arbitrarily take photos of Sapa people, especially women and children. If they know you’re taking photos, they will ask you to pay for taking photos or buy some items.
• You should not give money to children even though they look pitiful. That is an act of teaching children wrongly, they will invite their friends to run after them to beg for money.
• Respect the monuments, do not carve words or write names on the rocks.
• Keep the general landscape clean. Do not litter indiscriminately on the rock beach to ensure the landscape is always clean and beautiful.

Special Notes before arriving Sa Pa Ancient Rock Field

• Do not give money or candy to children. (mean the children they will not like to go to school) – If can so please give them some books or pencils.
• Do not put camera close to their face to take photo.
• Best time to visit (from April, May, June, Sept, Oct)
• Should not visit at weekend to avoid the crowded by other local and Chinese tourist

The ancient rock field of Sa Pa is not only a mysterious historical site. It is also a destination that attracts tourists, because of the wild beauty and mystery of the strangely carved rock blocks. Join Origin Vietnam – a professional tour operator. We will join you on the Sapa cultural tour to visit this ancient rock field. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the culture and history of ancient people.

Images Source: Internet