1. Where is Chieu Lau Thi peak?
Chieu Lau Thi Peak, also known as Kieu Lieu Ti, is located in Tan Minh village and Chien Thang village, Ho Thau commune, Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province, Vietnam. About 36 km from Vinh Quang town, Hoang Su Phi district. About 120 km southwest of Ha Giang city and about 322 km northwest of Hanoi capital.
2. How is Chieu Lau Thi peak unique?
Mentioning Ha Giang, people often immediately think of the immense buckwheat flower season in Ha Giang or the legendary mountain passes. Few people know that 124 km west of the rocky plateau, there is a place with a very different flavor. That is the trekking spot and cloud hunting paradise of Chieu Lau Thi.
This is the second highest mountain peak in Ha Giang province compared to Tay Con Linh mountain peak. Chieu Lau Thi has relatively steep mountain slopes and is strongly divided by streams in the upstream area. At the highest area of the mountain peak is relatively flat land. It is convenient for people to visit and travel when stopping at Chieu Lau Thi.
Is it worth visiting Chieu Lau Thi peak
Chieu Lau Thi Mountain is about 2,402m above sea level, one of the two highest peaks in Northeast Vietnam. The Vietnamese name of this mountain means “Nine stairs”. In Chinese “Chieu Lau” means nine steps, “thi” means a big and high rock. The name “Nine stairs” refers to the road climbing to the top of the mountain. The ancients built it into stone steps climbing up and down from a height of more than 2,300 m to a peak of 2,400 m.
At the foot of the mountain there are 13 communes in Hoang Su Phi and Xin Man districts. Legend has it that when the French invaded Vietnam, they intended to use this mountain as an observation point for the entire vast region. So they hired our compatriots to break rocks to make way to the top of the mountain. And they also hired Han Chinese workers to carve rocks from the foot to the top of the mountain using 9 stone steps. Here is where Viet Minh cadres used to do revolutionary activities during the years of the August Revolution.
Because it is a primeval high mountain forest. When trekking Chieu Lau Thi, you will have the opportunity to admire many rare species of animals and plants. And many types of aged primeval wood covered with green moss. On days when the sky is clear and cloudless, the sunrise shines like pouring golden honey into each mountain flap. The scenery of the sea of floating clouds becomes even more romantic.
3. When is the best time to conquer Chieu Lau Thi peak?
Chieu Lau Thi peak is beautiful all year round. Each season brings a different array of colors and experiences. However, the most suitable time to go trekking Chieu Lau Thi to hunt clouds is probably from September to December. Or you can also go during the three most beautiful periods of time. The ripe rice season, the pouring water season or the peach and plum blossom season.
- Ripe rice season: Late September, early October
- Water pouring season: Late April, early May
- Peach blossom and plum blossom season, festival season: From January to March.
Note: Check the weather forecast to avoid going during stormy seasons, because flash floods or landslides can easily occur here, causing a bad experience for visitors.
4. How to get to Chieu Lau Thi peak?
4.1 From Hanoi To Hoang Su Phi
The distance from Hanoi to Hoang Su Phi is about 300 km. There are two routes that Origin Vietnam will suggest below, you can refer to:
4.1.1 Route 1: Hanoi – Ha Giang City – Hoang Su Phi
From Hanoi, you can use personal vehicles or passenger cars to travel to Ha Giang City. The distance from Hanoi to Ha Giang City is quite far, you should prioritize using passenger cars or sleeper buses to save time and preserve your health. After traveling to Ha Giang city, you rent a motorbike to travel to Hoang Su Phi according to the reference route below. National Highway 2 to Tan Quang, then go on D177 road to Hoang Su Phi.
Otherwise, you can move to Thanh Thuy border gate, then go through Tay Con Linh mountain. You will reach Hoang Su Phi.
4.1.2 Route 2: Hanoi – Hoang Su Phi
Tourists who want to go directly to Hoang Su Phi without going through Ha Giang City can follow the following route. Hanoi – Kim Ma – Vo Chi Cong – Vinh Ngoc – Vo Nguyen Giap – National Highway 2A. Then road 131/DCT 05 – National Highway 2C – National Highway 37 – Route 1 – DT 177 and finally go to Hoang Su Phi.
4.2 From Hoang Su Phi To Chieu Lau Thi Peak
Departing from Vinh Quang town, center of Hoang Su Phi district. You follow provincial road DT177 southeast for about 1.6 km and then come to a fork in the road. From here, you turn right onto the inter-district road. You continue moving southwest about 34.5 km to the foot of Chieu Lau Thi mountain.
5. Activities and experiences at Chieu Lau Thi peak
Chieu Lau Thi is a famous place for trekking enthusiasts. The steep and dangerous mountain road with a rich ecological layer will stimulate your exploration.
5.1 Trekking to Chieu Lau Thi peak
Ha Giang tourism is also famous for its trekking routes that satisfy the eyes of the most demanding trekkers. And the second highest mountain in Northeast Vietnam is very popular to be included in backpacking trips.
5.1.1 Below are some trekking routes in Ha Giang through Chieu Lau Thi
- Vinh Quang town – Chieu Lau Thi – Luoc village – Phung village.
- Nam Ty – Nam Hong – Chieu Lau Thi – Luoc village – Phung village.
- Ha Giang – Chieu Lau Thi – Phung village – Xin Man – Bac Ha – Sapa.
5.1.2 Distance of stops on the backpacking route
- Vinh Quang Town – Chieu Lau Thi: 35.5km.
- Chieu Lau Thi – Ban Luoc: 24km.
- Ban Luoc – Ban Phung: 41km.
- Ban Luoc – Ho Thau: 15km.
- Ho Thau – Chieu Lau Thi: 12km.
- Nam Hong – Chieu Lau Thi: 50km.
With each stop, you can stop for about 1 to 2 days to learn and discover the unique specialties of each place.
For those of you who are going trekking for the first time, carefully prepare the necessary belongings for your trip. Remember to bring your full driver’s license and identification documents. Next, bring light and convenient clothes suitable for the weather as well as shoes and hats for backpacking. Don’t forget to bring a medical kit in case of need and finally prepare a steady driver to cope with difficult roads.
5.2 Cloud hunting on Chieu Lau Thi peak
Cloud hunting is an experience not to be missed when you go to the Chieu Lau Thi peak. You should go from October to December to be able to hunt for the most beautiful clouds. When you get there, you will be immersed in the dim clouds as if you are stepping into paradise.
After a long journey to the top of the mountain. You should take a deep breath to enjoy all the fresh air of nature, mountains and forests of Ha Giang.
5.3 Taking photos of Chieu Lau Thi landmark
In 2016, Chieu Lau Thi was crowned and built a landmark similar to Mount Fansipan with an altitude of 2,402m. The stainless steel top is about 108 cm high, with 3 sides each 666 cm long. The rugged high mountain terrain causes many difficulties for transporting the cone to the top.
Coming here, taking a photo of the Chieu Lau Thi landmark to keep your memories after an exciting trekking journey to the top.
6. Specialties when conquering Chieu Lau Thi peak
Conquering Chieu Lau Thi peak, you have the opportunity to admire the breathtaking and majestic natural scenery. Because it is a trekking discovery tour. The food is often pre-made and brought along and is mainly simple dishes. However, after trekking and returning to the city center, you have the opportunity to enjoy the specialties of this land.
6.1 Au Tau Porridge
One of the special dishes of Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang is Au Tau porridge. Au Tau is a type of tuber grown by local people. To make porridge, local people have to soak au tau in rice water. Then simmer it with pig’s feet, sticky rice, regular rice and other spices such as herbs, green onions, eggs, pepper, chili, etc. Au tau porridge It has a dark brown color and a characteristic bitter taste, mixed with the aroma of coriander, onions, pepper, and chili.
This porridge is not only delicious but also nutritious. It helps people sleep well and reduce fatigue and pain. Many tourists coming to Ha Giang want to try Au Tau porridge to feel the unique flavor of the highlands. People also say that “if you haven’t eaten Au Tau, it’s like you haven’t been to Ha Giang yet”.
6.2 Thang Co
One of the typical dishes of Hoang Su Phi region is Thang Co. The bone soup is made from many different types of meat such as cow, buffalo, horse or pig. Not only meat, but also internal organs such as intestines, heart, liver, lungs, and blood are also used to add flavor to the dish. Meat and bones are simmered thoroughly with water and spices. Such as cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, wild guava seeds, lemongrass, chili, pepper, etc. In order to create a rich and delicious broth flavor.
When eating, the bowl of Thang Co is freshly scooped out hot, dipped in a little pre-mixed salt, the flavors blend so well that people get drunk easily. Thang co is a popular dish during festivals and markets of Hoang Su Phi people. This dish is not only simple but also carries many meanings of connection and sharing between community members.
6.3 Egg rolls
Egg rolls are a specialty dish of Hoang Su Phi highland. Many people loved them because of the combination of traditional rolls and chicken eggs. The cake is made from rice flour coated in a thin layer, covered with a layer of beaten eggs. Then stuffed with minced meat in the middle.
The cake has a sweet, chewy taste, mixed with a rich dipping sauce made from pork bones. You can enjoy this cake in Hoang Su Phi in the morning or going to ethnic markets. Ha Giang egg rolls will satisfy you with its unique and rich flavor.
6.4 Buckwheat cake
A specialty dish of the Ha Giang rocky plateau is buckwheat cake. It is made from the seeds of the buckwheat flower. This flower has a deep purple color and blooms brilliantly in large fields in Hoang Su Phi, Dong Van, Meo Vac and other districts. They are not only beautiful but also have high economic value. Because their seeds can be used to prepare many delicious and nutritious dishes.
Their seeds are tiny, after being dried and ground, they are mixed with water and made into cake molds for baking. The cake has a sweet, floral scent, and is a perfect combination when eaten with thang co. Buckwheat cake is also a popular folk cake of the H’Mong people, because it is cheap and easy to make. In addition, their seeds can also be used to make wine, soup, hot pot, or as food coloring for other dishes.
6.5 Grilled moss
A common type of aquatic life that we often ignore is stone moss. But in Ha Giang, they are an ingredient for many specialty dishes. Stone moss can be processed into delicious, nutritious dishes and imbued with the culture of the highlands. In order to get clean stone moss, people must choose large moss fields. Transport them home, wash off dirt and silt on the moss, and then cook the dishes.
Mosses are common in streams but are not popular because they do not have a good taste. Local people consider moss a special dish because it only appears in certain months of the year. Moss can be prepared in many different ways. Such as frying or drying, but the most common is mixed with spices and grilled. This is a unique way of processing and creates the unique flavor of moss.
7. Accommodation when conquering Chieu Lau Thi peak
Because this is a trekking trip to the top of Chieu Lau Thi to hunt clouds. During the trip in Ha Giang, you will stay overnight in tents that you bring or rest stops that have been fixed at one point.
However, after the trekking trip to Chieu Lau Thi peak, you return to the town center area and have the opportunity to stay overnight at the accommodations here. Please refer to some accommodation locations below.
7.1 Hotels:
- Hoang Anh Hotel. Address: Vinh Quang Town, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
- Hoang Su Phi Lodge. Address: Nam Hong Village, Commune, Thong Nguyen, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
- Tay Con Linh Hotel. Address: Group 4, Vinh Quang town, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
- Golden Season Hotel. Address: Group 1, Vinh Quang Town, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
- Song Chay Hotel. Address: Vinh Quang Town, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
7.2 Guesthouses:
- Thong Nguyen Guesthouse. Address: Thong Nguyen, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
- Minh Chau Guesthouse. Address: Group 6, Vinh Quang Town, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
- Tien Dat Guesthouse. Address: Vinh Quang Town, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
- Thuan An Guesthouse. Address: Vinh Quang Town, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
- Anh Duy Guesthouse. Address: Thong Nguyen, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
7.3 Homestays:
- Nam Homestay. Address: Suoi Thau 2 Village, Ban Luoc Commune, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
- Long Chieu Homestay. Address: Tan Phong, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
- La Chi Phong Homestay. Address: Ban Phung, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
- Ecolodge Panhou Village. Address: Thong Nguyen, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
- Thanh Van Homestay. Address: Group 1, Vinh Quang Town, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.
8. Some famous tourist attractions near Chieu Lau Thi peak
After going to Chieu Lau Thi, don’t forget to visit other places in Ha Giang. Every stop gives you different, unforgettable experiences. Let’s take a look at some must-visit places besides Chieu Lau Thi.
8.1 Nam Hong
Nam Hong is a place you should not miss because of its immense beauty. The golden terraced fields in the ripe rice season in September and October are a tourist attraction in Nam Hong. Furthermore, experiencing the culture of the Red Dao people will help enrich your experience.
8.2 Thau Lake
Thau Lake is located right at the foot of Chieu Lau Thi mountain. so it will be more convenient for tourists to visit. It’s about 12 km from the foot of the mountain, you only need to walk about half an hour to get there. Stop here to visit the lives of indigenous people such as farming, cooking,…
8.3 Ban Luoc
Ban Luoc captivates tourists with the charming natural beauty of terraced fields. You can also come to feel the peaceful life of the people here. When coming to Luoc village, don’t forget to visit Suoi Thau temple.
8.4 Ban Phung
Ban Phung will welcome you with pristine, charming natural scenery. This place is famous for the highest terraced fields in Vietnam. Come during the ripe rice season to see the winding rice fields. It surrounds the small village of the La Chi people.
9. Some important notes when conquering Chieu Lau Thi peak
To make your trip safer and more convenient, you need to pay attention to some of the following:
- You need to book a bus ticket from Hanoi to Ha Giang before starting your trip.
- If you plan to come to Chieu Lau Thi, you need to have excellent health. You should exercise regularly to come to Chieu Lau Thi.
- In addition, if you plan to travel by motorbike, you also need to have a strong and calm steering wheel. You should not rush and stay close to your side of the road. Pay attention to travel routes and signs. At the same time, you also need to pay attention and monitor the weather before departure.
- Avoid traveling to Chieu Lau Thi on rainy and windy days because the slippery road is dangerous.
- When traveling, you need to bring a flashlight, a windbreaker, a water bottle, and prepare some other items for your trip.
- To ensure greater safety, you should prepare some protective items for yourself during your travel.
- At the beginning of the 11km offroad, there will be no phone signal or 3G. There will be when climbing to the top of the mountain, so remember to inform your family in advance.
- Maintaining a green, clean and beautiful landscape. Absolutely do not throw trash indiscriminately.
In its broader route across northern Vietnam, Chieu Lau Thi Peak provides a contemplative stop to a journey dominated by mountains and distance. The stop complements other places like valleys, passes, and villages across Ha Giang to ensure travelers gain a deeper understanding of just how varied Ha Giang’s landscape really is. Experiences like this are naturally embedded within a journey across Ha Giang. Origin Vietnam introduces travelers to these places with a calm understanding of nature.
