Ta Xua is one of the ten highest mountains in Vietnam made up of three peaks. Because it is located on high mountain terrain, it has a cool climate all year round. Perhaps that is why Ta Xua is called Cloud Hunting Paradise by travel enthusiasts. This place is also famous for its specialties of hawthorn fruit and ancient Shan Tuyet tea forests hundreds of years old.
How to get to Ta Xua?
You can use many means of transportation to get to Ta Xua such as motorbikes, cars, passenger cars, and tourist cars. From Hanoi, go towards Son Tay, Trung Ha bridge, go to Thu Cuc intersection along Highway 32, turn right to Phu Yen, Bac Yen along Highway 37. The main road to Ta Xua center has been paved with concrete so it is easy to travel. much more than before. 16-seat cars can go to the top.
Limousines from bus companies such as Khanh Thinh, Quang Nghia, Nguyen Hang to Ta Xua cost 28 USD/person (round trip). The bus usually departs from Hanoi at 10:00 p.m. and arrives in Ta Xua after 5 hours, with breaks along the way.
In Ta Xua, you can rent a motorbike to visit places for convenience. But if the steering wheel is not steady, rent a motorbike taxi from a local because the road is quite steep, narrow and has many turns.
Which season is best to travel to Ta Xua?
Ta Xua in December to March: December to March is the time when Ta Xua comes into spring. December to March is the time when flowers in Ta Xua bloom and is also the most suitable time to hunt clouds. The weather at this time is a bit dry and cold, so if you come to Ta Xua at this time, please bring warm clothes.
Ta Xua in April to July: April to July is the flood season in Ta Xua. April to July is when Ta Xua is in flood season. This is the time when the fields in Xua possess beauty that cannot be found anywhere else.
Ta Xua in August to November: August to November is the most suitable time to travel to Ta Xua. August to November is the time when Ta Xua transforms from summer to winter. The weather at this time is relatively cool, quite suitable for traveling.
Therefore, depending on the purpose you want to see at Ta Xua, you can choose the appropriate time. It is best to go from August to November to have the most pleasant and cool weather for the journey.
Attractive tourist destinations in Ta Xua
The Back of the Copper Groin Dinosaur
Dinosaur spine is a famous Ta Xua tourist destination in Bac Yen district, Son La province. Located at an altitude of about 1,600 meters above sea level and about 1.5km long, this trail is part of Chong Tra Mountain - one of the majestic mountain ranges of the Northwest region.
To get to the dinosaur's spine, you will have to go through a long, bumpy and sometimes very dangerous road. However, the efforts have been rewarded with the wonderful beauty that Ta Xua brings. From the top of Chong Tra mountain, you will admire the wild beauty of the natural landscape with towering mountains, majestic valleys and winding waterfalls, creating a beautiful natural picture. , attracting tourists from all parts of the country. The feeling of standing on the top of a mountain, looking down across the vast land, experiencing the feeling of freedom between mountains and clouds is a wonderful, unforgettable experience.
Windy Peak
Besides the dinosaur's spine, Wind Peak is also an attractive Ta Xua tourist destination. Located in Bac Yen district, Gio Peak possesses the wild and majestic beauty of nature, attracting many tourists who love to explore and learn about the land of Ta Xua.
Wind Peak is located at an altitude of about 1,200 meters above sea level. From here, you will have a panoramic view of Ta Xua land with mountains, valleys,... Standing on Wind Peak and looking at the panorama is an experience. A wonderful experience, making you see your smallness before the majestic and endless beauty of nature.
Lonely Cat Apple Tree
Located about 11km from Ta Xua center, the lonely cat apple tree is a unique and new tourist destination in the majestic Northwest region. Located on Gio Peak at an altitude of about 1,200 meters above sea level, the cat apple tree is a destination for you to relax and enjoy beautiful nature. From the cat apple tree, you can admire the panoramic view of Ta Xua with rolling mountains and winding rivers, all creating a majestic and peaceful natural picture.
Turtle Head Rock
As the name suggests, turtle head rock is a cliff protruding at an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level. When you come here, you will be attracted by the impression and uniqueness brought by the cliff. The steep cliff shaped like a turtle's head is a unique natural masterpiece, arousing a sense of curiosity in visitors.
The solidity and majesty of the turtle's head rock create a special feeling, making you surprised and admiring the majestic beauty of nature. Coming here, you have the opportunity to enjoy the wild, fresh and peaceful air of Ta Xua land.
Dolphin Beak
Dolphin snout is a unique and interesting check-in point in Ta Xua. This location is formed by two large rocks stacked on top of each other, creating an image that looks like a dolphin swimming in a sea of clouds. The dolphin's beak seems to hang in the sky, creating a feeling of adventure and fantasy.
Primary forest
Ta Xua primeval forest is located on the southeast slope of Hoang Lien Son range, stretching from an altitude of 2,600 m to the top. The forest has a wild, mysterious beauty, its altitude changes continuously along the Phu Sa Phin range. There are many rare species of flora and fauna here, especially the moss forest, known as the "kingdom of moss". Small paths in the forest combined with rays of sunlight will take you into a land like in a fairy tale.
Ta Xua steppe
Ta Xua steppe is located on the same path to dolphin cape and lonely tree, about 10 km from the commune center. The road is wide, with few curves. Near the dolphin's cape, you will see a sign leading to Ta Xua steppe. This is a place with vast natural landscapes, not only a place to admire natural beauty but also an ideal spot for fun, sports and camping activities.
Cloud-watching cafes
Mi Oi, Hien Coffee, Thao Coffee, H'mong Coffee, Ban Coffee are outstanding coffee shops in Ta Xua with beautiful views, easy to hunt clouds, and are ideal virtual photography spots. In cloudless times, these are still beautiful places to sip a cup of hot tea, admire the majestic natural landscape, watch the sunset gradually fall or simply sit and relax. Drink prices range from 1 USD to 3 USD.
Where to stay when coming to Ta Xua?
Homestay
Po Mu Homestay
Po Mu is a Ta Xua homestay located right at the town junction, with a direct view of the majestic Northwest mountains and forests. The homestay has a rustic, simple design like a local people's house, dotted with decorative items made from wood.
In particular, this Ta Xua homestay also designs tents in a spacious garden area, suitable for those who want to camp and light a fire. In addition, when standing from the homestay's garden, you will be able to 'hunt' for clouds right on the spot without having to go far.
Address: Provincial Road 112 Ta Xua, Bac Yen, Son La
Reference price: from 16 USD - 20 USD/night
Contact phone number: 098 247 99 99
Ta Xua Hills Homestay
Coming to Ta Xua Hills Homestay, you will experience a day of highland people, because this place was built and managed by the H'Mong people. The homestay is located halfway up the mountain, surrounded by majestic mountains, quite deserted so it is quiet, suitable for healing trips or finding nature.
Address: Ta Xua, Bac Yen, Son La
Reference price: from 10 USD - 24 USD/night
Contact phone number: 0943 333 333
Ta Xua Clouds
Located right on the main road in town, so when staying at Ta Xua Clouds Homestay, you can easily move to many attractions as well as restaurants and cafes. In addition, if you intend to hunt for the sea of floating clouds, then true to the name, standing from this Ta Xua homestay, you will be able to see the valley with misty clouds on beautiful days.
Address: Ta Xua, Bac Yen, Son La
Reference price: from 12 USD - 30 USD/night
Contact phone number: 0393 000 008
Hotel
Dong Tam Ta Xua Hotel
The hotel location is in the center of Bac Yen Town (opposite the District People's Committee). This is a suitable resting place for those who like minimalist space and private comfort. (There is a spacious parking area for cars and motorbikes). It is known that the hotel has full services to serve customers. Ensuring satisfaction of all customers when arriving at the hotel. Especially the price is quite cheap, so you can choose it as a place to stay overnight.
Address: Highway 37, TT. Bac Yen, Bac Yen, Son La.
Contact phone: 0345 582 468.
Reference price: about 10 USD - 16 USD/night
May Home Ta Xua
The location is quite convenient, visitors can easily find it. In addition, around the hotel there are many beautiful scenes that every tourist will feel impressed when resting here. If you choose May Home Ta Xua, you will have the opportunity to visit famous places in Son La. Surely you will have memorable moments when resting here.
Large room system with a capacity of more than 20 people. In addition, visitors can also enjoy a famous dish that is buffalo meat. This will be an interesting experience for you when you come to this Ta Xua hotel. Along with the Mayhome bungalow system, there are also 2 rooms according to hotel standards, built on a solid floor house.
Address: Ta Xua Center, Bac Yen, Son La.
Contact hotline: 077 426 2626.
Reference room price: ranges from 16 USD - 24 USD/night.
Dishes you should enjoy at Ta Xua
Mac velvet porridge: This is one of the extremely famous specialties of Ta Xua that every visitor must try. The porridge is cooked with ordinary rice, ribs, minced meat and macadamia nuts combined with ginger and lemongrass, creating an extremely attractive flavor. A bowl of mac velvet porridge will help you dispel the cold of cold days.
Kitchen buffalo meat: Surely this is an extremely famous specialty of the Northwest region. To make this dish, people have to cut the meat into long pieces and then marinate it with special spices along with mac khe. Then it is smoked over charcoal for about 2 months to get the finished product
Pa pinh top: This specialty is made from fish with a delicious flavor that you can hardly find anywhere other than the Ta Xua mountain forests. The types of fish used to prepare this dish are usually carp, carp, and drift fish. The fish will be left whole, cleaned of scales and intestines, then cut along the spine from head to tail to remove the fishy smell through salt. Then it will be marinated with spices including garlic, lemongrass, onions, wild herbs, mac khen,...
Nam Pia: The ingredients of this dish include blood, meat, tails and all internal organs of cows and goats. The most important ingredient to make standard nam pia is the fluid in the internal organs. Through many stages of processing, the dish is created with a characteristic bitter taste, when eaten, it will be served with banana and mint.
Cat apple: also known as Son Tra, a fruit that is a specialty of the Ta Xua mountain region. This fruit is classified as a precious medicine specializing in treating digestion, strengthening the immune system and fighting cancer, etc. Usually, Cat Apple will be used to soak medicinal wine, make jam or apricot fruit.
Things to note when coming to Ta Xua
The road to Ta Xua is quite difficult, so you need to go very carefully, do not go at night, do not drive fast.
Check the weather forecast before your trip to ensure the best weather for cloud hunting
There is no teller machine (ATM) in Ta Xua, so you need to bring cash. If you want to withdraw money, go to Bac Yen Center before going to Ta Xua.
Prepare personal items including coats, raincoats, lighters, flashlights, etc.
If traveling by car to Ta Xua, you should only choose a car with less than 12 seats to ensure road safety