Travel experience in Mu Cang Chai in the ripe rice season

Mu Cang Chai in the ripe rice season can be considered one of the most beautiful scenery in the Northwest mountains and forests. Or simply a travel enthusiast, definitely don’t ignore Mu Cang Chai and the time when the rice is ripe. The following article of Kasrt Plateau will share with you the most detailed travel experience of Mu Cang Chai in the ripe rice season.

1. Introduction to Mu Cang Chai

Mu Cang Chai is a highland district in Yen Bai province. This place is about 300km northwest of Hanoi city. Mu Cang Chai is an extremely famous tourist destination with beautiful terraced fields. Many tourists often love this place because of its rustic, idyllic, yet poetic and majestic beauty.

Mu Cang Chai has 2 main tourist seasons, namely the ripe rice season and the water pouring season. Each season has a very unique beauty. During these two periods, tourists come to visit Mu Cang Chai in large numbers. In addition to the peak season, this place, like many other Northwest villages, people still keep their usual lifestyles.

A special feature in Mu Cang Chai is that rice here will be cultivated at different times to serve tourism. That’s why at the same time in Mu Cang Chai, you can see both ripe rice and green rice in different regions.

2. Time to travel to Mu Cang Chai in the ripe rice season

Mu Cang Chai is divided into 2 distinct ripe rice seasons. The first season is April – May, and the second season is September – October. However, from September to October is considered one of the most beautiful ripe rice seasons. This is also the time when Mu Cang Chai is at its peak, welcoming a large number of tourists.

Traveling to Mu Cang Chai in the ripe rice season is an opportunity for you to admire with your own eyes the beautiful “steps to heaven“.

You just need to pass by the roads in the middle of the mountainside, you will have the opportunity to see the ripe yellow rice with your own eyes, see the scene of the harvest of the highland ethnic people.

3. Move to Mu Cang Chai

Hanoi is about 280km from Mu Cang Chai and to move here, visitors can go by motorbike or by car or passenger car.

If you plan to travel by motorbike, you should follow the route Hanoi – Nghia Lo – Tu Le – Mu Cang Chai. Taking a bus will be easier, we just need to go to My Dinh bus station to buy a ticket to Mu Cang Chai.

4. The most beautiful places to see ripe rice in Mu Cang Chai

4.1 La Pan Tan

La Pan Tan is a commune in Mu Cang Chai district, about 15 km northwest of the district center. This place is famous for its terraced fields that are arranged in regular layers, winding along the hillsides. This is the place with the largest and most beautiful terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai.

When you come to La Pan Tan, you will admire the majestic natural scenery with endless terraced fields. In the ripe rice season, the whole area is like wearing a shiny yellow shirt, creating a vivid picture of nature. Visitors can stroll on the small paths between the fields, take photos, and enjoy the fresh, peaceful air of the mountains.

4.2 Mam Xoi Hill

When you arrive at Mam  Hill you will have to go through winding and steep mountain roads, but the beautiful natural landscape will make your journey interesting and memorable. It stands out for its terraced fields arranged in circular layers, like giant raspberries on the hillside. This is the result of the ingenuity and elaborateness of the Hmong ethnic group over many generations.

From the top of the hill, visitors can see a panoramic view of the terraced fields, creating a beautiful natural picture. In the ripe rice season, the whole area becomes brilliant with a shiny yellow color, making anyone amazed by its majestic beauty.

4.3 Che Cu Nha

Che Cu Nha is another commune of Mu Cang Chai district, located about 7 km west of the district center. This place stands out with terraced fields arranged in different heights, creating a majestic landscape. This is also home to the Hmong ethnic people, who have created and preserved these terraced fields for generations.

When visiting Che Cu Nha, visitors can participate in activities such as climbing, and trekking through rice fields. In addition, visitor can visit Hmong villages to learn about their culture and life. The scenery in Che Cu Nha during the ripe rice season is truly charming, with vibrant yellow fields stretching across the mountains and hills.

4.4 De Xu Phinh

De Xu Phinh has beautiful and well-preserved terraced fields. The fields here are usually smaller than those of La Pan Tan and Che Cu Nha, but they have a very beautiful and delicate structure.

Here, visitors will witness the terraced fields stacked on top of each other meticulously and elaborately. In the ripe rice season, these fields become brilliant with a golden color, creating a beautiful scenery. You can also interact with the locals and learn about the process of growing rice in the rice terraces.

4.5 Mong Ngua Hill

Mong Ngua Hill is one of the famous ripe rice viewing places in Mu Cang Chai, known for the unique shape of terraced fields, resembling horseshoes. This place stands out with terraced fields arranged in the shape of a typical horseshoe, creating a unique and attractive scenery. These fields were created by the diligence and ingenuity of the H’mong ethnic group, over many generations.

From the top of the hill, you can admire the panoramic view of the terraced fields stretching in the shape of a horseshoe, winding through the hillsides. When the rice season arrives, the scenery here becomes brilliant with the golden color of the rice fields, creating a majestic natural picture.

5. Tourist attractions in Mu Cang Chai

5.1 Experience Khau Pha Pass

Referring to the beautiful scenery in Mu Cang Chai, it is impossible not to mention Khau Pha Pass. This place is famous for its winding and steep pass that ranks among the most beautiful in Vietnam. Khau Pha Pass is the first attraction that any visitor to Mu Cang Chai will pass through. The roads wind like a long dig that makes everyone want to conquer. The winding passes are located in the middle of old forests, on one side are mountain forests, on the other side are deep valleys.

In addition, this place is also full of pristine features and terraced fields of H’Mong and Thai ethnic groups, creating beautiful picturesque scenery.

5.2 Bamboo forest

The 60-year-old bamboo forest is located 20 km from the center of Mu Cang Chai town. This is also a place to provide bamboo shoot specialties for the region. The road here on a rainy day is very muddy and steep. Visitors often have to walk or hire locals to carry motorbikes to the attractions because the dirt roads are narrow, steep and slippery and cannot be taken by car.

5.3 Tram Tau hot springs

Tram Tau is about 100 km from Mu Cang Chai but is the right destination if you decide to explore Yen Bai in the ripe rice season. There is a hot mineral spring from a natural underground circuit, which is very good for health, especially for people with bone and joint pain. This place is also a homestay, so visitors who want to stay overnight need to make a reservation in advance.

Not far from the hot mineral bathing area, there is a free spring bathing point for local people such as in Coi village, Hoc village, etc.

5.4 Pu Nhu Waterfall

According to travel experiences in Mu Cang Chai of the Karst Plateau, many people highly recommend visiting Pu Nhu Waterfall. The waterfall stands at an altitude of 20 meters and forms a natural masterpiece with its many different tiers.

This waterfall originates mainly from the watershed forests of Lao Cai and Son La, where it originates from the clear blue water. This place possesses the charming beauty of mountains and waters thanks to two soaring rock cliffs, erected vertically on both sides of the waterfall. At the foot of the waterfall lies Dragon Lake. It is a large lake with a green landscape surrounded by lush vegetation.

 Suggested travel itinerary for Mu Cang Chai in the ripe rice season

Day 1: Hanoi – Khau Pha – Mam Xoi Hill – Mu Cang Chai

Day 2: Mu Cang Chai – Mong Ngua Hill – Bamboo Forest – Hanoi

The above article of Karst Plateau has shared with you the Travel experience in Mu Cang Chai in the ripe rice season. Hopefully, the above sharing will help you have more experience for your upcoming trip, with countless interesting points in Mu Cang Chai. What are you waiting for, you shouldn’t plan for the upcoming visit to Mu Cang Chai right away. This place promises to bring you many wonderful memories.