Ta Phin Village is famous for its wild and rustic beauty. When you come here, you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of the majestic terraced fields and simple stilt houses nestled at the foot of Hoang Lien Son mountain. Today, DanangPrivateCar.com’s team visits this ancient village of Ta Phin, full of history, carrying a wild and mysterious beauty that has not been explored by many.
Table of Contents
Overview of Ta Phin Village
- Location: Ta Phin Village, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
- Ticket price to enter the village: 20,000 VND per person
Ta Phin Village is located approximately 13km northeast of the town of Sa Pa. Similar to many other roads in Lao Cai, the road to Ta Phin is quite winding and challenging if you are not familiar with it. This is one of the reasons why Ta Phin possesses an impressive beauty of the wild mountainous region but is relatively unknown to many tourists.
The village is situated at a relatively high altitude compared to sea level, so when you arrive here, you may feel a bit chilly, experiencing a biting cold from the characteristic winds of the highland region. Therefore, it’s advisable to prepare warm clothes and jackets.
Ta Phin Village is home to two main ethnic groups: the Dao and the H’Mong, with the Dao ethnic group being the majority. Therefore, when you visit Ta Phin, you will sense a living space rich in ethnic identity, with simple stilt houses, handcrafted colorful traditional costumes, and a variety of local dishes, all with the distinct flavors of the mountainous forest.
Guide on How to Get to Ta Phin Village
To reach Ta Phin Village, you need to navigate through a challenging, perilous, and potentially dangerous route. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a mode of transportation that suits your capabilities for a safe journey and a fulfilling experience.
Motorbike
You can rent a motorbike in Sapa to travel from the town of Sapa to Ta Phin Village, covering a distance of approximately 13km. It may take around 30 to 45 minutes to complete this route. However, you need to ensure both courage and skilled handling to navigate the winding and challenging road. On the positive side, if you can overcome your fears, you’ll experience the most authentic and vivid scenery on both sides of the road.
Car
In addition to traveling by motorbike, you can also opt for a tour or travel by car, starting from Sapa to ensure safety.
Moreover, if you are in Hanoi, you can use the private car rental service with a driver in Hanoi from DanangPrivateCar.com’s. With door-to-door service and professional drivers, you can have an easy and comfortable journey. Book a private car service from Hanoi to Sapa today to explore Ta Phin Village in the most comprehensive way.
Explore Ta Phin Village – a primitive village with simple yet emotionally rich beauty.
Ancient Ta Phin Convent
This ancient convent was built in 1942 by 12 nuns of the Korean Kito sect. However, as the convent was still under construction, political unrest in the area led the 12 nuns to return to Hanoi, leaving the unfinished convent behind.
Today, the convent has become one of the attractions drawing many tourists to discover its unique classical beauty. Although the convent is no longer pristine and intact as it once was, the moss-covered gray walls still exude an ethereal charm that captivates travelers seeking out and checking into this ancient architectural wonder.
Ta Phin Cave
The cave is located a bit far from the center of Ta Phin Village, about 3km on foot. While the journey may be a bit distant, the breathtaking scenery on both sides makes it worthwhile, so you need not worry about the distance.
Ta Phin Cave lies beneath a mountain and is locally believed to be the dwelling place of the first ancestors of the Dao ethnic group. For the locals, it is an extremely sacred place with a divine and reverent atmosphere.
Inside the cave, stalactites formed over thousands of years through the dripping of water, creating various shapes and sizes. To safely and enjoyably experience exploring Ta Phin Cave, you can hire a Dao ethnic local to guide you, light up the way, and share interesting stories about Ta Phin Village.
Community House in Ta Phin
The building stands out with vibrant colors amid the mountainous landscape, its design inspired by the traditional scarves of the Dao ethnic group, characterized by rich ethnic hues. This serves as a communal space for the villagers to socialize with each other or to welcome distant travelers who come to visit and stay.
Activities not to be missed when visiting Ta Phin Village
Sightseeing and Souvenir Shopping
If you have the opportunity to visit Ta Phin Village, be sure to explore the local handicraft shops on both sides of the road. Admire numerous handmade products with unique patterns, bearing the distinct signature of the Lao Cai region. These items make excellent gifts or souvenirs.
Dao Medicinal Leaf Bath
The Dao people here, whose lives are deeply intertwined with the mountains and forests through generations, have a profound understanding and application of various medicinal leaves to provide you with a relaxing herbal bath experience.
Harvest Season in Ta Phin Village
During the months of September and October each year, the terraced fields in succession bloom, making Ta Phin Village one of the most beautiful places to admire ripe rice in Sapa. The terraced fields, layer after layer, undulate and extend like a silky cloth.
Standing on the mountainside and looking down at the vast expanse of terraced fields will help you forget the weariness of everyday life, set aside worries, and immerse yourself in nature, enjoying the peaceful moments of the soul.
Visit the Strawberry Garden
- Opening hours: 8:00 – 11:30 and 13:30 – 16:30.
- Price: 100,000 VND per person per hour.
Unlike strawberries in Da Lat, the strawberries in Ta Phin Village have a uniquely rich and sweet flavor, both fresh and cold, providing a delightful experience when enjoyed.
Tourist Attractions near Ta Phin Village in Sapa
Ta Van Village
Located in Ta Van commune, Sapa district, Lao Cai province, approximately 12 km from the center of Sapa town. Ta Van Village is the home of the longstanding Mong ethnic community, along with the Red Dao and Giay ethnic groups. If you want to fully appreciate the beauty of the Muong Hoa Valley, a visit to Ta Van Village is a must.
Muong Hoa Valley
Situated in Hau Thao commune, about 12 km southeast from the center of Sapa. To reach Muong Hoa Valley, travelers pass over a mountain pass along a high mountain range. Visitors to this area will immerse themselves in the fresh air blended with the stunning beauty of terraced fields, mist-covered mountains, simple houses, large ancient trees, and beautiful nature. Muong Hoa Valley also features cool streams winding through the terraced fields. The Sapa ancient rock field is also located in Muong Hoa Valley, covering an area of approximately 8 square kilometers, discovered in 1925. The rock field is expansive, with nearly 200 blocks of stones. What makes these stones special is their incredibly diverse and unique shapes, resembling terraced fields, humans, roads, and writings.
Cat Cat Village
This is a small village in San Sa Ho commune, Lao Cai. It is a highland village nestled amidst vast and majestic mountains, offering many local specialties such as corn wine, buffalo meat cooked on the kitchen floor, and various types of fruits. The road from Sapa town to Cat Cat Village is about 2 km long. Along this road, you will be captivated by the vast and magnificent landscapes, with high mountain ranges on one side and the Sapa Valley on the other. The winding road is quite steep and positioned higher than Cat Cat Village, allowing you to admire the entire village from above with closely-packed houses and surrounded by lush trees. The central area of Cat Cat Village is the Hoa Stream, with its white foam, bamboo bridges swaying over the water, enormous water mills, and simple thatched-roof houses. Going deeper, you will encounter the dazzling Cat Cat Waterfall against the backdrop of rocky mountains, resembling a desert landscape.
What to Eat When You Visit Ta Phin Village?
Ta Phin Village is home to two ethnic groups, the H’Mong and the Dao, so there are characteristic dishes from both cultures that you should try.
- Stolen armpit pork
- Chicken stir-fried with lemongrass
- Pork and bamboo shoot soup
- Fried stream fish
Notes for Visiting Ta Phin Village
- The road to Ta Phin Village is quite challenging with many potholes, so it is advisable to wear neat and comfortable clothing to move easily. Additionally, bring a pair of sports shoes for convenient walking during the sightseeing tour.
- If you plan to explore the caves in Ta Phin, it’s a good idea to bring a flashlight, as the cave can be quite dark.
- The traditional tobacco bath with the Dao people is best experienced when you are not overly hungry, and it’s advisable not to stay in the bath for too long to avoid feeling lightheaded. After the tobacco bath, there’s no need to rinse with filtered water; simply dry off and put on your clothes.
- You can bring some light snacks from Sapa if you are concerned that the traditional dishes prepared in Ta Phin might not suit your taste.
Ta Phin Village is indeed a renowned tourist destination in Sapa that you must visit and experience firsthand to fully appreciate its beauty and the friendliness of its people. The Dao ethnic community in the village is incredibly welcoming and adorable, showing great affection for visitors and readily offering assistance when needed. Plan your trip and explore the untouched beauty of Ta Phin before it becomes more widely known.
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