Tay Con Linh is famous as one of the must-visit destinations for backpackers in Ha Giang. Here, travelers will have incredibly exciting experiences on the peak of a 2000-meter-high mountain. Join DanangPrivateCar.com’s to discover everything about this mountain peak, which is dubbed the roof of Northeast Vietnam!
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Introduction to the Tay Con Linh Mountain Range
Tay Con Linh is located in the Hoang Su Phi and Vi Xuyen districts of Ha Giang province. This proud mountain stands at an elevation of 2428 meters and is considered sacred by the La Chi ethnic community.
While not as tall as Phanxipang, the path to Tay Con Linh is treacherous, rugged, and much deeper. The journey to the mountain’s peak offers many wonderful experiences due to its stunning surroundings and landscapes.
This area boasts an incredibly diverse and abundant plant life. The pristine forests here are home to numerous valuable plant and animal species, with a rich variety of birds gathering in the area. All of this creates a unique attraction that draws many travelers to Ha Giang.
The Tay Con Linh mountain range is also home to about 200 families of the Cao Lao ethnic group, a small minority among the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. Farming is an integral part of the Cao Lao people’s rural life.
All family members, including children, work together. From cultivating rice to harvesting corn and tea to make a living day by day. The lives of the local people may be tough, but they always wear smiles on their faces.
When is the best time to visit Tay Con Linh Mountain Range?
The weather in this mountain range gradually decreases with altitude, and the higher you go, the colder it gets, often shrouded in mist all year round. The ideal time to trek the mountain is during the dry season, which starts from late September and ends in April. You can fully enjoy the picturesque terraced rice fields in autumn, the rushing waters in April, or the blooming azaleas in early spring.
It’s advisable to avoid attempting the climb during the rainy season, especially from May to September when the area is prone to snake encounters.
How to get to Tay Con Linh Mountain Range?
The mountain range runs along the Chay River, stretching across the Hoang Su Phi and Vi Xuyen districts. The mountain peak is located 46 km away from Ha Giang City, the provincial capital with the same name. To reach the roof of Northeast Vietnam, you’ll need about 2 days and travel using two main modes of transportation: intercity buses and motorbikes.
Bus
Due to the low traffic on the route to Tay Con Linh Mountain, there aren’t many intercity buses. If you’re departing from Hanoi, you can consider bus companies like Ngoc Cuong, Cau Me, Quang Nghi, Quang Giang, or Dang Quang to reach Ha Giang City.
Alternatively, you can book a private car service with a driver from Hanoi through DanangPrivateCar.com, offering a convenient and safe way to travel. They can pick you up directly from your hotel in Hanoi, allowing for rest stops and sightseeing along the way to make your journey as comfortable as possible. Book a private car from Hanoi to Ha Giang today to receive expert guidance.
From the city center, you’ll continue your journey to Thanh Thuy border gate and the Xin Chai junction. At the junction area, ask local residents for directions to the mountain base. Motorbikes are the only means of transportation readily available from Hoang Su Phi to the famous Tay Con Linh Mountain Range.
Motorbikes
If you’re more adventurous, you can travel by motorbike from Hanoi directly to the mountain base. However, this route is best suited for experienced riders because the mountainous roads are very perilous with sharp curves. It’s even more dangerous for those unfamiliar with the route. If it’s your first time visiting the roof of Northeast Vietnam, it’s advisable to find an experienced guide. A guide can transport you by motorbike to your desired location.
Suggestion: Rent a Motorbike in Ha Giang and the Most Reliable Addresses
The Journey to Conquer Tay Con Linh Mountain Peak
The path to this famous Ha Giang mountain is extremely challenging but offers unique and fantastic experiences found nowhere else. To conquer this mountain peak, you need to travel by motorbike and then trek through three stages:
From Nam Hong Village to the Mountain Base
To reach the foot of Tay Con Linh Mountain, you need to travel from Nam Hong Village. The journey will take you through Nam Hong, Nam Ty, Nam Dich, Ban Nhung, Ban Che, and Tung Sang. This route is like a painting, captivating you with its beauty and scenery.
However, the road becomes rough and challenging starting from Ban Nhung. Here, you’ll have to navigate a rugged dirt road, especially treacherous in the rainy season, when it can turn into a muddy mess, making travel difficult. Therefore, it’s best to avoid this area during the rainy season.
Additionally, when traveling on these roads, it’s recommended to choose off-road or large-displacement motorcycles with high ground clearance and powerful engines to help you navigate the challenging terrain more easily and safely.
The distance from Nam Hong Village to the mountain base is about 54 km. At the foot of Tay Con Linh, you might come across some houses belonging to the Mong people. If you’re unsure of the way, you can ask the local residents for directions.
Trekking through the Forest to the Resting Camp
Upon reaching the mountain base, you’ll have to leave your vehicle behind and continue the journey on foot. It takes about 2 hours to hike to the campsite. During this trek, the path to Tay Con Linh Mountain becomes more perilous with rocky and moss-covered terrain. This becomes especially challenging during the rainy season when the path can become slippery and lead to streams.
The forest trek to Tay Con Linh Mountain offers exciting and meaningful experiences. You’ll witness various plants and come across the famous Pơ Mu hardwood trees. You’ll enjoy the tranquility bestowed by nature.
After hiking through the forest, you’ll reach a resting camp at an altitude of approximately 1848 meters. This is a small house built by the Mong people to serve as a rest stop when collecting herbs.
The camp is constructed from assembled wooden planks and is sturdy and windproof. It is equipped with all the necessary tools for daily living. You can cook and spend the night here. However, be aware that this area has a fair number of reptiles and insects, so it’s not advisable to venture outside at night.
Ascending Tay Con Linh Mountain Peak
After spending a night at the camp, you can continue your journey to conquer the roof of Northeast Vietnam. This part of the journey takes around 2 hours of mountain climbing. As you ascend, you’ll feel the increasing cold of the mountains.
Notably, during the climb to the mountain peak, you’ll see tea plants covering the ground and Ngoc Cau mushrooms commonly used for brewing spirits. The surroundings envelop you in the refreshing green of nature, offering a unique allure to every traveler.
Especially, during the ascent to the mountain peak, you’ll encounter a steep incline as you approach the summit. If the weather is clear, it will become warmer and more comfortable. You’ll gradually experience the joy of conquering a mountain peak that stands at over 2400 meters high.
What to Do When You Reach Tay Con Linh Mountain in Ha Giang?
Traveling to the roof of Indochina is an adventurous journey. Here, you not only get to experience the thrill of conquering a mountain peak over 2000 meters high and capture memorable footprints at the roof of Northeast Vietnam, but you can also explore many interesting activities in this area:
Explore the Mossy Houses of the Dao People
The mossy houses of the Dao people are one of the distinctive features of Tay Con Linh Mountain. These stilt houses are located in Xa Phin village, Phuong Tien commune, on the misty mountaintop. The roofs of these houses are made from thousands of palm leaves, which, over the years, become covered in green moss.
Visiting Xa Phin, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the culture of the Dao ethnic group, admire beautiful terraced rice fields, and engage in friendly conversations with local residents.
Savor Shan Tuyet Tea on Tay Con Linh Mountain
At an altitude of over 2000 meters above sea level, the Shan Tuyet tea garden is a marvel to behold on the mountain. After passing through the Hoang Su Phi mountain gate, you’ll encounter many tall tea plants.
You can stop at the ancient tea forest in Ho Thau commune, at an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level, to admire the towering, ancient tea bushes with spicy, peppery leaves. Each morning, Dao and Mong women climb these tall trees to pluck the best tea buds. According to tradition, women are responsible for harvesting tea because it is believed that their gentle hands cause less harm to the plants and promote new growth.
When you visit this mountain peak, you have the opportunity to sit beneath the ancient tea trees and enjoy the renowned Shan Tuyet tea while listening to the fascinating stories of the Tay Con Linh Mountain range shared by the local people.
Visit the Western Cemetery in Trung Phung Village
The Western Cemetery is located in Trung Phung village, approximately 7 kilometers from the center of Tung San commune, Hoang Su Phi. It is the final resting place for 24 Western soldiers who died in a military plane crash on the mountain peak in 1947.
More than half a century has passed, but when you arrive here, you won’t find the desolation or emptiness often associated with remote areas in the highlands. Instead, you’ll encounter a clean cemetery with 24 graves, divided into two rows.
The cemetery is a vast and rare piece of land on the mountain peak, but the local people choose not to use it for farming. They have set aside this land for the less fortunate soldiers to rest in peace, showing their respect for the afterlife of their loved ones.
Observe Salmon Swimming on the Summit of Xa Phin
If you travel from Vi Xuyen district to Tay Con Linh, the highland salmon breeding area on Xa Phin Mountain in Phuong Tien commune is a worthy stop after enduring steep slopes and treacherous hairpin turns.
At an altitude of over 2,000 meters above sea level, this area features cold streams running through the villages. It provides an ideal habitat for the North European salmon species. Fish ponds are situated next to the mountain cliffs, with waterfalls cascading into deep chasms. You will be amazed to see thousands of salmon swimming on the summit of Xa Phin.
Admire the Unique Beauty of Terraced Fields
When traveling to Ha Giang, you should never miss the famous terraced fields, one of the highlights of the Northwest region. In your journey to Tay Con Linh Mountain, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of numerous terraced fields.
These terraced fields belong to various ethnic communities living in areas such as Ban Phung, Thong Nguyen, and Ho Thau. Regardless of the time of your visit, these terraced fields are always beautiful. During spring, they are covered in lush greenery, and in the autumn, they shine brilliantly with golden hues. The charm of these fields will capture your heart, making you want to take endless photos.
Explore the Unique Primary Rainforest
When you come to the roof of Northeast Vietnam, you cannot miss the famous primary rainforest in Tay Con Linh. This forest is the habitat for countless well-known ancient tree species. Alongside these trees are various shrubs and ferns.
The diverse and rich ecosystem in this primary rainforest includes rare and exotic plant and animal species. There are numerous unique and beautiful flowers that pique the curiosity of visitors. The beauty of the primary forest creates a vivid and dreamy landscape.
Where to Stay in Tay Con Linh?
This unique mountain range is an appealing destination. When you come here, you can choose to stay at various homestays or bungalows, such as:
- Kinh Homestay
- Dao Homestay
- Hoang Su Phi Bungalow
During your visit to this mountain peak, you might have the opportunity to spend the night in a small hut of the Mong people at an elevation of 1,848 meters.
The food here mainly consists of local dishes. Notable specialties include self-cooked rice with local delicacies like hill chicken, wild boar, wild vegetables, goat wine, and corn wine.
Important Tips for Traveling to Tay Con Linh
- Being dubbed the “roof of the Northeast,” this mountain peak is not crowded due to its low number of tourists. As a result, the routes can be labyrinthine and challenging to navigate. Therefore, pay attention to the following issues if you want to explore the Northeast’s roof of Vietnam.
- The local people consider this mountain peak a spiritual place with many mysterious disappearances. So, it’s advisable to travel in a group or hire an experienced guide to assist you during your mountain exploration.
- While the Tay Con Linh peak isn’t extremely high, the paths are winding and rocky. Carry appropriate equipment such as trekking poles, a flashlight, a waterproof backpack, hiking boots, or suitable shoes to prevent accidents.
- Insect repellent, mosquito repellent, medical supplies, snacks, and water are essential items for your journey to conquer this mountain peak.
- At an elevation of over 2000m, the temperature on the mountaintop drops rapidly, so make sure to wear appropriate and warm clothing. Don’t forget to prepare gloves and a wide-brimmed hat.
Experience in climbing Tay Con Linh is always crucial for every traveler because the journey to conquer this mountain peak comes with many challenges and difficulties. So, don’t overlook any information provided by DanangPrivateCar’s.
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