Must-visit attractions in Quang Ninh province (Part 3)
Quang Ninh is well-known for the extraordinary beauty of the Ha Long Bay world natural heritage site, Ha Long Bay, its neighboring Bai Tu Long with equal magnificence, and more than 500 historical sites, monuments and exquisite landscapes.
Ba Che – “A call for ancestors in the estuary”
This is the theme of Ba Che’s famous spiritual festival named Ban Vuong worshipping festival annually organized in May. This type of thanking festival is an important event of the Dao ethnic people in Vietnam to commemorate and show their gratitude towards the ancestors who gave birth to the Dao and assisted 12 Dao ethnic families in crossing the sea to new lands.
Ba Che mountainous district, located about 50km from Ha Long city to the North, has considerable forest resources with forestry land accounting for 91 percent of the total area. Most of the total area of over 606sq.km is mountains with pristine forests, rivers, and waterfalls. The district is also home to 27,430 people of various ethnic groups including the Dao, Tay, Hoa, San Chi and Cao Lan.
Tourists can visit some spiritual attractions like Mieu Ong, Mieu Ba (temples dedicated to the God and Goddess) and Lang Da communal house, take a boat trip on the Co Ngua River, and/or enjoy natural scenery at Khe Lanh and Khe Lung waterfalls in Thanh Son Commune, etc. Tourists can purchase a wide range of forest products such as medicinal products, yellow flower tea, cinnamon, green reishi mushroom, etc.
Tea-leaf picking experience in Hai Ha
Walking among green tea fields covering different hills stretching as far as the eye can see, enjoying the distinctive flavor of green tea are unrivalled experience when one visits Hai Ha. It seems like holidaymakers immerse themselves in a vast and green space, making a break with the hustle and bustle of big cities.
What is more, they should try climbing the watershed forest to see the impressive sights of Truc Bai Son lake and running on the beaches of Dau Rong and Cai Chien to mingle in the sea breeze. This is a must-see destination which attracts visitors by its pristine beauty and peaceful atmosphere that are rare to find in other places.
Dam Ha – A land of peace and tranquility
The image that young girls and women of Dao ethnicity wear colorful traditional costumes and practice hand embroidery at Bach Van waterfall often leave a firm impression on tourists. Also, the fresh and poetic scenery of the stork forest, Hua mountain, and vast rice fields bring travelers the sense of peace and tranquility.
Notably, Hua Mountain, which is located in the middle of rice fields in Ruong Village, Dai Binh Commune, is home to thousands of storks of various kinds. The stork sanctuary covers an area of roughly one hectare in the southern slope of the mountain, in the middle of a bamboo and eucalyptus forest. Tourists are likely to feel relaxed by this exceptionally beautiful natural scenery.
An alluring Co To
Co To island district, located in the northeast of Quang Ninh province, has become a majestic destination for both domestic and foreign tourists with the number of visitors increasing constantly over the years.
Co To is perfect for tourists thanks to pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear water, mountains covered with jungle, roads zigzagging the island, a diverse plant ecosystem, and fresh seafood. The local people are really hospitable to visitors as well. Famous tourist attractions include Cau My rock beach, Hong Van beach, Co To lighthouse, the primeval forest, Thanh Lan island, etc.
The majestic border land of Binh Lieu
Renowed for sacred border landmarks, rows of reeds stretching to the horizon, the unwinding road going straight through the hills, terraced fileds in the ripe rice season, forests of fragrant cinnamon and anise stretch over the rolling mountains, and many other charming landscapes, Binh Lieu border district has emerged as a new hotspot for tourists in recent years.
Interestingly, the diverse cultures of different ethnic minority groups enable Binh Lieu to preserve and develop unique traditional festivals such as the Luc Na communal house festival, the Soong palm singing festival, the So flower festival, etc.
Have you ever seen Dao girls wearing their traditional dresses to play football or put a white So flower in your hair during the festival named after this indigenous flower? Such invaluable experience should be gained by you all firsthand.