Ma Pi Leng: the meaning of the name of one of the “four great peaks” of Vietnam
Ma Pi Leng Pass is known as one of the “four great peaks” of Vietnam. Not only famous for its majestic
Many people come to Ha Giang because they are fascinated by the feeling of driving on winding roads with deep abysses on one side and towering cliffs on the other.
Below are the top 6 most beautiful passes in Ha Giang:
Ma Pi Leng Pass
Referring to the beautiful passes in Ha Giang but ignoring the Ma Pi Leng Pass is a huge omission. Ma Pi Leng Pass is not only the most beautiful pass in Ha Giang but one of the 4 most beautiful passes in Vietnam, also known as the king of passes.
Ma Pi Leng Pass is about 20km long, with an altitude of about 1,200m in the Dong Van stone plateau. It is famous for its winding, tricky pass along the mountainside. One side is a cliff. The other is a deep abyss.
Ma Pi Leng Pass, also known as the Road of Happiness, was built by 1,300 young volunteers and more than 1,000 citizens of 16 different ethnic groups. After nearly 8 years of chiselling, the road came into operation. The Ma Pi Leng pass section alone took 11 months, along with the adventure of 17 young men hanging on the cliff every centimeter to complete.
That's why every time this most dangerous and beautiful pass in Vietnam is mentioned, people still remember the sacrifices, blood, and sweat of heroic examples. True to its name, passing the slopes, admiring the sharp, dangerous rocks with all sorts of strange shapes, and setting foot on the top of Ma Pi Leng, that is when you will truly feel happy with what is appearing before your eyes.
In addition, on this pass, you can also admire Tu San Alley, located under the ravine forming the Nho Que River. The river is like a green thread winding softly around the foot of the mountain.
Ha Giang Wind Pass
Gio Pass is a road with the same height as Ma Pi Leng, no less majestic because of its height and the wild, majestic scenery of primeval forests on both sides of the road.
The first thing you feel when you start conquering Wind Pass is that this road is very steep because it is built around the mountainside. That's why its width is extremely narrow. If you walk, you can only ride two people; if you ride a motorbike, you can only ride one. The winding road makes you unable to see ahead, so be very careful and mentally prepared for unexpected things that may happen ahead.
Another special thing about Gio Pass is that the cliffside has no protective fence. If you are afraid of heights, don't look down. But in return, the scenery on both sides is extremely interesting. The higher you go, the cooler the air becomes, with the vast canopy of trees and the sound of a gurgling stream mixed with the wind of a peak as high as the top of the city wall separating Xin Man from other localities.
Ta Lang Pass
To get to Tu San Alley, you must pass Ta Lang pass. With an 8km pass from an altitude of 1,500m down to the edge of the Nho Que River, you are truly overwhelmed with 47 bends, half of which are sleeve crabs. The small road is only enough for 2 motorbikes to avoid each other; one side is a cliff, and the other is a deep abyss with mountain clouds blending.
Many of the bends here have steep slopes and sharp turns, so motorbike drivers have to shift to 1st and 2nd gears and continuously handle the brake pedal and brake lever. But in return, the scenery is so impressive, making you feel like you are in a fairyland. Along Ta Lang Pass, a sea of clouds appears, hugging the undulating mountains, glimpses of the Nho Que River, hidden roads and houses, and many rice trees standing tall to welcome the wind on the mountainside.
If you have time, visit Ta Lang village, where the Day people live. The small village is peaceful, under the canopy of beautiful blooming rice trees. The people are extremely hospitable.
Tham Ma Slope
Located on a winding mountain pass on Highway 4C connecting Ha Giang city to Meo Vac district, the Tham Ma slope, about 5km long, is also one of the most dangerous backpacking roads in Ha Giang and the North in particular. Although not too high, the curves, steep sections and narrow roads are enough to overwhelm you.
Originally called Tham Ma slope because, in the past, the only means of transportation was horsepower. To evaluate whether the horse is good or weak, people let the horse carry goods from the foot of the slope to the top. The people will keep any horse that can overcome it as a production tool. Tham Ma slope can be roughly understood as "horsepower assessment slope".
Tham Ma's slope looks like a soft silk strip across the back of the mountain if looking down from above. From this slope, looking to both sides are stone walls standing vertically, precariously as if they could collapse at any time. Looking down below is a thousand-meter abyss, showing that Ha Giang's altitude is not small compared to the area below. The 5km distance on Tham Ma slope is an interesting short journey for those who love adventure.
Bac Sum slope
Bac Sum slope connecting Minh Tan commune (Vi Xuyen) to Quyet Tien commune (Quan Ba) is one of the rocky plateau's most winding and tortuous slopes. Besides the softness and grace of a silk strip, the Bac Sum slope carries many dangers with many bends - this is a challenge for young people who love to explore and conquer. Admiring nature is always exciting. People compare the Bac Sum slope to the Pha Din pass, which is also one of the four great passes of Vietnam.
Bac Sum slope is also called the historical slope because this place was once the main communication route for our soldiers during the resistance war against the French, contributing significantly to the success of the resistance war.
Along the slope is a type of rock with a very special name: Orphan rock. The stones rolled down from above, creating holes in the road. If you come here, please pay attention, especially on rainy days.
Chin Khoanh Slope
Many people will need help distinguishing when mentioning Bac Sum or Chin Khoanh slope. Chin Khoanh slope is a section of Bac Sum slope, the road connecting Pho Cao to Sung La. Chin Khoanh slope is an important part that highlights the Bac Sum slope.
As the name suggests, this slope has 9 turns, including 5 dangerous bends. The round turns to take much work to go. It would be best if you were an experienced driver practice. Only at high altitude can you conquer it, especially on rainy days when the road is slippery.
Looking down from the pass, you will see terraced fields falling along the mountainside and hidden roofs scattered across the hillside.
This is truly a unique opportunity for those of you who are fascinated by Ha Giang buckwheat flowers. Around the Chin Khoanh slope area, many buckwheat flowers are planted, especially around November and December, when flowers bloom.
