Travel Experience in Ta Xua: An Exciting Cloud Hunting Journey
Ta Xua, a highland commune in Bac Yen district, Son La province, is dubbed the "paradise of clouds" in Northern Vietnam. With an altitude of over 2,800m, it attracts visitors with the majestic beauty of mountains and forests, the floating sea of clouds, and the fresh air. If you are planning to explore Ta Xua, this article will share travel experiences to Ta Xua in detail from A-Z, helping you have a complete and memorable trip.
1. Ta Xua – The paradise for cloud hunting in the North
This place is famous for its winding mountain roads.
Ta Xua is located at the border between Bac Yen district (Son La) and Tram Tau (Yen Bai), about 200km from Hanoi. It is renowned for its spectacular mountain passes, unique check-in spots like the dinosaur spine, turtle head rock, lonely apple tree, and beautiful homestays with cloud views. With a cool climate year-round and pristine natural scenery, Ta Xua is an ideal destination for those who love exploration and cloud hunting.
According to Ta Xua travel experiences, the best time to visit is from October to April of the following year, when the weather is dry, cool, and clouds easily gather into vast white seas. Especially, from December to March, you have the highest chance of successfully hunting clouds due to the dry weather and less rain. Additionally:
January-March: This is the season of blooming peach and plum flowers, combined with Tet markets and unique cultural festivals of the local people.
April-June: The water pouring season, when the terraced fields sparkle like mirrors, creating a mystical landscape.
August-November: The weather is clear, suitable for relaxation and exploring nature.
Check the weather forecast before going to avoid fog or sudden rain, especially when traveling on steep mountain roads.
3. How to get to Ta Xua
3.1. From Hanoi to Ta Xua
Ta Xua is about 192-200km from Hanoi, taking about 5-7 hours depending on the mode of transport. Here are some popular ways to travel:
Motorbike: Suitable for young people who love adventure and want to be flexible with their schedule. Popular route: Hanoi → Son Tay → Trung Ha Bridge → Thanh Son → Thu Cuc → Phu Yen → Bac Yen → Ta Xua. The mountain road to Ta Xua is quite steep and narrow, requiring good driving skills and caution. Total travel time is about 6-7 hours.
Self-driving car: Saves more time, about 4-5 hours. The route is similar to that of motorbikes but safer in bad weather. Note, the road to Ta Xua is not suitable for large vehicles.
Bus/Limousine: From My Dinh bus station, you can take a bus or limousine to Bac Yen (ticket price 180,000-350,000 VND). Some reputable bus companies: Khanh Thinh, Nguyen Hang, Thanh My. From Bac Yen, rent a motorbike (150,000 VND/day) or take a motorbike taxi to Ta Xua (about 15-25km).
3.2. Getting around in Ta Xua
Motorbikes are suitable for all terrains.
In Ta Xua, motorbikes are the ideal means of transportation to explore attractions like the dinosaur spine, dolphin rock, or Wind Peak. You can rent motorbikes in Bac Yen or Ta Xua. If you are not confident driving on mountain roads, local motorbike taxis are a safe option.
4. What accommodation options are available in Ta Xua?
Ta Xua has not yet developed many large hotels, but homestays and rustic lodges close to nature are very popular. Here are some suggestions:
Ta Xua Hills Homestay: Located on Provincial Road 112, beautiful view, prices from 150,000-500,000 VND/night.
Homestay & Coffee Dinh Ta Xua: Stunning cloud view, prices from 150,000-400,000 VND/night.
Y Xoa Homestay: Ethnic style, near the dinosaur spine of Hang Dong, prices about 50,000-100,000 VND/person.
Po Mu Homestay: Cozy space, prices from 500,000-1,000,000 VND/night for large groups.
Camping: If you want to experience cloud hunting and watch the sunrise, camping at Ta Xua grassland or the dinosaur spine is an interesting choice. Remember to bring tents, warm clothing, and prepare carefully.
Note: During peak season (weekends, Tet holidays), you should book rooms at least 1 month in advance to avoid full occupancy.
5. Notable check-in spots in Ta Xua you should experience
Famous cloud view coffee shop
Ta Xua has many unique check-in spots that attract photography enthusiasts:
Dinosaur spine Hang Dong: About 5-12km from the center of Ta Xua, it stands out with a shape resembling a dinosaur's back, making it an ideal place for cloud hunting and watching the sunrise.
Turtle head rock: A cliff jutting out at an altitude of 2,100m, shaped like a turtle's head, offering a panoramic view of the mountains and forests. The path up is quite treacherous, so caution is needed.
Lonely apple tree: Located at Wind Peak, the lonely apple tree stands amidst the clouds, making it a legendary check-in spot.
Dolphin rock: A rock shaped like a dolphin, 10km from the center of Ta Xua, suitable for taking photos.
Shan Tuyet ancient tea hill in Ban Be: Hundreds of years old tea trees covered in moss, providing a unique tea-picking experience.
Ta Xua grassland: A vast space, ideal for camping and stargazing at night.
Thao Coffee: A famous cloud view coffee shop where you can sip coffee while admiring the sea of clouds.
6. Ta Xua cuisine – Enjoying Northwest specialties
Ta Xua cuisine is rich in the flavors of the Northwest mountains. Here are some delicious dishes you should try:
Smoked buffalo meat: Buffalo meat marinated with spices, smoked with forest wood charcoal, delicious and flavorful.
Pa Pinh Top: Grilled fish wrapped in bamboo, intricately seasoned, with a distinctive flavor.
Nam Pia: A traditional dish of the Thai people, made from beef intestines, with a special bitter taste.
Mac Nhung porridge: Porridge made from Mac Nhung fruit, with a bitter, spicy, and sweet aftertaste, very unique.
Buffalo skin salad: A crunchy, flavorful salad with Northwest spices.
You can enjoy these dishes at local eateries in Bac Yen or Ta Xua, such as Ta Xua Quan, Thinh Nguyet restaurant.
7. Suggested itinerary for a 2-day, 1-night trip to Ta Xua
Day 1: Hanoi – Bac Yen – Ta Xua
Hanoi – Bac Yen – Ta Xua
05:00: Depart from Hanoi (by motorbike, car, or bus).
11:00: Arrive in Bac Yen, have lunch and check into a hotel in the town.
13:30: Rent a motorbike or take a taxi, head to Ta Xua, check into a homestay.
15:00: Explore Xim Vang commune, check in at the lonely apple tree and watch the sunset at Gio peak.
18:00: Return to the homestay, have dinner, and engage in cultural exchange with local people.
Day 2: Cloud hunting in Ta Xua – Return to Hanoi
05:00: Wake up early, head to the dinosaur spine of Hang Dong to hunt for clouds and watch the sunrise.
09:00: Enjoy coffee at Thao Coffee or Hien Coffee, take check-in photos.
10:00: Visit the dolphin's nose or Shan snow tea hill.
12:00: Check out of the homestay, have lunch in Bac Yen.
13:00: Get on the bus back to Hanoi, ending the trip around 19:00.
8. Estimated costs
The cost for a 2-day, 1-night trip to Ta Xua ranges from about 1.7-2 million VND/person, including:
Ta Xua is an ideal destination for those who love nature, enjoy cloud hunting, and explore Northwest culture. With the travel experiences in Ta Xua above, NVK Travel hopes you will have a trip full of memories and "million likes" photos. Prepare thoroughly, plan a reasonable itinerary, and enjoy this "cloud paradise" exploration!
