Xuan Son National Park: A Complete Travel Guide from A to Z

Xuan Son National Park is famous for its many beautiful natural landscapes. It is also a favorite destination for many tourists due to its pristine and poetic charm. Be sure to pocket some useful tips for visiting this landmark right below!

A brief introduction to Xuan Son National Park

Xuan Son National Park is known for its impressive natural limestone mountain terrain. Along with that, the fascinating landscapes provide interesting exploration experiences. There are also many majestic mountains interspersed with beautiful streams and caves. This place is also considered the "green lung" of the Northwest region.

The total area of Xuan Son National Park is about over 33ha, ranking 12th among the 15 largest national parks in the country. It is located in Tan Son district, about 120km from Hanoi and 80km from Viet Tri city. The travel time to get here is not too long, only about 1 hour depending on the route and type of vehicle.

Xuan Son National Park is located in Phu Tho province

Unique experiences only at Xuan Son National Park

This place is a journey to explore many interesting things from the landscapes to the rich ecosystem. Notably, there is a mysterious cave system, majestic waterfalls, and clear streams. Therefore, it is very suitable for those who love nature experiences.

1/ Explore the beautiful caves at Xuan Son

This place is famous for more than 16 different large and small caves such as Tho Than, Son Duong, Thien Nga,... providing a journey full of interesting experiences. Specifically:

• Tho Than Cave: Located in Lap village, it is one of the largest and longest caves in this national park. The cave is deep inside the mountain and has an entrance that naturally opens to the Muong Lang fields. Inside, there are many uniquely shaped stalactites, soft and opaque like clay.
• Tien Cave: The cave is located inside a marble mountain, with a wind tunnel at the top of the mountain. This helps keep the air inside always comfortable and not stuffy. Especially, inside the lake in the cave, there are many strange fish swimming around.
• Na Cave: Positioned suspended between the cliffs, the cave is quite dark but has many small round stones resembling beautiful custard apples.
• Lang Cave: With an average height of 10 to 15m, inside there are many impressive stalactite formations.

The beautiful cave system at Xuan Son

2/ Visit the nature museum

Within the national park, there are many displays of rare animal and plant specimens. There are also many models simulating the production and living activities of the local people. Through this, you will gain more understanding of the life and people here.

3/ Visit the beautiful waterfalls of Xuan Son National Park

Exploring the national park with its clear streams and poetic waterfalls is a must-visit spot. Currently, the Xuan Son reserve includes many beautiful waterfalls such as Tien Waterfall, Thien Nga Waterfall, Lung Troi Waterfall, Tho Than Waterfall,... The atmosphere here is very cool, with clear water, making it suitable for activities like swimming, taking photos, camping,...

The picturesque stream landscape at Xuan Son

4/ Other experiences at Xuan Son National Park

• Diverse ecological garden: It has biodiversity with 365 species of rare animals and over 1200 different plant species. You can also encounter many large ancient trees and various wild animals.
• Conquering the mountains: Three peaks with heights over 1,000m are Ten Mountain, Can Mountain, and Voi Mountain, offering exciting climbing challenges.

Moreover, when you come here, you also have the opportunity to learn about the culture and living customs of the local people, participate in activities such as weaving, making brocade,... Or join activities like watching performances, having campfires, relaxing by the stream, and enjoying the fresh atmosphere.

Experience participating in the daily activities of the locals

What is the best time to visit Xuan Son National Park?

It can be said that the weather at Xuan Son National Park is very cool and pleasant throughout the four seasons. Usually, the mornings are very fresh, the afternoons are sunny, the evenings are slightly chilly, and nights are cool with dew. Therefore, you can visit and explore the natural beauty at any time.

However, according to the experience of many tourists who have been here, it is advisable to choose to visit during the dry season. Because at this time, the weather is dry and favorable for travel, ensuring safety when going into the forest. Note that during this season, the trees and landscapes may be a bit dry and not as beautiful as in other seasons.

Choose the right season to visit the national park

You should avoid visiting during the rainy season as it will cause difficulties in moving and affect the experience. Prepare raincoats, waterproof boots, and mosquito repellent if you visit the national park during this time. However, the rainy season has very picturesque scenery, beautiful landscapes, and lush greenery.

Guide on how to get to Xuan Son Tourist Area

To get to Xuan Son National Park, you can choose various ways to travel depending on your preferences. Here are some suggested means of transport that many people choose to go to Phu Tho:

Book a flight

If you are from distant southern or central provinces, flying is the fastest way. After landing at Hanoi airport, a bus or taxi will be a suitable choice to get there.

Book a flight if you are far away

Bus to Xuan Son National Park

For those in the North, taking a bus is the fastest way to reach Phu Tho. Find out the schedules of bus companies that go to Tan Son. Buses usually run at various times, so there is no time limit.

Drive your own vehicle

This is a suitable way to travel for those who love independence, like young people. Depending on the vehicle such as a motorbike or car, you can choose the appropriate route, whether through national roads or highways. Be sure to frequently check the route on Google Maps to avoid getting lost.

Driving your own vehicle allows for more flexibility in travel

What delicious food to try at Xuan Son National Park?

Not only can you explore nature, but there are also many delicious specialties that you should try here, such as:

• Chua meat: A specialty dish of the Muong ethnic group made from marinated and fermented pork.
• Mountain chicken, nine-legged chicken: This is a delicious breed of chicken with firm, chewy, and flavorful meat.
• Man pig: A pig raised in the wild with fragrant, chewy meat that can be prepared in various ways such as stir-frying, grilling,...
• Stream crab soup: The crab's pincers have firm, fatty meat that brings a sweet, fresh, and delicious taste.
• Cassava greens stewed with pig trotters: This dish, although rustic, is very tasty with the sweet and sour flavor of cassava greens and the rich taste of well-stewed pig trotters.
• Wild vegetables: This dish carries the traditional flavor of the Muong ethnic people with its characteristic bitter and astringent taste.

There are many delicious dishes in Phu Tho

What should you pay attention to when visiting Xuan Son National Park?

Since Xuan Son National Park mainly involves sightseeing and exploration, you should prepare comfortable clothing and wear shoes for easy movement. Bring a light jacket as it can get chilly, especially in the evening. There are often many mosquitoes and insects in the forest, so remember to bring mosquito repellent.

Additionally, supplies such as drinking water, pain relief medication, and ready-to-eat food are also very important in case of need. At the same time, please respect the customs and traditions of the local people. Be careful not to litter, as it affects the environment and ecosystem.

Prepare supplies for the experience

The above is a summary of experiences for visiting Xuan Son National Park. It can be said that this is an ideal destination for those who love exploratory tourism in Phu Tho, experiencing nature. Don't forget to contact NVK Travel for a safe and smooth trip!