|
Mau Son Mountain is located in Loc Binh District, about 30km from
Lang Son City
to Mau Son Rerort. With the wind whistling up and the cloud floating down, the
sky seems within hands reach. The panorama from the highest peak in Lang Son
region is like a Chinese ink drawing.
To the north is Ninh Minh, China, to the east is Na Duong and to the west is
Dong Dang, all merging beautifully into one spectacular landscape. The winding
narrow mountain path, like a snake, lies tucked between 2 steep mountains.
About seventy years ago before this path existed, there were only two ways to
the top, walking or on horseback. At that time, this panoramic area attracted
the French to Mau Son for relaxation. The weather was cool all year round and in
addition, the Dear Mountain View of the northeast was the gateway to China, and
the French built a military base there at the early of the 20th century to guard
the border. The site's original inhabitants, members of the Dao ethnic minority,
were moved to make way for the French settlement. Only authorized personnel were
permitted to enter the French base.
Later, Mau Son tourists were also welcome to the hill station. In January 1936,
Dr.O.Pflot, a student of the famous bacteriologist Dr. Alexandre Yersin, visited
Mau Son. Some local people say that the doctor first came to Mau Son to collect
traditional medicinal herbs, which were cultivated in die region. And then, he
petitioned Mr Tholace, then French governor of the North, for permission to
build tourist villas at the site. In 1936 he got the goaded to buy land and to
start the construction.
There were thousands of local people working on the project, all mining,
breaking and carrying stones to bad a number of massive villas, all in all it
took seven years of work to accomplish this task. There were no bricks available
to build with; the only materials available were stones, bled to ruins. Blocks
of orange moss-covered stories are scattered throughout the site, lying dead
amongst the old foundations, where even now, it is possible to identify the
houses former kitchens, fireplaces and staircases.
Like sleeping beauty, after almost five decades, it was all but forgotten. Until
1987 motorbikes were not even allowed onto the torturous road up the mountain. |
