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Pu Luong is a natural reserve in Thanh Hoa province. The Pu Luong limestone
landscape is an area of outstanding beauty, culture interest and high
biodiversity value stretching from
Mai Chau in the North to West to Cuc Phuong
national park in the South East. It is blessed with rich forest, limestone
panoramas, magnificent rice terraces and breathtaking scenery.
Pu Luong Nature Reserve was established in 1999 is roughly 170km from
Hanoi.
Being a nature reserve with a total area of 17,662 ha, 3/4 of the nature reserve
is primary tropical forest. This is also living place of ethnic Muong and Thai
people. Pu Luong means the highest peak of the village, in Thai language.
Recently, Pu Luong becomes a great destination for a few
day trips from Hanoi.
Trekking in the forest and a long rice paddy fields, cycling through the reserve
and visit many beautiful small villages are among the activities travelers like.
Pu Luong is among a few "off the beaten path" places near Hanoi that receives
recommendations from explorers recently.
Scenery is beautiful with two ranges of mountains on both sides creating a lush
green valley in the middle dotted with traditional villages. The locals here are
among the most friendly people in Vietnam. You can always be invited to their
homes for a cup of tea on your way. The local culture is rich and authentic.
Villagers are living in small villages nested in the valleys, in their
traditional house on stilts. Joining on a dance after dinner is always an
unforgettable experience.
The best time to visit Pu Luong is during rice harvest season, from September to
November or February until May. This time, the plantation is lush and weather is
pleasant. Pu Luong can be best accessed either from Mai Chau or Ninh Binh.
Multiple day trekking through va to Pu Luong on the least visited trails is also
a good option for trekkers. Trekking through villages including Ban Sai, Ban
Hang, Ban Kho Muong or Ban Hieu and stay in one of the authentic homestay is the
best activity one can do here. |
