Sapa, the enchanting city of mist, is not only famous for its magnificent terraced fields and villages hidden in the clouds but also for Ham Rong Mountain, a destination with unique and captivating beauty. Visiting Ham Rong, tourists can not only admire the majestic natural scenery and immerse themselves in the poetic space but also discover the mysterious stories hidden behind the mountain’s strange shape. If you are planning a trip to Sapa, do not miss the opportunity to explore Ham Rong Mountain, a precious gem in the heart of the mountain town.
Introducing Ham Rong Mountain in Sapa
Ham Rong Mountain is located right in the center of Sapa town, Lao Cai province, only about 3km from the ancient Stone Church. With its convenient location and easy access, visitors can easily get here by motorbike, taxi, or even walk if they want to fully enjoy the fresh air of Sapa. The majestic mountain rises to the sky, like a dragon opening its mouth to play with clouds, creating a natural painting that is both majestic and poetic.
The name “Ham Rong” originates from the mountain’s distinctive shape. From a distance, the undulating rocky peaks stacked on top of each other form the shape of a dragon’s jaw reaching towards the blue sky. Not only does it have a unique shape, but Ham Rong Mountain also hides fascinating legends, further enhancing its appeal and curiosity for visitors.
Ham Rong Mountain is open to visitors every day of the week, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The current entrance fee to Ham Rong Mountain is 70,000 VND/adult and 20,000 VND/child (under 1m2 tall). Children under 1m tall are admitted free of charge. With an affordable price, anyone can easily explore the beauty of this mountain.
Lush green scenery of Ham Rong Mountain in Sapa
The Legend of Ham Rong Mountain
The name Ham Rong is not just a name; it is also associated with mysterious legends, rich in folk culture. One of the most popular legends tells that once upon a time, a pair of dragons was playing in this land when they suddenly encountered a great flood. One dragon quickly flew to the sky to escape, while the other did not have time to fly and was trapped and petrified, facing towards its flying companion. The petrified dragon head is Ham Rong Mountain today, while the body and tail stretch towards Heaven’s Gate, O Quy Ho Pass, and Muong Hoa commune.
Another story tells of three dragon brothers in the early days of creation. The Jade Emperor ordered all creatures to divide their territories. The three dragon brothers searched everywhere, but there was no empty space left, so they had to run to the West. The youngest brother, exhausted, got lost from the flock and fell into the territory of tigers and leopards. Too scared, the young dragon curled up, opened its mouth in self-defense, and became petrified. The two older brothers returned to save their younger brother but were too late and also turned into two large mountains beside it. These three adjacent mountains, if viewed from Sa Pa commune, clearly show the shape of the three petrified dragon brothers. These oral stories have added a mysterious and attractive color to Ham Rong Mountain, making visitors even more curious and eager to explore.
A panoramic view of Ham Rong mountain in Sapa, a must-visit destination
Ideal Time to Explore Ham Rong Mountain
To have a complete and memorable trip to explore Ham Rong Mountain, choosing the right time is extremely important. According to the experience of many tourists, the best time to visit Ham Rong Mountain is from January to April. At this time, Sapa is in spring, the weather is cool and pleasant, with little fog and rain, very favorable for sightseeing and admiring the scenery. Spring is also the season when flowers bloom, and Ham Rong Mountain is filled with the colors of peach blossoms, plum blossoms, and orchids, creating a brilliant and fresh landscape.
Another ideal option is summer, from April to June. The summer weather in Sapa is not too hot, still retaining its characteristic coolness. Especially at this time, visitors will admire the beauty of the water pouring season on the terraced fields. The flooded rice paddies are like giant mirrors reflecting the sky and mountains, creating a unique and impressive scene.
If you are a cloud-hunting enthusiast, then the end of the year, from October to December, will be the perfect choice. At this time, Sapa often has a lot of fog and clouds, creating ideal conditions for you to “hunt” for floating sea of clouds on Ham Rong Mountain. However, you should avoid visiting Ham Rong Mountain in July and August, as this is the rainy season in Sapa. Heavy rain can affect your sightseeing schedule, and slippery roads can also cause difficulties and dangers.
Travelers enjoying the clear weather in Sapa, ideal for exploring Ham Rong Mountain
Exploring the Beauty of Ham Rong Mountain: Must-Visit Destinations
Ham Rong Mountain is not just a simple mountain but a diverse and attractive eco-tourism complex. Coming here, visitors will explore many different areas with unique beauty and experiences.
Ham Rong Orchid Garden
Sapa is known as the land of orchids, and the orchid garden on Ham Rong Mountain is one of the must-visit destinations for flower lovers. The orchid garden gathers more than 200 different species of orchids, from rare wild orchids to brightly colored imported orchids. Especially in spring, the orchid garden is like a giant flower painting with countless colorful flowers blooming, spreading fragrance throughout the area.
Vibrant flowers in Ham Rong Mountain's garden, showcasing the orchid garden's diversity
Ham Rong Peach Garden
If the orchid garden brings noble and luxurious beauty, the peach garden captivates visitors with its gentle and fresh beauty. Ham Rong Peach Garden has many different types of peaches, from traditional Vietnamese peaches to Japanese peaches with ancient peach trees and thick petals. Every spring, Ham Rong Peach Garden becomes an ideal meeting place for tourists and locals. The pink color of peach blossoms blends with the green of the mountains and forests, creating a romantic and vibrant scene.
Pink peach blossoms contrasting beautifully against the green mountain backdrop at Ham Rong Mountain
12 Zodiac Animal Garden
The next unique and interesting spot on Ham Rong Mountain is the 12 Zodiac Animal Garden. The 12 zodiac animal statues are placed scattered along the walkway, interspersed with colorful flower bushes. Each statue has a different posture and expression, creating a lively and fun space. This is a favorite check-in spot for many tourists, especially families with young children.
A whimsical zodiac statue adding a touch of fun to the Ham Rong Mountain experience
Thach Lam Stone Garden
Thach Lam Stone Garden brings a completely different beauty compared to the colorful flower gardens. This place is a natural stone complex with vertical cliffs, stacked layers upon layers, like giant dragon scales. Small winding paths meander between the cliffs, creating a mysterious and attractive stone maze. Thach Lam Stone Garden is a powerful testament to the majestic and pristine beauty of Ham Rong Mountain.
Stone paths winding through the Thach Lam Stone Garden, offering an adventurous experience
Ham Rong Flower Garden
Ham Rong Flower Garden is a must-visit destination for those who love photography and want to immerse themselves in a space filled with colorful flowers. The flower garden gathers countless different species of flowers, from flowers typical of Sapa to flowers imported from abroad. No matter what season you come here, Ham Rong Flower Garden will amaze you with its brilliant and charming beauty.
A "sea of flowers" at Ham Rong Mountain, showcasing the full beauty of Sapa's mountainous landscape
Sa Pa Telecommunications Station
Sa Pa Telecommunications Station is not just a simple technical structure but also a great scenic spot on Ham Rong Mountain. From here, you can admire the panoramic view of majestic Ham Rong Mountain, poetic Sapa town, and especially Mount Fansipan, the roof of Indochina hidden in the mist.
San May (Cloud Yard) and Cong Troi (Heaven’s Gate)
The most anticipated destinations on Ham Rong Mountain are San May and Cong Troi. San May is located at the highest point of Ham Rong Mountain, where you can best feel the floating clouds. Standing at San May, you will admire the panoramic view of Muong Hoa valley, Cat Cat village, and terraced fields stretching like soft silk ribbons. From San May, walk a short distance further and you will reach Cong Troi. The scenery at Cong Troi is as beautiful as a painting, making many people compare this place to a fairyland. On sunny days, sunlight shining through the clouds creates shimmering, magical streaks of light, a great moment for you to capture memorable photos.
A breathtaking panoramic view of Sapa town from the summit of Ham Rong Mountain on a clear day
Travel Tips for Visiting Ham Rong Mountain in Sapa
To make your trip to explore Ham Rong Mountain in Sapa smooth and complete, you should note a few things:
- Choose comfortable clothes: You will have to move quite a lot when visiting Ham Rong Mountain, so choose comfortable, dynamic, and sweat-absorbent clothes. Sports shoes or sandals are the most suitable choice.
- Bring drinking water and snacks: The journey to explore Ham Rong Mountain can last for several hours, so you should bring enough drinking water and some snacks to replenish energy.
- Prepare a light jacket: The weather in Sapa is quite cool, especially in the morning and evening. You should bring a light jacket to keep your body warm.
- Camera or fully charged phone: Ham Rong Mountain has countless beautiful scenes for you to capture, do not forget to bring a camera or phone that is fully charged.
- If you are allergic to pollen: Ham Rong Mountain has many flowers, if you are allergic to pollen, prepare allergy medicine before going.
Friends enjoying their trip to Ham Rong Mountain in Sapa
Conclusion
Ham Rong Mountain in Sapa is a must-visit destination when you come to the city of mist. With its majestic natural beauty, brilliant flower gardens, fascinating legends, and unique travel experiences, Ham Rong Mountain will surely bring you unforgettable memories on your journey to explore Sapa. Take the time to explore and feel the beauty of Ham Rong Mountain, you will not be disappointed!