Gia Lai, a highland region full of sunshine and wind, is not only famous for its vast coffee forests or majestic waterfalls but also hides a charming “green pearl” – Bien Ho Tea Lake. This place is a wonderful blend of a clear blue lake and lush green tea hills stretching endlessly, creating a peaceful and poetic natural painting. If you are looking for a destination to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in fresh nature, Bien Ho Tea Lake in Gia Lai is definitely an unmissable choice. Let’s explore the unique beauty and exciting experiences that this destination offers.
1. Bien Ho Tea Lake: Overview and Unique Beauty
1.1. Location and History
Bien Ho Tea Lake is located in Nghia Hung commune, about 10km north of Pleiku city center. The road to get here is quite easy; you can travel by motorbike or car. The special feature of Bien Ho Tea Lake is the harmonious combination of a hydraulic lake and the surrounding green tea hills.
Few people know that the tea hills here have a history of nearly a century. From 1919-1920, the French set foot in Pleiku and began to reclaim land and build tea plantations. Through many historical ups and downs, the tea plantation still exists and develops, becoming one of the largest tea regions in Gia Lai with an area of up to 1000 hectares. The combination of the lake and tea hills has created a unique landscape, which local people call Bien Ho Che. The name “Bien Ho” (Sea Lake) evokes the vastness of both the lake and the tea hills, bringing a sense of awe at the beauty of nature.
1.2. Captivating Natural Beauty
Bien Ho Tea Lake strongly impresses visitors with the endless green color of the tea hills. The tea rows are planted straight, gently curving along the hillsides, creating a green and relaxing space. Dotted among the green of the tea is a winding red dirt road, bringing a unique highlight to the natural picture here.
Not only tea hills, Bien Ho Tea Lake is also surrounded by majestic mountains and a clear blue lake. The flat lake surface is like a giant mirror, reflecting the blue sky and green tea rows, creating a poetic and lyrical scene. The atmosphere at Bien Ho Tea Lake is extremely fresh and cool, completely different from the noise and bustle of the city. Coming here, you will feel absolute peace and relaxation; all fatigue and stress seem to disappear.
The beauty of Bien Ho Tea Lake does not stop at daytime. Every early morning, when the mist still lingers on the tea hills, Bien Ho Tea Lake puts on a mysterious and dreamy beauty. As sunset falls, the afternoon sun dyes the entire space golden, creating a romantic and charming scene. No matter what time of day you come to Bien Ho Tea Lake, this place has its own beauty for you to discover and admire.
1.3. Bien Ho Tea Lake and Local Culture
Bien Ho Tea Lake is not only an attractive tourist destination but also an important part of the economic and cultural life of Gia Lai people. Tea cultivation has been associated with this land for nearly a century, creating jobs and stable income for thousands of households. The local farmers are diligent and hardworking, taking care of the tea hills every day, creating high-quality tea products.
Coming to Bien Ho Tea Lake, you not only get to see the beautiful scenery but also have the opportunity to learn about the process of growing and processing tea, chat with honest and hospitable farmers, and discover the unique cultural features of the highlands. You can visit handicraft tea processing factories to see firsthand the tea production process, from tea picking, withering, rolling to drying and packaging. You can also enjoy delicious cups of tea, rich in the flavor of the mountains and forests right on the tea hills, feeling the quintessence of heaven and earth and the efforts of the workers.
A panoramic view of the lush green tea hills at Bien Ho Tea Lake
2. Bien Ho Tea Lake Travel Experience in Gia Lai: Time, Transportation, and Notes
2.1. Ideal Time to Visit Bien Ho Tea Lake
You can travel to Bien Ho Tea Lake at any time of the year, as each season here has its own beauty. However, there are some special times that you should consider for more interesting experiences:
- February – March: This is the time when coffee flowers bloom, you will admire the white coffee gardens like snow, creating an extremely romantic and poetic scene. Combining a visit to Bien Ho Tea Lake and admiring coffee flowers will be a great experience.
- Late December: The season of brilliant yellow wild sunflowers blooming along the roads leading to Bien Ho Tea Lake. The bright yellow color of wild sunflowers will make your trip more radiant and memorable. You can combine visiting Bien Ho Tea Lake and exploring other places in Gia Lai during the wild sunflower season.
In addition, if you want to experience the feeling of mist covering the tea hills, come to Bien Ho Tea Lake early in the morning. The hazy mist covering the paths will create a mysterious and romantic scene, very suitable for those who love peace and quiet. Especially, from Bien Ho Tea Lake, you can also easily move to other famous tourist destinations of Gia Lai such as Bien Ho Pleiku and Chu Dang Ya volcano.
2.2. Directions to Bien Ho Tea Lake
To get to Bien Ho Tea Lake, you first need to get to Pleiku city. There are many means of transport for you to choose from:
- Airplane: This is the fastest and most convenient means of transport, especially if you are in distant provinces. Pleiku Airport has flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and some other major cities.
- Coach: If you want to save costs and have time to sightsee, coach is a suitable option. There are many high-quality coach operators running routes from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hue, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon to Pleiku.
From Pleiku city, you can get to Bien Ho Tea Lake by taxi or motorbike. Renting a motorbike is a popular choice and preferred by many tourists, because you can freely explore Bien Ho Tea Lake and surrounding areas at your own pace. Taxi fare from Pleiku center to Bien Ho Tea Lake is about 130,000 VND/trip.
2.3. Useful Travel Tips for Bien Ho Tea Lake
To make your trip to Bien Ho Tea Lake complete and smooth, please note the following:
- Personal documents: Don’t forget to bring your ID card/Citizen ID or passport, driving license (if renting a motorbike).
- Book hotel rooms in advance: If you plan to stay overnight in Gia Lai, book a hotel room in advance to ensure accommodation and avoid room rates increasing during the tourist season.
- Medication: Bring motion sickness medicine, cold medicine, stomachache medicine, and other personal medications in case needed.
- Check motorbike: If renting a motorbike, check the parts of the vehicle carefully such as brakes, lights, horn, tires, and fill up with gas before moving.
- Snacks and drinks: Bring some snacks, candies, fruits, and drinks to replenish energy when visiting Bien Ho Tea Lake.
- Sunscreen, hat, jacket: The weather in Gia Lai is quite sunny, you should bring sunscreen, hat, jacket to protect your skin from the sun.
- Phone, camera, and power bank: Don’t forget to bring your phone, camera to record beautiful moments at Bien Ho Tea Lake. A power bank is also necessary to ensure your devices are always working well.
- Clothing: Choose comfortable, dynamic, and easy-to-move outfits. Maxi dresses and long dresses in bright colors will help you have beautiful “virtual living” photos amidst the green tea hills.
- Camping gear (if needed): If you want to camp overnight at Bien Ho Tea Lake, bring a tent, sleeping bag, grill, and food. However, be sure to consult with local people or the area management board before camping.
- Environmental awareness: Please maintain general hygiene, do not litter indiscriminately, and protect the natural landscape of Bien Ho Tea Lake.
A cafe nestled in the tea hills of Bien Ho Tea Lake, offering picturesque photo opportunities
3. Discovering and Experiencing Bien Ho Tea Lake in Gia Lai
3.1. Enjoying Green and Peaceful Space
Coming to Bien Ho Tea Lake, the first thing that impresses you is the green and peaceful space here. Thousands of hectares of tea are scientifically planned, stretching across the hillsides, creating an extremely harmonious and beautiful natural picture. You can stroll along the winding red dirt roads, breathe in the fresh air, and admire the green tea rows.
The sound of the wind blowing gently through the tea hills, the chirping of birds, and the rustling of leaves will help you dispel all stress and fatigue. This is an ideal space for you to relax, find balance in life, and enjoy peaceful moments in nature. If you are a lover of tranquility and want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, Bien Ho Tea Lake will definitely be an ideal destination.
3.2. Check-in and Photo Opportunities at Bien Ho Tea Lake
Bien Ho Tea Lake is known as the “virtual living paradise” of Pleiku mountain town. This place owns countless beautiful photo spots, from green tea hills, red dirt roads, ancient pine rows to lovely cafes. Whether you are a landscape or portrait photography enthusiast, Bien Ho Tea Lake can meet your needs.
Some of the most popular check-in spots at Bien Ho Tea Lake:
- Green tea hills: This is the main and indispensable background when coming to Bien Ho Tea Lake. You can take photos amidst the green tea rows, pose next to ancient tea trees, or find panoramic shots of the vast tea hills.
- Red dirt road: The winding red dirt road in the middle of the tea hills is also a unique photo spot. The red of the soil, the green of the tea, and the blue of the sky create a harmonious and impressive color combination.
- Ancient pine rows: The rows of ancient pine trees over 100 years old at Bien Ho Tea Lake are also a special highlight. The tall, ancient figures of the pine trees create a space that is both romantic and mysterious.
- Cafes: Around Bien Ho Tea Lake, there are some beautifully designed cafes with many unique “virtual living” corners. You can enjoy coffee, take photos, and admire the tea hill scenery.
Coming to Bien Ho Tea Lake, you will definitely have “million-like” photos to show off to friends and relatives.
3.3. Enjoying Local Cuisine
Traveling to Bien Ho Tea Lake is not only an opportunity for you to explore the beauty of nature but also a chance for you to enjoy Gia Lai’s specialties. After sightseeing and taking photos to your heart’s content, you can stop by eateries and restaurants near Bien Ho Tea Lake or in Pleiku city to enjoy local cuisine.
Some Gia Lai specialties you should try:
- Bo mot nang muoi kien vang (Sun-dried beef with yellow ant salt): Gia Lai’s most famous dish, with a delicious, rich, and unique flavor.
- Pho kho Gia Lai (Gia Lai dry pho): The characteristic pho of the mountain town, with chewy noodles, rich sauce, and sweet and fragrant free-range chicken.
- Ga nuong com lam (Grilled chicken with bamboo-tube rice): A rustic but attractive dish, fragrant grilled free-range chicken, sticky and flavorful bamboo-tube rice.
- Lau ga la e (Chicken hotpot with basil leaves): Hotpot dish with the characteristic flavor of basil leaves, tender and sweet free-range chicken, and attractive spicy and sour broth.
- Gia Lai coffee: Don’t forget to enjoy Gia Lai coffee, one of the best coffees in Vietnam, with a rich and fragrant flavor.
Don't forget to capture check-in photos when visiting Bien Ho Tea Lake
Local farmers harvesting tea leaves and tending to the tea plants at Bien Ho Tea Lake
A breathtaking aerial view of Bien Ho Tea Lake and its surrounding tea plantations
Bien Ho Tea Lake in the early morning mist, creating a magical atmosphere
4. Conclusion: Bien Ho Tea Lake – A Must-Visit Destination in Gia Lai
Bien Ho Tea Lake in Gia Lai is an attractive and unique tourist destination, offering visitors wonderful experiences amidst unspoiled and peaceful nature. With the green beauty of the tea hills, fresh atmosphere, and exciting activities, Bien Ho Tea Lake is definitely a must-visit destination in your Gia Lai exploration journey. Come and feel the beauty of this “green pearl”; you will surely have memorable memories and beautiful “virtual living” photos. Don’t forget to share your wonderful moments at Bien Ho Tea Lake and other destinations in Gia Lai with Du lịch khắp thế gian!