Top Things to do in Lao Cai Province
Countries
10 Things to do in Lao Cai Province That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Lao Cai Province, Vietnam including Sin Cheng Market, Fansipan Mountain, Bac Ha Market, Sun World Fansipan Legend, Ta Phin Village, Muong Hoa Valley, Love Waterfall, Thac Bac Waterfall (Silver Falls), O Quy Ho Heaven Gate, Cat Cat village.
Restaurants in Lao Cai Province
1. Sin Cheng Market
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By TOMTRAVEINVIETNAM - Sapa, Vietnam
Sin Cheng market, in the remote border area of Si Ma Cai, 40km from Bac Ha, is a vibrant and chaotic weekly hub for the local Nung and Flower H’mong ethnic minorities who live in the surrounding villages.
2. Fansipan Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,298 reviews
Fansipan is one of the most beautiful attractions in Sapa, It is the peak of Indochina with the elevation of 3143m
Reviewed By chelyny
Simply amazing. Don’t miss out. Weather in town will not determine weather at the top. It was cloudy the day I went and opened up to blue skies at the summit. Also went solo. Very easy to do. Take taxi or walk to sun plaza Buy train + cable car tickets Take train Take cable car Climb the stairs or take more trains I suggest climbing as you can see all the different views and see and enter temples along the way. There’s a cafe with stunning views at the top to enjoy drinks, rest, use restroom, WiFi.
3. Bac Ha Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 489 reviews
Bac ha Market Nestled in the northern hills of Vietnam exists one of the best ethnic markets in all of Southeast Asia! On Sundays, the ethnic minorities from the surrounding villages and hills come by foot, by motorscooter, by horse, and by water buffalow for their chance to socialize, eat, drink, smoke, get a haircut, and buy produce and meat for the next week. It is a blur of colorful plaids and stripes.
Reviewed By J4939HJmichaelp - Chiang Rai, Thailand
I've actually been to this market around fifty times. Located in Bac Ha town center it is very easy and inexpensive for budget independent travelers to reach. It is also one of a handful of markets where large livestock; buffalo, cows, and horses are still traded. Many Chinese from Yunnan come here to buy buffalo and it's not uncommon to see money-changers armed with electronic calculators and large bags of ready to buy back Chinese Yuan. The market is also well known as a gathering place for the Flower Hmong people who live in Lao Cai and Ha Giang Provinces. For the minority people, these markets are a bit like a county fair in rural North-America. Many folks, mostly the girls and ladies, put on their best costumes for the occasion. In addition to the Hmong, visitors will also encounter Black Tay, Tai, Kinh, Dao Ao Dai, Phu La and Nung people in full traditional clothing. These markets in Northern Vietnam start early; around 6 a.m., peak around 10 and by noon most people are headed back to their villages, many on foot, with bamboo baskets full of rice and other basic staples. Amazing arrays of products are sold here including foodstuff such as meat, produce and rice, clothing and household goods. As many of the shoppers here are farmers a wide selection of agricultural equipment from hand and power tools to pumps and machinery is also available. Since the market starts early in the morning and peaks before noon, many travelers opt to arrive in Bac Ha Saturday afternoon and spend at least one night. There are a number of budget hotels in the town, most of which are within a five-minute walk of the market. There are also many inexpensive home-stays in and around town, a few of which can be found in Ban Pho Village. Besides the Sunday market, there is a small Saturday night market and cultural show located near the pagoda in town. Bac Ha offers trekking opportunities to nearby villages such as Ban Pho.
4. Sun World Fansipan Legend
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 912 reviews
Reviewed By Khli - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fansipan summit “the Roof of Indocina” is at 3143m ASL on the Hong Lien Son Mountain at the border of Lao Cai and Lai Chau. Before the cable car system develop by Sun World Group which they name it cable car to FASIPAN LEGEND, it used to take minimum two hiking days to reach the summit. Now with the cable car you can reach the peak in 30 minute and complete the site seeing in half day return. It is designed by European operator Doppelmayr. It run every day from 07:30am – 05:30pm. The breath taking changing view every second with the swirling floating clouds and the mountain range meeting the sky. Fansipan Legend is one of the highlight for travellers to Sa Pa and worth visiting. This is my third trip to Sa Pa and the first trip to Fansipan summit. I record my experience to Fansipan Legend summit from Sa Pa for those in planning. First you will look for the ticketing office/station at Sun Plaza complex which house the Hotel, Restaurant, Shopping centre an funicular station. During my visit in October 2019 there was a promotion Vietnamese at 50% discount on ticket to Fansipan Legend. Effective 1st September – 31 December 2019. Foreign travellers paid full fare of VND700K from the Sa Pa Station by funicular rail to Fansipan cable car station (Fansipan Legend complex) and return. Not inclusive the funicular station from Do Quyen to Truc May station just below the summit. First you will board the Muong Hoa Funiculars train at Sa Pa Station (1) to Muong Hoa Funiculars Station (2) at Muong Hoa Valley, about 2 km. The train can ferry around 200 passengers at any one time. On arrival Muong Hoa Funicular station there is a park accessible only for guest who bought the buffet lunch if not mistaken is VND150k (Oct 2019). Option to proceed to switch to Hoang Lien Cable Car Station (3).This cable car quite big and each cabin able to hold 35 passengers. All around with clear transparent glass which you can enjoyed the view below while floating with the cloud. Upon exit the arrival station, Fansipan Station (4) you are now at the Fansipan Legend Complex. Greeting by the cool breeze and floating cloud and the beautiful majestic Hoang Lien Son Mountain range around. You can start to explore the complex as there are steps trails leading to the Fansipan summit. Along the way there were a lot of thing to explore. The first welcoming structure such as Three Arched Gate, Mau Temple, Ha Temple, Bich Van Thien Tu , In front rise from the cliff independently is the 32m Bich Van Thien Tu tower and the Dai Hong Cung – a 32m 5 storey tower cliff of which 4 storeys were built front granite stone and top floor is the traditional square wooden double roof pavilion of Tang Dynasty. Each floor of the tower house a bronze bell which will ringed at fixed times. Further up the stairs toward the left is the Do Quyen Funicular rail station and another ticketing office (additional charge) to Truc May Station Funicular station (just below the summit) if you choose not to walk the stair step up. I would suggest you take the slow walk up if you can so that you can see all the every inches of views as you walk. Some will take the way up and walk the steps stairs down so that they can still visit the other attraction site. Behind the funicular station is another steps trail up but it was not accessible during my visit. But the view towards the left is a better choice as you have more to explore such as the Nine Floor 30m cascaded waterfall and the pillars has the sacred Buddhism scripture. The two 150 steps granite stairs flank on both leading to next level where a 3 storeys monument with a 21m Amitabha Buddha Statue seated on the top floor base of lotus. The Four Celestial Heavenly Kings guarding the four cardinal directions. Guarding the North is the Chief of the four Duo Wen Tien Wang (Da Van Thien Vuong), his symbolic weapon are pagoda on the left and umbrella on the right hand and is the the ruler of Rain. At the South is the Zeng Zhang Tien Wang (Tang Truong Thien Vuong), his symbolic weapon is the sword on his right hand and is the ruler of the wind. Guardian of the East is the King of music Chi Kou Tien Wang (Tri Quoc Thien Vuong), his symbolic weapon is the traditional Chinese musical instrument pipa in his hand. Lastly the guardian of the west Guang Mu Tien Wang (Quang Muc Thien Vuong) with his symbolic weapon, a serpent in his hand. The guarded 2nd floor is the sacred preaching room (no flash photography inside). Finally the ground floor is the tea room. Behind this monument. The 800m stone steps trail (The Ta Vu) with the bronze statue of the original follower of Gautama Buddha, the Eighteen Arhats guide you to 12m Bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Guan Yin) weighing 18 tons standing at peak looking eastward and The Spirit Temple at the end of the mountain range and up another level is the Kim Son Bao Thang Tu temple complex at 3091m. The 11 storey Thuong Pagoda standing with the casted bronze lotus at shinning at the tip, at the centre is the Dai Hung Bau Thien temple, inside the temple house many golden colour deities statue accompany by the meditation mantra chanting fill the tranquil atmosphere. Behind is the Ancestral Hall, along the two side line the Eighteen Arhats. After exploring here you are going up to the next level, walking towards the left after the cinnamon tea kiosks on the steep steps take you to the Truc May Station complex (the funicular arrival station from Do Quyen station), you can skip this for the way down. Another few stair steps is the final platform where the symbolic pyramid of 3142m was place to mark the FANSIPAN summit. The 25m flag pole platform for photography, the highest Flag Tower of Indochina. The base was built from the green granite stone of Thanh Hoa with sculptures carving of the Vietnamses history and cultures around the base. You can hang around here to enjoy the fresh cool breeze and to snap photos of the every minutes changing scenery of Hong Lien Son Mountain range with the cloud floats by. To complete the visit of Fansipan Legend, go down the staircase to Truc May station, beside there is a boutique café serving fruit juice, tea, coffee and pastries and light foods. It has all glass window for you to enjoy the view and the washroom is at the basement excess from outside. While enjoying the coffee you than decide to walk down or to experience the funicular train.
5. Ta Phin Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 340 reviews
Reviewed By C500DIgaryh - Morpeth, United Kingdom
I have just returned home from Sa Pa where I went to stay for a few days with my Vietnamese friends who live in the village they always make me feel like one of the family when I visit them every year. I would recommend staying a few day just to see how they live day to day. Everybody is very friendly. Well worth having a herbal bath. My friends do home stay's but don't force things on you, it is a relaxing environment. If anyone needs any information just contact me.
6. Muong Hoa Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,149 reviews
Reviewed By amistad8 - London, United Kingdom
I went on my own. Most people take guides which I cannot understand as it is hard to get lost there. In any case, I highly recommend the hike to the valley as well as villages nearby, Ta Van and Lao Chai - beautiful views of rice fields and magnificent mountains!
7. Love Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 837 reviews
Reviewed By 677rudyn - Ostend, Belgium
Nearby silver waterfall, ideally to combine and really worth a visit. Nice tropical garden and waterfall.
8. Thac Bac Waterfall (Silver Falls)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 485 reviews
Reviewed By Pastandyou
On the way to Tram Ton Pass, we took a short walk to Silver Waterfall. The guide said that we were lucky to visit Thac Bac in the summer because the water pours down strongly from June to October. I was really impressed by the waterfall like a white dragon diving into the stream and the stunning scenery of the surrounding mountains. It was also amazing to soak in the cool stream. You can totally relax there and imbue with the natures because the atmosphere was fresh and wonderful compared to the big cities. It’s nothing else but a waterfall, but I strongly recommend to visit it once when in Sapa, especially in the summer.
9. O Quy Ho Heaven Gate
10. Cat Cat village
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