Sapa
Area: 678,6 sq. km
Population: 38,200 habitants
Administrative division:
- Townlet: Sapa
- Communes: Ban Khoang, Ta Giang Phinh, Trung Chai, Ta Phin, Sa Pa, San Sa Ho, Ban Phung, Lao Chai, Hau Thao, Thanh Kim, Ta Van, Su Pan, Suoi Thau, Ban Ho, Thanh Phu, Nam Sai, Nam Cang.
Located 38km from
Lao Cai City, Sapa is a mountainous district of Lao Cai Province. Sapa District
is very well-known with Sapa Townlet, a beautiful and romantic resort.
At the height of 1,600m above sea level, the average temperature of the area is
15-18°C. It is cool in summer and cold in winter.
Visitor to Sapa in summer can feel the climate of four seasons in one day. In
the morning and afternoon, it is cool like the weather of spring and autumn. At
noon, it is as sunny and cloudless as the weather of summer. And it is cold in
the evening. With no advance warning of a thunderstorm short and heavy rains may
come at noon on any summer day. Subsequently, a rainbow appears, transforming
Sapa into a magic land, which for years has been a constant source of poetic
inspiration, lights up the whole region.
The best time to witness the scenic beauty of Sapa is in April and May. Before
that period, the weather might be cold and foggy; after that period is the rainy
season. In April and May, Sapa is blooming with flowers and green pastures. The
clouds that settle in the valley in early morning quickly disappear into thin
air.
Sapa has many
natural sites such as Ham Rong Mountain, Silver Waterfall, Rattan Bridge, Bamboo
Forest and Ta Phin Cave.Sapa is also the starting point for many climbers and
scientists who want to reach the top of Fansipan Mountain, the highest mountain
in Vietnam at 3,143m. Hoang Lien Mountain Range is also called the Alps of the
North Sea area since Fansipan Mountain is not only the highest peak in Vietnam,
but also in the Indochina Peninsula. The pyramid-shaped mountain is covered with
clouds all year round and temperatures often drop below zero, especially at high
elevations.
The first thing you notice when approaching the resort town are some detached
wooden mansions and villas perched on a hill top or hillside, behind thick pine
forests and almost invisible on this foggy morning. Old and new villas with red
roofs now appear and now disappear in the green rows of pomu trees, bringing the
town the beauty of European towns.
Fresh and cool air in Sapa is an idea climate condition for growing temperate
vegetables such as cabbage, chayote, precious medicinal herbs, and fruit trees
such as plum, pear…
Sapa is home to
various families of flowers of captivating colours, which can be found nowhere
else in the country. When Tet, the Lunar New Year Festival, comes, the whole
township of Sapa is filled with the pink colour of peach blossom brought from
the vast forests of peach just outside the town. Sapa is regarded as the kingdom
of orchids. Here, orchid lovers are even amazed by the choice, when trekking in
the forest filled with several hundred kinds of orchids of brilliant colours and
fantastic shapes, such as Orchid Princess, Orchid of My Fair Lady's Shoe. Some
orchids are named after lovely singing birds such as the canary, salangane's
nest, and more.
Sapa is most beautiful in spring. Apricot, plum and cherry flowers are
splendidly beautiful. Markets are crowded and merry, and are especially
attractive to visitors. Minority groups come here to exchange and trade goods
and products. Market sessions are also a chance for locals to promenade and
young men and women in colorful costumes to meet, date or seek sweethearts.
Visitors to Sapa will have opportunities to discover the unique customs of the
local residents.
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Source: Vietnam Administration of Tourism |