Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Vietnam – a mesmerizing destination

Situated around 160km (99 miles) southwest of Hanoi, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is a hidden gem offering serene landscapes, stunning trekking, and rich cultural values. This place is still a hidden gem to travel in Vietnam.

pu-luong-nature-reserve-vietnam

To travel to Pu Luong Nature Reserve from Hanoi, travelers can get a private car for the shortest drive, use a tourism bus, or drive a motorbike for adventure. It takes roughly 4.5 hours to travel from Hanoi to Pu Luong. The timing can be slightly different depending on the traffic. 

Besides, if you wish to visit Ninh Binh before or after the getaway in Pu Luong Nature Reserve can drive or take local buses to travel between the 2 destinations without returning to Hanoi.

With moderate weather, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is good to travel to all year round. Its peak seasons are the 2 rice crops of the year, when the landscape is covered with stunning terraced rice fields. If you plan to see the rice fields in Pu Luong, you can travel from March to May and from July to September. 

With its impressive scenery, delicious cuisine, Pu Luong has gradually become a weekend getaway for domestic travelers. To see the best of Pu Luong, it’s suggested to stay there 2 to 3 days. Meanwhile, some travelers make a half-day trek in Pu Luong when driving from Mai Chau to Ninh Binh. Only a 1.5-hour drive from Pu Luong Nature Reserve is Mai Chau Valley, an idyllic and peaceful valley for trekking and cycling to the local villages. You can combine these two destinations for a Mai Chau Pu Luong 3 days 2 nights tour from Hanoi. 

Trekking

The terrain in Pu Luong is suitable for trekking. There are different routes that a traveler can decide to go from a couple of km to 20km, depending on their level. There are local villages of some minority ethnic groups in Pu Luong for trekking, such as Don village, Hieu Village, Kho Muong Village, etc.

During your trek in Pu Luong Nature Reserve, you can explore the pristine jungle, pass by the cool streams, visit plunging Hieu waterfall, and visit local families to learn about their daily life. Pu Luong Peak, at 1700m high, is also a challenge for your conquer if you’re an adventurer at heart. The Pu Luong Summit hike is truly an off-the-beaten path in Vietnam.

River Rafting

While trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve Vietnam, you can make a stop for river rafting over the Cham River. A local person will take you along the river. For your safety, the rafting distance can be different depending on the water current on the day.

Observe the waterwheels in Pu Luong

Walking through the rice fields, you will find a system of waterwheels in Pu Luong and learn about the traditional way of pumping water in rice fields. 

Besides the landscape, travelers also have impressions of the local cuisine in Pu Luong. Here are some indigenous local dishes for your taste: 

Co Lung Grilled Duck 

Ducks are raised naturally in Co Lung village and marinated with forest herbs before being grilled over charcoal. The taste, therefore, is smoky, tender, and savoury.

Grilled Stream Fish

Visitors can enjoy freshwater fish caught from local streams in Pu Luong. The fish, sometimes wrapped in banana leaves to retain its freshness. 

Wild Boar Meat

Free-roaming boars from the mountains are yielding lean and with a flavorful taste. The meat can be grilled, stewed, or steamed with local herbs, which is a unique signature of the  Pu Luong region. 

Bamboo Shoots

Wild bamboo shoots are found in the jungles by the locals while on their way to the fields. The bamboo shoot is a typical and tasty dish that is favoured by both locals and travelers. The most common way to cook the bamboo shoots is to stir-fry or boil. 

5 recommended places to visit for first-time travelers to China

places-to-visit-in-china

People from the West might wonder whether it’s worth seeing China. Abounding majestic historical constructions such as the Great Wall, the Imperial Citadel, the Terracotta Army, etc., colorful culture, fascinating culture, the answer is yes, China is worth traveling to, especially if you’re interested in history, culture, food, nature, or rapid modernization. 

China is located in East Asia, and it’s the third-largest country in the world by area (after Russia and Canada) and the most populous country. China borders a number of countries. Hence, after visiting China, you also can combine a trip to one of its neighbors, such a Vietnam travel trip.

East: Pacific Ocean (including the East China Sea and South China Sea)

North: Mongolia, Russia

West: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan

South: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Vietnam

Southeast: Close to Taiwan, the Philippines, and other parts of Southeast Asia

China is a large country, and the weather is distinctly divided into 4 seasons. The best time to travel to China is generally in spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October). These months offer the most pleasant weather, fewer extremes, and beautiful scenery. Keep in mind that this is a super-populated country, and I highly suggest avoiding the public holiday when domestic travelers cause you to wait in a long queue for sightseeing. 

Here are five recommended places to visit for first-time travelers to China, offering a mix of history, culture, nature, and modern life:

Beijing (Historical and Cultural Hub)

It’s the capital and a perfect introduction to China’s imperial past and political present.

Unmissable spots to see in Beijing are the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, and Tiananmen Square.

Xi’an (Ancient Capital)

Xi’an is a lovely ancient capital city. It’s the starting point of the Silk Road and home to some of China’s oldest and most iconic relics.

Favourite places to explore in Xi’an include the Terracotta Army, the Ancient City Wall, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Muslim Quarter.

Shanghai

Shanghai, a modern Metropolis,  is an impressive city where traditional Chinese culture meets futuristic skyscrapers and international flair.

Highlighted places to check out in Shanghai are the Bund, Oriental Pearl Tower, Yu Garden, Nanjing Road, French Concession. Additionally, from Shanghai, travelers can catch express trains to visit Hangzhou. 

Zhangjiajie National Park China

Zhangjiajie National Park

Zhangjiajie is one of China’s most stunning natural destinations and is worth visiting, especially if you’re drawn to dramatic landscapes and outdoor adventure. It’s located in Hunan Province and became world-famous as the inspiration for the floating “Hallelujah Mountains” in Avatar.

Hongkong

Traveling to Hong Kong is a fantastic experience, especially if you enjoy a fast-paced city with a mix of modern skyscrapers, vibrant street life, rich cultural heritage, and stunning natural scenery. It’s often described as “East meets West”, blending Chinese traditions with British colonial influences.

I’ve been to China twice, and indeed haven’t seen much of China. There are so many stunning places to travel to. The suggested 5 destinations are just based on my personal opinion. If you have any place of favour, leave it in comments. I might check it out on my next trip 🙂