Rhododendron forest showing off on the top of Pu Ta Leng

Pu Ta Leng Peak, in the Hoang Lien Son Range, is located in Tam Duong District, about 20 km from Lai Chau city. Pu Ta Leng is 3,049 m high, is the third highest peak to have been discovered in Vietnam, after Fansipan (3,143 m, Lao Cai) and   Pu Si Lung (3,083 m, Lai Chau),   according to the Lai Chau Provincial Portal. In addition to the characteristics of a dense forest with many ancient trees, a low forest layer with many bamboo and cardamom, this place also attracts mountaineering enthusiasts when in March and April every year, colorful rhododendron trees in the high forest level compete to bloom. The road to Pu Ta Leng peak from Sì Thau Chai village is the place where you can see the most beautiful azalea forest. This road is more difficult than the road from Ho Tau village or Ta Leng village, but it is more beautiful. Climbing to the top is not easy because through many steep terrain sections, the distance up and down is 30 km, but the reward received is completely worth it when "witnessing a fairytale scenery". Up to an altitude of about 2,900 m, visitors seem to be lost in a fairyland. Climbers call this "Northwest Rhododendron Capital" or "Pu Ta Leng Fairy Garden" because of the gathering of many tall, wide-spreading and beautiful flowering trees. Pu Ta Leng Peak has about 30 different species of flowers, all kinds of red, pink, yellow, and white flowers blooming alternately. There are azalea trees that are hundreds of years old, with large, shaggy trunks, and tree trunks growing on the cliffs. Rhododendrons are found in many Northwest forests such as Yen Bai and Lao Cai, but Pu Ta Leng is one of the peaks with the most flowers. In some areas, visitors will be able to see flowers in full bloom and walk under the forest canopy with falling azalea petals. Rhododendrons have thick, straight wings with long stigmas. Flowering plants are shrubs or woody plants, with thick leaves, both single and double. To see the most beautiful rhododendrons, visitors can choose climbing arcs for two days and one night or preferably three days and two nights, both conquering the top of the mountain and watching the flowers while still having time to rest and recuperate. Visitors should find a local guide or purchase a package tour to ensure safety. This year's rhododendrons begin to bloom from the beginning of March and are at their most brilliant, dying around the beginning of April. There are years when flowers bloom early from the end of February. If you conquer Pu Ta Leng peak around November, you will be able to see the red maple forest. Photo: Old Cat According to VnE