O Quy Ho Pass is a favorite destination that attracts many tourists when coming to Sapa. As one of the Four Great Peaks of the Northwest Mountains, O Quy Ho Pass will be the ultimate check-in point with the wild and poetic beauty of the mountains. Discover with Say Hello Vietnam what is so beautiful about the pass that fascinates visitors!
Contents
Overview of O Quy Ho pass
The Location
O Quy Ho pass is the largest and most beautiful pass of Sapa, also the longest pass of the Northwest. Many names know the pass, such as O Quy Ho pass, Hoang Lien Son pass, or May pass. The pass is located right next to the 4D National Highway running through the Hoang Lien Son range, bordering the two provinces of Lao Cai and Lai Chau.
Located at an altitude of 200m above sea level, with craggy bends, the same length of 50km, year-round white clouds covering the top of the pass, this pass has made other famous passes such as Ma Pi Leng. 20km), Pha Din (32km long), or Khau Pha (40km) become small. Maybe that’s why they call this pass the “king without a throne” of the “four great peaks” of the Northwest.
Conquering the pass
Previously, you had to ride a motorbike along Highway 4D to get to the pass. Now there is a safer and more convenient way, which is to take the cable car. You can order cable car tickets at the station (buy tickets to visit Fansipan peak). Then move from Fansipan peak in the Thac Bac area, go to Tram Ton, and go about 4-5 km along with Highway 4D to the top of O Quy Ho pass.
Which month should you go to O Quy Ho pass?
This pass has its beauty in each different season. When to go will depend on what you want to experience in this place.
In summer: the weather at this time is quite remarkable, pleasant, with a bit of coolness and little fog, suitable for going. However, it would help if you only went to the pass on the Lao Cai side because the section on the Lai Chau side is now scorching.
In winter: The weather in Lai Chau in winter is somewhat more pleasant, with a bit of sunshine at midday, while Lao Cai is wholly in fog, even with ice and snow. If you intend to go on a trip to O Quy Ho at this time, remember to equip yourself with necessary items such as warm clothes or gloves. In addition, the ideal time to travel to O Quy Ho pass of the day is in the late afternoon when the sunset dyes red, covering the entire Northwest region. And book a night stay at a hotel to ride the pass to catch the sunrise in the morning. This moment will not let you down.
What to prepare for this trip?
If you want to visit the place during the day, there is no need to prepare too much luggage. You should prepare identification documents, cash, jacket, map, medicine bag, sports shoes, and even some water and snacks when hungry.
Many people often mistakenly think that the heaven gate is located on Ham Rong mountain with the O Quy Ho heaven gate when coming to Sapa. There are two heaven gates in Sapa. One is on Ham Rong mountain, located right near Sapa town. The other is the top of the O Quy Ho pass that we are talking about. However, Ham Rong heaven gate has nothing for you to visit. Therefore, when coming to Sapa, everyone should pay attention to this place to not waste this trip.
Instructions on how to move to O Quy Ho pass
O Quy Ho Pass has a length of about 50km and is located on 4D National Highway. Therefore, visitors have to find the way from Sapa town to National Highway 4D to get to the pass. If the starting point is in Sapa town and the stopping point is the top of the pass, about 15km. You start from Town (bus station), drive down Dien Bien Phu street, pass Silver waterfall 12km, continue straight to the top of the pass. Or you can ask the people in town, and they will show you the shortest way to the pass.
The unique things to do
Creepy mountain passes
O Quy Ho Pass is the longest pass in Vietnam as of 2020. On both sides of the pass is a bottomless abyss and cliffs on the other side. Danger warning signs are posted on both sides of the road. Usually, backpackers choose their route so that when they return to Quy Ho, the sky is already at dusk. On full moon nights, the light of the full moon spreads down the cliffs, casting shadows on the bend. When viewed from the side like a majestic watercolor painting, it is truly a touch of mystery. If you stand close to a corner next to the cliff, you will listen to the silent, chilling breath of the mountains.
At the foot of O Quy Ho’s pass, towards Sapa is Silver Waterfall – one of the ten most beautiful waterfalls in Lao Cai. The waterfall falls day and night to create white foam. This majestic waterfall has surprised many domestic and foreign tourists when coming here. Besides, Love Waterfall is also a famous place that attracts many couples to Sapa. Not as big as Silver waterfall, Love waterfall has a soft and gentle beauty.
O Quy Ho Lai Chau Heaven Gate and O Quy Ho Cafe
After going through the majestic waterfalls, you will conquer the top of O Quy Ho Pass, also known as O Quy Ho Heaven Gate, Sapa Heaven Gate. You will regret it when you come to Sapa but skip this place. At the top of the pass, you will see a panoramic view of the magnificent Hoang Lien Son range engulfed in a sea of white clouds and fog. Moreover, in each season, O Quy Ho Lai Chau Heaven Gate will give you different beautiful scenery, like golden or sparkling terraced fields in the pouring water season.
In addition, in this place, people built a coffee shop named Cafe O Quy Ho. There’s nothing better than enjoying a hot cup of coffee in a misty space with rolling mountains. This experience will be memorable in your journey to experience the beauty of the mountainous region.
Hunting clouds on O Quy Ho pass
At an altitude of 2,073m above sea level, the top of the pass is a sea of clouds floating with mist. Therefore, O Quy Ho Pass in Lao Cai is an ideal hunting spot for clouds, one of the beautiful and pristine Northwest tourist destinations with excellent check-in photos.
What to eat when coming to O Quy Ho pass?
You will quickly see small shops set up for visitors to rest and enjoy unique dishes. Inside are prepared mountain specialties such as grilled meat skewers, corn, potatoes, cassava, grilled eggs, or lam rice. There are also other specialties such as kitchen buffalo, armpit pig, wild chicken.
Note: Not similar to pigs in other regions, this kind of pig is about 10-15 kg so that it can be carried under armpits and easily stolen by theft. That is the reason why they call it a Stolen armpit pig (lợn cắp nách).
Some amazing pictures
No wonder why O Quy Ho pass is included in the list of one of the four great peaks of Vietnam. O Quy Ho Pass is a masterpiece of nature so majestic and poetic that anyone who only needs to visit once will never forget. So, what are you waiting for, do not schedule yourself an experience trip to Sapa town and visit O Quy Ho pass? Surely you will be interested in what Say Hello Vietnam has shared on it!
