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Sapa
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Sapa |
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Area:
678,6 sq. km
Population: 52,5 thousand
habitants(2007)
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. |
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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 oC.
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.
|
information from
http://www.vietnamtourism.com |