HAI DUONG – Chi Linh maple forest is a free climbing and camping spot, with fresh air and beautiful scenery.
Le Thu Hang, over 30 years old, has traveled to all 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam and more than 10 countries. She recently had a picnic in Hai Duong, sharing her experience exploring the maple forest.
Chi Linh maple forest in Hoang Hoa Tham commune, Chi Linh district, Hai Duong province. The road to Chi Linh maple forest is very easy to travel, you can use private vehicles (both cars and motorbikes) and public vehicles. If you don’t want to drive, take a bus to Sao Do city and then rent a motorbike taxi or taxi to Thanh Mai pagoda. If using personal vehicle, you can follow Google Maps to the temple. Park the car at the temple, then walk into the forest.
This is a spiritual destination so there are no tour services or fees. You can park your car for free at the temple. Friendly people. If you don’t know the way, they are ready to give you directions. There are three areas in this place worth exploring:
Thanh Mai Pagoda
This is a suitable place for those who love quiet space. Surrounding the temple is forest. Right from the walkway up, the trees are shady, the air is cool, dispelling the dust and smoke of the highway. The pagoda has stairs interspersed with large courtyards. When you reach the highest yard, you will see the vast space of Chi Linh. This is the place connected to the Tay Yen Tu mountain range in Bac Giang, creating a majestic space, like in the middle of the mountains, even though it is right on the plain. Below is the yellow color of rice fields in the ripening season, creating a colorful picture.
The highlight of the pagoda is the ancient trees whose trunks can be hugged by 2-3 people. Frangipani flowers fall everywhere, the scent creates an atmosphere that is both ancient and pleasant. In addition to the ancient trees, there are many other trees in the temple garden, whose roots spread throughout the garden. If we just look at these trees, we can easily mistake them for being in a primeval forest, a national park or some old ecological reserve.
Maple forest
After visiting Thanh Mai pagoda, go up to the maple forest and follow the path straight to the top of the mountain. The path is gentle, only steep when near the top. With a length of more than 2 km, this is a climbing route suitable for all subjects. Many families choose this as a camping place, allowing children to run freely.
According to local people, at the end of October, Thanh Mai maple forest will turn red, the whole forest will then “like pouring red paint”. On the rocks, paths, everywhere there are red leaves. Many people who saw the photo mistakenly thought it was a space in Korea. In other seasons, the maple forest is still beautiful due to the unique shape of the maple leaves. Looking from every angle, the maple tree has its own unique features, delicate, gentle and a bit lonely compared to other trees in the forest. In addition to maple trees, Thanh Mai forest also has wild and natural beauty thanks to climbing trees and moss. Nature here seems to be unaffected by humans.
A place to cook food.
Maple leaves in September.
Maple leaves in September.
Road to the top.
Campsite
At the top of the mountain there is a camping and grilling area. On weekends, the number of people visiting this place is often quite large, most of them go on picnics during the day. Camping here brings a sense of peace. The scenery of Thanh Mai Pagoda below is in harmony with the beauty of the forest above. Those who want private space can choose a spot in the middle of the forest, away from roads.
There are almost no shops around Thanh Mai Pagoda. On the top of the mountain, the wind is quite strong, so you have to find a hidden place to cook. You have to pay attention to the weather, because the top is empty and there are no trees. If it rains, there is no shelter. You can bring large tarpaulins and sticks to cover before camping and cooking.
Chi Linh maple forest is a peaceful and interesting picnic spot. For those of you living around Hanoi, this is a place where you can enjoy the mountain air without having to travel far.
Photo,Video: Internet (Vinlove.net)