More than 100 hectares of maple forest are gradually changing the red leaves, creating an extremely interesting and unique scene at Tam Ban mountain (Chi Linh, Hai Duong).
The way to Thanh Mai pagoda in the maple season with red leaves
Vietnam is a tropical country, so maple forests are very rare, only in a few places in the North there are maple trees growing in the mountains such as Pha Luong, Moc Chau (Son La), Tram Tau (Yen Bai), Hoang Lien Son (Lao Cai). , Thach An (Cao Bang).
Tam Ban maple forest alone has an area of up to 100 hectares, is the largest and oldest in Vietnam.
Romantic beaches, pine hills
In the chilly early morning weather with golden rays of sunlight gradually dispelling the mountain fog, we started to cross the Thuong River by the Dong Viet ferry (Bac Giang) to Chi Linh land (Hai Duong). Waiting for us across the river is a friend from Hung Dao commune – a place associated with the life of Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan.
Knowing we used to visit Luc Dau Giang (where six rivers meet), Kiep Bac temple, Con Son relic …, my friend decided this time to lead everyone to a new place, beautiful and romantic romantic.
The old communication on Con Son and Kiep Bac streets welcomed us. Nobody remembers when the pine trees grew in this land, just know that it reminds visitors a little bit of a dream like Da Lat in the North.
Then suddenly the group’s car went straight into the immense field with old pine trees scattered all over the place.
Under the pine tree is a field of white flowers that local people are accustomed to calling the root yard (Cong Hoa ward, Chi Linh town), 18ha wide right next to the Con Son relic. On the root tree there were countless tiny white flowers, swaying in the east wind. The girls took advantage of their face down to inhale the scent of this unique plant.
The cold weather is when the roots are the most beautiful, becoming the check-in, wedding photography … of many young people in Hai Duong, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh. The trails between the root fields lead us gradually into the fairytale flower fragrance.
In the distance, on the root bank and right at the foot of Con Son mountain is the immense pine hill, with big old trees with big roots. Everyone enjoys enjoying a vast green space and taking the most impressive pictures.
The people here do not know when the root yards and pine hills existed. They only pass on to each other from generation to generation about the anecdotes that the root yards and pine hills here are associated with Tran Nguyen Dan.
After having a glorious career, the last years of Tran Nguyen Dan’s life retreated to the mountains of Con Son to settle in old age. In order to create a hidden space with true forest quality, Tran Nguyen Dan planted pine trees by himself, and his wife planted white flowers (root trees).
Today, the roots and pine hills not only bring the beauty of the landscape, attract tourists, but also bring economic benefits to the people.
Pine-shaded streets in Con Son, Chi Linh – Photo: NGUYEN HANG
Red leaf maple forest
Leaving the root field and pine hill, we continued down Highway 18 to find Hoang Hoa Tham commune. From the national highway, turn to the asphalt road running along the signpost leading to Thanh Mai pagoda, gentle slopes along the mountainside, sometimes passing through a peaceful lake bed. Soon we reached the foot of Tam Ban mountain.
The bus climbed a few steep turns to get up the mountain, the noise below was being pushed back by the current deserted scenery. Right in front of our eyes is a season with yellow leaves, rustling red leaves falling.
Soon, everyone reached the parking lot at Thanh Mai pagoda. Around the ground are old trees with leaves turning yellow, turning red, and called queens trees here .
Queen apple tree belongs to the family of kim mai, jade orchid branch, woody tree, leaves with 3-5 lobes, falls in the dry cold season. Old leaves will be showy red. Because they secrete fragrant resin, so in China it is called the maple tree. And the maple tree and the maple forest are familiar names that are many in the mountains of Tam Ban, Hoang Hoa Tham and Chi Linh.
According to the authorities, Tam Ban maple forest has an area of up to 100 hectares, belongs to the largest and oldest type in Vietnam. Every winter (from December of solar calendar), the wind of Tam Ban mountain surrounding Thanh Mai pagoda starts again in the season of changing the leaves, from green to yellow to red. Towards the end of winter, the red maple leaves fall down to make room for young shoots to begin blooming in spring.
The colder the winter, the redder the maple leaves, creating a charming natural landscape. There is no need to go to Japan, Korea or China to see the red leaf maple forest, just watch the right season to replace the Tam Ban mountain leaves, and come to everyone will be immersed in the beautiful maple forest like pictures .
The original old maple tree had to embrace two people. The old maple tree leaves were stained red, began to fall rustling at the gate of the temple, leaving spindly branches.
Early afternoon, the group followed the path behind the pagoda to reach the top of Tam Ban mountain. Along the road are beautiful red and yellow maple leaves like a picture. Many groups from Quang Ninh, Hanoi, Bac Giang … have climbed the mountain since morning to capture the best frame.
According to Phuong Bac (Chi Linh), in recent years, the beauty of the maple forest next to Thanh Mai pagoda and the large lawn at the top of Tam Ban mountain has attracted many young people to visit, go hiking, take pictures, play paragliding …
Tourism concerns affect the ancient maple forest
According to our research, the local government has cooperated with the forest rangers to strictly protect the maple forest and control cross-country tourists.
The commune authorities have determined this is the most rare maple forest in Vietnam, creating a beautiful and unique natural landscape, so people are absolutely forbidden to cut down. A patrol team was also formed, patrolling every day to prevent bad behavior.
Red leaf maple forest still retains its wild features – Photo: NG.HONG
According to Ms. Duong Thu Huong – an official of Hoang Hoa Tham commune, visiting Thanh Mai pagoda to see the maple forest is crowded is a very happy sign that can help local tourism develop.
However, because the temple and forest areas are kept untouched, there are no professional services attached, so if visitors’ consciousness is not good such as littering, burning fire, breaking trees … will adversely affect to the landscape.
Tuoi Tre