GIA LAI – In November, wild sunflowers bloom all over the roads, around Chu Dang Ya volcano, creating a romantic scene.
Chu Dang Ya is a volcano that has been inactive for millions of years. The crater is funnel-shaped, about 500 m above sea level.
Chu Dang Ya (Jrai language, Chu means mountain, Dang Ya means wild ginger) is located in Ploi lagri village, Chu Dang Ya commune, Chu Pah district, about 30 km northeast of Pleiku city center. 20 km from the famous Bien Ho tourist destination.
Chu Dang Ya is known as the paradise of wild sunflowers, among the top 10 most attractive destinations in Gia Lai province.
In November every year, on the hillsides and streams in Gia Lai, wild sunflowers are bright yellow. For people in the Central Highlands, wild sunflowers are flowers that signal winter has arrived.
Most wild sunflowers here grow wild and grow naturally. To fully admire the peaceful scenery of Gia Lai with the green patches of mountains and forests and the yellow color of wild sunflowers on the red basalt soil, visitors can walk to the top of the mountain, which takes about 20 minutes. The yellow color covers from the entrance to the hillsides and then falls to the feet like a soft golden carpet.
The path leading to Chu Dang Ya volcano is a road with two rows of bright yellow wild sunflowers stretching out. This is a place that attracts many tourists to check in and take photos. Besides that, there are also fields of buckwheat flowers and starflowers in full bloom for visitors to admire.
The wildflower season in Chu Dang Ya attracts a large number of tourists of all ages from many provinces and cities. Many people jog and cycle here early in the morning to watch the sunrise and take photos with wild sunflowers before this place becomes crowded after about 8-9am.
Visitors can see indigenous people taking cows to eat between two rows of wildflowers. On the children’s bicycle baskets are clusters of bright yellow wildflowers.
Do Do, a native who is currently working in tourism, went to Chu Dang Ya to take photos of wild sunflowers on October 31. Compared to last year, he said this year’s flower season comes a little earlier, possibly because it is a leap year, and is more blooming and beautiful than last year. The weather here is currently quite ideal for tourists to “hunt” for sunrise and sunset moments.
The best time to take photos with wild sunflowers is early in the morning, from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., when the sun has just risen and the light is moderate. There are not many people coming at this time, so visitors have many “virtual living” corners without having to crowd or wait.
Anh Do suggests that visitors can climb to Chu Nam peak next door to have a panoramic view of Chu Dang Ya volcano and the wild sunflower valley below.
The afternoon sunset shining down on the valley of wild sunflowers is also very poetic. But because Chu Dang Ya is obscured by the higher Chu Nam peak, the sunlight often goes out early.
Every November is the time when the People’s Committee of Chu Pah district organizes the wild sunflower festival on Chu Dang Ya mountain. This year, the festival takes place from November 8 to 14, with the focus being from November 10 to 12 at the communal house of Ia Gri village (Chu Dang Ya commune).
Visiting Chu Dang Ya on this occasion, in addition to admiring the beauty of wild sunflowers, visitors can camp and participate in many activities to explore the beauty of indigenous culture. During the week, many sports activities will take place such as: pushing sticks, walking on stilts, tug of war, jumping on sacks, and folk games; contest to conquer Chu Dang Ya volcanic peak, gong performance contest, brocade weaving, wickerwork, and statue carving contest; Restoring the “New Rice Celebration” festival of the Jrai ethnic group, according to Gia Lai province’s electronic information portal.
“Wild sunflowers, wildflowers growing on a dead volcano, create beauty and brand for tourism and people here,” Mr. Do said.
On the way to Chu Dang Ya volcano, visitors can experience the hundred-year-old pine road, visit Bien Ho Che, Buu Minh pagoda, and Ngo Son ripe rice fields.
Photo,Video: Internet (Vinlove.net)