LANG SON - Travel Guide + Useful Tips ☀️
Lang Son is an important strategic point on the border with China.
Lang Son province with its capital of the same name is located 140 km northeast of Hanoi. You can get there from Hanoi by bus or train. However, if you take the train, you will see more gorgeous mountain scenery. The history of the province is associated with the Bronze Age, when this city passed a trade route that connected China with India (Guangzhou). The economy is 80% dependent on agriculture and forestry, and also in mineral resources. An important spices that is grown is star anise having the aromatic lanceolate leaves.
Dong Dang town is an historical monument at the border with China.
Dong Dang has a rich war history, and it is also known for its devastation. There is also a Tan Thanh border gate with China, also known as the gateway of friendship. Vietnamese and Chinese residents passes through the gate so they can sell food and items in another country.
In a short distance from Lang Son, it is possible to visit Tam Thanh Pagoda. Below this point is a Nhi Tanh cave. On this place it is held Spring Festival every year on January 15. Games and religious ceremonies attract a lot of visitors and travellers. Nhi Tanh cave is 500 m long, it is a spectacular stalactite cave and it looks like the caves of Ha Long Bay. You can go in to the cave by stairs from the pagoda.
Above the town of Lang Son you will see the rock in the shape of a woman who holds a child - Vong Phu. According to legend, this woman waiting for a man who went to war and waited so long to petrify. The Lang Son town has held Ky Lua market every 2nd and 7th day according to the lunar calendar, where you can meet many ethnic minority people of Tay, Dao, Nung, and Hmong.
About 30 km from the town is the fascinating Mau Son mountain.
The highest point - Mau Son mountain is 1600 meters above sea level and attracts lots of traveller. Mau Son mountain fascinates everyone, it’s one of the most beautiful places in Southeast Asia and Vietnam. You will see here many stone houses from the time period of French colonization in Vietnam. During the winter, this region can be covered with snow and it can be very cold.
The old military base was built at the Mau Son mountain.
A few years ago it was still closed for motorcycles, but now it is open for travellers and visitors. In this area you will see many stone villas with a period of French colonization, but some of these villas are closed for visitors. During the winter, this area may be covered with snow, and the roads can be badly passable. At the beginning of the 20th century there was built a military base from the enemy of China.
Do not forget to visit the valley and the agricultural area of Bac Son.
Another stunning place to visit is the valley of Bac Son, which is not far from Lang Son town, about 70 km. The whole valley is surrounded by mountains. Mountains ranging in height from about 500–1200 meters. The top of the mountains can be accessed from here, you will be fascinated by the view of the whole area. The valley is covered by rice fields, flowing river and lake.
The second biggest ethnic group in Vietnam - Tay, live in Bac Son district, but also in Lang Son province. The total area of the Bac Son valley is almost 700km² big. There is a very fertile land suitable for agriculture. Rice and sweet potatoes or corn are growing here. Agriculture is the main source of income for local residents.
How to get from Hanoi to Lang Son town:
- There are direct buses + vans and trains on the route from Hanoi to Lang Son town. Some buses and vans from Hanoi run to the Lang Son - Friendship Border Station (it is about 20 km from the town of Lang Son). It is also possible to arrive from the city of Cao Bang by local bus.
- travel by train from Hanoi to Lang Son takes about 4 hours
- train tickets costs about $3–4/pp
- you can also travel by VIP car or Van (ticket costs only about $11, check Baolau)
- bus tickets from Hanoi to Lang Son cost about $6–8 (eg. Hoang Long, bus tickets at 12go.asia)
>>> Book and buy train and bus e-tickets from Hanoi to Lang Son on Baolau or 12go.asia
Places of interest in Lang Son:
- Nhi Thanh cave
- Nang To Thi rock and Phu Vong
- Thành Nhà Mạc historical place
- Ky Lua market and festival
- Mau Son mountain and surrounding
- Dong Dang city with the border gate of friendship - Tan Thanh
- Bac Son valley
Mapf of Lang Son province:
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