The fairyland on Sam Mu peak, once visiting is never enough

Sa Mu - U Bo peak, commonly known as Sa Mu, has an altitude of over 2,700m, located on the boundary between Son La and Yen Bai provinces. For more than a year, Sa Mu has held the number 1 position among the 17 most conquered peaks in the Northwest.

Sa Mu - U Bo peak, commonly known as Sa Mu, has an altitude of over 2,700m, located on the boundary between Son La and Yen Bai provinces. For more than a year, Sa Mu has held the number 1 position among the 17 most conquered peaks in the Northwest.

The beauty and diversity of the forest ecosystem, especially the magical moss forest along with the system of streams, waterfalls and highlights to check in and take photos, have attracted trekkers to constantly flock to conquer Sa Mu. for 2 days 1 night.

Photo: Nguyen Trong Cung

To conquer this peak, if starting from Hanoi, you will have to go more than 200 km to Ta Xua commune (Bac Yen district, Son La province) and from there go to the climbing starting point about 20 km away. Renting a car or taking a bus departing from My Dinh bus station the night before to Ta Xua to rest and climb the next day is an option often chosen by trekkers.

Photo: Duc Hung

Sa Mu climbing arc with a total length of 15-20 km, depending on the direction of climbing, goes through a primeval forest with diverse plants such as moss, rhododendron, maple leaves, bamboo forest and many streams and waterfalls.

Photo: Nguyen Trong Cung

Photo: Duc Hung

The two-tiered waterfall is called Monkey Waterfall by local people because in the past there were many monkeys gathered in this area - Photo: Duc Hung

Photo: Duc Hung

Photo: Duc Hung

The road from the foot of the mountain to the resting area near the top is not too steep, weaving through small streams and old forests with trees that have leaning, bending shapes. The higher you go, as the climate and vegetation change, carpets of moss cover the path and cover a thick layer from the base to the top of large trees with strange shapes.

The tent with a capacity of about 60-70 people is located on a fairly flat area of ​​land built by local people in December 2022 - Photo: Duc Hung

Photo: Nguyen Trong Cung

“Sa Mu is a beautiful mountain peak, has the largest moss forest in the Northwest, is also a paradise of clouds and especially has many climbing and descending directions with different levels of difficulty, so people with different physical abilities can enjoy it. can climb. That's why it is currently holding the No. 1 position with the most people climbing for more than a year," said Mr. Manh Chien, administrator of the Mountaineering Enthusiast Association, a forum with more than 120,000 members. shall.

Dawn on Sam Mu peak - Photo: Duc Hung

To meet the needs of more and more trekkers, last year, 3 more small rest camps were built not far from the main rest camp. However, on weekends there is still not enough room to serve because sometimes there are up to 250-300 trekkers coming to conquer Sa Mu peak.

The author's climbing group took a commemorative photo with the stainless steel peak on Sa Mu peak

According to A Choi, a guide and packer, trekkers should climb Sa Mu on weekdays to avoid being overloaded, leading to no accommodation or inconvenience in daily activities as well as taking photos at check-in points. as well as with the stainless steel chop at the top of the mountain.

Photo: Duc Hung

Sa Mu peak is one of four peaks in the Northwest where trekkers can go up to watch the sunset the day before and go up to watch the sunrise the next day because the rest camp is located near the top.

Sunset on Sa Mu peak - Photo: Nguyen Van Truong

Sa Mu is one of 5 high peaks in the Northwest (including Ta Chi Nhu, Lao Than, Ngu Chi Son and Lung Cung) with a 360-degree view because the top is open and not covered by trees. From Sa Mu peak you can see other famous peaks Ta Xua and Ta Chi Nhu.

Photo: Duc Hung

The best time to climb Sa Mu is from September to April of the following year, when the climate is cool and there is no forest rain. Especially during the period from September to November, when the maple leaves change color, creating a poetic scene, and from March to April when azalea flowers bloom brilliantly across the mountain slopes of Sa Mu.

Photo: Nguyen Trong Cung

From Sa Mu peak, there are many routes down, but the most beautiful route chosen by trekkers is down to Hang Dong commune. This arc is about 14 km long, passing through the largest primeval forest covered with moss in the Northwest. This is the highlight of the Sa Mu climbing arc.

Photo: Duc Hung

Check-in at the giant spider plant - Photo: Duc Hung

The spider tree or the beaked tree with bulging roots on both sides is a tree shaped like a giant spider and is the check-in point most photographed by trekkers in the Sa Mu trek. This tree is located on the road towards Hang Dong commune and is also the lunch stop on day 2.

Photo: Duc Hung

Photo: Manh Chien

“I have climbed many peaks, but when I arrived at Sa Mu, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the primeval forest with many ancient trees with unique shapes covered with magical moss. Sa Mu is a peak that you visit once is never enough,” shared Mr. Nguyen Trong Cung, a mountain climbing and photography enthusiast.

Coming to Son La, visitors can also visit many other historical sites such as:

1. HOOKED VERSION TREE

The cell chose the Heo banyan tree as a secret contact point with the revolutionary base outside the prison and with the Party Central Committee. In 1942 - 1943, the revolutionary situation in the country and the world was very volatile, the Party Central Committee directed the Yen Bai and Phu Tho base areas to establish a contact line with the Son La prison cell. See details

2. Guilin's stele is dominated

Que Lam Ngu Che stele historical relic belongs to group 3, Chieng Le ward, Son La city. This place demonstrates the historical period of the talented and great strategist Le Thai Tong and his soldiers conquering rebels in the western border region of the country, keeping peace for the country. The relic was ranked at the National level by the Ministry of Culture and Information on February 5, 1994. See details

3. Thuan Chau Flag Tower historical site

Thuan Chau Flag Tower historical site is located in Pan village, Chieng Ly commune, Thuan Chau district. This place marks a historic event on May 7, 1959, when President Ho Chi Minh together with the Party and Government leadership visited the Northwest. During the resistance war against the French and after peace was restored in the North, despite being busy with thousands of things for the country, Uncle Ho - the beloved Father of the nation always cared about the people of the Northwest ethnic groups. See details

4. Historical relic of Na San stronghold group

The Na San stronghold group is located on the Na San plateau, a basin in Chieng Mun commune - Mai Son district - Son La province with an area of ​​about 10km2 surrounded by mountains over 700m high. There is an airport, a command post, a number of posts, a strong firepower system of four 105mm guns and many trenches surrounding the central area. See details

5.A Phu Cave

Tham Can Cave, also known as the "A Phu Couple" cave, was the 99th revolutionary base during the resistance war against the French in Son La province. The cave belongs to Hong Ngai commune, Bac Yen district, Son La province. The relic includes two caves: The first cave (dry cave) is located at the foot of U Bo mountain, surrounded by primeval forest, with a cool, airy climate. See details

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Son La 307 view

Update day : 13/04/2024