Ma Pi Leng Pass is one of the “four great mountain peaks” of the northern mountainous region of Vietnam. The pass is in Ha Giang province, about 20 km long, surpassing Ma Pi Leng peak. It is a mountain peak of about 1,200m in Dong Van Plateau, on the road named Hanh Phuc.
The Ma Pi Leng pass is the most impressive mountain pass in Vietnam. It is located between Dong Van and Meo Vac, two cities in the far north of Vietnam in Ha Giang province, close to the border with China. It is the most amazing mountain road in all of Vietnam.
It is known as the King of Vietnamese mountain passes. There are cliffs and abysses almost everywhere along the route and enough hairpin bends to get dizzy. The road along the mountainside has a romantic, breathtaking landscape that is ideal for motorcycling. The road to the top, considered “the Great Wall of Vietnam”, feels like a scene from a fairy tale.
This is an ideal place for those who love adventure and like to conquer winding and rugged roads. How it is to enjoy the freedom and harmony with nature and sky!
Is Ma Pi Leng pass dangerous?
The road over this pass is seen as one of most dangerous roads in Ha Giang. Some parts of the road are not well protected. However, the road itself is in very good condition. In very rainy or foggy weather conditions you need to be extra careful.
How Ma Pi Leng Pass Is Unique?
The peak of Ma Pi Leng is in the three plains of Pa Lung, Pa Vi and Xie Cai (Meo Vac, Ha Giang) in the Dong Van Plateau. It’s about 2,000 m above sea level, formed by a series of limestone deposits shale, silt containing fossils about 426 million years ago. There are including many slides and cracks caused by mountain formation. The landscape of this area is rocky, with the deep of the Nho Que River as a split pair of peaks and the Pun Pun (Sam Pun) on either side.
Coming to this place, visitors to Ha Giang Vietnam tour not only have the opportunity to admire the majestic scenery of the rocky plateau. But also understand the history of this majestic mountain pass better. This is considered one of the historic passes because to build the Ma Pi Leng pass section which connects Ha Giang with the provinces downstream. The workers had to work very hard for 6 years to build the road by themselves. Mostly it is done by rudimentary tools and without any support of machines. Even they always face danger and death. But willing to resolve the people here have successfully built “Pyramid of the Hmong people”.
Best travel time and weather
The best travel time for Ma Pi Leng Pass is during the dry season from October to February. However, this is also winter, so it can be very cold. You can expect rain and fog all year round because you are higher up in the mountains. Try to avoid these days if you have the time, because it is less safe and you have a chance that you will not see anything.
Top Things To Do In Ma Pi Leng Pass
Ma Pi Leng consists of 9 winding sections with cliffs and deep abyss on both sides of the road. The passages lie precariously between the mountains, squeezed high above and in the fog. On the journey to conquer this mountain pass, you will be stopped and admire the area of Nho Que river which shares two roads, one branch is to Sam Pun and one is Ma Pi Leng.
The Ma Pi Leng Ha Giang Pass will have a stop for you to admire the scenery. The cliff is located between the cliffs is the favourite check-in point for young people. And it is great when seeing the panoramic view of the mountains and the river at the foot of the pass. Or the scenery of the terraced fields on the two sides of the road looking like rippling silk is also a great virtual life for you. If the right time, you can also see the fields of canola flowers, plum blossoms… blooming white sky.
What to expect
Just before and after the mountain pass there are a number of villages of ethnic minorities, who live as a kind of mountain tribe. Women who wear busy clothing in their traditional clothes and men who tend the cattle. But the biggest reason why Ma Pe Leng Pass is the most beautiful mountain pass in Vietnam is the impressive views of steep cliffs, high mountains, carved roads and the beautiful Nho Que river all the way down in the valley.
How To Go There?
Transportation to Ma Pi Leng Pass, you can choose to go by motorbike, bus or car rental.
– By bus: From Hanoi, you take the bus to Ha Giang from many different bus station. Such as My Dinh bus station, Bat Giap, Nuoc Ngam or Gia Lam, … trips from 5 am to 9 pm. With this flexible time frame, you are free to arrange a time that suits your schedule.
– Motorbike: This is the way often chosen by people. Travelling by motorbike helps you are more active on the trip. If you choose to ride a motorbike, follow these two routes:
- From Hanoi, go towards Thang Long Bridge, turn to Viet Tri, Phu Tho, pass Tuyen Quang to Ha Giang.
- From Hanoi to Son Tay, go straight to Trung Ha Bridge. Go to Son Tay junction and go straight to see La Thanh to Co Tiet and then go to Phong Chau Bridge. And then turn left along the Thao river road to Phu Tho – Doan Hung town, then turn to Tuyen Quang and follow Highway 2 to get there.
– Rent a motorbike: If travelling by bus to Ha Giang you can rent a motorbike to continue your discovery journey. Some car rental addresses such as Ha Giang Loop Map (please contact us).
