Pu Gio Peak in the clouds...

"Sea of clouds" on top of Pu Gio.

Xuan Lien National Park is located in 5 communes: Bat Mot, Yen Nhan, Luong Son, Van Xuan and Thuong Xuan, with a total area of 25,601 hectares, including special-use forests, production forests and semi-flooded areas of Cua Dat irrigation and hydroelectric reservoir. Xuan Lien National Park is known as one of the 5 largest biodiversity centers in Vietnam, with a population of ancient sa mu and po mu trees thousands of years old, which have been recognized as Vietnamese heritage trees.

Along with that, Xuan Lien National Park is a place with majestic and open natural scenery with mountains thousands of meters above sea level (Pu Gio, Pu Ta Leo, Pu Hon Han), beautiful waterfalls and many historical - traditional and indigenous cultural values condensed along the movement and development process of the land and people here. In particular, Pu Gio peak floating in clouds and mist is truly a unique, skillful, attractive highlight mixed with a bit of natural mystery.

The mountain ranges in the western districts of Thanh Hoa province all have the common feature of being a continuation of the mountain ranges running from Hua Phan province (Laos) and gradually decreasing towards the East. Pu Gio peak is 1,620m above sea level, covered in clouds, in the summer the temperature here fluctuates from 20 - 25 degrees Celsius. Standing on the top of Pu Gio, visitors can have a panoramic view of the majestic Xuan Lien mountains and forests, feeling the humidity of the surrounding clouds. Here, visitors can admire the poetic landscape of the primeval forest, take in the whole view of Cua Dat lake, watch the white rhododendrons in bloom and visit the vestiges of the anti-aircraft artillery battlefield of our army and people during the war against the US to save the country.

From the top of Pu Gio, small streams flow down to form the most beautiful and largest waterfall in Xuan Lien National Park, which is Hon Yen waterfall. Hon Yen waterfall has water flowing all year round, cool in summer, warm in winter. A special feature that makes Hon Yen waterfall different from other waterfalls in Thanh Hoa is that there are many rocks of different sizes blocking the water flow. At the points where the waterfall falls down and contacts the rock surface, it creates a layer of white foam spreading in all directions, forming a cool waterfall space.

For those who love to explore and adventure, the trekking tour to conquer Pu Gio peak promises to bring valuable and unforgettable experiences. It is known that this is one of the 5 trekking routes located in Xuan Lien National Park (along with the trekking routes to visit the heritage trees of po mu and sa mu; watching gray langurs and white-cheeked gibbons; watching gray langurs, white-cheeked gibbons and visiting the heritage trees of po mu and sa mu; Pu Xeo peak - 7-storey waterfall - Lung Nhai Oath Historical Site) organized by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thanh Hoa to diversify products, bringing a breakthrough to the tourism industry in mountainous areas.

The adventurous trekking tour to conquer Pu Gio peak takes place in about 3 days and 2 nights with a route stretching over 20km, starting from Hon Can Forest Ranger Station, ending at Cua Dat Lake. Temporarily leaving behind the hustle and bustle, the noise, the pressure of modern life, visitors slowly, slowly, step by step to explore the great forest, explore the natural world full of wonders and mysteries. The Xuan Lien great forest is still endlessly green; all kinds of forest birds chirp, playing welcoming melodies; the colors of flowers and leaves paint the roads; the fresh, cool air rushes into the chest... The clear, bustling melody of the song "My house is on the hillside" (music by Duc Trinh, lyrics by Le Tu Minh) resonates in the mind from somewhere: "My house is on the hillside / Where the forest birds sing / The sky is sweet blue / The wind blows back endlessly / My house is in the golden sunshine / The stream overflows the rocky banks / The fragrant scent of the summer forest / The winding road back in the afternoon"...

The routes and experiences on the journey to conquer Pu Gio peak are both stimulating and interesting but also challenging. To ensure the safety and convenience of visitors on the trekking journey, in addition to preparing a "beautiful soul", visitors need to equip themselves with necessary items such as: Backpack, trekking shoes or walking shoes, high socks to limit leech bites, drinking water, personal hygiene items, some common medicines (flu, fever reducer, stomachache, diarrhea, digestive disorders...); cotton, medical bandages; flashlight, folding knife or multi-purpose tool; spare battery, citizen identification card or passport...

Coming to Pu Gio at any time, visitors can explore and experience the beauty and charm of this place. For those who love cloud hunting, coming to Pu Gio in spring and winter is the best time. The vast forest in the floating white clouds makes visitors feel like they can touch the fairyland just by reaching out their hands. The scene is like a dream in the real world.

According to statistics from the Xuan Lien National Park Management Board, on average each year the unit welcomes more than 1,000 visitors to visit, experience, and learn from experiences, including international visitors. This is a positive signal, but at the same time, it still shows the gap between the potential, advantages, and exploitation and development of tourism in Xuan Lien National Park.

In order for tourism here to "take off", to position its brand and identity, in the coming time, the Xuan Lien National Park Management Board needs to continue to promote propaganda and promote values and potentials; promote promotional activities, attract investment in ecotourism development; complete existing tours and routes; invest in infrastructure and facilities for tourism to increase attractiveness, attract tourists and build more tourism products with strong regional cultural characteristics and nuances. Along with that, all levels and sectors need to pay attention, create conditions, have directions and solutions to remove difficulties and obstacles related to a number of legal regulations on attracting investment in projects leasing forest environments to develop ecotourism in special-use forests...

PCD

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/dinh-pu-gio-trong-may-255371.htm