Explore Binh Lieu in December by trekking

In December in Binh Lieu, not only do the forests have white flowers, white reed hills and burnt grass, but there are also colorful markets that are very suitable for visiting and exploring.

Binh Lieu is a mountainous district in the northeast of Quang Ninh province, Vietnam, bordering China. In recent years, Binh Lieu has become increasingly known to tourists, especially young people who love backpacking, as an attractive and interesting destination.

Because the terrain is mainly mountainous, the climate in Binh Lieu is different from the whole Quang Ninh province. Summers here are cooler and winters are colder. In particular, when coming to Binh Lieu in December, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the sophora flower season in pleasant weather conditions.

The So flower, a plant of the camellia family, has large flowers with prominent white petals and yellow stamens. This is a typical flower of Binh Lieu, usually blooming in December, and in recent years, Binh Lieu district has organized the So flower festival to attract tourists at the end of the year.

In the past, the flowers grew naturally, but now they have been planned and planted in a separate area, creating a destination for tourists to check in, while also making it easier for locals to cultivate and produce. The flowers are not only beautiful but are also exploited by locals to extract seeds to make cooking oil and sell as a specialty.

At the end of the year, when the weather turns cold, it is the ideal time for visitors to check-in at the border markers in Binh Lieu, including markers 1305, 1300, 1302 and 1327. Among them, the road up to marker 1305 leaves the strongest impression because its shape when viewed from above resembles a "dinosaur's spine".

In particular, the road from the center of Binh Lieu to milestone 1305 has become a beautiful journey because this is the Vietnam-China border patrol route. This road has an average altitude of over 700 m above sea level, winding along the mountainside, with a landscape of overlapping mountains and lush green grass. If you do not have enough strength to overcome the distance of nearly 2,000 steps to the milestone, visitors can stop and take photos at any part of the road. However, if you are patient and have a good pair of walking shoes, and the weather is nice, after about 2 hours of climbing, you will reach the destination.

In addition to the landmarks, tourists who love exploring nature and climbing mountains can challenge themselves by conquering Cao Xiem peak, considered the "roof" of Quang Ninh province, with an altitude of 1,429 m. Following the guidance of local people, tourists will pass through anise forests, pine forests... where the Sau Sau trees are blooming with brilliant yellow and red leaves. Next is the wild grassland, the vast natural rock beach like a plateau, and finally the mountain slopes leading to the highest peak.

In summer, the road to Cao Xiem can be hotter and more tiring than in autumn and winter. However, because the road from the foot of the mountain to the top is not too far (about 7km each way), visitors can walk comfortably, rest and organize outdoor activities, eat right in the forest.

After about 2-3 hours of climbing and taking pictures, when visitors reach the top of Cao Xiem, they will have the opportunity to enjoy a panoramic view of Binh Lieu's landscape, with magnificent mountain ranges stretching from China to Vietnam.

Besides Cao Xiem, Binh Lieu also has Cao Ly and Cao Ba Lanh, which are also ideal mountain peaks for trekking, organizing outdoor activities, camping or cloud hunting during the day. Cao Ly, at an altitude of 1,200 m, has many spacious grass fields suitable for camping and cloud hunting. Cao Ba Lanh peak, at an altitude of 1,050 m, stands out with its diversely shaped rocks, which you can tap as if you were playing music.

Binh Lieu has more than 96% of the population being ethnic minorities, mainly Tay, Dao, San Chi, Kinh, Hoa... Among them, a branch of the Dao ethnic group, called Dao Thanh Phan, always stands out with costumes with many patterns and the main color is red. Visitors to Binh Lieu will experience the culture and identity of the local people. If coming to Binh Lieu on the weekend, visitors have the opportunity to participate in the market in the town center or Dong Van commune market. The market takes place every Saturday and Sunday, attracting people from neighboring villages and communes to exchange goods and trade.

The special market has many unique items such as bathing leaves, medicinal herbs of ethnic groups, wormwood cakes, coóc mo, tài long ép... People come to the market to shop and enjoy food from early morning to late afternoon, but the busiest time is from about 10 am onwards, when vehicles fill the lot and goods are displayed everywhere.