/tags/sapa.rss en-us Sa Pa is known as the place of four seasons; with spring in the morning, summer at midday, autumn at dusk, and winter at night, creating a wonderful climate that you'll undoubtedly love. Located in Lao Cai Province, northwest Vietnam, this small mountain town is home to many ethnic minorities such as the H'mong, Dao and Tay people. Along the rolling slopes of the paddy fields, the true beauty of this small town can be seen in the careful balance between land and life. As you wake in the morning and amble down to your breakfast, you can watch the sun rising over the eastern mountains, slowly burning off what is left of the clouds from the night before. In the distance you can begin to see the jagged mountaintops playing hide and seek through the clouds as they drift past, taunting you with what the day has to hold. As the allure becomes too much to bare, breakfast becomes a burden. Hurriedly swallowing what's left of your steaming green tea and Pho, you will become carried away in this playground for aspiring photographers. There is much charm to Sa Pa, most of which are simple pleasures. Numerous trails and paths guide you through pastoral villages and an abundance of natural marvels. As you trek down to the base of the Sa Pa valley, you literally become engulfed in beauty, as the slopes of the terraces soar above you on either side, webbed with small waterfalls carved into the mountains. The atmosphere is so calm and relaxed, that the terraces look as though they are mirrored steps to heaven waiting for you to climb. It is astounding to think of all the time and tradition that has been put into the creation of these exquisite terraces, you can’t help but admire the ingenuity that has gone into them. Another enchanting sight just outside of Sa Pa is the Thac Bac Waterfall, or the Silver Waterfall. Renting a motorcycle on a clear blue day and making your way along the small road that leads here, is as picturesque a drive as the waterfall itself. Repeated stops are required to capture the unhindered vistas of these vast surroundings. Rolling down intense grades makes you aware of how high up you are, and appreciate Sa Pa for what it is, a mountain town. About 12 km outside of Sa Pa and up a few mountains, you will find the beautiful Thac Bac Waterfall. Entrance fee is 5,000 Dong, the equivalent of ¢. 30 US. After scaling the concrete steps you will come upon three pristine waterfalls, cascading down from one to the other, creating a silky white mist that hangs over the entire rock face. Sitting under one of the newly constructed pavilions scattered along the waters edge of Thac Bac, you can take in the view in silent awe. Listening to the calming roar of the water as it washes over the rocks makes this an ideal spot for a small picnic to get away from civilization for a while. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:35:53 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/thac-bac http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/thac-bac