O Quy Ho Pass is known as one of the Four Great Mountain Passes in the northern mountainous region, attracting many tourists to visit every year. O Quy Ho Pass is favored by nature with majestic natural scenery, incredibly romantic with clouds covering it. From the top of the pass, you can admire the entire majestic mountain range and enjoy the pleasant, fresh air. Especially, if you are planning a trip to Sapa, O Quy Ho Pass is a destination that should not be missed. Let’s explore with Indochina Today Travel to see what interesting things this famous pass has to offer that captivates so many people.
The coordinates of O Quy Ho Pass
O Quy Ho Pass lies on a route running across the Hoang Lien Son range, hence it is also called Hoang Lien Pass. With an altitude of over 2000m, treacherous twists and turns, and a length of up to 50km, O Quy Ho Pass makes other famous passes like Ma Pi Leng (20km), Pha Din (32km long), or Khau Pha Pass (40km) seem relatively small. O Quy Ho Pass is the most beautiful and largest pass in Sapa, and also the largest pass in the Northwest region. This is a vital route connecting the two provinces of Lao Cai and Lai Chau.”
Guide to Traveling to Ô Quy Ho Pass
To reach O Quy Ho Pass, you first need to travel to Sapa. From the center of Hanoi, the journey to Sapa is 376km long, with steep passes and narrow curves. If you are traveling by personal vehicle, you need to have strong driving skills and good health.
From Hanoi to Sapa
There are two routes from Hanoi to Sapa, depending on your mode of transportation and travel itinerary.
Route 1: (Via Lao Cai) Hanoi – Vinh Phuc – Viet Tri – Phong Chau – Doan Hung – Yen Bai – Lao Cai – Sapa. The total distance is about 360km.
Route 2: (Via Lai Chau) Hanoi – Hoa Lac – Son Tay – Thanh Son – Along National Highway 32 – Sapa. The total distance is over 420km.
Motorbikes are a top choice for young adventurers and conquerors. If you have a personal vehicle and are confident in your health and driving skills, try riding to Sapa with friends to fully appreciate the beauty of the Northwestern mountains.
Additionally, you can opt for the relatively safe and quick option of taking a coach. You can catch a coach at major bus stations like My Dinh Bus Station or at pick-up points of the Open Tour bus service.
From Sapa to O Quy Ho Pass
The ideal journey starts from the town center (bus station), following Dien Bien Phu Road, passing Silver Waterfall after 12km, and continuing straight to reach the summit of the pass. Along the way, you’ll pass many beautiful tourist spots in Sapa such as Silver Waterfall and Love Waterfall . If you have time, take a break to rest before continuing to conquer the pass and take some amazing photos by the cool, white foamy waterfalls in Sapa.
Transportation to O Quy Ho Pass
To reach O Quy Ho Pass and explore the beautiful sites in Sapa, you can use your personal vehicle for the freedom of time and itinerary. However, if you travel to Sapa by coach, don’t worry, as you can rent a self-drive motorbike here or get to the tourist spots by taxi. Renting motorbikes is quite popular here because, if you’re traveling in a group, you can freely explore the stunning roads in Sapa and manage your travel time efficiently.
When is the best time to visit the summit of O Quy Ho Pass?
If you are visiting O Quy Ho Pass for the first time and are unsure of the best time to go, take note of the following information to plan your trip accordingly:
Summer: This is an ideal time to visit O Quy Ho Pass, as the weather is cool, pleasant, and slightly chilly with less fog. The visibility is better, making the journey easier. However, you should only travel on the pass section in Lao Cai because the section in Lai Chau is affected by intense heat, causing the vegetation to dry out, which diminishes the natural beauty along the road.
Winter: In winter, the weather on the Lai Chau side of the pass is more pleasant, with less intense heat. There is some sunshine around noon, while the Lao Cai side is completely covered in fog, and it can even have freezing ice and snow. If you plan to conquer this pass in winter, be sure to equip yourself with thermal clothing and gloves to stay warm.
Cloud Hunting at O Quy Ho: This is an experience you shouldn’t miss in winter. As the weather gets colder, a sea of clouds forms over the mountain peaks in Vietnam, especially in the Hoang Lien Son range. From October to December is the best time for visitors to stand at the Heaven Gate of O Quy Ho and hunt for clouds. The probability of seeing clouds at this time is much higher than in other months of the year. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture these wonderful moments.
A small tip for those who love taking photos: the best time to take pictures at O Quy Ho Pass is at dusk. At this time, the warm hues of the sunset envelop the vast Northwest mountains.
Having conquered a record-breaking pass in the North (about 50km long), you will be rewarded with a breathtakingly spectacular view. Above the overlapping mountain ranges and beneath the rolling sea of clouds, you feel as if you are standing where heaven and earth meet, absorbing the essence and grandeur of the Northwest nature.
Scenic Spots at the Summit of O Quy Ho Pass
O Quy Ho Heaven Gate On your way to O Quy Ho, you can combine your itinerary with visits to several stunning scenic spots along the way. One must-visit spot for photography enthusiasts is O Quy Ho Heaven Gate. From the Heaven Gate, you will be treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of undulating small mountains. The expansive landscape looks like a fairyland. Additionally, in the Sapa Heaven Gate area, there is a modern café called O Quy Ho Café. Enjoying a steaming cup of coffee in the misty atmosphere amidst the rolling mountains will surely be a memorable experience on your journey to explore the beauty of the highlands. Also, don’t forget to check in at the “divine” photo spot – the miniature Bali Heaven Gate. You’ll surely have enough photos to post for an entire year!
Silver Waterfall Just at the foot of O Quy Ho Pass towards Sapa lies Silver Waterfall, one of the ten most beautiful waterfalls in Lao Cai. This majestic waterfall cascades day and night, creating a spectacular white foam that has amazed countless domestic and international visitors.
In addition, Love Waterfall is another famous spot that attracts couples to Sapa. Unlike the grand and majestic Silver Waterfall, Love Waterfall exudes a gentle and soft beauty, resembling a silk ribbon. Legend has it that this is also the meeting place of a woodcutter and a fairy in the story of O Quy Ho Pass.
The Lone Tree Just as Da Lat has its famous lone pine tree, O Quy Ho Pass boasts its own lone tree at the summit. This is a popular photo spot, and at any time of the day, you’ll likely have to wait in line for your turn to take pictures. The precise location of the lone tree is on O Quy Ho Pass, about 100 meters from the sharp curve between the O Quy Ho tourist area and the Sapa glass bridge. This spot is on residential land, featuring a house and a distinctive wooden bridge leading to the lone tree, making it easy to identify.
In reality, the lone tree in Sapa isn’t truly solitary, as there are many other green trees around it. What makes the lone tree unique is that its top stands alone, significantly higher than the surrounding forest.
The lone tree is also “favored” with a wooden bridge deck below it, creating a unique and beautiful path that looks like a fairyland. Be sure to maintain your balance and avoid pushing, as the bridge is quite narrow and can sway. Prioritize your safety and that of others.
