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Y Ty commune
is located west of Bat Xat district, about 100 km from
Lao
Cai town. Y Ty is dub "foggy land" with gorgeous terraced
fields and the most beautiful earth walled houses in Lao Cai.
Spend about 2-3 days or even a week depending on your time
budget, you can even travel by motorbike from
Hanoi to Y Ty,
or better catch a night train from Hanoi, arriving in Lao Cai station in the early morning, a lot of domestic tourists
travel to Lao Cai by sleeping bus which starts at My Dinh
station.
Y Ty can be reached in 2 ways, which is more than 100 km
each, one can start from Lao Cai, through Lung Po via Trinh
Tuong where the Red river comes to
Vietnam from China, pass
through A Mu Sung before arriving in Y Ty, the path cuts
through jungles, cardamon forests with sparse population and
the villages nestled on the slopes. The road is challenging
and not easy for even hardened bikers.
Another way is from Sapa to
Muong Hum market, Den Thang to Y
Ty, this path is easier, motorbikes and cars can go however
just be careful as it is slippery there are many sharp
bends.
Travelers can rent a motorbike from Lao Cai or
Sapa to go to
Y Ty, just choose ones in good conditions, make sure the
brakes work and get your mind ready if there is anything
wrong during the drive.
Y Ty lands deep in the mountains, surrounded by sheer
mountains, all year round covered by dense white clouds,
located at the altitude of 2000 metres above the sea level,
leaning agains the Nhiu Co San peak of 2700 m high rarely
see the sun shine all day, the town is nestled by the
mountain, on the winding dirt road. As a peaceful valley, Y
Ty is beautiful with clouds, mountains, jungle, terraced
rice fields or the dirt walled houses belonging to Ha Nhi
ethnic group.
Coming to Y Ty, travelers are amazed at the Saturday market,
the weekly market is full of colours with Ha Nhi girls and
women wearing big wigs round their heads,
Hmong people with
their traditional skirts or the colorful peacock scarf on
the head of Dzao women. Produce brought to market are
agricultural products made at home and handmade brocades,
more specifically discover the beauty of earth houses
considered the best in Lao Chai communes.
Accommodation:
There are not many options for tourists as all guest houses
belong to villagers, the houses are simple and basic with
limited electricity and water. Contact prior to coming and
remember that foreign visitors need to arrange permit in
order to spend the night in the village.
Some suggestions for hotels and
guesthouse in Y Ty
- Homestay at Ms My, tel 020 3501320
- Homestay at Mrs Si (food can be
arranged) tel 020 0127 456667
- Minh Thuong guesthouse (across Y Ty
market) (tel 0916 729534)
Food:
As un upland and distant place there are not many
specialities to enjoy, however in return for such a trip
travelers can try their ability as a cook with food brought
along. On market days on Saturdays don't forget to try
Thang
Co Ngua (soup made from horse)
Other considerations:
Road to Y Ty is pretty bad and slippery it is recommended
that you bring along gloves for your hands and legs, that
will keep warm and avoid scratches in case you fall off the
bike.
Weather is different between day and night, bring with you
warm clothes, sleeping bags, hats, blankets...You should
bring extra fuel, food and drinks, instant noodle and if
possible bring a dry alcoholic, small boilers for cooking
along the way . A cup of hot coffee along the way is always
an unforgettable experience. |
