The stunning Thang Hen Lake is a tourist destination with pristine, idyllic nature and a peaceful, gentle atmosphere. This is a famous tourist destination in Cao Bang that you should not miss during your vacation in Vietnam.
What is Thang Hen Lake and where is it located?
Thang Hen Lake is a tourist destination with beautiful scenery located in Quoc Toan Commune, Tra Linh District, Cao Bang Province. The height of this site is between 1500 and 1700 meters above sea level. Travelers call the place the most beautiful natural freshwater lake on the hillside in Vietnam.
The region of Tra Linh in Cao Bang is known for its abundance of freshwater lakes. This district has 36 freshwater lakes of different sizes. Thang Hen Lake is the largest of them all. At first appearance, the freshwater lakes in Tra Linh seem to be independent. However, a network of underground caverns truly connects them.
The Tay language word for “bee’s tail” is “Thang Hen,” which is why this place is called Thang Hen Lake. People who like to travel generally choose Thang Hen Lake when they visit Cao Bang because of its magnificent scenery and calm, clean air.
How to get to Thang Hen Lake
If you want to go to Thang Hen Lake by yourself, you can use the following route: Cao Bang City to National Highway 3 (approximately 21 km) – Provincial Road 205 (approximately 4 km) – Signpost to the Thang Hen Lake Eco-tourism Area (8 km more) – Lake Thang Hen.
You have to be a good driver to go to Thang Hen Lake because the road goes through mountain passes. You can also take a taxi to Thang Hen Lake. But right now, it will cost a lot more to travel by bus than by motorbike.
If you aren’t in Hanoi, you have to fly to Noi Bai airport in Hanoi and then follow the directions above to get to Thang Hen Lake.
Read more: Pac Bo: Heroic Historical Relic of Uncle Ho
Best time to visit Thang Hen Lake
Thang Hen Lake is always a jade-green color, no matter what time of year it is. This makes it a wonderful place to visit all year round.
But the best thing is that in September and October, you will observe a really rare natural event. The lake’s water level will normally go down and then back up again in only a few hours.
According to old stories that locals in the area tell, there used to be a sea monster in Thang Hen Lake that was trapped in the valley for a long time. The hunt drove this sea monster insane, utilizing its claws to create underground caves. This phenomenon is why the lake dries up and then fills up again.
With Lilly’s Travel, the best time to visit Thang Hen Lake is in the fall, when wild sunflowers bloom brightly across the hills, creating a stunning contrast with the clear blue water and lush green surroundings. However, the lake offers different charms year-round, with colorful mountain flowers like orchids and wild peach blossoms adding to its beauty in other seasons.
What to do at Thang Hen Lake
Thang Hen Lake is a natural destination with charming scenery. Therefore, there is no shortage of spaces here to help you create impressive and unique check-in photos and enjoy the magical beauty.
Discover the magical beauty of Thang Hen Lake in Cao Bang
Thang Hen lake system is beautiful in a romantic and poetic way that draws travelers. The lake is enormous and has a unique shape. It includes 36 little lakes that make up its shape, which looks like a diamond with a bee’s tail curving up in the heart of the Northeastern highlands and forests.
The lake is a clear, rich emerald green tint all year long. Mountains and forests surround the lake. The trees are thick and green, while white clouds float in the sky. The beautiful view of Thang Hen Lake, with its green mountains and azure water, makes it a place that is both romantic and mysterious.
There is a vertical rock with a unique shape adjacent to the lake area. You can sit right here and gaze at the stunning scenery. Forests of ironwood trees that are thousands of years old surround the Thang Hen Lake area. These trees are home to gorgeous wild orchids that smell amazing.
The thick forest is also a wonderful home for numerous plants and animals, like turtledoves, golden monkeys, grouse, and more. When you stroll around the forest, it’s easy to spot several animals hunting for food. Anyone who has ever been to Thang Hen Lake has been moved by the beauty of the mountains and rivers here, with their pure blue water, old forest canopy, white canarium, and cat-ear rocks.
Preserve precious moments with wild sunflower garden
The Thang Hen Lake Eco-tourism area offers stunning blue waters, but the wild sunflower garden that blooms all over the sky makes people want to stay longer. The mountains and forests of Cao Bang are even more beautiful because of a forest of wild sunflowers that bloom a bright yellow. But you have to travel in October to get these wonderful pictures.
During this season, the wild sunflowers bloom in their full splendor, Thang Hen Lake is associated with mysterious stories about the lake’s formation as well as the geographical phenomena around it. You can hear the stories told by the local people when visiting Thang Hen Lake. You can enjoy the moments in Thang Hen Lake while listening to its story.
Tips for Visiting Thang Hen Lake
Make the most of your Thang Hen Lake experience with these helpful tips gathered from local guides and frequent visitors to this remote mountain destination.
To make your vacation go smoothly and be fun, you should remember some of the following:
- Time to travel
- Spring (March to May): The weather is lovely, and the wildflowers are in bloom, making a beautiful landscape.
- The lake is clear blue in the summer (June to August), making it a pleasant place to see and explore.
- In the fall (September to November), the fields of mature rice look beautiful and tranquil.
- In the winter (December to February), the lake is calm and the air is fresh.
- Prepare before the trip
- This is a border area, so be sure to bring all of your personal documentation when you go to the lake or Cao Bang province in general. You will often be checked without warning. There are many ethnic minorities living here, especially. So, when you come here, respect the locals’ daily lives. You must not touch the farmers’ trees, crops, or animals in any way. You also shouldn’t throw trash on the ground, and you should never cross the border without permission.
- Clothes: Get ready with clothes that are comfortable, appropriate for the weather, and good for hiking and exploring.
- Personal items include hats, caps, sunscreen, and any necessary medicines.
- Cash: Make sure you have adequate cash to pay for services and shopping.
- Be respectful of the local culture: When you visit Thang Hen Lake, you should respect the customs and traditions of the people who live there, especially those who are not Vietnamese.
- Get information: You should learn everything you can about the attractions, services, and costs before you go so that you can have a thorough experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about Thang Hen Lake
Is Thang Hen Lake suitable for family travel?
Families will love Thang Hen Lake. The area is open, quiet, and great for outdoor activities, playing together, and taking in the fresh air of the mountains and forests.
- Benefits of coming to Thang Hen Lake with your family:
- Lots of room and air: Thang Hen Lake provides a lot of room for outdoor sports, games, and camping with family.
- Safety: The lake boasts wonderful natural beauty, is quiet, and is safer for both kids and adults.
- Close to nature: When you and your family go to Thang Hen Lake, you may get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the pure air and wildlife.
- A variety of things to do: You can have a picnic, go kayaking, explore local caves, or just relax and take in the lake’s gorgeous landscape.
- Reasonable price: The services here are very varied and may meet the needs of many consumers, even if the price is more than traveling by motorbike.
Is there an entrance fee or boat rental?
The lake Thang Hen is as pretty as a painting. The scenery here delicately touches the heart like a young girl in her twenties, and it makes tourists’ souls flutter eternally. To get more tourists to Thang Hen Lake, the local government lets them in for free. You don’t have to pay to get in. But there will be charges for things like renting a boat, getting meals, and renting a cabin.
According to Lily’s Travel’s experience, the pricing of renting a boat at Thang Hen Lake has not been made public. You can get an idea of the boat rental fee by looking at other tourist areas like Thac Bo or Ho Nui Coc. For the most current and up-to-date information on ticket rates and boat rental prices, you should call the tourism service providers ahead of time or the management board of Thang Hen Lake directly. Please call Lily’s Travel if you need help. We will answer your questions and give you the information you need.
Can the lake be visited year-round?
You can go to Thang Hen Lake at any time of year, yet each season has its own beauty. People generally say that autumn (October to December) is the best period since the temperature is cool and nice and the buckwheat flowers are in bloom. But spring is also beautiful, with wildflowers blooming. Summer has a clear blue lake that looks like a big mirror, while winter has a wild, quiet beauty. But since you aren’t Vietnamese, your trip needs to accommodate your schedule. Lily’s Travel says that Thang Hen Lake is beautiful in its own way every season. You can visit this beautiful place whenever you wish.
Thang Hen Lake is a wild and fascinating place that promises to provide guests many unforgettable experiences. It’s like a green gem in the center of the mountains and forests. When you book flights, hotels, tours, and other things, you can look for good deals that can help you save money and have a great trip. For further information, get in touch with Lily’s Travel.
