Chieu Lau Thi: Conquering the 'nine-tiered staircase' peak amidst the sea of clouds in Hoang Su Phi
Located at an altitude of 2,402m on the Tay Con Linh mountain range, Chieu Lau Thi is an ideal destination for cloud-watching and exploring rare, pristine vegetation.
Chieu Lau Thi is a mountain peak 2,402m above sea level, belonging to the majestic Tay Con Linh mountain range. Located in Tan Minh and Chien Thang villages, Hoang Su Phi commune, it is a popular destination for tourists thanks to its pristine natural scenery and impressive cloud-hunting experience.
Meaning of the name 'nine-tiered staircase'
In Chinese, "zhaolou" means nine steps, and "shi" means a large, tall rock. The Vietnamese name "nine-tiered staircase" for this mountain accurately describes the path to the summit. Ancient people patiently constructed these interconnected stone steps, starting from an altitude of over 2,300m and leading straight to the 2,400m peak, creating a unique trekking route.
A journey through the primeval forest.
To conquer the summit of Chieu Lau Thi, visitors need to spend more than 3 hours hiking. Along the route are ancient primary forests with rich vegetation. Notably, there are many rare tree species such as the Tong Quan Su, Shan Tuyet tea, Kim Tuyen, and rhododendron.
The weather here changes dramatically with the seasons. While summer brings cool, autumnal air, winter temperatures at Chieu Lau Thi often drop sharply and become extremely cold. This presents an interesting challenge for those who enjoy exploring harsh natural environments.
The best time for cloud watching.
This mountain peak is a popular spot for watching the sunrise and admiring the fluffy white clouds at an altitude of over 2,000m. The ideal time for a cloud-hunting trip is from September of the previous year to February of the following year.
This period also coincides with the golden rice harvest season on the terraced fields or the blooming spring flowers, creating a colorful natural landscape. Tourists often come here to capture cherished photos amidst the vast sea of clouds.
Cultural value and infrastructure
Chieu Lau Thi has been included by the local government in the list of eco-cultural community tourism destinations in the tourism development plan of the former Ha Giang province. Besides its tourism value, it also has significant infrastructure importance.
On April 21, 2021, the National Broadcasting Center was officially inaugurated here. This is an important facility serving the information needs of more than 2.1 million people in many mountainous areas of Northern Vietnam.
