Exploring Quan Ba Pass
Traveling from Ha Giang City, you’ll journey along the main highway QL4C, heading towards Dong Van. Around 30 km from Ha Giang City, there lies a small stream frequently used by backpackers driving the loop to cool off on hot days.
Continuing onward, you’ll encounter the Bac Sum Pass, offering picturesque views of the surrounding countryside. Here, you can also explore Tham Luong Cave, accompanied by a small temple. However, if your goal is to reach Dong Van in 1 day, it’s not highly recommended to make a stop here, as the cave might not be particularly impressive.
Following Bac Sum, your route takes you upwards to Quan Pass, also known as Heaven’s Gate. The panoramic view from this point is truly breathtaking, encompassing the surrounding mountains and the winding road through them.
Upon reaching the pass’s summit, you’ll come across a coffee shop, often bustling with visitors taking a break. Given that almost everyone on the loop makes a stop here, it can get crowded.
On colder days, sipping a hot chocolate while soaking in the views is a delightful experience. Additionally, this is a convenient spot for a restroom break before you continue your descent towards Tam Son, the central town of Quan Ba district.
Quan Ba Twin Mountain
As you descend from the viewpoint atop Quan Ba Pass, you’ll encounter another viewpoint halfway down. At this halfway point, there’s a designated car park area accompanied by stairs that lead to a viewpoint offering a splendid view of the Twin Mountains. These two nearly identical, round-shaped mountains stand in close proximity to each other.
How to get there?
Most travelers exploring Quan Ba Pass often include it as part of their comprehensive Ha Giang adventure, combining it with numerous other attractions in the region. To cover all these highlights, the recommended route is the Ha Giang Loop.
The loop starts in Ha Giang City, and to reach there, the most common approach is traveling from Hanoi. You can opt for either overnight sleeper buses or daytime limousine buses, with the journey spanning approximately 6 to 7 hours.
From Ha Giang City, you can embark on the loop in three ways: riding a motorbike on your own, riding as a passenger on a motorbike with a guide, or utilizing a car with a driver.
The distance from Ha Giang City to Quan Ba Pass is 47 km, and the travel time typically amounts to around 1.5 hours.
Tips for visiting Quan Ba Heaven Gate
Coffee with a view: Enhance your experience by sipping on a delightful cup of coffee or any other refreshing beverage while soaking in the breathtaking scenery.
Toilet facilities: Conveniently, the coffee shops at the pass offer restroom facilities.
Dress in layers: Even during warm days, the mountaintop can occasionally become chilly, particularly when clouds envelop the peaks. Dress in layers to effortlessly adapt to changing weather conditions.
Lunch options: Upon descending from the pass, you’ll arrive in the town of Tam Son, where a variety of restaurants are available, making it an ideal spot for a lunch.
Optimal visiting time: Weekends might witness increased crowds due to local tourists from Hanoi. Mornings generally offer a less crowded experience, though there may be a higher chance of clouds enveloping the mountains during this time.
Nearby attractions
1. Twin Mountains
As previously mentioned, the pass itself features a viewpoint offering a glimpse of the Twin Mountains. While you cannot directly explore these mountains, the view from the pass is truly captivating.
2. Villages & Markets
The Quan Ba area is home to numerous ethnic minority communities, presenting an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in their lifestyles by visiting local markets and villages. Along the Lung Tam valley in Quan Ba, you’ll encounter a river adorned with small villages.
3. Lung Khuy Cave
A mere 8 km away from Quan Ba Heaven Gate lies Lung Khuy Cave. Though reaching this cave involves a short detour from the primary road QL4C, the journey itself is picturesque. Even if caves aren’t your preference, the route leading to Lung Khuy Cave offers its own stunning vistas.
