Khau Pha Pass

Khau Pha Pass is a mountain pass in Yen Bai Province in northwestern Vietnam. 

Nicknamed the "Heaven's Gate," this giant pass offers jaw-dropping panoramas of the Hoang Lien Son mountains. The winding road, carved through dramatic landscapes, is a photographer's paradise.  

Let’s go with Asia King Travel and prepare to be dazzled by emerald valleys, especially during the rice harvest season, when terraced fields explode in a golden tapestry.

Where is Khau Pha Pass?

Khau Pha Pass lies roughly 130 kilometers northwest of Yen Bai City and 265 kilometers from Hanoi's center. 

Towering over 1,200 meters above sea level, this 30-kilometer giant carves a dramatic path through the province, forming a natural border between the Van Chan and Mu Cang Chai Districts.  

Also part of National Highway No. 32, which connects Hanoi to the far reaches of Lai Chau Province, Khau Pha Pass holds the title of both the longest and most challenging climb along this vital route.

The name Khau Pha of the pass

Individually, “Khau” means “mountain pass” and “Pha” means “sky” or “heaven” in the language of the Thai people – one the most notable groups of ethnic minorities in northern Vietnam. So altogether, “Khau Pha” is “sky pass”, or in a more poetic way, “heaven’s gate”. The name fits with the way the peak of the pass pierces the sky like a giant horn, leading to heaven.

A panorama of Yen Bai’s mountains and valleys with the crooked Khau Pha Pass in the background (Source: VietnamPlus)

How do we get to Khau Pha Pass?

To get to Khau Pha Pass, you can either choose to travel by motorbike, by rental car/passenger bus, or by train.

• By motorbike: A motorbike is the best way for you to enjoy the atmosphere, yet, it would be better to drive a motorbike to Khau Pha Pass from Yen Bai City rather than from Hanoi. From there, you just need to follow National Highway No. 32 for about 3.5 hours to reach Khau Pha Pass.
• By rental car/passenger bus: The route and travel time would be pretty much the same, however, passenger buses often stop at Yen Bai City only, so you will have to take another car or motorbike taxi to reach Khau Pha Pass.
• By train: A 4-hour trip might be a bit tiring, but we think the train journey will be a fun and interesting experience. Get on the Hanoi – Lao Cai train at Hanoi Railway Station and get off at Yen Bai Station, before renting another car or motorbike taxi to complete your trip to Khau Pha Pass.

A closer look at the Khau Pha Pass – a part of the National Highway No. 32 (Source: VietnamPlus)

What to do at Khau Pha Pass

Challenge yourself with the winding roads

Khau Pha Pass is a winding steep road with amazing views of tall mountains on one side and a deep valley on the other side. Standing at the bottom of the pass, you'll see a curved horn reaching for the sky, cloaking with mists and clouds, adding an ethereal touch to the scene.

The drive up the mountain is difficult, but the view from the top is worth it. The terraced fields cascade down the hillsides like giant staircases, and they are especially nice during harvest season, when the rice is golden yellow and the valleys are in an everlasting green.

Fluffy clouds cover almost all of the villages at the bottom of Khau Pha Pass (Source: VietnamPlus)

Try paragliding

Khau Pha Pass has perfect conditions for paragliding thanks to its height. Launching from the peak, you'll be floating above breathtaking landscapes, including the famous Mu Cang Chai Terraced Fields. You would feel the utmost serenity being surrounded by nature  –  just you and the evergreen forests hugging majestic mountains.

While having certain risks, this activity fits people who like challenges. And even if you are a first-timer, don’t hesitate to give it a try, since there will be coaches to help you optimize the experience.

A pilot paragliding around Khau Pha Pass (Source: Mebayluon Paragliding)

Visit Mu Cang Chai Terraced Fields

A must-try destination right in Mu Cang Chai District where the pass is, Mu Cang Chai Terraced fields are so charming throughout the year. 

During the watering season (late May to June), water drawn from the mountains transforms the paddies into mirrored canvases reflecting the vast sky, sometimes with shimmering sunlight like small pieces of diamond.

As the season progresses, vibrant green rice covers the landscape, merging with the forests in a seemingly endless sea of emerald color. And finally, the harvest season (September to October) arrives, painting the fields a golden hue.

Read more: Mu Cang Chai Terraced Fields

Mu Cang Chai Terraced Fields during the watering season – as seen from Khau Pha Pass (Source: VietnamPlus)

The best time to visit Khau Pha Pass

Khau Pha Pass is suitable for visits all year round, with charming features for each season:

• May to June: During the watering season (rice growing season), the landscape undergoes a dramatic transformation. Terraced fields turn into dazzling lakes that perfectly reflect the boundless sky and cotton-like clouds.
• September to October: Autumn marks the golden rice season, where the terraced fields are cloaked with a majestic coat of burnished gold. This is also an opportunity for you to join the vibrant Mu Cang Chai Ripe Rice Festival, a delightful celebration of the harvest.
• October to November: This time of year sure is like a festival to those who enjoy cloud hunting as they can take time admiring the breathtaking terrain of valleys and mountains.

Mu Cang Chai Terraced Fields during the harvest season with Khau Pha Pass in the background (Source: Mebayluon Paragliding)

Food around Khau Pha Pass

Coming to Khau Pha Pass, you will have the chance to taste the com Tu Le (Tu Le green sticky rice) from the commune of the same name in Van Chan District. 

Com Tu Le is dark green and has a soft, chewy texture with a slightly bitter aftertaste added to a delightful sweet flavor. The dish is prepared with the same method everywhere else, however, all handmade. It can be eaten fresh with bananas, or made into porridge, spring rolls, fish cake, and many other dishes.

Com Tu Le in Khau Pha Pass (Source: Nguoi Dua Tin Newspaper)

Accommodation around Khau Pha Pass

Khau Pha Pass provides diverse accommodation options for a range of travel styles, most of which are based in Mu Cang Chai District, a very convenient location to visit the neighboring Mu Cang Chai Terraced Fields.  

Homestays and guesthouses are great options for travelers on a tight budget looking for a local experience, with rooms starting at a reasonable VND 200,000 per night. Meanwhile, more luxurious accommodations may be found at more recent hotels and resorts, where nightly rates begin at VND 400,000 per room.

Conclusion

Khau Pha Pass offers something for everyone, whether your preference is for the thrilling sport of paragliding, the flavor of local delicacies like com Tu Le, or the breathtaking sight of the golden rice terraces.

What are you waiting for? Let’s immerse ourselves in the beauty of each season and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Khau Pha Pass is waiting for you to create an unforgettable adventure.

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