Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark – All You Need To Know

Recognized by UNESCO,  Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark stands as the first global geopark of Vietnam and the second geopark in the world. It has a reputation for its stunning karst landscapes, beautiful limestone mountains as well as canyons more than 500 million years old. Moreover, the geopark also preserves rich values in ethnic minority cultures and traditions of its H’mong, Dao, and Giay communities. Let’s spend time exploring Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark – one of the Ha Giang geological wonders through the article with us!

1. Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark Travel Guides

1.1. Geographical location

Dong Van Karst Plateau is located in Ha Giang – a highland province in Northernmost Vietnam. It includes four main districts: Dong Van, Yen Minh, Meo Vac, and Quan Ba. The total area of the plateau is up to 2.356 square kilometers, containing 70% of limestone terrain.

The highest spot is Mac Vac Hill with 1971 meters in height and the deepest point is at  Tu San canyons with a cliff depth of up to over 700 m. Furthermore, this canyon is renowned for being the deepest cliff in Southeast Asia. Those are the reasons why Dong Van is considered the perfect combination of soaring peaks and deep canyons lasting from the eastern stretch of the Himalayas.

1.2. How to get to Dong Van Karst Plateau?

Hence, how to get to Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark Ha Giang Vietnam? It is quite easy when getting to Dong Van  Karst Plateau. However, you need to reach Ha Noi first before getting to Ha Giang and discovering the plateau. When you are in Hanoi, there are four main means of transport to get from Hanoi to Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO global geopark including by bus, taxi, motorbike, or car.

The distance from Hanoi to Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO global geopark – viewpoint is 417 km. Moreover, to save your budget, you can take a bus from My Dinh station to Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO global geopark. It only costs about 27 dollars for a 13-hour drive.

Moreover, driving a car or motorbike can shorten the traveling duration from Hanoi to Ha Giang. In only 8 hours and 30 minutes in 417 kilometers, you already reach the Dong Van Karst Plateau. This way will give you more flexibility along the trip. Plus, travelers can feel free to stop by beautiful locations along the road without limited time.

☘ Read more: Hanoi Weekend Guided: what to do and where to go? and Ha Giang Loop budget.

1.3. Best time to visit

When is the best time to visit Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark? Travelers can get to Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark every season for a year. However, the most beautiful season should be from October to November. This is the flower blossom season. Moreover, the period from May to October is also a good time because  Ha Giang’s weather is stable and the temperature. It is suitable for wandering around and admiring the natural beauty.

2. Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark History

Dong Van Karst Plateau has undergone 7 different geological periods since the Cambrian period, existing over 550 million years ago. When people visit the plateau, they will be overwhelmed due to the ancient historical relics such as paleontological sites, stratigraphy,  tectonics, karst, geomorphology, and caves.

Moreover, these “vestiges” also reflect two of the five major events in Earth’s biological history. They relate to mass biological extinction boundaries. More specifically, one of them is the Late Devonian Biological Event that occurred about 364 million years ago at the Frasnian-Famennian boundary. The event resulted in the extinction of 19% of families and 50% of Paleozoic genera.

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3. Top Things to Do in Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark?

3.1. Admire beautiful natural landscapes

First of all, the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, one of the top Ha Giang geological wonders, has unique natural landscapes. There is a complex of beautiful limestone karst mountains, mysterious canyons and valleys as well as fresh Nho Que River. Besides, the area has a variety of flora and fauna for travelers to discover.

Besides, the geology features existing from 550 million years ago will surprise visitors due to its marvelous scale. It is incredible when you can spend time discovering amazing spots such as multi-shaped fossils, unique cave systems, karst artifacts, and historical evidence of tectonic activities and mass extinctions.

☘ Read more: Ha Giang homestay or Ha Giang weather.

3.2. Visit ethnic villages

Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark is the home of diverse ethnic communities such as the Hmong, Tay, Nung, and Hoa. According to the report, there are more than 250,000 residents from different ethnicities living in Dong Van. Therefore, this is a valuable opportunity for people to learn more about diverse cultures and traditions in Ha Giang. Especially, tourists can discover unique houses in the town when Dong Van Ancient Town is also famous for its traditional architecture and stone houses over 100 years old.

3.3. Join traditional festivals and discover local markets

Additionally, do not miss the boat to wander the alleys and join the festival nights in Dong Van. Moreover, every Sunday, people should visit Dong Van Sunday Market to immerse themselves in a vibrant weekly gathering of locals. In the market, you can observe several activities such as trading, and bargaining sounds. Making friends with a few people is an ideal way to get to know more about their daily lives and customs. It is especially awesome when you buy several souvenirs to bring back home as presents for your relatives.

3.4. Nearby tourist attractions

In addition to Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, there are several nearby famous destinations in Ha Giang for you to explore. For example, the mansion of the Vuong Family is one of the top places to visit in Ha Giang. It has a two-story timber structure featuring Chinese architecture and carvings built in 1919. Besides, known as the famous symbol, Lung Cu Flag Tower is a must-visit spot for travelers. The tower provides picturesque mountainous views from the northernmost point of Vietnam near the Chinese border.

Also, if you love the colorful beauty of nature, do not ignore Sung La Flower Valley! The valley is well-known for seasonal blooms of buckwheat, peaches, and plums. When getting there, tourists can check in and save memories with the flower-blossom gardens. Another scenic view in Ha Giang should be the Ma Pi Leng Pass. This is a perfect pass helping you to admire the panoramic beauty of Ha Giang mountains and green Nho Que River.

☘ Read more: Navigating Ma Pi Leng Pass: A Complete Guide and Ha Giang Loop.

4. Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark Travel Tips

There are several tips for tourists when traveling to Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark:

– You should pack clothes that are suitable for rainy days when the temperature ranges from 21-28°C. Moreover, remember to wear sturdy shoes to commute more easily in the highland terrains!

– Do not forget to bring a day-pack, water, sunscreen, hat with minimal shade! Plus, you should bring cash to pay for small bills along the trip because there are not many ATMs.

– Your trip will be safer if you book tours over motorbiking for safety on steep passes. Also, you do not need to worry about getting lost when you already have experienced tourists.

– Remember to book accommodation in Dong Van town in advance for festivals1

– It is great when you know how to respect local dress codes in villages and ceremonies. Moreover, you should ask permission before photographing and consider cultural impacts.

– Do not miss the chance to try local dishes like black pork, corn cakes, and fermented vegetables!

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark is truly an incredible place preserving several significant values for people. Especially, it has a variety of natural landscapes from limestone caves to deep canyons and valleys as well as the most dangerous and beautiful passes like Ma Pi Leng Pass. Through the article, Sun Getaways Travel wishes you the best Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark trip and receive as many unforgettable memories as possible.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

6.1. What is the elevation of Dong Van?

According to the statistics, the average elevation of Dong Van is about 1400-1600 meters compared to the sea level.

6.2. Which vehicle is the fastest to reach Dong Van Plateau from Ha Noi?

The fastest vehicle to go to Dong Van Plateau Geopark from Ha Noi is a motorbike or private car. When using these vehicles, you only spend about 8 hours and 30 minutes getting to Dong Van.