Ba Be – the largest natural freshwater lake in the world is always an attractive destination for tourists. If you are looking for a tourist destination for this summer, come to Ba Be Lake to have the best experience.
1. General introduction about Ba Be lake
1.1 Where is Ba Be Lake, how far from Hanoi?
Ba Be Lake is located in the administrative area of Nam Mau commune and is about 68km northwest of Bac Kan city. The distance from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake is about 233km, equivalent to nearly 5 hours by car.
1.2 Some information about Ba Be lake
- Ba Be Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in the world with a water surface area of more than 650ha.
- Ba Be Lake is located at an altitude of 125m above sea level and has an average depth of 20-25m.
- Ba Be Lake has a length of nearly 8km with a knot in the middle and is surrounded by limestone mountains, caves and underground springs.
- In the middle of Ba Be Lake, two islands emerge, An Ma and Ba Widow.
- Ba Be Lake is also recognized by UNESCO as one of the 20 most beautiful freshwater lakes in the world.
2. Guide to move to Ba Be Lake from Hanoi
2.1. Sleeper bus
If you travel to Ba Be Lake on weekdays, you can go directly to My Dinh, Gia Lam bus stations … to buy tickets for the Hanoi – Bac Kan route. If you go during the holidays and peak season, you can book bus tickets online about 1 week in advance through reputable websites like vexere.com (this website often has preferential prices). According to Phuot’s experience of traveling to Ba Be Lake, you should choose an early morning departure time. Thus, you will be at Ba Be Lake at about 10 o’clock. After that, you check in the hotel and prepare for the tour to explore Ba Be lake.
Ticket price: 100,000 – 150,000 VND / turn depending on the car company you choose.
2.2. Motorbike
From the travel experience of Phat, you can move to Ba Be Lake in the following 2 directions:
- Direction 1: From the center of Hanoi capital, you ride a motorbike in the direction of Hanoi – Thai Nguyen highway. Then, you turn into the direction of QL3 and turn left into Dinh Hoa when you meet the 3rd intersection. You continue to run along the direction of TL 254 to Bang Lung. From Bang Lung, you will go another 40km to Ba Be. To Ba Be, you call a taxi or grab to move to the villages around the lake and take a sightseeing boat.
- Direction 2: If you want to visit Ba Be National Park first. When you go to the end of the Hanoi – Thai Nguyen highway, turn into the direction of National Highway 3 to Phu Thong town. Then you turn left in the direction of TL 258 and go about 40km to Ba Be.
3. What is the best season to travel to Ba Be Lake?
Ba Be Lake is not only endowed by nature with beautiful landscapes. And Ba Be Lake also has cool weather all year round. Therefore, you can come to Ba Be Lake at any time. If you travel to Ba Be Lake in the spring, you can immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere held on the 9th – 10th day of the 1st lunar month. A series of interesting activities will take place during the festival such as: boat racing, throwing, wrestling, archery, dancing, singing… But if you have the opportunity to travel on summer days, you will enjoy the atmosphere. cool air at Ba Be Lake to dispel the hot summer sun.
4. Some beautiful tourist attractions in Ba Be Lake
4.1. Ba Be National Park (National Park)
The first place that you should visit in your trip to Ba Be Lake 2 days 1 night is Ba Be National Park. Ba Be National Park belongs to the administrative territory of 5 communes including: Khang Ninh, Quang Khe, Cao Thuong, Cao Tri and Nam Mau. The total area of Ba Be National Park is up to 7,610ha with an extremely rich flora and fauna system. According to documents, in Ba Be National Park, there are up to 1,000 species of plants and about 80 species of rare mammals on the conservation list. In addition to learning about the rich ecosystem in Ba Be National Park, you can also admire the beautiful natural landscape.
4.2. Hua Ma Cave
Continuing with the tour to explore Ba Be lake, you should go to Hua Ma cave. Hua Ma Cave is located about 6km from Ba Be Lake, equivalent to about 15 minutes by car. With the journey to discover Hua Ma cave, you will need to overcome the three steps located along the mountainside about 300m long. The entire cliffs and magnificent stalactites are reflected in the sunlight, creating a space that is both mysterious and magnificent. Therefore, when entering Hua Ma cave, you will think that you are lost in a royal palace inlaid with gold. Remember to wear walking/trekking shoes that fit your feet for ease of movement!
4.3. Puong Cave
The trip to Ba Be Lake will not be complete if you ignore Puong cave. Puong Cave is located on a mountain about 30m high with a length of 300m. Inside Puong cave, there are not only stalactites of various shapes and colors. There is also an underground tributary flowing through the cliff. And especially, Puong cave also has a beautiful white sand beach. Please prepare a specialized flashlight to light the way when exploring Puong cave!
4.4. An Ma Temple
An Ma Temple, also known as An Ma, is the next place that you should visit during your trip to Ba Be Lake. An Ma Temple is a place to worship Buddha, Mother Thuong Ngan, Lord Son Trang, Saint Tran… An Ma Temple is not only a place of religious activities of Ba Be locals. An Ma temple is also a place that attracts many visitors from all over the world to offer incense. If you can arrange time, you should visit An Ma temple on January 10 (lunar calendar) or February 6 (lunar calendar), this is the time when 2 festivals take place: Xuan Ba Be and temple festival. An Ma is the most attractive in Bac Kan.
4.5. Dau Dang Waterfall
Dau Dang Waterfall is the next destination that Phat wants to introduce to you in the Ba Be Lake tour itinerary. Dau Dang Waterfall is located between two rocky mountains on the Nang River. Coming to Dau Dang waterfall, you will admire the majestic mountain landscape in an extremely romantic space. Dau Dang waterfall falls from a height of 500m forming a giant white wall. In addition, at Dau Dang waterfall, there are many rare fish up to tens of kilograms in size. Do not forget to take a dip in the cool water at Dau Dang waterfall to relax and remove all fatigue!
5. Where to stay when traveling to Ba Be Lake?
You can borrow a home stay around Ba Be Lake.
6. Ba Be Lake market meeting schedule
- Nam Cuong Market: The 2nd, 7th, 12th, and 17th days of the lunar calendar.
- Quang Khe Market: 3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th lunar day.
- Khang Ninh market, Cao Thuong market: 4th, 9th, 14th, 19th day of lunar calendar.
- Cho Ra – Ba Be town: Days 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 of the lunar calendar.
7. What should you buy when traveling to Ba Be Lake as a gift?
- Noodles in Na Ri.
- Ba Be sour shrimp.
- Bread rolls.
- Smoked sausage.
- Plum jam.
- Bang Phuc Shan Tuyet Tea.
- Quang Thuan tangerine.