Khau Pha pass is one of the four treacherous mountain passes in Yen Bai province, and is well-known for its steep gradients, hairpin bends. This pass attracts many tourists who are seeking a formidable challenge and adrenaline-fueled escapade. Surelly, you will be spellbound. 

Overview of Khau Pha Pass

Khau Pha Pass is located on National Road 32, nestled between Van Chan and Mu Cang Chai districts of Yen Bai province, Northern Vietnam. There are many stunning and majestic destinations along this pass such as La Pan Tan, Tu Le, Che Cu Nha, Nam Co, etc.

Khau Pha pass has a lot of winding roads, sharp bends and sheer cliffs, stimulating adventure. "Khau Pha" in local language means " Horn of Heaven", is given from the mountain peaks rising skyward.

Khau Pha Pass, Yen Bai

You can see sheer cliffs, mountains, curving horns pierce through the clouds. Passing the weave road, you head toward the ancient forests and admire the rice terraces fields of H’Mong and Thai ethnic groups. 

Besides, Khau Pha Pass also witnessed many important events in the French war. Under the eastern foot, the pass was home to Tu Le commune and Khau Pha guerrilla unit from 1946 to 1942.

Best time to visit Khau Pha pass

Khau Pha Pass is cool year round due to its high altitude above sea level. However, the best time to visit Khau Pha pass is from September to October - the harvest season. 

Besides, you can visit this pass from May to June. Visiting Khau Pha pass at this time, you can admire the water pouring season, covering irrigated terraces glistening like a giant mirror. 

How to get to Khau Pha pass? 

Khau Pha Pass is about 263km far away from Hanoi city. It takes about 5 hours 16 minutes to transfer Khau Pha pass from the city center, depending on traffic, road route and vehicles. 

You can book a private car from Hanoi to Yen Bai, after renting a motorbike to Khau Pha pass, follow National Road 37 southwest, turning right into National Road 32. If you need to book a private car with a driver, you should contact us. 

What to do in Khau Pha pass?

Admire the beauty scenery in Khau Pha Pass

Exploring Khau Pha pass, you can admire the stunning beauty. Seeing the sheer cliffs and spanning valleys along the road. The road that you ascend, covering by lush pine forests and while the base of the pass rises kike a horn. If you want to chase-hunting, Khau Pha pass will be the ideal place due to its mist blankets the summit during the year. 

Chase hunting from summit of Khau Pha pass

Standing from the top, you can see the Lim Mong fields and Cao Pha valley, and admire the yellow terraced fields that climb toward the sky. Looking far, you can see the villages of the Thai ethnic minority. 

Paragliding experience from Khau Pha Pass summit

One of the best things to do in Khau Pha pass is to play paraglide. This activity is thrilling and daring. Don't worry about the safety of this play. Because the experience is supported by professional pilots. If you want to paraglide in Mu Cang Chai, you should come here from September to October. This time held the festival of Flying over the golden fields.

Paragliding experience at Khau Pha Pass

Explore Khau Pha pass by motorbike tours

If you want to conquer Khau Pha pass, you should enjoy motorbike tours. Driving along the twisting roads, breathe the air of forest  and feel a sense of freedom as you descend the slopes. 

Exploring the Khau Pha pass by motorbike

You should ride slowly because the roads in Khau Pha pass are dangerous . When you pass the obstacles of the winding journey, the new world opens your eyes, seeing both the roadsides and summit. 

Visiting traditional villages nearly 

Learn more about local people's culture by the way of visiting highland villages. You can see the different points through traditional costumes, stilt houses, customs, and dishes. The life in villages is at a gentle pace. The man leads buffalo to the fields in misty mornings, the woman tends to ripening rice fields and the children play around the yard. 

Enjoy local cuisine

Along the pass, there are many vendor shops. You can enjoy some delicious specialties such as grilled wild pork, salt-roasted crabs, mountain apple wine, colorful sticky rice, and even salmon. Don't forget to enjoy Tu Le green rice which has a sweet taste, soft fragrance and green color. This green rice is made from young rice after harvested, meticulous methods by generations of the Thai people. 

Khau Pha pass is a challenging mountain road with misty peaks, winding trails and rice terraces. You don't pass up a journey into the heart of Northwest Vietnam, bringing tourists with unforgettable experiences. 

See more: TOP 15 THINGS TO DO IN MU CANG CHAI, VIETNAM