With a distance of more than 300 km from Hanoi and over 7 hours of driving, it can be a bit far for only visiting the waterfall. Luckily there are plenty of stunning thing to do in Cao Bang.
Here are a 5 not too far from
the Ban Gioc Waterfall.
- Ban Gioc Temple
- Nguom Ngao cave
- Phong Nam valley
- Nui Thung mountain
- Thang Hen Lake
1. Ban Gioc Temple
When you have explored Ban Gioc you can go to the best viewpoint of the waterfall.
You can find this view from the Truc Lam Phat Tich pagoda, also known as the Ban Gioc temple.
From the waterfall you go back to the main road and follow it about 600 m back towards Cao Bang until you come to a turn to the left with a few souvenir and food stalls.
This is the access road to the Truc Lam pagoda, also called the Ban Gioc temple.
When you reach the top, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama that looks straight down into the valley and the Ban Gioc waterfall.
2. Nguom Ngao cave
At only three kilometers from the Ban Gioc waterfall you will find the impressive limestone Nguom Ngao cave.
With a total length of more than 2,100 meters, it is an ideal place for cave lovers.
You can walk through a large part of the cave that is beautifully lit and very impressive.
The cave is remarkable, thanks in part to the water dripping through the limestone walls, but this can also ensure that the path can sometimes be very slippery.
3. Phong Nam valley
Even though the Phong Nam valley is just 10 km from the Ban Gioc waterfall, there is a very big change you will not find any tourist in this area.
4. Nui Thung mountain
The Nui Thung mountain (60 km from Ban Gioc) is another hidden paradise hardly known by the tourist crowds.
This mountain, also called Angel Eye mountain, has a huge whole in the center of the mountain.
It is not only a great spot to make some photos, but the complete hidden valley is absolutely beautiful. Rich of forest, high mountain, lakes, plains and small villages of minority.
5. Thang Hen Lake
The Thang Hen Lake is right next to Nui Thung mountain. It is the biggest lake of a complete system of 36 lakes in Tinh Coc valley (Cao Bang).
You can take a boat trip over the lake or relax by the water’s edge with beautiful views of the mountains that are being reflected in the lake.