The amazing Ban Gioc Waterfalls

Ban Gioc Waterfalls are actually spectacular views in a small site. Located on the Chinese frontier, the waterfalls are 30 metres high and composed of three groups separated by rocky outcrops spread across 300 metres of width. These cascades stand in a grandiose scenery, at the heart of a circus of karstic pitons covered in a luscious vegetation. At 85 kilometres from the city of Cao Bang, an outing to the Ban Gioc Waterfalls is an opportunity to walk through the gorgeous Vietnamese countryside and the limestone landscapes overflowing with raw beauty.

The cave of Nguom Ngao, natural wonder

Naturally dug over the millenniums in a karstic mountain chain, the cave of Nguom Ngao has underground, aerial and underwater parts. A structure of stalactites and stalagmites, this cave was found in 1921 but opened to tourists only in 1996. It is over 2 kilometres long, which makes it one of the most impressive caves in Vietnam. The Nguom Ngao cave is also called “The tiger’s cave” by the local population for legend says several tigers used to live in it. At only a few kilometres away from the Ban Gioc Waterfalls, visiting both during the same day is easily doable.   

The magnificent lake of Thang Hen 

25 kilometres from Cao Bang, the provincial capital, is the lake of Thang Hen. A beautiful lake on a mountain, perched at more than 1000 meters above sea level. This lake is actually a combination of 36 smaller lakes, spread in a grand scenery of limestone pitons.

Cao Bang, land of hiking

This wild region will thrill hikers who love a good off the beaten tracks walk. Several itineraries are available, from the simple walk lasting a few hours to the challenging trek of several days with overnight in local villages. This last option will give you the opportunity to go deeper in the spectacular limestone maze and meet some of the numerous ethnic minorities inhabiting this rugged land such as the Tay, the Nung or the Dao. By spending the night at a local’s home, you will learn about these local cultures who managed to preserve their ancestral traditions.

Best season to go: April to November and if you want to see the Ban Gioc Waterfalls, the best is to go in September or October after the rains of the summer monsoon.