While hotels often serve up a unique dining opportunity or two for guests, few can compete with Avana Retreat, a resort in Vietnam that evolved around a once hidden waterfall deep in the mountains of Mai Chau. This month the hillside resort is rolling out a selection of new menus to be enjoyed by this one-of-a-kind waterside perch.

The towering limestone cliffs, where the waterfall reaches its peak height, form the backdrop for intimate meals set to the sounds of nature at its most raw. The setting has been left as untouched as possible. A raised walkway weaves through the old growth trees to a wooden platform at the waterfall’s base. Bookable for private dinners and intimate group parties, the deck features a kitchen, where chef and server work in unison to deliver multi-course meals, and an elevated platform area where a small band could share a performance. The whole scene is lit by the warm glow of dozens of handcrafted lanterns that are peppered throughout the space.

Avana Retreat Mai Chau in Spring Bloom

The experience is private with only one small group, family, friends or couples able to book the waterfall dining experience each evening. Guests have the choice of four five-course menus, two of which have just been launched. The Vietnamese Signature menu is abundant in seafood with dishes such as grilled catfish served with rice noodles and local herbs and Vietnamese spicy & sour seafood soup. A plant-based option has been added with creative fare including a burrata and tomato salad with asparagus saffron dressing and mushroom tortellini with a carrot puree and almond foam.

The Chef’s Special and a Sense of Romance, have a European touch with courses like Beef Wellington, a popular British dish, and Lobster Cognac Flambe. Local elements include a Cao Phong Orange Mousse, made from the Cao Phong oranges that are a specialty of the province, and smoked duck breast.

Private Dining Beneath a Waterfall

As an avid explorer, Avana Retreat’s founder Mr. Vu Huy, was hiking in the region over a decade ago when he had a gut feeling there was a waterfall hidden amid the forest. Locals couldn’t confirm his hunch so he set out to follow the stream and was rewarded for his efforts. The majestic cascade inspired him to develop the property to share his find, but to do so in a way that would protect the surrounding environment while giving travelers a chance to experience the awe he felt.

“Our waterfall is the heart of the retreat,” said Mr. Vu Huy. “We also realise that the way to a person’s heart is often through their stomach. We wanted to combine stellar food with an incomparable backdrop to touch their hearts and help our guests create a lifelong memory of their time in Vietnam.”

Course menus start at 4,500,000 VND ++ / pax or 9,000,000 VND ++ for two people, exclusive of wine. Reservations are essential with a recommendation to book well in advance as there is only one seating per evening. The waterfall area is also bookable for small group celebrations with the capacity to cater for up to 30 guests. For more information visit: https://avanaretreat.com/cuisine

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Our visit to Simunjan (Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia) was not a planned one. We somehow ended up there after scrapping up our original plan to visit the magnificient Belungei Waterfall in Lundu at the last minute. Something happened that made us head towards an alternative location, and I must say this amendment was not to be regretted. 

Wong Panchor is a waterfall in Kampung Mentu, Simunjan. The hike to Wong Panchor is relatively easy, and takes about 45 minutes. If that’s not enough for you, continue on to Wong Mawang waterfall for an additional hike of just 30 minutes that is worth the sweat. 

We started our journey early in the morning on a Saturday. Simunjan town is 2 about hours away from Kuching via either the Kuching-Serian Road or the Samarahan Road. We woke at 5,30am aiming to be ready to leave at 6am, after picking up our mates. 

Looking at the sun rise, driving to Simunjan in the early morning is totally refreshing for the eyes. The views are amazing, quite a treat. We passed Siburan and Serian, and followed the Gedong road until we hit the town. 

We decided to stop in a food spot in order to refill our energies before starting our hike. In Malaysia, ordering teh tarik (pulled tea: a milk tea that is pulled until it bubbles) is a must, yet some of us prefer black coffee or a plain tea. Teh tarik goes well with Kueh Tiaw Goreng or Mee Goreng (fried noodles) and fried eggs. I am a vegetarian so I skip the dishes containing meat and try other breakfast delicacies instead. 

Once we were done with the food, we drove towards Kampung Mentu, the location where the hike starts. From Simunjan to Kampung Mentu it’s a 1 hour drive, a tough one! The road is like a roller coster and at certain places the conditions were pretty bad. This road used to be a palm oil truck road. If your car is not in good conditions, do not attempt it. The bumpy ride is compensated by the views of the journey: Iban people villages with their traditional longhouses. 

At our arrival, we met up with our tour guide and at 10am we stepped into the woods and were on the hike towards the waterfall. The path is smooth: at first we were inside the forest for a few minutes, then we walked downhill along a stream on a stoned path until we passed a water pipe. 

We reached the impressively big Wong Panchor waterfall after 1 hour of hiking. The pond it forms is quite deep and dark, and the water is refreshing. After taking turn to shoot photos of the waterfall, we decided to start preparing lunch. Some started cooking, other went for a swim. Eventually we had lunch, and after that some hanged their hammock and went for a siesta. 

Sometime passes before we decide to pack up and move on to another waterfall: Wong Mawang. Though the hike only took 30 minutes, most of the path was challenging and climbing ups we were relieved when we reached the place. Wong Mawang is a mesmerising waterfall, so we all took some photos of it, before starting our hike back. 

All went smooth on the day, and everyone feels safe and happy. We wrapped up by paying our tour guide and left the area.  This area of Simunjan is vast, the landscapes are undeniably beautiful so yes, I loved it all! Taking a trip and a hike there with a group of friends was the best choice. 

The post Hiking to Wong Panchor and Wong Mawang appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Bukit Batu Selabat is mostly famous for its hill and for its waterfall. Giant boulders are scattered all around the hills. Up there you can enjoy views of the whole city: Kuching. This is an amazing sight to witness at night when the city is covered in lights. The best recommendation is to hike and spend a night there camping. 

Remember to take with you all your camping gear and gadgets as well as good buddies if you need companions. Hiking in the evening ensures you will be witness of a majestic sunset. After setting up your tent, have a drink, sit on a rock, and take a couple of pictures as a memoir. Trust me, you will be happy to have a memory for your future storytelling. 

Do it at night!

Before nightfall, make sure you get food prepared for the night, as the skylights there will definitely wow you. Let’s pray for dry weather, of course, and remember to bring plenty of water with you as there are no water reserves at the top. In the morning, you should wake up early if you wish to experience a great sunrise.

And if you do not fancy camping out, do not worry, most people only come for a day trip. You can chose to hike in the morning, afternoon or even in the evening. A part from fit junkies, Bukit Batu Selabat is one of the favourite of those who want to challenge themselves to slim down.

The waterfall

Bukit Batu Selabat Arong Serait Waterfall

Arong Serait Waterfall is nature at its best, greatly organised and created by Mother Earth. You will feel you are in a unique place, one that is beyond your imagination. The flow of water is so nice, and the stones are arranged in a way that it seems like planned by an architect. Vegetation around the waterfall is so lush, which makes it the perfect place for kids too. 

If you chose to go there in the night and you decide to soak yourself at the waterfall, you won’t regret it. Having cold water in nature is absolutely best for mental and physical clearance.

There are actually two tiered waterfall in the area, both are amazing and at both of them you can spend the night camping. Since the area is near a source of fresh water, you don’t have to worry about water supplies. All you have to do is set your tent, make a campfire and do proper camping cooking with all the gear you carry with you.

I hiked in the day and spent my time at the waterfall, but all options are ok and worth your trip. My only advice is to bring enough supplies for the night and also some mosquito repellent. Good news for nature lovers: you will encounter pitcher plants, unique mushrooms, and frogs, as well as abundant flora and fauna.

Hiking and camping

It takes about 1-hour hiking from the checkpoint to reach both Bukit Batu Selabat and Arong Serait Waterfall – it’s a 2.5-kilometres trail. Hiking time depends pretty much on individual stamina. Look at this video for inspiration. The checkpoint itself is located at Kampung Selabat, Muara Tebas, not far from the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency, APNM, and it is about 17 kilometres from Kuching city. The hike between the waterfall and the top of the hill should last 30 to 60 minutes. As for the fee, you have to pay RM10 for either hill or waterfall, and if you visit both the ticket is then RM15. Parking there costs RM5 per car.

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One of the most popular areas of Southern Laos is the Bolaven Plateau, home to beautiful waterfalls, fertile soil that hosts many different types of produce including high grade tea and coffee, vast variety of fruits, tapioca, cardamom and rattan, as well as a nice range of tribal communities that still live a simple lifestyle. We did not need to go far to arrange our tour. We had the luck to stay in one of the best accommodation in Pakse. The Hotel Pakse: central, clean and with a colonial touch, managed by a team of Europeans and local people. Wat Phou Travels, with a desk right inside the hotel, advertised the Bolaven Plateau Discovery Tour.

Upon enquiring, a smiling Miss Nang made us relax on comfortable chairs while she explained, in perfect English, what we would be visiting, the price and the duration of the tour. Miss Nang was so thorough in her explanation, and despite being late afternoon, she made a couple of phone calls and voila’, the tour was booked. The morning after was going to be an early rise…

Wat the guide at the Phasuam ethnic museum

We woke at 6,30 and went to have breakfast at the well-supplied buffet from the Pakse Hotel, which is spectacular indeed. At 8am we headed to the reception to meet with our guide for the day, Mr Wat, and off were were in the comfort of his flashy minivan. It was going to be a good 30 minutes trip to the first destination, so we had time to familiarize with our surroundings and to chat wit affable Wat. 40 years of age, and a life spent in the travel industry, with a 5 years spell in an NGO, make Wat a very knowledgeable traveling companion (guide will be the wrong word to describe him). His English is more than perfect, and he is up to date with politics, economics, and he is a lover of history, which suited all our questions about this amazing land and its wonderful people. Wat was a great choice from Wat Phou Travels, which we are told always uses local experienced guides for their exclusive tours of the area.

Tapioca being sliced

We were heading east. Out of the minivan’s windows, a world of small rivers and streams, of banana groves, of villages with stilted shacks and smiling faces waiving at our passage. The views over the mountains and the rice paddies and the coffee plantations were incredible. Piles and piles of coffee berries and tapioca were left drying in the sun. It was like being watching a documentary.

These were the highlights of our day:

Male making a knife’ blade at blacksmith village

1- Blacksmith village – Our first stop was at a blacksmith village along Route 13, where Wat explained the production process. This village comprises various, small family-run factories that produce anything from a jungle knife to a machete. The various road-side stalls expose lots of knives from different shapes and prices, which are for sale starting at 30000 kip.

Women producing the shafts and handles for the machetes at the blacksmith village

The men made the knives’ blades, hammering the steal and putting it into the heat to get the right form. Meanwhile, women were producing the shafts and handles for the machetes with a combination of wood and bamboo. We were shown how these people recycle iron from old explosives left over from the Silent War to do the blades.

What followed was a sad conversation with Wat, who made us aware of the statistics of the Vietnam war, and the fact that USA dropped more than two million tons of ordnance on Laos during 580,000 bombing missions. These were part of a plan to block traffic along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, making Laos the most heavily bombed country per capita in history.

Spirit house at the centre of the Nge village

2- Visit to Phasuam – We then continued to reach Phasuam ethnic museum and Tad Phasuam waterfall, located 33 kilometres north of Pakse. This is basically a mock village where a Thai investor and philantroper has managed to bind different tribal communities together to form a living museum where they present their way of living and their handicrafts. All workers and collaborators in the village are from tribes. Wat was able to explain the different style of houses and helped us meet some of the southern minority people, amongst which Katu, Alak and Ngo. At this ethnic village you also have the chance to stay overnight at a family home-stay.

Ethnic ladies at the village

The majestic and beautiful Tad Phasuam waterfall gets its name from its rectangular room-like shape, as ‘suam’ literally means ‘room’ in Lao. Tad Phasuam waterfall flows all year round, descending across the Bolaven Plateau from the Houai Champi River. This is a great relaxing spot where you can also spend the night at one of the unique tree-top bungalows of nearby Uttayan Bachieng Resort.

3- Mr Vieng – The Bolaven Plateau is home to many tea and coffee plantations, and one of the best places to get to know more about this delicacy is Mr Vieng coffe and homestay. The business is advertised by signs on the main road that read FRESH GROUND COFFEE.

Me at Mr Vieng coffe

It was such a pleasant break, and we arrived right when Mr Vieng and his wife finished removing the fine skin from coffee beans on a heavy and huge wooden pestle and mortar, and were about to start roasting them. We observed carefully as they took out a trusty coffee roasting wok and placed it on the hot coals. The aromatic smell filled the air. This has become a meeting point for visitors to the Bolaven Plateau; several foreigners were sitting on long tables, tasting coffee and chatting.

Mr Vieng in person!

Mr Vieng then took some time to serve us a delicious Robusta coffee straight from his lush plantation of Robusta trees, before taking us to see his collection of moka pot coffee makers. Several of these machines fill long stands inside Mr Vieng kitchen, and were donated to him by clients and friends.

Mr Vieng and his wife also runs a homestay, a Katu ethnic style wooden house on stilts with 4 rooms with window and mosquito nets, and a terrace that boasts tables and hammocks. The perfect place for those who wish to relax in the nature in contact with the coffee farmers and surrounded by coffee trees. It is so quiet and can be cool at night, a great respite from the Laos persistent heat. Mr Vieng can also arrange a coffee trail trek in the village.

Tad Lo waterfall

4- Tad Lo waterfall – Next was the very popular Tad Lo waterfall. Located in Salavan province, this is a popular trekking stopover for travelers. Tad Lo has three waterfalls: one beside Tad Lo village, one a kilometer away upstream, and one further upstream about eight kilometres away. Most of the local community is built up around this area, which has a lake, a village and a few wooden bungalows on the lakeside. Tad Lo waterfall is not that majestic, but it is wide and quite impressive, a nice place to spend some time. We had lunch in the unassuming local restaurant by the waterfall, where all tour minivans seem to converge, before making our way to the next destination.

Phasuam ethnic museum traditional house on stilts

5- Nge community village – A visit to an authentic village of the minority Nge group included some time at ease to explore the village. A group of kids of different ages formed right after we entered the village square, and followed me throughout the whole visit. Some where shy, while others asked for money and pens. We were strongly advised by the guide not to give money to kids, who would easily learn a begging attitude. Instead, it is always better to find out who the village chief is, and make a collective donation that can benefit the whole village. If you plan this trip, it is also a good idea to take small soaps, toothbrushes, shampoo etc for the villagers, who seemed very poor and filthy.

Mother and child at Nge village

Bolaven people produce fabrics, and work mainly on the agricultural sector. There were traditional houses, the meeting pavilion and spirit house that as per tradition was in the center of the square, hand carved caskets being produced and coffee left to dry in the scorching sun. Adults carried on their daily life without much concern about us passing by their houses, where there were derelict bicycles, satellite dishes used as clothes hangers and old household appliances left to rot and rust. After the full round of the village, I bough a packed of chips for each kid at the local shop and distributed to them for their immense happiness.

Tea and coffee tasting

This was not the only stop in a ethnic village. During the day, we visited similar communities of Alak and Katu people, where Wat told us a bit about their culture and traditions. Most are animistic, while some follow the Christian religion, introduced by the French over 100 years ago.

6- Coffee and tea plantation – this was a quick stop, since we had already visited Mr Vieng early in the day; still, the farm was great, with lots of different fruit and herbal plants, including the famous green tea plant, introduced to Laos back in 1973 by the Vietnamese. We learned that the Bolaven Plateau is an ideal place also for growing tea, since it is a fertile plain and the tea plants grow best at altitudes between 600m to 1200m above sea level.

The impressive Tad Fane twin falls

7 Tad Fane waterfall – The impressive Tad Fane twin falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls of Laos and it falls like a thunder about 120 meters down a steep cliff and into a gorge. The idyllic surrounding is spectacular and the jump is so high we could hardly see the gorge from the viewpoint, but we could make out the powerful streams that forms and flows away towards the south. Tad Fane surrounding scenic rainforest is part of Dong Hua Sao National Biodiversity Conservation Area (NBCA), where wild animals like leopards, tigers, elephants and monkeys, as well as 300 species of birds including the hornbill, live.

_______________________

The sun light was weakening and Wat was now ready to start the trip back to Pakse along a brand new highway, which we reached at 5pm. Bolaven and the Pakse surrounding is an area where development is indeed visible: huge roads are being constructed, which will eventually link Laos to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

On that day we covered a total distance of around 220 kilometers and spent 9 fantastic hours with Wat, who together with Wat Phou Travels gave us the opportunity to see all of what Bolaven Plateau is famous for.

Wat Phou Travels is specialized in programs and excursions in the South of Laos. It has fixed programs and also offers private and customized tours, only using the service of qualified local guides to give customers the best experience possible.

Read about Wat Phou Travels HERE !

Read about a tour of Bolaven Plateau by scooter HERE

Asian Itinerary was kindly accommodated by Pakse Hotel during their whole stay in Pakse. 

Read about Pakse Hotel HERE !

BOOK A ROOM AT Pakse Hotel AT DISCOUNTED RATES HERE !

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Off Road Laos Adventures front of the office

When I analyse the past year, I can say I have spent more time in the nature and on a bicycle than on my laptop. This year I wanted to keep a similar trend, so when I planned my trip to Laos, I made sure I included cycling in my schedule. Our first destination in Laos was Luang Prabang, and one of the companies that gained my trust by simply browsing their website and reading post comments by their customers was Off Road Laos Adventures. One of their must-do tours was the Bicycle Tour to Kuang Si Waterfall, so I booked it without further thinking.

Nyai and I at one of the breaks

We made our way to their office at 8am and found co-owner Charly and our guide Nyai busy preparing our bikes. Introductions were made, after which Nyai the guide, who is unusually tall compared to his average Laos countrymen – which is why they call him Big – showed us Off Road Laos Adventures license and the official day permit for our tour. Nyai also told us that the tour was on paved road all the way, but it was quite flexible and adaptable to what we would be enjoying, which we liked. We tried our bikes, chose the right helmet and we were ready for the ride. We crossed a river and headed into the mountains. The first few kilometers uphill were hard and challenging, but the jungle scenery was so stunning and worth the effort that we forgot we were climbing.

Pit stop !

The road was basically empty and the landscape amazing; we crossed a few villages where we stopped to drink water and to recover, looking at locals interacting and tasting local snacks. We were seeing a side of Luang Prabang that those staying in the urban area do not get to experience. It was by now back to a standard ride of a few ups and downs, and we could relax while cycling, looking at farmers tending their rice fields, water buffaloes grazing on the edge of the road and kids running out of their shacks to say hi as we rode past. The mountains were beautiful and lush and served as a backdrop.

Sorting the cotton

Nyai was brilliant and lots of fun, and shared his knowledge and insight of the local culture with us at a Hmong village, where kids wore colourful traditional costumes and stalls selling local handicraft abounded. At a cotton production center in the next stop, we watched a woman going through the whole working line: she took a handful of cotton just collected from the plant, made it into a thread and worked the fabric on a wooden loom. Nyai stories and anecdotes from his experiences added to the tour. This was exactly the way I wanted to experience this ride, seeing villages and places up close and not speeding past through the windows of a minivan.

Nyai and our photographers exchanging anecdotes at the restaurant

We arrived at Kuang Si Waterfall where Nyai took us to enjoy a great lunch in a local restaurant: noodle soup and a delicious BBQ of locally bred chicken (a bit bony said Nyai, but much better than a hormone-fed chicken from China). Nyai had a papaya salad so spicy the mere smell gave us the chills. He decided to make use of the time at the table to tell us the story of Kuang Si Waterfall; Kuang means dear in Lao language, and the legend tells of a golden dear that used to come to drink regularly at one of the fall’s pools, or so the locals say… The story of the few villages that were relocated by the Government from up the hill sounded more interesting: apparently, villagers up the hill used so much water for irrigation that the waterfall was dry most of the time. Once the government decided to turn Kuang Si Waterfall into a local attraction, they had to be relocated in exchange for commercial spaces near the waterfall entrance area used to do shops, souvenir stalls, restaurants. Enough to think that up to 20 years ago the way to Khuan Si Waterfall was just a small dirt track, where now you have a big road used daily by dozens of minivans, buses, tuk tuk and motorbikes unloading hordes of tourists who come to see the most visited waterfall in the area.

Several pools at Khuan Si Waterfall

After leaving the bikes at the restaurant parking lot, we entered the falls compound, paying the 20,000 Kip fee. Kuang Si Waterfall spans a large area through a lush jungle; the walking trails wind past several pools and waterfalls cascading from high limestone cliffs. Visitors can relax and swim in these pools, which have an incredible water made turquoise blue by the high level of calcium in it. The place was crowded, though there are sections of the area where most visitors do not usually reach, with pools big enough to swim and lots of ledges to lay out on.

Khuan Si Waterfall

We had a nice swim in the crystal clear waters and a rest, then proceeded to visit the Asiatic Bear Rescue Center, a bear sanctuary located along the jungle walk, where we observed some 23 Asiatic black bears, most of them young clubs, that have been confiscated but the Lao Government from illegal poaching and trading. For more info visit http://www.freethebears.org.au/web/Projects/Laos/Meet-the-Bears/ . You can also opt to hike up to the upper tiers of Kuang Si Waterfalls, but for us the time was not enough, plus we had to keep some energy left for the ride back, so Nyai discouraged us from trekking at that point. We therefore hopped back onto the bikes and started to cycle.

Rice farmers at work

The ride back was not so bad, most of the route was now downhill; we maintained a decent pace and reached Luang Prabang by 3,30 pm, to the surprise of Charly, who thought we had been pretty fast. It was only then we were informed we had cycled 35 km each way for a total of 70+ km, which under the Laos sun was quite an achievement!

A kid carrying wood

For me it was indeed THE BEST WAY to discover the local lifestyle and nature on two wheels, propelled only by your own body, hence closer to nature. And it was indeed THE BEST CYCLING ADVENTURE I had in Laos during this trip. You will need to be relatively fit since the way there is a gradual uphill, but this tour should be accessible to most. You may, like me, get a bit stiff after the ride, but a good stretching and great memories will surely make you recover fast. It was a great experience, one that I would recommend to anyone visiting Luang Prabang and wanting a bit of an active adventure on the side. And Nyai was an active part of the tour, an excellent guide and a friend who looked after us very well!

OFF ROAD LAOS ADVENTURES

Off Road Laos Adventures co-owner Charly is the son of a French couple living in Luang Prabang. Off Road Laos Adventures are fast becoming one of the best tour companies in Luang Prabang. His motto is “quality not quantity”, and this was clearly reflected in the bicycle tour we took with them.

Off Road Laos Adventures employs local guides, treating them and paying them fairly. They take extra care when organising each tour, be it a bicycle ride, a cross-bike tour or a trek. All Off Road Laos Adventures partners survey the tours themselves, studying each route extensively before offering it to visitors. They have a policy of cancelling some of the tours when off season, when the weather would not allow for a pleasurable experience. Kudos to them!

Local kid at a Hmong village

This is their link to Bicycle Tour to Khuan Si Waterfall:

http://www.offroadlaosadventures.com/#!luang-prabang-cycling-kuangsi-1-day/c8t0

READ THEIR COMPANY PROFILE HERE

Nyai telling us one of his stories

You can of course rent a bicycle and go to Khuan Si Waterfall on your own, but I can honestly say that having a local guy like Nyai with us was a great bonus both for his great company and for his knowledge of the local people and culture, a knowledge he was more than willing to share with us at any time.

The bicycles were in great condition, and the fact that Off Road Laos Adventures register each outing with the Government, pay the tourist taxes and provide an insurance should at least avoid unwanted trouble in case of an emergency as well as exploitation of local guides who often get underpaid – beware when a company offers a tour at a price that is too cheap. Off Road Laos Adventures really care about your expectations and about how things are arranged. Having not tried

WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU 

Being prepared for a bicycle tour, especially if you are inexperienced, is the best help against injury and disappointment, so this is a list of things you may want to stock in your day-pack:

– sunscreen

– mosquitoes repellent

– a hut and sunglasses

– multiple layers of clothing: the weather may start cool in the morning and become baking at midday, the sky might turn overcast and it may rain; consider everything

– tissue/toilet paper and hand sanitizer as bathrooms may not be available and there may not be a chance to wash your hands when you need to

– plasters and a bandage – you may need to patch yourself up in case of a fall, and though your guide will have some, it is always better to bring extra.

– water – your guide will supply the first, you will then need to buy refills along the road

– a banana or an energy bar – though there are plenty of places along the route to pick a local snack

Asian Itinerary was kindly accommodated by Le Vang Bua Villa during their whole stay in Luang Prabang. 

Read about Le Vang Bua Villa here.

BOOK A ROOM AT Le Vang Bua Villa AT DISCOUNTED RATES HERE

READ ABOUT OFF ROAD LAOS ADVENTURE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PROGRAM WITH PHASOUK HERE

COME ON TOUR WITH US

Discover the magic of our latest trip! An experience that will take you to enchanting places, blending culture and adventures with our travel branch FANTASIA ASIA – click on the following programs to know more:

https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/the-north-adventure-8-days-7-nights/

https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/the-new-the-ancient-capital-7-days-6-nights/

https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/enchanting-laos-9-days-8-nights/

https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/luang-prabang-tour-4-days-3-nights/

https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/laos-fantasy-12-days-11-nights/

Watch here for our VIDEO on Laos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shuI9Aa_-pQ&t=35s

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Located in the outskirts of Pai, Mae Hong Son province, northern Thailand, about 5km outside of town, is a village called Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village, one of the most popular attractions in Pai. This is not your typical Chinatown you see around the world but one of three Chinese villages situated in northern Thailand populated by Yunnan tribespeople.

HISTORY

Reproduction of the Great Wall of China

History tell us that this village, which today has a population of 2000 souls of mix Yunanese, Thai hill-tribes people and former Chinese soldiers, was settled by Yunnanese hill-tribes that crossed the border in mid-20th Century to escape the tough Chinese communist rules. Most villagers speak fluently both Thai and Chinese, and it is amazing today to experience this cultural melting pot living under one roof.

CULTURE

Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village is indeed a center where visitors have the chance to experience Chinese culture: the village showcases reproductions of traditional Chinese clay houses, and there are a few tiny shops made of mud and clay selling tea by the bag or by the pot, where they also often run tea-tasting sessions. It is also possible to experience Yunnanese way of life, as well as dressing in a traditional Yunnan dress (you can hire it from a local shop by the artificial pond at around 100thb) and have your pictures taken for you.

ATTRACTIONS & LEISURE

horse riding available!

There are several attractions and things to do at Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village. Things are a bit touristy in a way, with a tacky recreation of the Great Wall of China, souvenir shops selling tea, key rings, and all sort of Chinese pottery and paraphernalia, but there is lot more on offer for visitors in terms of leisure activities. The manicured lawn large area alternate with flower beds and fills up with people at leisure during day time. You can sign up for pony or horse or donkey riding, take part on shooting games, and one of the highlights of the village is the big wooden ferris wheel: for a mere 20 thb per ride, a group of men use their body weight to spin the wheel for an amazing ride.

sweet potatoes for sale at the stalls

FOOD

But for me the real attraction in Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village has got to be the food! As you enter the village, the side of the road is dotted with a dozen of little stalls selling anything from roasted chestnut – roasted on the spot by mixing them with hot coal in huge woks by the street vendors – to oranges and tangerines, mangoes, all sort of fruits and veggies, dried beans, quality rice, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and more. And after having taken a few pictures and walking around the village for a while, I decided to go do what I enjoy most: eat!

I chose one restaurant that sported the logo of Thaihigh quality vegetable and meat producers and distributors Betagro (check them out at http://www.betagro.com/ourbusiness_food_en.php) and ordered a few dishes from the Chinese-Yunnanese menu: delicious boiled and fried Chinese buns, Chinese herbs, stir fried fresh mushroom and pork hocks, all tasty and delicious and accompanied by, what else, steamed rice and a pot of Chinese tea.

VIEWPOINT

Continuing on from the village, the unmade road got incredibly steep and bumpy; at the top I was greeted by an earth path that took me right to a viewpoint, where I enjoyed an unprecedented sight of Pai valley. There are banners in Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village that advertise early morning transportation to reach the viewpoint early and watch the sunrise.

local handcraft

MO PAENG WATERFALLS

This area of mountains surrounding Pai is home to Mo Paeng Waterfall, located just 2km past the entrance of Baan Santichon. This multi-tiered waterfall is easier to access than most of other Pais’ waterfalls, and is surrounded by a green lush valley. Tourists and locals enjoy a dip in one of the natural pools which are surrounded by smooth rocks used as slides.

STAY

Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village homestay programs offer a real Yunnan cultural experience for reasonable prices. Most homestays are built with mud and straw and are surrounded by manicured landscapes. For more information, contact 053 699 851

GETTING THERE

From the walking street area, take the hospital road and follow it until you reach the Bypass Road. Drive across it and continue uphill for another 4km. This is a mainly rural area, ideal for those nice holiday pictures: farmers, cows and goats grazing in fields, rice paddies, corn, black boars and vegetable gardens, all surrounded by lush mountains in the distance.

Pass the Thai Cultural Center and 1km later you will see a large Chinese gate covering a bridge that marks the entrance of Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village.

The post Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Leading us to the waterfall

Villagers are slowly appearing behind open doors of wooden houses. Roosters sing repeating songs and cats roam around, occasionally showing a fight or an act of love. This is Annah Rais village, so near town, so easily reached by road, yet so much a world apart. Staff looks like a really nice, quiet guy; he tights his knife holder around his waist, lights a cigarette and prompts us to start the walk.

Staff and Cato on a traditional bridge

We leave the village small lanes and enter a muddy terrain, climbing steps made up of bamboo branches. The ascent is steep. The undergrowth around us is so full of humus, with vast forests of amazingly tall and thick bamboo and the occasional ferns and palms. Sweat runs copiously from my head and from every pore of my body, and we are forced to make several stops in order to rehydrate. Staff uses his machete skilfully to make walking sticks out of bamboo for us to aide our walk, and we surely appreciate it!

As the vegetation gets denser and the humidity higher, we slowly start to realize the challenge of walking along these leech-infested paths. It is advisable to wear long trousers and proper socks in order to avoid the bloodsuckers banqueting with your vital juice. Also, remember to carry plenty of water supply even if your guide carries some for you. You will use it!

Rafflesias carnivore plants in bloom

Staff occasionally clears the path with his sharp machete, moving falling bamboo branches, logs and overhanging vegetation. He tells us these paths are used only by local farmers to reach their cultivations of tapioca, banana and various other vegetables. We cross craftily-made bamboo bridges over suspended small streams, and occasionally stop to observe and take a picture of colourful wild flowers, orchids, pitcher plants and unique mushrooms, with only the sound of nature accompanying us.

We keep on walking for about two hours; the last section of the track is so wet from the night rain that our boots sink in the muddy terrain, making us loose balance. The reward is indeed worth the effort: the three-tiered waterfall has jumps of at least 30 meters each, the last two discharging water in natural ponds that call for a dip!

Lunch is cooking the natural way

Staff makes camp, lights a fire and cuts huge chunks of hollow bamboo branches in which he places the chicken he has carried from home together with stems of various ferns and palms picked up during the walk, closing the top with fresh leaves and placing the natural container right inside the fire.

The waterfalls tiers

Meanwhile I climb to the upper tier, take off my soaking wet clothes, place them to dry on a sun-hit stone and free my ankles from small sucking leeches clinging to my skin and hiding inside my shoes. Job done, I enjoy a dip in the cold, refreshing pond. I then decide to daringly sit on a wet stone right below the waterfall and linger a while under the powerful wall of water hitting my back. The impact is so violent that I cannot bear more than a few minutes in that position.

Happy and refreshed, I sit on a moss-covered stone to dry myself under the scorching sun, disturbed only by the sudden call from Staff: lunch is served. We sit on a bench made of bamboo and eat generous servings of rice in banana leaves, chicken and palm hearts cooked in bamboo and boiled tapioca leaves. Delicious!

The stream below

The walk back is a bit of a photocopy of the walk there, only we walk faster with a fewer stops. By the time we reach back Annah Rais, where Miss Karum receives us with a smile and a couple of ice cold beers, 7 hours have passed! We are exhausted but so happy to have achieved a wonderful adventure in the foot of the ancient Borneo mountains: a trek to the waterfall!

Homestay official program license

Special thanks go to Karum Bidayuh Homestay and to Staff (a few shots of rice wine that evening made him more than happy!). We highly recommend this tour; yet, if you are about to embark on this adventure, please remember that a few people walk half of the way and decide to walk back… The hike lasts 2 hours each way and it is de-man-ding. The weather is hot and humid and the copious sweating can take its toll, especially on a hot day. The ascents/descents are steep. If you are concerned, you are not physically fit enough, you are not used to trekking in the jungle or have a medical condition, ask Miss Karum to arrange a car to cover at least half of the trek and leave you to a nearer starting point, or opt to nearby hot springs, still a nice experience but not so hard.

Karum contact details

For information and bookings, contact Miss Karum or Jenny at Karum Bidayuh Homestay

tel. (+60) 0168981675

email yeominghua@yahoo.com or t_weiyu86@hotmail.com

or check their website at www.longhouseinborneo.com

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