Explore Y Ty, A Remote Destination In Sapa

By Author: careca mongolana
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Y Ty commune is located west of Bat Xat district, about 100 km from Lao Cai town. Y Ty is dub "foggy land" with gorgeous terraced fields and the most beautiful earth walled houses in Lao Cai.

Spend about 2-3 days or even a week depending on your time budget, you can even travel by motorbike from Hanoi to Y Ty, or better catch a night train Hanoi to Sapa, arriving in Lao Cai station in the early morning, a lot of domestic tourists travel to Lao Cai by sleeping bus which starts at My Dinh station.

Y Ty can be reached in 2 ways, which is more than 100 km each, one can start from Lao Cai, through Lung Po via Trinh Tuong where the Red river comes to Vietnam from China, pass through A Mu Sung before arriving in Y Ty, the path cuts through jungles, cardamon forests with sparse population and the villages nestled on the slopes. The road is challenging and not easy for even hardened bikers.

Another way is to travel Sapa down to Muong Hum market, Den Thang to Y Ty, this path is easier, motorbikes and cars can go however just be careful as it is slippery there ...
... are many sharp bends.

Travelers can rent a motorbike from Lao Cai or Sapa to go to Y Ty, just choose ones in good conditions, make sure the brakes work and get your mind ready if there is anything wrong during the drive.

Y Ty lands deep in the mountains, surrounded by sheer mountains, all year round covered by dense white clouds, located at the altitude of 2000 metres above the sea level, leaning agains the Nhiu Co San peak of 2700 m high rarely see the sun shine all day, the town is nestled by the mountain, on the winding dirt road. As a peaceful valley, Y Ty is beautiful with clouds, mountains, jungle, terraced rice fields or the dirt walled houses belonging to Ha Nhi ethnic group.

Coming to Y Ty, travelers are amazed at the Saturday market, the weekly market is full of colours with Ha Nhi girls and women wearing big wigs round their heads, Hmong people with their traditional skirts or the colorful peacock scarf on the head of Dzao women. Produce brought to market are agricultural products made at home and handmade brocades, more specifically discover the beauty of earth houses considered the best in Lao Chai communes. There are more and more people visit Y Ty as part of their Sapa tours, making Y Ty a popular destination

Accommodation:
There are not many options for tourists as all guest houses belong to villagers, the houses are simple and basic with limited electricity and water . Contact prior to coming and remember that foreign visitors need to arrange permit in order to spend the night in the village.

Food:
As un upland and distant place there are not many specialities to enjoy, however in return for such a trip travelers can try their ability as a cook with food brought along. On market days on Saturdays don't forget to try Thang Co Ngua (soup made from horse)

Other considerations:
Road to Y Ty is pretty bad and slippery it is recommended that you bring along gloves for your hands and legs, that will keep warm and avoid scratches in case you fall off the bike.

Weather is different between day and night, bring with you warm clothes, sleeping bags, hats, blankets...You should bring extra fuel, food and drinks, instant noodle and if possible bring a dry alcoholic, small boilers for cooking along the way . A cup of hot coffee along the way is always an unforgettable experience.