The name Chieu Lau Thi is often explained by the meaning "nine steps", associated with the stone steps leading to the top.
According to the Tuyen Quang Provincial Foreign Affairs Portal, the mountain is about 2,402m high, currently belonging to Ho Thau commune and is likened to the "cloud roof" in the upstream of the Chay River.
From Hanoi, tourists can take a night bus to the central area of Ha Giang, then continue to Ho Thau commune.
The road to the high mountains has many curves, some sections are small and steep, so drivers need to be proactive in time, avoid moving when it is dark.
Mr. Nguyen Nhat Minh, a tourist from Hanoi, said that he chose to stay at a lodging at the foot of the mountain to prepare for the journey to welcome the sunrise the next morning.
According to Mr. Minh, the weather has stopped after a rain, but many dirt road sections are still muddy, and wheels are easy to skid when going uphill.
The whole group traveled slowly, keeping a distance between the cars and not trying to go up the mountain when it was dark. Arriving later than expected, we decided to stay overnight, waiting for morning to ensure safety, Mr. Minh recounted.
Around early morning, the group began to reach the summit with local guides. Each person brought a windbreak jacket, a flashlight, drinks, snacks and spare dry clothes.
Vehicles can take visitors to areas near the climbing point. The remaining road is mainly steep paths and stone steps. Travel time depends on physical strength, starting position and road surface condition.
In the early minutes, the entire walkway was submerged in mist. The higher up, the stronger the wind, the temperature dropped significantly. When the group approached the peak, the clouds began to separate into layers, revealing successive mountain ranges below.
The sea of clouds only appeared for a short period of time and then the fog covered it again. That moment made the hard journey worthwhile. What I remember most is the feeling of standing in a space that is almost silent," Mr. Minh shared.
In September, the journey to Chieu Lau Thi not only includes cloud hunting activities. Terraced fields around the area begin to change color, interspersed with patches of forest and ancient Shan Tuyet tea hills.
When the sun appears, the yellow color of rice, the dark green of the forest and the layers of white clouds create a multi-layered landscape. Visitors can spend more time walking around the village, learning about how people care for, harvest and process tea.
According to Mr. Minh, people who come to Chieu Lau Thi for the first time should not be too dependent on the itinerary online. The weather and road conditions change rapidly, so it is necessary to ask accommodation establishments or local people before going up the mountain.
Luggage needs to include a windbreak jacket, raincoat, leggings, flashlight, drinking water and backup batteries. After rain, dirt roads are prone to mud, and moss-covered stones become slippery.
Tourists should not climb mountains when there are thunderstorms, strong winds or landslide warnings; and do not separate groups or leave the trail to find a photo angle.
Chieu Lau Thi does not have the bustle of familiar cloud hunting spots. In return, this place brings a quiet morning, when the sunlight slowly opens layers of mountains above the sea of clouds.
