Bounteous Natural and Cultural Wonders

Gia Lai is well-known for a number of tourist sites such as Pleime, Cheo Reo, Ham Rong Mountain, Bien Ho (Sea Lake) Tourist Site, Phu Cuong Waterfall, Ayun Ha Lake, Ialy Lake, Dak Po Pine Forest, and Chu Prong National Park.

The Bien Ho, also known as Tonung Lake or Ia Nueng Lake which said to resemble a pearl of Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands), is 6km north from the city of Pleiku, near Highway 14. Bien Ho is a former volcano which has lain dormant for a long time. The lake is 250ha wide and 20-40m deep. The Ayun Ha Lake is located in the districts of Phu Thien and Chu Se, 70km west from the city of Pleiku. The lake was created by the Ayun River which was blocked by the construction of the Ayun Ha irrigation system in 1994 to supply water for 13,500ha arable land, creating large aquatic benefits for local people and improving their living standards. Ayun Ha Lake is an ideal place for tourism and entertainment activities. Visitors often enjoy water sports or take a boat onto the lake. When visiting Ayun Ha, visitors can admire the poetic and wild landscapes and enjoy the fresh air.

In addition, Gia Lai is famous for a nine tiered waterfall 20km from the city of Pleiku. The lowest step is 10-15m high, making the waterfall fiercer and more imposing. Around the waterfall is untouched forest. Tourists can also discover the pine forest in Ha Tam Commune, Dak Po District which is considered a miniature of Gia Lai's Da Lat.

A tour of Gia Lai would not be complete if you if fail to pay a visit to Kon Ka Kinh National Park which is located on 41,780ha in the districts of KBang, Mang Yang and Dak Doa. The park has abundant flora and fauna. According to statistics, the park has 687 types of plants and 428 animals, many of which are listed on the Red Book of species endangered by the risk of extinction. The park is among four natural heritage sites in ASEAN. In addition, Ham Rong Mountain which is 11km south from the city of Pleiku is an ideal destination for the tourists who like conquering high mountains. Standing on the Ham Rong Mountain, tourists can have a panoramic view of the bustling city of Pleiku and vast plantations of tea, coffee and pepper. Gia Lai is also famous for Ialy Waterfall and the legendary Se San River. At present, irrigation systems have been constructed and tourists have opportunity to visit a vast lake. The Ialy hydroelectricity plant covers more than 20sq.km and is located between Chu Pah District (Gia Lai Province) and Sa Thay District (Kon Tum Province). This is a key national construction work and the second largest hydroelectricity plant after Hoa Binh.

Apart from attractive landscapes, Gia Lai is proud of the ethnic minority cultures of the Jrai and Bahnar peoples. Communal houses, stilt houses, channel-houses, traditional festivals, costumes, and musical instruments are all living proof of a rich culture. The province has effectively maximized these heritages to develop the province's tourism potential.

In addition, objects such as bronze gongs, small stilt-houses made of bamboo, water bottles made of bamboo, papooses, buffalo horns, wooden paintings and brocade costumes reflect the daily life of the people of Tay Nguyen. Specialties including Chu Se pepper, Bau Can tea and Thu Ha coffee are well-known over the country and globally. In addition, dry bamboo shoots and bananas have become familiar souvenirs for every tourist.

Gia Lai is home to the gong culture of the Tay Nguyen which is considered as an unwritten and intangible masterpiece. Along with traditional festivals, gong culture has created favorable conditions to develop tourism in the province.

In recent years, to create a motive force for tourism development, the province has attempted to improve infrastructure to attract investors. Gia Lai has followed sound development directions through effectively exploiting the potential offered by eco-tourism combined with cultural tourism. Phan Xuan Vu, the director of the Gia Lai Province Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: "Thanks to support from the government and contribution of people and businesses, the infrastructure system of the province has seen a significant development. Gia Lai has rich potential for eco-tourism and cultural tourism. I hope that in the coming time, the tourism sector will obtain further positive results, contributing to the province development."

The establishment of the Gia Lai Tourism Association has created a driving force for local travel agents. A range of tourists to Gia Lai to enjoy the space of gong culture and eco-tours promise a dynamic development for Gia Lai tourism.

Some photos of Bien Ho landscape: