(TITC) - Referring to Hue is referring to the mausoleums, architectural works, landmarks, bold colours of the ancient royal court. However, visitors can see a different Hue when visiting Ru Cha mangrove forest. It is a pristine Hue with nature, clouds, and mountains, a beauty that is somewhat more vivid, but without losing its inherent dreamy features.
The “one of a kind” mangrove forest that exists in the Tam Giang lagoon system
From Hue city-centre, going a distance of more than 15km to the north, visitors will come to Ru Cha mangrove forest, in Thuan Hoa village, Huong Phong commune. In the lagoon system of Tam Giang lagoon, this is the only primitive mangrove forest that has been preserved until now.
Ru Cha mangrove forest (Photo: thuathienhue.gov.vn)
“Ru” in Hue dialect means the forest, “Cha” is a common plant grown here, occupying about 5 hectares. Each season, the mangrove forest has its own colour, sometimes it is green, sometimes it is dyed yellow to signal autumn, sometimes it’s covered in white when the leaves fall.
According to locals, this year, the leaf changing season is earlier than usual, usually until mid-September and early October. It's only midsummer that the whole forest turns from green to yellow, then white. Thousands of Cha trees grow, creating a large white-grey patch, highlighting a corner of the sky.
(Photo: thuathienhue.gov.vn)
This is a reason that many visitors put Ru Cha on the list of must-visit destinations when visiting Hue during their summer trip.
Activities for the visitors in Ru Cha forest
The unique landscape and wild and mysterious beauty will be a great background for visitors to take several photos.
Go through the forest
Slender Cha trees with large, long roots, embrace the smooth paved road. Families can walk, or cycle along the path through the mangroves. The grey-white colour of the trees, combined with the golden sunshine of summer, gives visitors a feeling of both ghostly and warmth, however, the place will be much the opposite in winter.
Free your soul on the boat
Going all the way through the forest, a Ru Cha with an immense river, a large lake of fish, shrimp and aquaculture ponds appears. Visitors can also rent a boat to admire the scenery here. The boatman will take you to explore every nook and cranny.
The entire mangrove forest comes into view from the observatory
An observatory with a height of up to tens of metres was erected a few years ago, now also becoming an ideal sightseeing place for visitors. From here, zooming out, we can not only see the whole road through the forest peeking behind the rows of tea trees, but also fully absorb the mangrove forests, Cha trees or the immense and majestic beauty of the river.
At the end of the journey to explore Ru Cha forest, visitors can pass by the shrine to worship Ba Duc Thanh Mau (Goddess-Mother). People come here often to pray for peace and enjoy the ancient architecture of the spiritual work located in the middle of the mangrove forest.
The ideal time to visit the Ru Cha forest
Over the years, the transport infrastructure has improved significantly, so that the road to Ru Cha mangrove forest is extremely easy to access. Families can rent a car, or travel by their own vehicle. From the centre of Hue, go along Highway 49B, going to Thuan An beach, there will be signposts to Tam Giang lagoon, go through Tam Giang bridge and Thao Long dam to Ru Cha.
Ideally, go to Ru Cha forest early in the morning and participate in activities, then rest, enjoy delicious seafood dishes around.
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