Fansipan in Sapa has always been a dream for many travelers to conquer. Since the Fansipan cable car route was established, the journey to conquer the “Roof of Indochina” has never been easier. If you have taken the cable car to Ba Na Hills and felt like you were in a fairyland, then Cuong Du Lich is sure that the feeling of taking the Fansipan cable car will be like ascending through the clouds to the sky, ensuring you will find it unforgettable. Cuong Du Lich had to hold their breath due to this unique 3000m altitude. In this article, Cuong Du Lich will guide you on a one-day trip to Fansipan by cable car, so if you are planning to travel to Sapa, take 5 minutes to read it.
Experience the feeling of ascending through the clouds to Fansipan
1/ Guide on how to get to the Cable Car Station
The Fansipan cable car station is about 3km northwest of the center of Sapa town. It is quite close for you to travel to the cable car station from Sapa town with the following methods:
Travel to Fansipan cable car by bus: Take bus route number 05 from Stone Church Sapa to the cable car station with a ticket price of 10,000 VND/one way/passenger. The bus has a total of 18 stops for picking up and dropping off passengers (8 stops on the way there and 10 stops on the way back), so you may have to wait for a while, but it is cost-effective.
Travel to Fansipan cable car by motorbike: If you go by motorbike, you won’t ride straight to the station but park at the Fansipan Legend parking area, then take an electric car to the cable car station. However, the road to the station is difficult to navigate, moving by motorbike will be challenging and dangerous. If you are traveling to Sapa for the first time, Cuong Du Lich advises you to consider this carefully.
Travel to Fansipan cable car by walking: The distance from the center of Sapa to the Fansipan cable car station is about 3km northwest. You can walk from Stone Church, along Thac Bac street for 1km, then turn left onto Nguyen Chi Thanh street for another 2km until you reach the Fansipan cable car station. This method is only suitable for those with strong legs or good physical endurance.
Travel to Fansipan cable car by taxi: This method is convenient, the driver knows the way. The taxi fare from the center of Sapa town to the Fansipan cable car station when Cuong Du Lich went was around 50,000 VND, but some passengers may share and split the cost, around 100,000 VND per person. The journey takes about 10 minutes due to the winding and steep roads in Sapa, so it may not be a quick ride.
Travel to Fansipan cable car by Mường Hoa train: The modern Mường Hoa mountain train line, the most modern in Vietnam, started operating on March 31, 2018, connecting Sapa town with the Fansipan cable car station. Since its operation, this mountain train line has shortened the travel time to the cable car station to just 6 minutes, with a capacity of 2000 passengers per hour, providing travelers with a very interesting experience.
Price of Mường Hoa mountain train ticket in 2020: 100,000 VND (Round trip)/1 person including children over 1m tall. Children under 1m tall are free of charge.
Mường Hoa mountain railway station
2/ Guide on how to buy Fansipan cable car tickets
Make sure to check the latest prices for Fansipan cable car tickets in 2020:
Round-trip cable car ticket:
- Adults or children over 1.4m tall: 750,000 VND per ticket
- Children between 1m and under 1.4m tall: 550,000 VND per ticket
- Babies under 1m tall: Free
Round-trip cable car ticket for Lao Cai residents
- Adults or children over 1.4m tall: 550,000 VND per ticket
- Children between 1m and under 1.4m tall: 350,000 VND per ticket
- Babies under 1m tall: Free
Fansipan mountain railway ticket for the uphill journey:
- Adults or children over 1.4m tall: 70,000 VND per ticket
- Children between 1m and under 1.4m tall: 70,000 VND per ticket
- Babies under 1m tall: Free
Note:
- Tourists who are residents of Lao Cai province need to bring documents such as: ID card/driver’s license/residence book/birth certificate… to confirm their residency and receive discounts at the tourist area.
- Fansipan cable car tickets are round-trip, so make sure to keep your ticket safe for the return journey.
- Sun World Fansipan Legend often offers discounted ticket programs. Keep an eye out for the latest information on ticket prices when you plan your visit.
Quick and cost-effective way to book Fansipan cable car tickets:
- Option 1: Buy tickets directly at the Sunworld ticket counter at the cable car station, or book online through the Sunworld website.
- Option 2: Purchase tickets through Sunworld’s authorized agents for delivery to your hotel or convenient online booking. This method provides personalized advice and care from the agents, as well as discounted ticket prices.
Fansipan Cable Car Station
>>>>> Buy Fansipan Cable Car Tickets
3/ Journey to the top of Fansipan by cable car
– The starting station of the Fansipan cable car line is located in the Muong Hoa Valley. Each cable car cabin can accommodate from 30 – 35 people with an operating capacity of 2000 people per hour. With this capacity, tourists can quickly ascend to the top of Fansipan without having to wait for each turn like in many other mountain cable car systems in some other tourist areas.
– During the 15-minute journey on the Fansipan cable car, tourists will enjoy the panoramic view of the beautiful and picturesque Hoang Lien Son mountain range, and the charming Muong Hoa Valley. As you get closer to the top of Fansipan, you will feel like you are floating on clouds.
– As you ascend, the temperature inside the cabin will drop and the cabin may sway slightly due to the mountain wind, but don’t worry because the Fansipan cable car line is designed to safely transport passengers to the station at an altitude of 3000m above sea level.
After finishing the cable car ride, you will have 2 ways to reach the summit of Fansipan, touching the milestone and admiring the majestic beauty of the Hoang Lien Son range.
- Option 1: Climbing 600 steps: It will take you about 20 minutes to climb, experiencing the feeling of conquering the Roof of Indochina by yourself is very interesting.
- Option 2: Taking the Fansipan mountain train, departing from Do Quyen station, the mountain train takes you to Truc May station, which is close to the summit of Fansipan, in about 2 minutes. This is an ideal option on rainy or cold days, helping you maintain the best health when setting foot on the summit of Fansipan. The price for the Fansipan mountain train ride up is 70,000 VND for adults, children over 1m tall also need to buy a 70k ticket. The Fansipan mountain train only goes up, so don’t expect to take it down. We will walk down in the afternoon.
Fansipan Mountain Railway
Important notes to remember when taking the Fansipan cable car
Fansipan cable car is the most modern cable car system in the world, contributing to making the dream of conquering the rooftop of Indochina come true for many tourists. To ensure safety when moving by cable car, remember to:
- Do not lean out of the cable car, limit running and jumping.
- Do not litter inside the cabin.
- No smoking.
- Remember to keep your ticket as it is a round-trip ticket.
- Do not bring too much luggage or heavy items into the cabin.
The Fansipan cable car cabin is designed with transparent glass on all 4 sides, allowing tourists to fully enjoy the natural landscape of the Northwest sky and land. The super beautiful sightseeing spots at Phan Xi Păng do not require leaning out to admire the view, so no need to test your bravery.
The cabin has glass on all four sides for convenient sightseeing
See more: Complete Information on the Fansipan Cable Car Route
4/ When is the best time to visit Fansipan?
Did you know that Sapa is also known as the Dalat of the North because it experiences 4 seasons in a day and the peak of Fansipan is also affected by the weather in the same way.
Spring (February – April in the Gregorian calendar): Spring is the season when people often climb the mountain to pray for peace for the whole year. Coming to Fansipan during this season, you not only get to admire the spiritual complex on the sacred peak of the country but also get to see the blooming flowers all over the mountains of the North in the cool weather.
Summer (May – July in the Gregorian calendar): Unlike the scorching heat across the country, the weather at Fansipan during this season is cool (from 6 – 18 degrees) and very pleasant. Fansipan is now a summer flower paradise, with clusters of bright red Rhododendron flowers, azaleas, climbing roses, sunflowers, daisies, and orchids… shining with colorful scents.
Summer in Fansipan with clear blue skies
Autumn (August – October in the Gregorian calendar): Autumn is the season of ripe rice in the Northwest. If you visit Fansipan during this season, you will be able to admire the golden terraced fields like picturesque natural paintings.
Winter (November – January in the Gregorian calendar): You will witness snowfall on the top of Fansipan during this season. This is perhaps one of the reasons why Fansipan always holds a special place in the hearts of visitors during the winter.
Note: In winter at Fansipan, there is a lot of rain, slippery roads, a sharp drop in temperature, so visitors should check the weather forecast about 3-4 days in advance to be proactive in preparing equipment and planning a suitable itinerary.
Winter on Fansipan covered in snow
Many companies claim that any season is good to visit Fansipan, but based on Cuồng’s travel experience in Sapa, don’t trust that completely. August and September are the rainy season nationwide, including Sapa. So, it’s best to avoid mountain trips during this time, or if you must go, make sure to check the weather conditions beforehand.
The good thing is that Fansipan Legend regularly organizes grand cultural festivals and events throughout the 4 seasons, attracting many tourists to participate, such as: Rhododendron Flower Festival, Ripe Rice Festival, Horse Racing on Clouds Event, Winter Festival, Reed Flute Festival…
5/ Packing Guide for Fansipan Trip
What should you prepare for a Fansipan cable car trip? Due to the unique weather and terrain of Fansipan, almost everyone is concerned about this. Proper preparation will ensure you have the best experience at Fansipan, so remember to bring the “must-have” items such as:
- Warm clothing: The climate at the top of Sapa is always cold, whether you visit in winter or summer. Therefore, warm clothing like jackets, scarves, gloves… are essential to keep your body warm.
- Medical supplies: fever-reducing medicine, medicated oil, bandages, gauze, plasters…
- Cash: You should prepare some cash because some services may not accept card payments and there are no ATMs on the top of Fansipan. However, avoid carrying too much cash to minimize the risk of loss during the visit.
- Snacks (if needed): water, snacks… For those taking the cable car to conquer Fansipan, this is not really necessary and is limited in the tourist area. If you hike up to the summit, it’s advisable to bring snacks as the mountain climb is tiring and dehydrating.
- Camera and communication devices: Phone, camera… to capture great moments and “touch the Roof of Indochina”.
Prepare warm clothes
Additional notes:
- It is advisable to prioritize modest clothing as the top of Fansipan is mainly a spiritual destination.
- Sport shoes and comfortable clothing are great suggestions as traveling to Fansipan requires a fair amount of walking and moving around.
- Check the weather before going to Fansipan about 2-3 days in advance if visiting during the rainy season at Fansipan (late winter, early spring).
>>>>> See more: REVEAL How to Travel to Sapa Independently in Detail From Before to Now
6/ Where to go to Fansipan? What to eat?
As of now, Fansipan Legend tourist area does not provide overnight services for visitors on the mountain top. Therefore, you can stay at fully equipped hotels with good quality services at affordable prices in Sapa near the foot of Fansipan mountain such as: Sapa Eden Boutique Hotel, Panorama Sapa Hotel, Cat Cat View, Bamboo Sapa… Sapa town at night is cool, peaceful, fresh, romantic, with many beautiful scenes for you to experience.
Cuongdulich recommends dining on Fansipan
After visiting Fansipan, you should not miss the experience at famous restaurants with rich flavors of the ethnic mountainous cuisine of Northwest Vietnam such as thắng cố (a type of hotpot), local pork, local chicken, buffalo meat cooked on a stove, bamboo-cooked rice, catfish hotpot, salmon… Especially 2 outstanding restaurants with unique architecture, diverse and attractive dishes:
- Van Sam restaurant located at Sapa station
- Do Quyen restaurant, at Fansipan station.
You can also enjoy street food sold at markets on the mountain top, with affordable prices yet still exceptionally delicious such as grilled skewers, colorful sticky rice…
7/ Itinerary for visiting Fansipan in just half a day (this itinerary is for your reference only, not mandatory)
Many people think that because Fansipan is so big, it must take a whole day to visit, but that’s not necessarily true. People usually only spend about half a day to travel to Fansipan.
Fansipan cable car opens from 08:00 – 17:00 daily, you should visit Fansipan in the morning from 08:30 – 12:30 for the best experience, the weather is warmer and not rushed at this time. If you can’t make it in the morning, going in the afternoon from 12:30 – 16:30 is also fine.
- 8:30 AM: You arrive at MGallery Hotel – Sun Plaza in the center of Sapa town (opposite the stone church). The first floor of the hotel is the Sapa station, where you can buy tickets for the Mường Hoa mountain train, Fansipan mountain train, and Fansipan cable car. Then you board the train to Hoàng Liên station – the departure station of the Fansipan cable car.
- From 8:45 – 9:00 AM: You move to Hoàng Liên station, present your ticket and board the Fansipan cable car cabin. After 15 minutes, the cable car takes you to Fansipan station.
- From 9:00 – 9:20 AM: At Fansipan station, you have 2 options to reach the summit of Fansipan: climb 600 stone steps or take the Fansipan mountain train. If you take the mountain train, you move to Đỗ Quyên station to start the journey to the summit.
- From 9:20 – 11:30 AM: Free time to explore the summit of Fansipan, the flagpole, and the spiritual structures at Fansipan: pagodas, the statue of Amitabha Buddha, the statue of Quan Âm, the Heaven’s Gate, etc.
- From 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM: Gather at Đỗ Quyên restaurant, located on the first floor of the Fansipan station, and have lunch here.
- From 12:15 – 12:30 PM: Board the Fansipan cable car cabin to return and end the visiting journey.
8/ Must-Visit Spots on Fansipan Mountain You Shouldn’t Miss
- Heaven’s Gate Sapa
Standing at Heaven’s Gate Sapa, you can truly feel the majestic beauty of Fansipan peak reaching up to the sky. Below lies deep abysses, with dense primeval forests holding many undiscovered mysteries. You can gaze over the vast valley below with lush green rice fields, the winding road from Phong Tho (Lai Chau) to Sapa (Lao Cai), and in the distance, Silver Waterfall – one of the 10 most beautiful waterfalls in Lao Cai, always attracting young explorers.
- Fansipan Peak
The summit of Fansipan marks the height of 3,143m on the top of Fansipan, where everyone should check in to prove that they have reached the highest point in Indochina. Standing on the top of Fansipan, you will feel like you are at the highest place.
- Admire the tallest flagpole in Indochina – a sacred symbol of the Motherland
The flagpole, standing at a height of 25m on the highest point of Fansipan, is solidly built from Thanh Hoa blue stone and Tứ Thiết wood. Witnessing the image of the national flag proudly flying on the tallest flagpole in Indochina, you will feel a deep sense of pride and national identity.
- Monastery complex on the top of Fansipan
When you step out of the Fansipan station, you will arrive at the Lower Pagoda (Thanh Phong Zen Monastery). Here, you can pray for yourself and your family. Throughout the 600 steps to the top of Fansipan, from the Lower Pagoda to the Upper Pagoda, everywhere you go, you will hear very soothing Zen music, feeling like you are entering the realm of Buddha.
Don’t miss the chance to admire the largest bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha in Vietnam (21.5 meters), considered the symbol of the spiritual and cultural complex of Fansipan. Here, you will also find Kim Son Bao Thang Monastery, Dai Hung Palace with many exquisitely crafted Buddha statues, an 11-story solid stone pagoda, the Arhat path with 18 bronze Arhat statues, flanked by vibrant azaleas. Along with that are many significant Buddhist structures such as Bich Van Zen Monastery, the statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, the Bell Tower – the highest peak, the Temple of Mountain Spirits, and more.
- Vân Sơn Trà Quán
On the 600-step path to the top of Fansipan, near Ha Temple, you will pass by Vân Sơn Trà Quán with a tea ceremony style, sitting on mats, low tables. This place is surrounded by clouds, where you can enjoy a cup of hot tea, admire the blooming azaleas, and feel the serene atmosphere all around.
- La Hán Path
This impressive path on Fansipan is 800m long, with 18 bronze statues of La Hán figures. These statues are 2.5m tall and weigh around 500 – 600kg. In addition, visitors can also admire the hundreds of years old blooming red azalea trees on both sides of the road.
- Participate in the vibrant cultural festival of the Northwest
These are the markets of the H’Mong ethnic people selling mountain specialties, the melodious sound of the panpipe blending with the graceful dance of highland girls, and many other attractive festival events: Azalea flower festival, bamboo pole dance festival, Horse riding on clouds, Sunflower festival, Winter festival…
By now, Cuong knows you are eagerly waiting to take the Fansipan cable car. Hopefully, this cable car Fansipan guide will help you have a complete and fulfilling experience.
Fansipan Cable Car Video
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