A green detour

      Exploring an evergreen valley just outside Da Lat.
Some 20 kilometers on rough mountain roads is worth the trip to Dankia Lake, where travelers can indulge in stunning scenery and clean fresh air. The lake is perfect for a picnic so don’t forget to pack a lunch.
The road is lined with lush valleys, pine forests, meadows, crop fields and Da Lat’s famous flower farms, which make the area the horticultural capital of Vietnam.
The photo ops are plenty as the hills roll off to the horizon and picturesque farming life takes place in the villages below the road.
Lettuce and cabbage fields are dotted with houses both old and new. In the sunshine, the countryside sparkles. In the calm fog, it exudes a mysterious charm.
Nature lovers will delight in the buffalo herds crossing the roads and wandering through the meadows in the distance.
Upon arriving at Dankia Lake, travelers will first see wildflowers and several murmuring brooks, belonging to Suoi Vang (Gold Creek) area. Above the lake towers over Lang Bian Mountain, 2,400 meters high. Lang Bian is popular with hikers as the summit boasts the indisputable best view of the Da Lat countryside.
Lie down on the pine leaves, look out at the sky and listen to the chirping birds and babbling brook, Gold Creek area is the perfect place to stop for a picnic.
Just past the creek is the lake, nestled in a small valley of green hills. Hikes around the surrounding area can lead to waterfalls, other lakes and ethnic minority villages. Such journeys are best taken with a hired guide.
But head out to Dankia fast if you want the real au-natural experience as the upcoming “Romantic City” project aims to transform the area into a golf resort-hotel-casino in the near future.