Chi Linh (Hai Duong) is not only a land of many historical relics, hiding places of many famous people such as Tran Hung Dao, Nguyen Trai, Chu Van An…, but also has many beautiful scenes with hundreds of pine forests. age, the largest maple forest in Vietnam.
 
The way to Thanh Mai pagoda in the red maple season
Vietnam is a tropical country, so maple forests are rare, only a few places in the North have maple trees growing on the mountains such as Pha Luong, Moc Chau (Son La), Tram Tau (Yen Bai), Hoang Lien Son (Lao Cai). , Thach An (Cao Bang).
Particularly, Tam Ban maple forest has an area of ​​up to 100 hectares, the largest and oldest in Vietnam.
Romance of the roots, pine hills
In the chilly weather early in the morning with the golden rays of sunlight gradually dispelling the mountain mist, we started crossing the Thuong River by ferry Dong Viet (Bac Giang) to Chi Linh (Hai Duong). Waiting for us across the river was a friend of Hung Dao commune – a place associated with the life of Hung Dao great king Tran Quoc Tuan.
Knowing we used to visit Luc Dau Giang (where six rivers meet), Kiep Bac temple, Con Son ruins…, my friend decided this time to lead everyone to a new place, both beautiful and romantic. romantic.
The ancient pine trees on Con Son and Kiep Bac streets welcomed us. No one remembers since when pine grew in this land, only knowing that it reminds visitors a little dreamy like Little Da Lat of the North.
Then suddenly the group’s car went straight into the vast field with old pine trees scattered everywhere.
Under the pine tree is a field of white-flowered barnacles that locals still call the root yard (in Cong Hoa ward, Chi Linh town), up to 18 hectares wide, right next to the Con Son relic area. On the root tree there are countless tiny white flowers, swaying in the east wind. The girls took advantage of their faces down to inhale the scent of this unique plant.
Cold weather is the most beautiful time for the roots, becoming the check-in point, wedding photography… of many young people in Hai Duong, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, and Quang Ninh. The trails between the fields of roots lead us gradually as if we were lost in the land of fairy flowers.
In the distance, by the roots and right at the foot of Con Son mountain is a vast pine hill, with old and old trees that are too big to hug. Everyone enjoys enjoying a vast green space and taking the most impressive photos.
The people here do not know when the root field and pine hill existed. They just passed on to each other from generation to generation about the anecdote that the roots and pine hills here are associated with the old monk Tran Nguyen Dan.
After having a brilliant official career, in the last years of Tran Nguyen Dan’s life, he retired to the Con Son mountains to settle in old age. In order to create a space to hide in the true nature of the forest, Tran Nguyen Dan planted pine trees himself, and his wife planted white flowers (ie root trees).
Today, the roots and pine hills not only bring beauty to the landscape, attract tourists but also bring economic benefits to the people.
Explore Tam Ban red maple forest – Photo 2.
Pine-lined streets in Con Son, Chi Linh – Photo: NGUYEN HUNG
Red maple forest
Leaving the root field and pine hill, we continued down Highway 18 to find Hoang Hoa Tham commune. From the national highway, turn onto the asphalt road following the signposts leading to Thanh Mai pagoda, the slopes gently follow the mountainside, sometimes passing through a peaceful lake bed. Soon we reached the foot of Tam Ban mountain.
The car climbed a few steep turns to climb the mountain, the noise below was pushed back by the current deserted scene. Right in front of our eyes is the forest in the season of yellow leaves and rustling red leaves.
Soon, everyone arrived at the parking lot of Thanh Mai Temple. Around the land are old trees with leaves turning yellow and red at the same time, which people here call apple trees.
The apple tree belongs to the family of apricots, the ylang-ylang branch, the woody plant, the leaves have 3-5 lobes, falling in the cold dry season. Older leaves will have a vivid red color. Because they secrete a fragrant resin, in China it is called the maple tree. And maple trees, maple forests are familiar names that are abundant in the mountains of Tam Ban, Hoang Hoa Tham commune, Chi Linh.
According to authorities, Tam Ban maple forest covers an area of ​​up to 100ha, the largest and oldest in Vietnam. Every winter (from December of the solar calendar), the Tam Ban mountain wind surrounding Thanh Mai pagoda begins to change color and change leaves, from green to yellow then red. Towards the end of winter, maple leaves turn red and fall off to make room for young shoots to begin to bloom in spring.
The colder the winter, the redder the maple leaves, creating a charming natural scene. You don’t have to go to Japan, Korea or China to see the red maple forest, just watch the maple season to change the leaves of Tam Ban mountain, and everyone will be immersed in the picturesque maple forest. .
The original maple trees must be hugged by two people. The old maple tree’s leaves were dyed red, and began to rustle at the temple gate, leaving behind thin branches.
In the early afternoon, the group followed the trail behind the temple to the top of Tam Ban mountain. Along the road are beautiful red and yellow maple leaves like a picture. Many backpacking groups from Quang Ninh, Hanoi, Bac Giang… have been climbing the mountain since morning to capture the best frame.
According to Phuong Bac (Chi Linh), in recent years, the beauty of the maple forest next to Thanh Mai pagoda and the large lawn at the top of Tam Ban mountain has attracted many young people to visit, go on a picnic. take pictures, paragliding…
Worried about the impact of tourism on the ancient maple forest
According to our research, the local government has coordinated with the forest ranger to strictly protect the maple forest and control tourists from all over the world.
The commune authorities have determined that this is the rarest maple forest in Vietnam, creating a beautiful and unique natural landscape, so it is strictly forbidden for people to cut down. Patrols were also established, patrolling every day to prevent bad behavior.
The red maple forest still retains its wild features – Photo: NG.HONG
According to Ms. Duong Thu Huong – Hoang Hoa Tham commune official, tourists visiting Thanh Mai pagoda to see the maple forest but crowded is a very good sign, which can help local tourism develop.
However, because the temple and forest area is kept untouched, there are no professional services attached, so if the tourists’ awareness is not good such as littering, lighting fires, breaking trees… will be adversely affected. to the landscape.
Source: Collected internet.