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Cao Bang, a high-land province of north that shares border
with Guangxi Province of China. Tay , Nung, and H'mong are
among the nine ethnic groups living in this area. The tropical climate of this
mountainous destina tion has four separate seasons. The temperature is at peak in
May and coldest in January. Probably the most beautiful and imposing waterfalls
in Vietnam, this Ban Gioc waterfalls locates in in Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh
District, 89 kilometres north of Cao Bang Town along Provincial Road 206 and 26
kilometres from the Chinese town of Trung Khanh).
The waterfall originates from
Quay Son River ( China ) and downstream flows back to China . On the Viet Nam side, the river has picturesque scenery, fresh environment
with grass cover, evergreen forest, bobbing white clouds mingling with the
peaceful atmosphere of villages of mountainous ethnic minorities. On the other
side is the neighbouring nation of
China .
With a height of 53 meters and a width of 300
meters, the waterfall is divided into 3 layers consisting of small and large
upper flows. Large water blocks fall into limestone steps, making a curtain of
white sprays. Far from the waterfall, visitors can hear the roaring of waterfall
resounding through a large area. Rising from middle of the waterfall is a large
water mound covered with trees, splitting the river into three white silk
strips. On hot summer days, it is still cool here. Every early morning, the sun
shines through steam creating a sparkling rainbow.
At the foot of the waterfall is a large river, as
calm as glass, surrounded by many precious kinds of flowers. In the early 1920s,
French people started building cottages on the river banks. They would come here
to relax and fish for “tram huong”.
With the splendid natural beauty, the waterfall of
Ban Gioc is indeed invaluable gift granted to Cao Bang by the nature. Moreover,
the falls itself has often been in ownership dispute between the two countries,
and finally has been divided in two, according to the new agreement signed on
December 30, 1999
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