Ba Den Mountain, located 11 kilometers from the center of Tay Ninh township, is a magnet for tourists who can either scale the peak or go via cable car.
Traveling from near the foot of the mountain to Linh Son Thanh Mau Pagoda 900 meters high near the peak of the mountain on the cable costs VND100,000 for a return journey with the ride taking 18 minutes each way. The best time to go is close to sunset as tourists can relax under the last rays of sun gleaming over leaves below with the ancient trees on mountain walls and green-mossy caves all the way to the top.
The mountain has an altar where local people worship a local girl from folklore. Apparently the girl, named Ly Thi Thien Huong, loved a boy Le Si Tret who had to leave his beloved to go to war. When he was away the girl was raped by a group of local men and she never recovered and jumped from the top of the mountain to her death. Local people built her an altar and they often pray for her to have a better life.
However, if you don’t fancy the cable car and love a challenge, you can try to walk all the way to the top.
Conquering Ba Den Mountain is a chance to be closer to nature and have a good workout at the same time. The feeling of conquering the peak is hugely satisfying.
The path zigzags through splendid surroundings and under the shade of green trees that protect your skin from the scorching sun. From the peak, trekkers are treated to a perfect view of the valley that immediately relieves the fatigue of the climb.
To come back down the mountain, you can take a grass slider trip. It is safe as the slope is gentle and tourists can control the brake of the slide.
According to the management board of the site, Ba Den Mountain attracts 2 million visitors annually, of which 1.2 million are foreigners. Currently, the tourist site is upgrading entertainment areas, pagodas, slides and cable cars. It expects to offer a new cable car system with modern facilities for tourists next year.
(Source: SGT)
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