Binh Lieu District attracts visitors with skies filled with white reed grass, picturesque waterfalls, border landmarks, and majestic mountain peaks... Join iVIVU to experience conquering Cao Xiem Mountain, the highest mountain in Quang Ninh and a favorite destination for many travelers.
Conquering the Peak of Cao Xiem Mountain – The “Roof” of Quang Ninh Province
Located at the eastern gateway of Quang Ninh Province, Binh Lieu is a mountainous district with an average elevation of 500–600m above sea level, boasting many peaks exceeding 1,000m (such as Cao Xiem, Cao Ba Lanh, Ngan Chi...). The climate here is cool year-round, warm at noon, and chilly in the evening and night. Up to 96% of Binh Lieu's population belongs to ethnic minority groups, including the Tay, Dao, San Chi, and Hoa...
The mountain peak. Photo: Hong Ha.
Visitors to Binh Lieu love conquering high mountain peaks and experiencing pristine natural beauty featuring waterfalls, camellia oleifera forests, golden camellia tea hills, and medicinal herb forests, or observing the traditional process of making canna noodles and visiting ethnic villages...
Hills covered with wild raspberries and purple rose myrtle. Photo: Huong Chi.
The land of Binh Lieu leaves a lasting impression on visitors with mountain peaks and border milestones waiting to be conquered, among which the peak of Cao Xiem Mountain stands as the highest in Quang Ninh Province. Out of 64 boundary markers, only a few are utilized for tourism, such as markers 1300, 1302, 1305, and 1327. Among them, landmark 1305 is the most popular choice for adventurers.
Rugged, rocky slopes. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Cao Xiem Peak, also known as Khau Khoang Peak or Cot Co (Flagpole), stands at 1,429m above sea level. The cold season here usually lasts from November through the end of March of the following year, which is also the peak season for trekking and cloud hunting. From the 1,429m summit, travelers can enjoy panoramic views of the vast, rolling mountains of Binh Lieu District.
Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Stone rampart. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
The route from the foot of the mountain to the summit of Cao Xiem Mountain is over 7 km long, making it ideal for combining trekking with outdoor camping. The trail mainly follows footpaths along the mountainsides, traversing vast hills of reed grass. From Binh Lieu town center, there are 4 trekking routes to conquer Cao Xiem: via Cao Thang Village (Luc Hon Commune), Luc Ngu Village (Huc Dong Commune), Ngan Meo Village (Luc Hon Commune), and Co Nhan Village (Tinh Huc Commune).
Taking a rest and checking in. Photo: Hong Ha.
However, the trails via Luc Ngu and Co Nhan are rarely traveled and mostly used by locals for grazing livestock. The routes via Cao Thang and Ngan Meo villages are more accessible and therefore more frequently chosen by hikers.
Binh Lieu Town seen from the mountain peak. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Reaching an altitude of around 1,000m, visitors will clearly feel the shift in temperature as the air becomes thinner. The natural landscape grows even more majestic with continuous stretches of stone "ramparts" running along the ridges.
Photo: Binh Phuoc Newspaper.
These stone walls were originally built by the people of Luc Hon and Huc Dong to demarcate territory and prevent livestock from straying across boundaries. Legend also has it that long ago, a young couple from Huc Dong and Luc Hon communes used to secretly meet on the mountain for dates.
The road up Cao Xiem Mountain. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
They were discovered by the villagers and forbidden from seeing each other; to avoid gossip, residents of both communes erected these stone barriers. These stone walls were built centuries ago, and no one knows exactly in which year.
Mountain trail. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
From the base of the mountain, it usually takes about 2 hours to reach the summit of Cao Xiem. In particular, toward the end of the year, hikers along the trail can admire ancient sweetgum trees ablaze with vibrant red leaves, camellia oleifera flowers blooming in pure white, and star anise trees bearing fragrant fruit.
Camellia oleifera blooming in pure white. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
The trek up Cao Xiem Mountain is not overly long, but hikers should remember to hydrate and take breaks to conserve energy. At the summit, summer temperatures range around 15–19°C, while in winter they can drop below 10°C.
The shade of forest trees shelters trekkers from the sun. Photo: VnExpress.
On clear days, the peak of Cao Xiem Mountain offers sweeping views of all of Binh Lieu District and the high mountain range bordering China. The descent is less exhausting, yet it can still cause leg fatigue for those unaccustomed to continuous exercise. Therefore, for a fulfilling trekking journey, you should exercise regularly, engage in jogging or cycling to build endurance before embarking on your mountain climb.
