Hua Mountain Stork Forest in Dai Binh Commune, Dam Ha District is home to a flock of thousands of snow-white storks. White storks soaring against the clear blue sky, with vast green fields stretching beneath, bring a serene beauty to this land.
Hua Mountain Stork Forest – Habitat of thousands of storks in Quang Ninh
Hua Mountain Stork Forest, located about 10km from the center of Dam Ha District, is an archaeological site where numerous stone tools of ancient Vietnamese people were discovered, as well as a sanctuary for dense flocks of storks.
White storks stand out against the green backdrop. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
When the first households arrived to reclaim the land and settle in Lang Ruong in the 1970s, white storks were already arriving in small scattered flocks. Since then, more and more storks have gathered in this area, growing into the large flocks seen today.
Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
From those early days, the families in Lang Ruong consciously chose not to hunt the storks, striving instead to protect their habitat so that the countryside could remain tranquil and peaceful. Today, the area hosts various stork and egret species, such as cattle egrets, little egrets, black bitterns, intermediate egrets, and more.
Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Hua Mountain Stork Forest is a habitat vertically divided into three levels. The top canopy of tall trees serves as a perching and resting place for the birds. The middle level consists of tree branches where storks build their nests. The lowest level comprises branches near the ground, where young storks learn to fly and search for food.
Sunset at Hua Mountain Stork Forest. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
During summer, as storks enter their breeding and nesting season, the forest atmosphere becomes vibrant and bustling, particularly in early mornings and late afternoons. Therefore, summer is an ideal time to visit the stork forest and admire its untouched natural beauty.
Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Visiting the stork forest in winter also offers visitors many fascinating discoveries. At the foot of Hua Mountain lies an archaeological site whose original elements remain nearly intact, featuring unique artifacts, particularly double-pointed tools. This is a unique type of tool discovered at Hua Mountain to date.
“Good land attracts birds”. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Storks perched on high branches. Photo: reatimes.vn.
Hua Mountain was also a revolutionary base and the founding site of the first Communist Party cell of Dam Ha District. In 2012, the Hua Mountain archaeological, historical, and scenic site was officially recognized as a provincial-level heritage site.
Photo: reatimes.vn.
From the base of Hua Mountain, a 459-step walking trail leads visitors up to the Hua Mountain Flagpole. Standing at the flagpole, visitors can take in panoramic views of the vast mountain landscape while watching pure white flocks of storks soaring high in the sky.
Hua Mountain Flagpole. Photo: damha.gov.vn.
To reach Hua Mountain Stork Forest, visitors can travel by road to Dam Ha District, turn into Dai Binh Commune, and ask for directions to Lang Ruong Village at the foot of Hua Mountain. Alternatively, visitors can get off at the district's central post office and take a motorbike taxi or car taxi to the stork forest.
