Touching Border Marker 1327 in Bình Liêu, Quảng Ninh

1 Bình Liêu and its border roads: A journey to touch Border Marker 1327

Bình Liêu is not for those who like to be pampered. This is a land of wind, winding border patrol roads, and mist-shrouded peaks. People liken it to a young mountain girl just awakening from a long sleep. I arrived in Bình Liêu on a clear day with a very specific goal: to conquer the "heavenly markers," including Border Marker 1327.

This mountainous district in eastern Quảng Ninh Province is just over 100 kilometers from Hạ Long. It is known as a miniature Sapa of the Northeast. But to me, Bình Liêu has its own character: the ruggedness of a borderland with nearly 50 km of frontier adjoining China. Here are sacred border markers, each telling a story of sovereignty and courage.

2 When is Bình Liêu at its best?

I believe you can visit Bình Liêu year-round. Each season gives the area a new look. In spring, Bình Liêu comes alive with festivals. You can join the Lục Nà communal house festival or listen to Soóng Cọ courtship singing. In late March, trẩu trees bloom across the forests. Summer and autumn are the seasons for waterfalls and lush green terraced fields.

Winter is the season of sở flowers and the harvest. No matter when you visit, Border Marker 1327 will always be waiting for those eager to explore. My favorite time is the rice harvest season. From the high border markers, you can see golden valleys spread out below.

3 Exploring Border Marker 1327 and other markers

3.1 Border Marker 1327 and the route toward Đồng Văn Market

Of the markers here, Border Marker 1327 offers a very different experience. To get there, I chose to set off from Hoành Mô Border Gate. For first-time visitors, my easiest tip is to ask the border guards at the gate for directions. They are very helpful.

After passing the border checkpoint, I turned right. The road runs straight toward Đồng Văn Market for about 20 km. It is a road full of bends. The wind blows through the pine trees, filling the air with the rich scent of pine resin. Standing before Border Marker 1327, I felt the stillness of the border.

Reaching Border Marker 1327 is not as physically demanding as Marker 1305, but it offers magnificent views of the endless mountain ranges. To the north lie Phòng Thành District and Nanning in Guangxi Province. The boundary is marked by just one stone pillar, yet the feeling it inspires is profoundly moving. Standing at Border Marker 1327, I felt small before nature, yet filled with immense national pride.

3.2 Markers 1300 and 1302, companions along the patrol route

Before reaching Border Marker 1327, I visited Markers 1300 and 1302. The two markers are quite close to each other. From Bình Liêu town, I rode my motorbike toward Hoành Mô along National Highway 18C. At Ngàn Chuồng village, I turned left toward Marker 61.

The distance from the village to the markers is only about 8 km. It took me around an hour to get there. The road winds over hills more than 700 m above sea level. The scenery is astonishingly untouched. From Marker 1300, I could look across toward Marker 1302. These markers stand like soldiers keeping watch day and night. Still, my thoughts were always on Border Marker 1327, the next stop on my journey.

3.3 The challenging Dinosaur Spine and Marker 1305

If Border Marker 1327 offers a more relaxing experience, Marker 1305 is a true test of stamina. It sits atop the highest mountain in Bình Liêu District. To get there, I turned toward Marker 68 from Ngàn Chuồng village. After riding about 6 km along the road to Hoành Mô, I looked for the sign pointing up to the marker.

Backpackers call this stretch the "Dinosaur Spine." It is a tiny trail running precariously along the mountain ridges, with deep ravines on either side. At this time of year, cogon grass and reeds grow thick across the path. It took me more than two hours to trek this stretch. The wind whistled past my ears, and my legs ached, but the goal of touching Marker 1305 kept me moving. From the summit of Marker 1305, I looked toward Border Marker 1327 and saw a vast borderland spread out before me.

4 Getting around and finding accommodation in the remote borderlands

4.1 Helpful tips for backpackers

From Hanoi, I took a coach directly to Bình Liêu from Lương Yên Bus Station. After arriving in town, I rented a motorbike. It is the best way to tackle the border patrol roads and reach Border Marker 1327.

For accommodation, I chose a homestay in Sông Moóc village to experience the local culture. Rooms here are very cheap, costing less than 100k per person per night. If you prefer more comfort, choose one of the guesthouses in town, where rates are around 300k.

When traveling to Border Marker 1327, I made sure to prepare my map carefully. The border roads are quite deserted, so it is best to travel with a companion who can help if needed. Always ask local residents or border guards for directions; they are the most reliable guides in this area.

4.2 Must-try local specialties in Bình Liêu

After a long day conquering Border Marker 1327, my stomach started to protest. Bình Liêu has simple dishes with flavors that are hard to forget.

I especially enjoyed five-color sticky rice and coóc mò cakes. Gật gù rice rolls and ngải wormwood cakes are also excellent choices. If you are traveling with friends, try grilled stream fish or stir-fried forest bamboo shoots. These dishes capture the flavors of the mountains and forests. Bình Liêu arrowroot vermicelli is another local specialty worth bringing home as a gift. After eating, the fatigue from the trip to Border Marker 1327 seemed to disappear completely.

5 Other attractions beyond the border markers

If you have time after checking in at Border Marker 1327, visit Khe Vằn Waterfall or Khe Tiền Waterfall. These cascades plunge through the deep forest in a foaming rush.

You can also try cloud hunting on Cao Ly Mountain or climb Cao Xiêm Peak. The winding terraced fields are also ideal spots for beautiful photos. Bình Liêu is full of things to do. The only thing you may run short of is time. A trip from Border Marker 1327 to the waterfalls will make your journey even more complete.

6 Important tips for backpackers

Conquering the border markers, especially Border Marker 1327, requires careful preparation. Pack light. A thin jacket is essential because temperatures at higher elevations are usually lower than in town.

Wear sturdy shoes, as the trails leading to the markers can be very slippery. Remember to bring enough drinking water, too; it is difficult to find convenience stores along the border patrol route toward Border Marker 1327. A steady mindset is also key to making the journey easier. The sharp bends are not for the faint-hearted. But once you are standing before Border Marker 1327, you will see that every effort was worth it.

The journey to conquer the remote borderlands of Bình Liêu and Border Marker 1327 is a test of perseverance. To make your trip truly comfortable, packing your luggage is essential. You need a durable bag that can withstand bumpy roads and mountain fog. Do not let luggage troubles spoil your trip; let a backpack from MIA.vn accompany you on every stretch of your Bình Liêu adventure.