LittleSandyBeach

The largest mountain in Indochina is Fansipan in Sapa. Standing at 3,143m (10,311 ft) it takes a funicular, a cable car plus a few hundred steps to reach the top.

Once out of the funicular there is a flower garden that you can stroll around with amazing views of the mountain and valley below. A small walk takes you up to the cable car station.

The cable car takes 20 minutes and holds two world records. The longest, non-stop, three-rope cable car in the world spanning 6.3km and the biggest elevation difference at 4,626 ft. The views were incredible.

At the top there is a lot to see but you have to take it easy as there are many warning signs for altitude sickness (we did see a few people puffing into brown bags). Luckily we felt fine and got to see the summit marker that was placed on the top of Fansipan by Soviet engineers in 1985.

They have also built a whole spiritual centre which includes a temple, pagoda, lecturing hall and a Giant Buddha Statue. The statue is the tallest seated bronze statue in Vietnam at 21.5m high and weighs over 50 tons.

The weather up at the summit changes very quickly and the clouds cleared as we got the cable car back down…

Our next stop was something slightly different… the ‘Alpine Coaster Sapa’. Basically you sit in a cart and can decide if you brake or not… Very fun that we had to do it twice!

Another popular spot here is called Moana Sapa. It’s a view point with sculptures and also a cafe. An Instagramers dream…

In the centre of town is Sapa square that gets very busy with mainly locals at night doing dances and performances. Be prepared to say you don’t want to go on a trek!

A place that’s similar to Moana Sapa is called Po Mu Sapa. It’s slightly further out but is a lot more peaceful and the view is even better. It cost 100,000 VND (£2.85) to get in and you also get a drink included.

This morning we checked out the main market. Lots for sale from tea to clothes. Also out the back is a large food market with lots of meat and vegetables for sale. Just watch out for the fish floundering around on the floor…

Due to the Typhoon that has come across Vietnam we have had pretty much constant rain the last few days so we’ve hid away in a lovely cafe called Cong. Some of the best teas we’ve tried and very peaceful.

Everywhere in Asia they have Mixue shops. They sell ice creams and teas and are always extremely busy with locals so we gave it a try. An ice cream cone is 10,000 VND (29p!!)

We leave Sapa tomorrow and get an 8 hour bus to Ha Long Bay. It’s about time for a beach!