Heaven Gate Sapa: Finding Fairyland at O ​​Quy Ho Heaven’s Gate

When stepping into the foggy land of Sapa, people are suddenly attracted by the wild beauty of the Northwestern mountains and forests and the changing colors of nature. And in this region, there is a beautiful destination called Heaven Gate Sapa – or Sapa O Quy Ho Heaven Gate. It is a place where humans and nature are compatible, creating a magical gate hidden between floating white clouds and the fresh air of the mountains and forests.

Standing at Heaven Gate Sapa, you can admire the entire mountains and forests, the Sapa valley hidden in the mist, and is also an ideal place for cloud hunting. For who love trekking, Heaven Gate Sapa is the highest road peak among the four great Northwest passes that you can conquer.

Introducing Heaven Gate Sapa

Located at the top of O Quy Ho pass, Heaven Gate Sapa, also known as O Quy Ho Heaven Gate, Tram Ton Heaven Gate, is the most wonderful place to see the Northwest mountains and forests in Sapa with an altitude of nearly 2,035m. Sapa Heaven’s Gate was recommended by the travel blog Global Grasshopper as one of the ten must-visit landscapes when coming to Vietnam.

Amidst the vast mountain space embraced by floating white clouds, you will see the overwhelming beauty of O Quy Ho pass winding around Hoang Lien mountainside, along with two of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Northwest is 

In addition, Sapa Heaven’s Gate is also a place to test your courage because to get here, you have to overcome a winding, tortuous pass full of dangers. However, every challenge will be rewarded when you arrive, you will immediately be immersed in the endless space of heaven and earth, feeling the wildness of nature in the most honest way.

Where Is the Heaven Gate Sapa?

Heaven Gate Sapa is located on National Highway 4D connecting Lao Cai to Lai Chau, about 18km from Sapa town center.

The road to Heaven Gate Sapa is very winding and narrow, weaving along the mountainside, with one side being a deep abyss and the other side being a high cliff. The average temperature at Heaven Gate Sapa ranges from 15 to 18oC, but when the temperature drops, this area often has ice and snow, so you should be very careful when going to the pass.

Is O Quy Ho Heaven Gate the Dragon Cloud Heaven Gate of Sapa?

O Quy Ho Heaven Gate and Rong May Heaven Gate are two different tourist destinations in Vietnam.

At the end of the peak of O Quy Ho pass, one of four legendary passes in the Northwest mountains, is O Quy Ho Heaven Gate. This Sapa tourist destination is famous for its altitude exceeding the threshold of 2,035m. Here, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy wonderful scenery, viewing the entire immense and majestic Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

In contrast, Rong May Heaven Gate is famous as a soaring glass bridge, located in Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province. Dubbed the “Heaven Gate,” this structure offers an impressive experience of visiting the glass bridge, with amazing and attractive views for those who set foot there.

Regardless of both being named “Heaven Gate” and located in the Northwestern mountainous region, in fact, these two locations are completely different when it comes to location and travel experience.

How to Go to Heaven Gate in Sapa Self-sufficiently

There are two ways for you to get to Heaven Gate Sapa by private vehicle, from Sapa town and from Lao Cai city.

• If traveling from Sapa town center, follow the road to Silver Waterfall and Tram Ton ranger point. This route is about 12 km and takes about 30-35 minutes. After that, you go about 6 km more to reach the top of O Quy Ho pass, which is also the Heaven Gate Sapa.
• If you depart from the center of Lao Cai city, you can take a bus, bus, or rent a motorbike to Sapa town. This road is more than 30km long and will take about 1 hour. Then you follow the same route as above to get to the final destination.

Note that the road from Lao Cai to Sapa is a pass with many sharp turns, so Vietnam Dope Travel does not encourage you to travel by motorbike.

Additionally, you can go to Heaven Gate by cable car. From the center of Sapa town, you buy a ticket to visit Fansipan peak. On the way back, take the shortcut to Thac Bac. From here, you follow National Highway 4D for another 6 km to Heaven Gate Sapa.

What to see at Heaven Gate Sapa? Travel Suggestions at Heaven Gate Sapa

Not just stopping at sightseeing and checking in, the Heaven Gate Sapa area has many more interesting activities than you think.

1. Explore the pass leading to Heaven Gate

Going to Sapa’s Gate of Heaven is also an opportunity for you to conquer O Quy Ho Pass, which is considered by the backpacking association to be the easiest of the four great Northwest passes. O Quy Ho Pass not only challenges crazy legs, but also captivates many art lovers and professional photographers. Because from here, the majestic and charming natural picture of the Northwestern mountains and forests appears clearer and more vivid than ever.

2. Check-in at the Heaven Gate

If you have arrived at Heaven Gate Sapa, don’t hesitate to check-in now! Most likely, you will have a huge photo archive that is enough to take social networks by storm. It can be said that when you set foot at Heaven Gate Sapa, there are beautiful photos from every corner. However, if you are lucky enough to come here at sunrise and sunset, Vietnam Dope Travel guarantees that those will be truly the most precious, impressive, and romantic moments you will ever encounter in your life.

3. Enjoy Sapa specialties at Heaven Gate

Along the way to Heaven Gate Sapa, there are many shops selling souvenirs as well as typical grilled dishes of Sapa such as: grilled eggs, grilled corn, grilled potatoes, and buffalo meat on the stove. Amidst the chilly air, enjoying fragrant grilled meat skewers, rice balls and sipping a cup of sweet tea will cheer up your spirit.

4. Visit other tourist destinations near Heaven Gate

On the way, you also have the opportunity to stop by Silver Waterfall and Love Waterfall, admiring the beautiful Muong Hoa valley with its rows of terraced fields. In addition, you can visit some places for a fee such as: H’Mong Flower Garden, where over 100 colorful flower species are stored and bred; or Homestay Windmill Sapa to have cute “virtual life” photos.

Experience Traveling to Sapa Heaven Gate Self-sufficiently

Sapa Heaven’s Gate, where earth and sky blend together, is open to welcome visitors all year round, but to experience the most unique beauty. Come visit in September when the rice is ripe and golden yellow or in December when Sapa is covered with white snow like a fairyland.

However, as suggested by Vietnam Dope Travel, spring may not be the ideal time due to drizzly weather, making the roads slippery and potentially risky. If you still want to explore Sapa Heaven’s Gate this season, the safe and convenient option is to use the cable car.

The best time to enjoy and take pictures is at noon and early afternoon, when the fog disappears and the sky is clear. However, don’t miss the chance to catch the sunrise or watch the beautiful sunset if you’re here in the early morning or late afternoon. No matter what time you visit Sapa, a jacket is an indispensable item because the climate here can be very cold, even in the summer.