January 06, 2018 | 22:02 (GMT+7)
Cherry blossoms in a lake in Dien Bien
PANO - An island of flowers lying in Pa Khoang lake, home to hundreds of cherry trees, is an ideal address for sakura-lovers; “sakura” being the Japanese name for the cherry-blossom which, together with the chrysanthemum, is the national flower of Japan and holds considerable emotional and cultural significance for the Japanese as well as other Asian people.
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| The lake is in Dien Bien district, some 20km
from the center of Dien Bien city, close to Highway 279. The small but beautiful
island in the middle of the lake is a tourist attraction. |
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The island is called by local people “island of
flowers” or “island of cherry blossoms” (sakura) as its possesses approx. 400
cherry trees. The number of visitors to the island reaches its peak in late
December and early January when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
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| It is believed that from a mere ten cherry seeds
of Japanese origin, planted in 2006, hundreds of cherry trees have grown up on
the island. |
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| At an altitude of over 1,000m above sea
level, it is an ideal place for this beautiful and special tree to thrive
because it is neither rainy in winter nor hot in summer and the temperature
difference between days and nights is no more than 10 degree Celsius. |
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| The island hosts the opening ceremony of the
Cherry Blossoms-Pa Khoang-Dien Bien Festival 2018 on January 6. During the
festival, tourists can both contemplate the hypnotic cherry blossoms, take part
in some typical Japanese cultural activities and visit the historic sites of
the famous battle fought near there in Dien Bien. |
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From the center of Dien Bien city, tourists can ride motorbike just about 20km along Na Loi, via Na Nhan, Na Pen, Na Tau market to
Pa Khoang Lake. There they can ask local people for boat trips to the island.
During the festival, the cost is VND 455,000 a canoe trip for 10 to 15 people
or VND 265,000 for under 10 people. Free canoe trips will be offered to tourists
enjoying the opening ceremony.
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The island also home to other kinds of flowers...
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...and each one has its particular significant
position on the island.
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Sure enough, the island is a very special pilgrimage for those
visitors who can be seen as if mesmerized by the intrinsic, simple and fragile
beauty of the delightful cherry blossoms.
Source: VnExpress
Translated by Mai Huong