Cat Cat Village in Sapa – Inside the most beautiful village in the Northwest Vietnam
The ancient village of Cat Cat – Sapa is well-known for its unique, rustic beauty, which is richly adorned with the customs and culture of the local H’mong people. Set amidst the majestic mountainous Northwest, this location has long since gained popularity as a travel destination among foreign visitors.
Come along with Hanoi Explore Travel to learn all there is to know about Cat Cat Village Sapa, including things to do, scenic tickets, and transportation!
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Where is Cat Cat Village? How to get to the village from Sapa Town?
Situated in San Sa Ho commune, Sapa district, Lao Cai province, Cat Cat village is more than 2 kilometers from the center of Sapa town. This village has been home to the Black H’Mong ethnic group since the 19th century. Currently, there are about 80 households living in the village.
Early in the 20th century, the French discovered Cat Cat village’s stunning beauty and selected it as a retreat for high-ranking officials. The French gave this village the name Cat Cat, because of a stunning waterfall in the village known as CatScat (in French).
Located at the base of Hoang Lien Son mountain, Cat Cat village is nestled beneath the shield of mother nature. The verdant hue of the mountains and fields blankets the entire village, scattered with the little houses of its residents. All come together to create a vivid and beautiful natural scenery.
>>> Get directions to Cat Cat Village on Google Map
How to get to the village from Sapa Town?
Given the short travel distance between Cat Cat village and Sapa town center, you may readily select different means of transportation based on your individual needs. From Sapa town, you can get to Cat Cat village by walking, riding a motorbike, renting a bicycle, or taking a cab.
Along with offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and forests, the paved road to the village makes traveling easier.
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Rent a motorbike taxi
If you’re visiting Cat Cat village for the first time, you can take a motorbike taxi. In front of the Sapa bus station and stone church, there are always a large number of motorbike taxis in operation. You can get to Cat Cat village for just roughly 50,000 VND (about 2 USD) for one way or 100,000 VND for a round trip.
Rent a motorbike or bicycle for self-driving
This is the perfect choice for travelers who want to be proactive in time and can freely explore the beauty of romantic trails. With a relatively affordable cost, ranging from 100,000 VND to 180,000 VND per day, you can immediately have a bike with you to experience a whole day in the vast Northwest mountains.
Rent a bicycle : Riding a bicycle is an additional thrilling experience you might have. Bicycles are a great option because the distance between Sapa town and Cat Cat village is only approximately 3 kilometers, and the route is not too challenging. In Sapa town, there are a lot of motels and hotels that offer bicycle rentals. The rental price will usually range from 120,000 VND to 150,000 VND per day.
Trekking to village
Trekking is a great option for those who enjoy admiring the natural landscapes and getting a closer look at locals’ daily lives. On the way from Sapa town to Cat Cat village, you will be captivated by the vast and majestic natural beauty. The stunning Sapa valley with its immense terraced fields is on one side, and the majestic high mountain ranges are on the other.
>>> You may like to read more: Sapa Trekking: Best Tips, Routes, Cost To Have Your Amazing Trip!
In addition, because the road to the village is located at a higher position, you can also see the entire Cat Cat village from above with the houses close together, combined with grass, trees, and flowers.
If you have time, visit the observatory point located near Cat Cat village’s entrance to get a bird’s-eye view of the entire village.
Finally, if you join a group tour to Sapa, the travel company will arrange transportation to take you to Sapa’s tourist attractions. Meanwhile, you will need to walk around one kilometer from the parking site if traveling by tourist buses from other provinces as they are unable to travel far into the village.
The most recent entrance ticket prices for Cat Cat Village
Visitors must purchase entrance tickets to enter Cat Cat village Sapa and experience unique indigenous cultural activities. The most recent entrance ticket prices are determined by the age of the visitors, specifically:
- Entrance Ticket for adults and children up to 1.4 meters tall: 90,000 VND/ticket/person
- Tickets for children from 1 meter to 1.4 meters tall: 50,000 VND/ticket/person
- Tickets for children under 1 meter tall: Free
TIPS:
- Don’t forget to ask for a map of Cat Cat village when purchasing tickets. It will be extremely helpful for your trip.
- Keep in mind that this is the price of the entrance ticket; it does not include other expenses like hiring a tour guide, renting equipment, or purchasing handcrafted goods like bags, earrings, etc.
Opening hours for sightseeing
In addition to the cost of the entrance tickets, another matter that piques the interest of many travelers is the hours of operation for sightseeing. This attraction is actually open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., however you should leave before dark to prevent being chilly and in danger from night dew. If you choose to stay overnight, you can also hire a hotel or homestay in the village.
Best time to visit Cat Cat Village Sapa Vietnam
Located in the Northwest high mountains, Cat Cat village has a cool climate all year round, each season has its own beauty and characteristics.
- Spring brings the village to life with pink cherry blossoms and apricot blossoms adorning the landscape.
- Summer adorns the village with bright yellow mustard flowers, showcasing their stunning beauty.
- Autumn with bright golden rice fields, cold weather and rushing waterfalls around the village will create a poetic, attractive and romantic setting.
- Winter in Cat Cat is cold, and covered with clouds. If you are lucky, you will see snowflakes covering the tree branches.
Best things to do in Cat Cat Village Sapa
Cat Cat Sapa village’s rustic cuisine, scenic surroundings, and distinctive culture all contribute to its ability to draw tourists. Here are some fascinating experiences that you simply must not miss while you’re here
Stroll along the paved stone steps leading into the village
One of the best things to do in Cat Cat village is to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty that envelops the village.
Once you pass through the welcoming gate, you will find yourself strolling along a lovely little stone path with two rows of old wooden shophouses selling vibrant traditional items that descend to the village center by stairs.
Take a slow stroll on this path and sometimes, stop to see the panoramic view of the village from above. You will be captivated by the valley’s landscape, which consists of modest, charming wooden houses surrounded by vibrant gardens and orchards and immense terraced fields.
Coming here, you also should enjoy panoramic views of the valley and surrounding mountains, which are especially breathtaking at dusk or dawn.
Admire rice terraced fields
For the ethnic groups of the Northwest, particularly in Sapa and Lao Cai, terraced fields represent a distinctive method of agricultural cultivation. On the way to Cat Cat village and even when entering the village, you will be treated to a breathtaking panorama of terraced fields rolling like green silk strips and hugging the hillsides and mountainsides.
In the distance is the immense green of undulating mountains. Everything resembles a watercolor painting of a picturesque scene filled with the bountiful air of the forests and mountains.
Throughout the year, there are two great times to see rice terraced fields. Specifically, the months of April and May are when people irrigate fields in order to plow and transplant rice. The fields are like large silver mirrors, reflecting the grass, trees, clouds and mountains.
Conversely, you will be able to witness fields tinted the vivid, glossy yellow hue of ripe rice during the ripe rice season, which occurs between August and September.
Go shopping for local handicrafts
Cat Cat Village is well-known for its traditional Hmong handicrafts. When visiting the village, you should not miss shopping for these unique handicrafts.
Hand embroidery, brocade, and clothing made of natural materials like hemp and linen are some of the most prominent crafts in this area. The fine craftsmanship, intricate designs, and vivid colors of these objects showcase the H’mong people’s creativity and artistic ability.
You can also get other locally made items, like jewelry and wooden carvings, in addition to traditional crafts. These handicrafts can be purchased directly from local artisans or from one of the village’s many souvenir shops.
Purchasing handicrafts not only gives visitors the opportunity to bring home a bit of Cat Cat’s distinct culture and traditions but also helps the local economy.
Immerse yourself in the wild beauty of Cat Cat waterfall
Tien Sa waterfall, also known as Cat Cat waterfall, is a famous tourist attraction in the Cat Cat area. Originating from the Hoang Lien Son and Suoi Tien ranges, the water flowing through the waterfall creates a poetic and romantic scene.
As you approach the waterfall, you will be greeted by the peaceful sound of the rushing water and the fresh aroma of the surrounding forest. The most ideal time to visit Cat Cat waterfall is during the rainy season, lasting from May to September, when the water flow is strongest.
However, you may still take in the splendor of the falls in the dry season even though the water flow may be less intense.
Discover the Hmong people’s distinctive culture and architecture
Cat Cat Village offers visitors the opportunity to explore the unique culture and architecture of the Hmong ethnic group, who have inhabited this region for centuries.
Traditional Hmong homes with their unique architectural style, made from stone and wood, are scattered around the village. There are three doors in these houses: two on the sides and the main door in the center.
Typically, the main entrance is only opened during significant events like holidays, weddings, and funerals. A kitchen, a sleeping area, a living area, a worship room, and a loft for food storage are typically included in the inside.
In addition to their traditional architecture, visitors can learn about the Hmong people’s customs and traditions, including their vibrant clothes and embroidery, food and drink, as well as traditional music and dance. All of these experiences will provide you unique insight into the rich cultural heritage of the Hmong people who live in Cat Cat Village and their rich cultural heritage.
Try on wearing H’Mong national costumes
Wearing H’Mong costumes, which are made of brocade and come in a dazzling array of colors, is another fascinating thing to do while visiting Cat Cat village. When visiting Sapa, many young people like wearing such clothing and snapping pictures as souvenirs.
Gorgeous national costumes can be rented from a number of shops in the Cat Cat village area. There is a good selection of different costume kinds to choose from, and each set only costs between 30,000 and 50,000 VND to rent.
Savor regional cuisine
In addition to being well-known for its serene and lyrical landscapes, Cat Cat village draws visitors with its authentic H’Mong food. When visiting Sapa and Cat Cat village, don’t pass up the chance to experience the following:
- Buffalo meat: In Cat Cat village specifically and Sapa generally, this is one of the most well-known and highly sought-after specialties. The striking dark brown color, tender texture, and distinct flavor of buffalo meat, along with the aroma of cooking smoke, will leave you in perpetual awe of the flesh’s delectability.
- Corn wine: In Cat Cat village, corn wine, also known as happy water, is considered a highly favored beverage. Corn wine is made by boiling corn in hot water for an extended period of time to make the kernels broken, and then fermenting the corn using H’mong traditional methods. This fermentation process takes roughly six days to complete.
- Fruits: The most well-known Sapa specialty fruits are pears, plums, and peaches. Despite not having an eye-catching look, these alpine fruits are of great quality and have a delicious crunchy, sweet, or refreshing taste. You can easily find these fresh fruits at vendors along the village’s roads with the best price.
In addition, there are other delicious dishes that you should try such as grilled wild meat, five-color sticky rice, hot pot, sesame cider, and bamboo-tube rice. These are all dishes that have satisfied many diners from all over the world.
Experience overnight at a homestay in Cat Cat village
In addition to being charming during the day, Cat Cat village offers a plethora of nighttime exploration opportunities. Watch the sunset over the magnificent mountains, then stay out late with friends till midnight to take in the crisp mountain air and savor a nice supper at a nearby restaurant.
The H’Mong people always extend a warm welcome to visitors staying the night. You can select from a variety of homestays in Cat Cat village, most of them offer lovely views, allowing you to take many beautiful check-in pictures.
Tourist attractions near Cat Cat village & Local Tips
Apart from Cat Cat village, Sapa has numerous other intriguing sights that offer distinctive experiences. Numerous other stunning sites, like Muong Hoa Valley, Ham Rong Mountain, Fansipan Mountain, Ta Phin village, and Thac Bac waterfall, are also easily combined with your Cat Cat trip. These locations include breathtaking vistas, immersive cultural experiences, and outdoor pursuits that will enhance your trip to Sapa.
- Sin Chai village where the H’mong people reside along the road, is roughly 4 kilometers north of Cat Cat village. When you visit Sin Chai village, you may take in performances of traditional music, witness weavers at work, and see the tribal house.
- Ta Phin village: Situated 10 kilometers to the north of Sapa, Ta Phin village boasts a picturesque natural setting that is infused with national cultural identity, always captivating tourists with the rustic, simple but no less attractive features.
Local guide for tourists
If you intend to visit Cat Cat village, keep these travel tips in mind:
- In addition to its natural beauty, Sapa is known as a destination with its chilly air around the year. Thus, remember to pack some warm clothing with you.
- It might be wise to hire a tour guide to go with you. They can advise you on dangerous areas to stay away from in addition to pointing you to wonderful places to explore.
- Don’t let yourself become a victim of scams. Seek assistance from your tour guide or a friend who has been to Cat Cat Village before to help you buy souvenirs or food.
- The information about Cat Cat – Sapa village mentioned above is all that visitors need to know to plan an amazing trip to Sapa.
If you require any help or assistance, kindly get in touch with us. Thank you for reading and hope you will find something useful.
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