Sa Mu is one of the new peaks in Ta Xua (Bac Yen, Son La), showcasing the untamed beauty of primeval forests, especially during the cloud-hunting season.Also known as U Bò among locals, Sa Mu is a pristine mountain peak that was just peaked in December 2022. It is part of the Ta Xua special-use forest, an extension of the Hoang Lien Son range towards the south.Located at an elevation of 2,756 meters above sea level, Sa Mu boasts not only a diverse and rich forest system but also serves as an ideal cloud-hunting spot. Whether it's sunrise or sunset, the natural scenery here is majestic and poetic.Sa Mu is not an excessively high or challenging mountain, suitable for even beginners in mountain climbing and trekking. After a sleeper bus journey from Hanoi to Son La, a taxi ride from the center of Bac Yen town to the base of the mountain in Xim Vang commune, approximately 32km away, is necessary to commence the journey to conquer Sa Mu.Nguyen Thu Hang, a traveler from Hanoi (outermost right), had a memorable trip with friends conquering Sa Mu in early November. "Having experienced several other peaks, when I set foot on Sa Mu, I was overwhelmed by the pristine beauty of the primeval forest with unique ancient trees, covered in moss, red maple leaves, and lush bamboo forests," the 23-year-old girl shared.An old tree covered with moss in the forest. Hang expressed, "It was our first mountain climbing trip where the entire group continuously exclaimed 'it's so beautiful' more than a hundred times throughout the journey, mesmerized by the natural beauty here."Hang shared, "We came to Sa Mu not only to explore but also to cleanse ourselves of life's worries, pressures, and difficulties." After conquering Sa Mu, she aims to conquer the remaining peaks in the top 15 highest mountains.The untouched mountainous forest on the way to the summit of Sa Mu can create a unique backdrop for memorable photos during the exploration journey. Hang hopes that tourists and locals will be conscious of preserving the landscape and natural environment on Sa Mu, avoiding indiscriminate littering.In addition to well-known spots in Tà Xùa like the Dinosaur Backbone, Windy Summit, and Lonely Tree, Sa Mu is suitable for souls who love to explore and adventure. If visiting Sa Mu in winter, travelers should prepare warm clothing and medicines because the temperature here is quite harsh, and can drop to -2 degrees Celsius. Source: Lao Dong Newspaper