Quan Ba Heaven Gate & Twin Mountains

The first big viewpoint of the Loop, looking down on the Quan Ba valley and the famous "Fairy Bosom" twin hills.

• Sweeping valley views 45 km from Ha Giang City
• Twin Mountains photo stop just below the pass
• Good coffee and toilet stop

About an hour north of Ha Giang City, the road climbs to the Quan Ba Heaven Gate (Cổng Trời Quản Bạ) at roughly 1,500 m. From the viewing platform you see the whole Quan Ba valley, a patchwork of rice and corn fields between limestone peaks.

A few kilometres further on, the road passes the Twin Mountains (Núi Đôi), two perfectly rounded hills that locals call the “Fairy Bosom”. They are best photographed in the morning light.

Tips

• Stop here on day one of the Loop, it breaks up the ride nicely.
• Mornings can be foggy in winter; the views clear by late morning.