Fascinated by the wild beauty of Chu Dang Ya volcano in the middle of the jungle

Along with waterfalls, lakes and hundred-year-old pine forests, Chu Dang Ya volcano is also a most visited place when traveling to Gia Lai mountain town.

Located about 30km northeast of Pleiku City center, Chu Dang Ya volcano belongs to Ploi Lagri village, Chu Dang Ya commune, Chu Pah district (Gia Lai) with an altitude of about 975m above sea level.

According to archaeologists, Chu Dang Ya is a volcanic crater formed by lava flows that erupted millions of years ago.

In the language of the J'rai people, Chu Dang Ya means "wild ginger root." Legend has it that there was once an old woman who lived at the foot of the mountain. One day, she had a stomachache and was treated by a local herbalist but was unable to recover. In her desperate pain, she tried to climb the mountain near her home, hoping to find something that could help her.

At the top of the mountain, she saw a clump of ginger growing naturally and thought it was a gift from Heaven, so she dug it up and ate it. Immediately after, she felt much better. She took some more ginger home to eat and her illness was completely gone.

Her story spread around the area and from then on the Jrai people here called that mountain Chu Dang Ya.

The beauty of Chu Dang Ya has the simplicity of the windy Central Highlands, wild and rustic but extremely charming.

In 2018, the Daily Mail (UK) magazine listed Chu Dang Ya volcano as a very worth-visiting destination, even though it is an inactive volcano that has been cold for millions of years. According to the Daily Mail, this is a place that fascinates adventure travelers because of its natural landscape and unique indigenous culture.

In 2020, Chu Dang Volcano was in the top 50 most beautiful landscape photos in the world at the Landscape photography contest organized by Agora.

Chu Dang Ya volcano has been inactive for millions of years, and the remaining lava remains have made this land extremely fertile. The local people have taken advantage of the fertility of the land to grow many agricultural products such as cassava, corn, squash, and potatoes. This farming activity has also given Chu Dang Ya a very impressive beauty.

Seen from above, Chu Dang Ya volcano has a large funnel shape, with diverse natural scenery. Surrounding the volcano are ancient trees, shrubs and lush crop fields.

People often say that Chu Dang Ya is like a mountain girl who loves to beautify herself. In each season, this mountain has its own beauty that makes anyone who sets foot here feel excited and not want to leave.

When the bright red color of the arrowroot flowers blooms, it also signals the arrival of the rainy season. At this time, the trees are lush green, and the scenery in Chu Dang Ya is therefore full of life.

In the dry season, Chu Dang Ya has a wild beauty, with bare tree branches, withered by the changing of leaves.

Chu Dang Ya is most beautiful during the wild sunflower season, when the mountain is covered in brilliant yellow from the hillsides to the crater. The scenery of Chu Dang Ya at this time becomes more splendid and impressive than at other times of the year.

From the Chu Dang Ya volcano dome, visitors can freely enjoy the panoramic view of Pleiku mountain town, Bien Ho scenic spot; at the same time, admire the scenery and take pictures of the charming wild sunflowers blooming around the crater, at the foot of the mountain...

Wandering through the Chu Dang Ya volcanic region, visitors will encounter lava stones on the paths, in the sweet potato beds or scattered among the wild sunflowers. The stones of various sizes and shapes are signs of a volcano millions of years ago.

Coming to the 2023 Wild Sunflower - Chu Dang Ya Volcano Week opening from November 10, visitors can immerse themselves in the festival atmosphere, experience unique cultural activities, watch artisans perform the art of weaving, carving wooden statues, weaving brocade, making traditional musical instruments and guide visitors to experience folk art forms and participate in cultural activities imbued with the Central Highlands.

Chu Dang Ya volcano is truly a paradise for those who love the wild and charming beauty of the Central Highlands. Because of its wildness, Chu Dang Ya has become a very famous tourist destination, captivating travel enthusiasts from near and far.

Coming here, visitors will feel extremely comfortable and peaceful. All the fatigue and worries of life seem to be forgotten when we are immersed in the immense space of the great forest. The lingering feeling will be relaxation and tranquility, where there are only grass, trees, flowers under each step.