In October, don't miss these stunning destinations in Pleiku.

As the rainy season gradually fades, October marks the beginning of Pleiku city's most vibrant colors. These include the golden hues of wild sunflowers and cassia flowers preparing to bloom, the bright red of ripening coffee cherries, and the lush green and brown of the vast Central Highlands mountains. This October, exploring Pleiku and discovering its pristine, nature-filled havens is the perfect suggestion for backpacking trips or simply escaping the hustle and bustle of city life.

Pleiku Lake

Lake T'nưng in Pleiku, also known as the "eyes of Pleiku," is a familiar name. Located about 7 km northwest of the city center, Lake T'nưng resembles an emerald gem amidst the vast red soil of the Central Highlands. Visitors can admire its beauty from a strip of land that stretches into the middle of the lake. The lake's water is always clear and pristine, and its cleanliness is strictly maintained as it is a freshwater lake supplying water to the entire city of Pleiku.

The winding road to Lake Biển Hồ is picturesque, lined on both sides with lush green pine trees. At the end of the road are stone steps leading visitors to admire the romantic beauty of Lake Biển Hồ. This place used to be an observation deck where tourists could view the lake.

Chu Dang Ya Volcano

The Chu Dang Ya volcano is located about 30 km northeast of Gia Lai city center, in Ploi Lagri village, Chu Dang Ya commune, Chu Pah district. This extinct volcano boasts fertile red soil formed by layers of lava deposited over millions of years, making it a thriving agricultural area for the local people.

Besides that, Mount Chu Dang Ya is also a destination for travel enthusiasts, boasting majestic natural scenery. Along with the red of the basalt soil and the green of the vegetation, it also wears the vibrant yellow of wild sunflowers when the dry season arrives. Chu Dang Ya is truly a must-visit destination for those who love the pristine, unspoiled beauty of the Central Highlands.

Pleiku Tea Lake

Bien Ho Tea Plantation is a combination of an irrigation lake and vast tea plantations. It was also the first tea plantation established by the French in Gia Lai in the 20th century.

The tea hills here are only about 13 km from Pleiku city. Upon arrival, visitors will be captivated by the vibrant green of the tea plantations in the early morning sun; even under the bright sunlight, the tea fields remain lush and green. Additionally, a small road leading into the tea hills, lined on both sides with dense pine trees, is an unmissable photo opportunity when visiting this area.

Tan Son Dam

Tan Son Dam is a pristine destination located at a fork in the road leading to Chu Dang Ya volcano. Not only is it a man-made structure of significant importance to the lives and production of the local people, serving as a water reservoir to nourish agricultural areas, but the dam is also a beautiful, unspoiled tourist spot not to be missed when visiting Gia Lai.

As the last rains of the Central Highlands fall, the golden rice fields prepare for harvest. Around the dam, glimpses of verdant hills and mountains appear, blending the colors of water, sky, trees, and flowers—all harmoniously creating a truly vibrant green. Especially in October, before the water in the dam has completely receded, the wild sunflowers surrounding the dam begin to bloom, adding an incredibly romantic touch to the area. Because of this beauty, Tan Son Dam attracts not only adventure enthusiasts who enjoy exploring and admiring the majestic forests of the Central Highlands but also many couples choose to capture their happy moments.

Minh Thanh Pagoda

Besides admiring the majestic natural scenery, visitors to Pleiku can also immerse themselves in the tranquil atmosphere of Minh Thanh Pagoda. The pagoda is located about 2 km from the center of Pleiku city.

Built in 1964 by Venerable Thich Giac Dao, this place has long been a place of worship and incense offering for Buddhists in the region. When visiting, tourists have the opportunity to admire the majestic nine-story stupa standing tall against the blue sky. The stupa is 72 meters high, and inside are four meticulously carved statues of the Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed Buddha. The temple grounds are filled with lush greenery, creating a refreshing atmosphere. Trees are interspersed with small ponds and landscaped areas, all arranged harmoniously and subtly. All of this contributes to the serene yet majestic beauty of the Minh Thanh Temple complex.

Besides sightseeing and exploring the natural beauty of the highlands, visitors to Pleiku can also enjoy local cuisine with dishes such as dry pho, crab noodle soup, grilled chicken with bamboo rice, banh canh (rice noodle soup), grilled pork ribs with rice... Especially, Pleiku also has many delicious cafes with beautiful views where visitors can enjoy the taste of Gia Lai coffee while taking plenty of photos for social media.

M.Chi