Tua Chua Plateau

Tua Chua is a limestone plateau in northern Dien Bien where the rock breaks the surface in grey fields across whole hillsides, and the H'mong farm maize in the pockets of soil between the stone, which is the same landscape people go to Ha Giang for without the traffic. Old tea trees grow on the higher ground at Sin Chai and Ta Sin Thau, harvested from ancient stock rather than plantation rows, and the tea is the district's known product. The Sunday market at Xa Nhe and the caves in the limestone are the other reasons to come. Roads are slow and the plateau is high and cold in winter.

What you actually see

• Grey rock fields across hillsides - limestone breaking the surface.
• Maize between the stones - farmed in pockets of soil.
• Old tea trees on the high ground - ancient stock, not plantation.
• A Sunday market and caves - the other reasons to come.

When to go

September to April. A full day, better with a night.

Honest expectations

Roads are steep, narrow and slow - this is a long way from anywhere. Accommodation in Tua Chua town is basic. Winter is genuinely cold at altitude. There is little English and few services.

Nearby

Muong Lay is north-west; Dien Bien Phu is south.