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Sapa was first discovered by the French in late 19th century.  It soon became famous in Indochina for its ideal climate.  In colonial times, French officials from Hanoi the port city of Hai Phong and Hai Duong used to flock to Sapa in summer to escape the unbearable tropical heat in the low-lying land.  At that time, some 200 detached cottages and villas were built for French colonialists.  The most imposing villas were that of the Sixth Bureau, the Governor General and the Metropole hotel.  Now there remain only dozen or so villas.  Yet even the existence of this small number of villas can attract keen interest from architecturally minded visitors for their gothic style of architecture.  Situated at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level, Sapa is as cool in summer as the low-lying land below in autumn.  The first thing you notice when approaching the resort town of Sapa are some detached wooden mansions and villas perched on a hill top or hillside, behind thick pine forests and almost invisible on this foggy morning.  Sapa is home to various families of flowers of captivating colors, which can be found nowhere else in the country.  When Tet, the Lunar New Year Festival, comes, Sapa is filled with the pink color of peach blossom brought from the vast forests of peach just outside the town.  Sapa is regarded as the kingdom of orchids.  Visitors to Sapa in summer cannot fail to sample some yellow peach, whose origins go back to Yuannan in China. The sweet taste of Tan Van plum and pearl is found only in the Sapa forests.  From time immemorial Sapa has been known near and far for its valuable medicinal herbs the vast preserve of which almost remained untapped.  Sapa has many natural sites such as Thac Bac, Thuy Cung Grotto, Gio Cave, Troi Gate, and Truc Forest.  Sapa is also the starting point for many climbers and scientists who want to reach the top of Fansipan Mountain.  On Sundays, Nung, Dao, Tay, Cao Lan, Paxi, and Xa Phong minorities ride down the mountain in their colorful clothes to take part in the Sunday market at the foot of Fansipan Mountain.    Activities and Map

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