Hunting for wild sunflowers in the Central Highlands: An autumn journey not to be missed

The wild sunflower season in the Central Highlands is a beautiful natural destination every autumn. When the autumn sun hugs the basalt mountain slopes, wild sunflowers begin to bloom, dotting the wild yellow along the wild sunflower roads like in Pleiku, Da Lat, Gia Lai... From the time the flowers bloom, the most beautiful roads, to the flower hunting journey with unique indigenous cultural experiences - all will be revealed in this article. Let's explore with me!

When do wild sunflowers bloom in the Central Highlands?

The wild yellow color of wild sunflower season in the Central Highlands in the middle of the basalt forest in November. (Photo: Collected)

Wild sunflowers in the Central Highlands usually bloom from late October to mid-November, when the basalt soil is dry and the sky is blue. Da Lat wild sunflowers bloom a few days earlier than Gia Lai ; in Gia Lai , the yellow Chu Dang Ya road is a must-see for wild sunflower hunting. This wild sunflower season often accompanies wild sunflower festivals in Gia Lai - where wild sunflowers are both a natural phenomenon and a unique traditional cultural theme.

Top most beautiful wild sunflower hunting routes in the Central Highlands

Gia Lai wild sunflowers bloom around Chu Dang Ya volcano, creating a spectacular scene. (Photo: Collected)

Along the roads around Pleiku - the road up to Chu Dang Ya volcano - wild sunflowers cling to each hillside, covering the road in yellow like a carpet, creating a prominent wild sunflower route. When the early morning sunlight shines through each petal, the space seems to step into a poetic scene. On the Ta Nung - Da Lat pass, the Da Lat wild sunflowers paint the winding path in yellow. The Mang Den - Kon Tum or Buon Ma Thuot areas - around Buon Don, Ea Kao lake - are equally beautiful, with wild sunflowers growing among coffee trees, dipterocarp forests... each place has its own beauty and atmosphere, enough to satisfy wild sunflower hunters.

Chu Dang Ya Wild Sunflower Festival – A harmony between nature and culture of the Central Highlands

Wild sunflower festival – A prominent cultural event honoring the wild beauty of the Central Highlands. (Photo: Collected)

Not only is Chu Dang Ya the most beautiful place to see flowers in the Central Highlands, it is also the “heart” of the Gia Lai wild sunflower festival, which takes place in early November every year. This is an annual event organized by the People’s Committee of Chu Pah district (old), to honor the unique beauty of this wildflower and promote eco-tourism and community in the area.

The festival atmosphere here is filled with colors: epic gong performances, crossbow shooting competitions, stilt walking, traditional cuisine such as bamboo rice, grilled chicken, rice wine... creating a unique space for cultural exchange between the Bahnar, Jrai people and tourists from all over.

In particular, the festival does not stop at admiring the beauty of wild sunflowers, but also helps participants understand more deeply about indigenous life, the values ​​associated with mountains, forests, red soil, and the warm hospitality of the Central Highlands people.

Wild sunflower hunting experience - Suggested 3-day itinerary for a complete autumn tour of the Central Highlands

Da Lat wild sunflowers bloom, lighting up the hillsides of Lam Dong plateau. (Photo: Collected)

The journey to hunt for wild sunflowers in the Central Highlands is an intense emotional experience: the early morning sunlight gently shining through the yellow carpet of flowers, the thin dew still lingering on the petals, each step on the red dirt road... Not only checking in, but also breathing in the indigenous culture when stopping by the village to listen to gongs, enjoy grilled chicken, jar wine, and dried bamboo shoots.

Suggested itinerary for 3 days of wild sunflower hunting

Day 1:

• Arrive in Pleiku , check in and rest.
• In the afternoon, enjoy the Lake and the sunset.
• In the evening, explore Central Highlands cuisine such as Gia Lai dry pho.

Day 2:

• Early morning hunting for wild sunflowers in the Central Highlands on the way to Chu Dang Ya, stopped to take pictures of the bright yellow wild sunflowers.
• Visit Ia Gri village to enjoy Bahnar culture, listen to gongs and taste local cuisine.
• Afternoon, return to Pleiku; stop at a garden cafe, enjoy the quiet space.

Day 3:

• You can extend the journey to Mang Den - Kon Tum, taking in the dreamy scenery in the middle of the plateau.
• Or explore Buon Ma Thuot and the Buon Don – Ea Kao lake area.
• Lunch enjoy specialties such as sun-dried beef with ant salt.
• Afternoon, collect luggage and end the trip.

 

Experience in taking beautiful and soulful photos of wild sunflowers

Tourists check in at the famous wild sunflower road in the Central Highlands. (Photo: Collected)

Wild sunflowers are most beautiful in the morning and late afternoon, when the light is warm and not too harsh, creating depth in the frame. Instead of trying to capture the whole scene, focus on small clusters of flowers, combined with the background of hills, sky, or winding roads to create a natural contrast.

Clothing should prioritize neutral or pastel colors, creating harmony with the bright yellow of the flowers. Avoid wearing clothes that are too colorful so as not to "overwhelm" nature.

The most important thing is not the camera angle or the equipment, but the real feeling when standing in the middle of nature. A natural smile, a distant look, or a moment of accidentally turning your back to the lens can create a poetic photo, more than any methodical composition.

Notes for a safe and complete trip to the Central Highlands during wild sunflower season

Experience hunting for wild sunflowers in the Central Highlands – A golden moment in the brilliant autumn. (Photo: Collected)

The road to hunt for flowers is mostly mountain passes, dirt roads or inter-commune roads, so you need to prepare suitable vehicles, preferably high-chassis vehicles or motorbikes with good brakes. The weather is chilly at night, but still sunny during the day, so you need to bring sunscreen, a light jacket, and enough drinking water.

Many areas have poor cell phone reception, so prepare offline maps or download travel information in advance. And most importantly: preserve nature by not picking flowers, not littering, and respecting the local people's way of life.

For those who are not comfortable traveling on their own, there are currently many units organizing flower hunting tours combined with exploring villages, cuisine and coffee in the Central Highlands. Tours usually depart from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, with flexible schedules for small groups, suitable for both individual and group travel.

You can also join travel-loving communities to ask for practical experiences, update the exact blooming time or find a travel companion. If necessary, readers can register to receive the earliest blooming schedule of wild sunflowers via email or follow the Vietravel fanpage to get quick updates.

The wild sunflower season in the Central Highlands only comes once a year, like a brilliant and short-lived youth. Plan and take a trip to the Central Highlands today to mark an unforgettable golden season!

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/san-hoa-da-quy-tay-nguyen-v17905.aspx