Chu Yang Sin National Park is located in Lak and Krong Bong districts, Dak Lak province, 60 km to the south-east of Buon Ma Thuot city. The national park encompasses a range of high mountains in the northern part of the Southern Annamite Mountains. The national park is centered on Mount Chu Yang Sin, which, at 2,442 m, is the highest point in the southern Annamites. The topography of the national park is characterized by steep slopes and narrow valleys.
The north of Chu Yang Sin National Park is drained by the Ea K’tour and Ea Krong Kmao streams, which flow north to join the Ea Krong Ana River. Streams in the south of the park flow into the Krong No River. Both the Ea Krong Ana and Krong No rivers flow west and north before joining the Srepok River, a major tributary of the Mekong River.
At elevations below 800 m, the national park supports lowland semi-evergreen forest, characterized by Lagerstroemia calyculata and Terminalia nigrovenulosa, and lowland evergreen forest, dominated by Hopea odorata, Dipterocarpus alatus and D. turbinatus. Montane evergreen forest is widely distributed above 800 m, and dominated by members of the Fagaceae and Lauraceae. Montane evergreen forest at Chu Yang Sin is also characterized by conifers, such as Pinus dalatensis, P. krempfii, P. kesiya var. Langbianensis, Podocarpus imbricatus and Fokienia hodginsii.
On mountain summits and ridge lines, elfin forest formations are distributed, dominated by Lyonia annamensis, L. ovalifolia and the dwarf bamboo Arundinaria sp. Coniferous forest, dominated by Pinus kesiya, occupies more than 10,600 ha of the national park. This is a secondary vegetation type that is formed in areas subject to periodic burning. A significant proportion of the national park supports bamboo forest, dominated by Oxytenanthera nigrociliata and Bambusa procera. Open secondary growth, scrub and grassland cover less than 1% of the total area of the national park.
The park is situated within the Da Lat Plateau Endemic Bird Area. Eight restricted-range bird species have been recorded at Chu Yang Sin: Germain’s Peacock Pheasant Polyplectron germaini, Grey-crowned Crocias Crocias langbianis, Black-hooded Laughingthrush Garrulax milleti, Collared Laughingthrush G. yersini, White-cheeked Laughingthrush Garrulax vassali, Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler Jabouilleia danjoui, Grey-faced Tit Babbler Macronous kelleyi and Yellow-billed Nuthatch Sitta solangiae. The most important of these species, from a conservation perspective, is Grey-crowned Crocias, which is endemic to the Da Lat plateau and classified as globally endangered. Chu Yang Sin qualifies as an Important Bird Area.
A total of 46 mammal species have been recorded at Chu Yang Sin. Mammals of particular conservation significance recorded at the site include Black-shanked Douc Pygathrix nigripes and Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon Hylobates gabriellae.
Chu Yang Sin National Park has an important role in protecting the watershed of the Srepok River. The national park also has potential for ecotourism development.
Map of Chu Yang Sin national park
Things to do in Chu Yang Sin National Park
Trekking in the forest
Coming to Chu Yang Sin National Park, you can spend a half day climbing up to the Peak of Chu Yang Sin Mountain at 2,442 m altitude. From this point, you can have breathtaking view of surrounding area. There is a 2km hiking trail leading to Bim Bip waterfall which comes from the Yang Tao Mountain’s slopes. Once reaching the waterfall, all of your efforts will be paid off as you will have a chance to enjoy the impressive atmosphere among the forest canopy.
To conquer all the peaks in Chu Yang Sin national park, it takes at least 3 days and 2 nights. The adventure trip begins either from Krong Bong district center or Lak district center. The first night of this 3 day Chu Yang Sin Trekking Tour will be spent in camping tent at the altitude of 1,700 m. The highest point of the mountain range at 2,442 m is conquered on the second day. Here you can observe the entire Lang Biang valley and the whole city of Buon Ma Thuot will appear as a miniature map.
Trekking permit
A permit is required for trekking in Chu Yang Sin national park. You will need to apply for the authorization in advance.
Biodiversity hotspot.
The National park has a special and unique flora ecosystem, consisting of 887 vascular plants in 140 families, 591 genera, of which there are 81 rare and threatened flora species in the Viet Nam Red Book and the World Red Book. The flora system of the National Park is also very diverse, with 515 species, including 64 mammals, 258 birds, 81 fishes, 248 day butterflies, 54 amphibians and 58 reptiles. Of which, 68 species are threatened to extinction, many species are in the Viet Nam Red Book and the World Red Book.
Coming to Chu Yang Sin national park you will have chances to see the diverse wildlife. Especially in the evening, the park can organize night-spotting trips into the forest. These special tours offer opportunities to see the more elusive mammal species of the park.
Community-based tourism
Together with the magnificent natural landscape, the park has unique cultural characteristics of the community of 25 ethnic minorities resided in the buffer zone. Of which, two indigenous groups are Êđê and M’Nông, the remaining are Mường, H’ Mông, Tày, Thái, Nùng… migrated from northern provinces in 1980s, creating a colorful cultural picture, exceptionally the Central Highlands gong culture – humane non-material cultural heritage and historical epics.
Best time to visit Chu Yang Sin national park
The best time to visit the Chu Yang Sin national park is in dry season which lasts from December to April. During this period the climate is pleasant, and cool enabling you to enjoy the trek. To be more specific, the peak season that visitors are highly recommended to go is in December, February and March.
Should you wish to immerse in festive atmosphere, then visiting in December should be your first choice thanks to numerous traditional festivals held in Dak Lak province. It’s also the precise moment when the blossoming yellow wild sunflowers paint the scene of the Highlands.
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Dak Lak Tours
Dak Lak Tours is our collection of Vietnam best trips we arrange in Chu Yang Sin national park as well as in the whole province of Dak Lak. Options include jungle trek, mountain hiking, trekking homestay, car trips, culture experience, sightseeing tours and more. The following itineraries are only some suggestions that can be further customized to better fit individual requirements. Just follow it or contact us for a customization.
Thanks to the excellent manual