From February to March, Da Lat draws visitors eager to admire its seasonal beauty, from cherry blossom gardens and sunflower fields to the sunrise at Tia Stream, when the forest transforms with new foliage.
Tia Stream is part of a bowl-shaped valley, surrounded by mountains. In 1985 - 1986, the Lam Dong provincial government and Duc Trong district authorities built a dam to retain water in the area, leading to the formation of Tuyen Lam Lake, with Tia Stream as its original source.
Located 12 kilometers from Da Lat city center, Tia Stream is home to rare timber trees cho (white meranti) and a diverse ecosystem. It is one of the few places in the Lang Biang Highlands where such a landscape still exists.
Due to its remote location and challenging access, Tia Stream remains undiscovered by most tourists. However, those who venture here in spring are rewarded with a sight: the cho trees shed their old leaves and sprout golden-orange foliage, glowing in the sun and reflecting off the water.
The best time to visit is at sunrise, when the light illuminates the water, and the golden-orange treetops stand in contrast against the morning haze. This moment is both dreamlike and moving.
To experience this, travelers should arrive before 6 a.m. to catch the sunrise. Visitors can take a boat ride from Tuyen Lam Lake or bring a stand-up paddleboard to explore the waters. The green meadows surrounding the stream also make it a spot for a picnic.
Photographer Nguyen Ngoc Son, a Vietnamese traveler based in South Korea, captured a photo series of Tia Stream during his trip to Da Lat early this year.
