Cat Cat Village

Village in Sapa

Bản Cát Cát
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Liftold (thảo luận)

Cat Cat Village is an intriguing, albeit somewhat touristy, destination. Established in the 19th century, it is home to various hill tribe groups, particularly different branches of the Hmong ethnic group. Originally, these settlers survived through subsistence farming and basic manufacturing of clothes and other goods. Today, much of their income comes from selling food, drinks, and handmade souvenirs to tourists, primarily Vietnamese. Despite the commercial aspect, the scenery along the way to Cat Cat Village is the true highlight.

Walking to Cat Cat Village

To start your walk to Cat Cat Village, head out of Sapa town center along Fansipan Road. This route is about 1.7 km downhill and offers fantastic views of the mountains and valleys. Although the road can be steep and slippery when wet, it’s a manageable 20-minute walk. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or motorbike if you prefer.

The Checkpoint and Entrance

The walk officially begins at the checkpoint, where the entrance fee is 70,000 VND for adults and 30,000 VND for children. While some travelers suggest buying a ticket in advance at the Tourist Information Centre on Sapa Town Square, you can purchase it directly at the checkpoint without any issues.

The Walking Route

It’s best to follow the looped walking trail in an anti-clockwise direction, ending at Cat Cat Village. If walking long distances on uneven surfaces is challenging, consider taking a motorbike taxi from the checkpoint to near the village. The initial part of the walk is on a wide concrete road with minimal traffic, passing by farmhouses, small shops, and restaurants.

Exploring the Village

After a short distance, you’ll reach a small village with a fish pond and a wooden bridge. Continue along the path, which becomes a series of stone steps leading down to Cat Cat Village. This part of the walk can be slow due to the steps, but it’s brief.

Cat Cat Village features a fast-flowing river with smaller falls and three waterwheels. Traditionally used to grind rice, these picturesque waterwheels are now primarily decorative. The main street of the village is robustly constructed from large stones, lined with shops and eateries. There’s no hard sell, and prices are reasonable.

Tien Sa Waterfall

Just outside Cat Cat Village is Tien Sa Waterfall, with a near-vertical drop of about 10 meters. It’s particularly impressive during the rainy season.

The Final Stretch

The final part of the walk takes you over Cat Cat Bridge, a well-maintained wooden suspension bridge a few meters above a stream. On the other side, motorbike taxis are available to take you back to Sapa town for about 40,000 VND. While walking back is an option, it’s less scenic and involves an uphill climb, so a motorbike taxi is recommended.

The Cat Cat Village appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Sapa!

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Visiting Cat Cat Village

Address: Cat Cat Village, San Sả Hồ, Sa Pa, Lao Cai, Vietnam
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