Green Tourism at Phu Ruea: The Land of Three Mountains and Agriculture
We explore the three mountains of Phu Ruea district in Loei province – Phu Ruea, Phu Luang, and Phu Bak Dai. Moreover, we observe local flower plantations throughout the district.
Phu Ruea district in Loei province is a highly popular destination during the cool season, renowned for its lush nature and numerous tourist attractions. Besides tourism, the district has a strong agriculture industry near the following three “Phu”, or mountains – Phu Ruea, Phu Luang, and Phu Bak Dai. The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization), or DASTA, delegated its Loei Special Zone Office to support cultural tourism - disseminating and preserving the traditional Tai-Loei lifestyle. The objective is to strengthen the community, providing additional revenue and progressing towards self-sustainability.
Phu Ruea National Park
Phu Ruea, or Phu Ruea National Park, is a popular tourist destination of Loei province – providing a beautiful scenery of the mountain ranges. The national park offers many attractions, such as the De Sho Scenic Viewpoint, Sum Thong Cliff, Loan Noi Cliff, Huay Pai Waterfall, and Suan Hin Pha Ngam (The Beautiful Rock Garden). Those who seek the cool weather in Phu Ruea will not be disappointed. The strong, cold breeze in these mountains will make you miss the warm climate!
Phu Luang
Phu Luang Wildlife Reserve covers two provinces – Loei and Phetchabun. In Loei province, the wildlife reserve covers the districts of Dan Sai, Phu Ruea, Wang Saphung and Phu Luang. In Phetchabun, the wildlife reserve stretches over the Lum Kao district. Phu Luang is ideal for hiking and studying nature along the trail. Those who love flowers will find Phu Luang as “heaven on earth,” since the mountain is abundant with wild orchids and flower fields. In fact, Phu Luang holds one of the most beautiful and lush flower fields in Thailand.
Phu Bak Dai
Situated in Phu Luang Wildlife Reserve, Phu Bak Dai is renowned for its breathtaking scenery during the sunrise and sunsets. The mountain holds many rocks with unique shapes and forms. The most famous rock is the “Hin Hoi Ka,” also known as “Hin Lok Luang.” The rock stretches out from a cliff, creating an exciting photo spot for visitors. Those seeking to experience the thrill are advised to be extra cautious to prevent accidents.
The three mountains (Phu Ruea, Phu Luang, and Phu Bak Dai) of Phu Ruea district are success cases in developing local sites into year-round tourist destinations. Moreover, the area also supports flower plantations which supply both domestic and foreign markets – generating revenue for the local farmers. The floral agriculture plantations and facilities in Phu Ruea are as follows:
- Phu Ruea Highland Agricultural Experiment Station: The station conducts studies, research, and experiments on local flower and fruit-bearing plants which thrive in the highlands. Tourists are welcome to visit the flower plantations and greenhouses in the facilities. Visitors are advised to take their time to appreciate different highland flowers at the station. During the cool season, the station blossoms with vibrant colors from a variety of flowers. The bright red of the poinsettia is the signature color of the station during the cool season.
- The Poinsettia Plantation: Phu Ruea is Thailand’s largest supplier of poinsettias, generating significant export revenue for the local farmers each year. At the end of November, the front of the Phu Ruea District Office is decorated with a beautiful poinsettia plantation – serving as a landmark and a popular photo spot for visitors. Many visitors compare the experience to visiting flower gardens abroad.
- “Suan Loong Wut” (VC Garden): As the largest ornamental plant farm in Loei, VC Garden is known as the “Kalanchoe Kingdom” of Phu Ruea. The garden is shaded by trees, providing a beautiful view of green. Popular plant species in the garden include cactuses, kalanchoes, azaleas, peonies, and tropical pitcher plants. VC Garden is famous for its bromeliads, which are bred and cultivated in large quantities for sale nationwide. Other species grown at the garden are begonias (Japanese Red, Polkadot, Silverleaf), Tillandsias, and lipstick vines (yellow, red, orange, pink, and purple). These flowers are used to organize the Winter Flower Festival of Phu Ruea, which boosts the public awareness of the district.
- Thanon Phu Ruea Agricultural Plantation: As Phu Ruea’s hub of ornamental plant trade, it is unsurprising to see horticultural shops and plantations along both sides of the road. Visitors can purchase their favorite plants or simply stop by to take photos and share experiences with the locals.
Besides serving as a major tourist destination of Loei province, Phu Ruea underscores the interconnectedness between the agriculture industry and the community – driving the national economy and generating revenue for the locals. The agro-industry of Phu Ruea is renowned in both the domestic and international markets.
Source:
สวนลุงวุฒิ - VC Garden
ศูนย์วิจัยพืชสวนเลย - เกษตรที่สูงภูเรือ
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