Nine-storey Waterfall - A vivid picture of the Central Highlands

Chin Tang Waterfall (9-Storey Waterfall) is a quiet melody hidden in the deep forests of Tay Nguyen, where the water does not fall in a straight line but gently flows over each rocky tier like the notes of an ancient instrument. In the stillness of the old jungle, the sound of water is not loud but echoes softly like the whispers of the earth and sky, telling stories of a land unfamiliar with haste. Each cascading level of the waterfall unfolds like the folds of a natural silk ribbon descending a mountainside, inviting every traveler to slow down, fall silent, and listen.

Located in Ia Sao commune, Ia Grai district, Gia Lai province, about twenty kilometers from Pleiku, the waterfall feels like a secret tucked within the heart of the great forest. There are no flashy signs, no crowding tourists, just a place that emerges like a slow-motion film of memory, where the scenery remains as untouched as the moment the sky first opened its eyes. The nine tiers intertwine in graceful curves, each one a separate layer of recollection, sometimes as gentle as an old lullaby, sometimes bursting forth like memories that suddenly awaken.

According to folklore, long ago, a beautiful mountain girl fell deeply in love with a Thai man from a faraway region. They made a vow beside a crystal-clear stream, surrounded by slippery stones that gleamed like glass. But when he could not overcome the challenges of the mountains to return, the girl turned into a waterfall, flowing endlessly over the nine stone levels, as if her heart could never stop trembling from the weight of their old promise. Some say that on misty moonlit nights, the sound of the waterfall returns like her muffled sobs, sorrowful yet heartbreakingly beautiful.

The road to Chin Tang Waterfall is not long, but each bend reveals a new painting. The red basalt soil glows under the sunlight, dotted with patches of wildflowers blooming freely along the path, unintentional yet full of charm. During the coffee blossom season, the entire region seems covered in white mist. Tiny petals spread a gentle fragrance, blending with the warmth of the sun and the scent of the earth to create a hypnotic symphony of the highlands.

Closer to the waterfall, the air turns crisp and cool, as if the place has never known the touch of summer. Moss-covered stones guide the way to the crystal-clear stream, where sunlight filters through the canopy and shimmers on the water like golden threads. The sound of flowing water, chirping birds, and rustling leaves in the wind come together as a natural symphony without a conductor. Every step down makes the heart beat slower, as if each stone has a soul, and each stream tier is a fragment of spirit waiting to be touched.

Some levels reach nearly fifteen meters high, where water crashes onto the rocks like a silver curtain fluttering between the trees. Standing at the base, the mist rises in a cool embrace, covering the skin in a veil as fine as silk. Sunlight piercing through that mist paints fleeting rainbows, creating a scene where time seems to dissolve.

Local people still live in harmony with the forest. They do not just see the waterfall as a refreshing stop but also as a sacred space. On traditional holidays, they bring bracelets woven from forest vines, light incense, and whisper wishes beside the water. There is a belief that if a small stone flows through all nine tiers, the wish will follow the stream to the sky.

Not many know that the ideal time to visit Chin Tang Waterfall is from late March to June, when the rain has yet to stain the forest soil deeply, and the sunlight is still soft as a palm. The route is fairly easy. From Pleiku, head along National Highway 14 and turn onto Provincial Road 664, winding through low hills to reach the site. Whether by motorbike or car, the feeling of cutting through lush coffee plantations and diving into the jungle remains an unforgettable experience.

One important note is to arrive early, when dew still lingers on the leaves, and do not forget to wear shoes with good grip. The mossy stones can be slippery, but they offer the perfect condition for those seeking close encounters with nature. If lucky, one might see butterflies dancing between the water tiers, their delicate wings painted like watercolor, making the moment forever etched in memory.

The food here is simple but unexpectedly flavorful. A meal of bamboo-grilled rice, dipped in wild leaf salt, with a few pieces of fire-grilled forest chicken over glowing charcoal is enough to chase away all weariness after a forest journey. Locals will offer rice wine, not to intoxicate but to connect, to share stories of the forest, the waterfall, the earth and sky.

What makes this place truly special is that it does not belong to mass tourism. There are no plastic kiosks or gaudy signs. That is why every step taken here feels like being the first to touch its beauty. Someone once said, “Standing on the ninth tier, the world seems to shed all its artificial layers, leaving only the breath of nature.”

Few people know that beside the final waterfall tier is a small rock hollow with an imprint shaped like a delicate hand. Villagers call it the "handprint of the fairy maiden," a relic of the old tale where the mountain girl pressed her hand to the stone in her vow to wait. Many believe that touching it brings luck for the journey ahead. Whether one believes or not, the moment of placing a hand on the cool stone, watching the endless flow of water, is enough to still the soul.

Chin Tang Waterfall does not dazzle with flamboyance. It is quiet like a forest blossom, blooming only for those who truly seek. This is where the landscape feels woven from the memory of red soil, the gentle winds of the highlands, and the unspoken sounds of nature. A place where people come to pause, to be healed by the stillness of the wild.

And if one day a reason is needed to leave the city behind, remember that in Tay Nguyen there is a waterfall flowing with the sound of time. A waterfall that does not just run over stone but flows into the soul. It may not be loud on the tourism map, but it holds a raw and silent Vietnam within. “In the roar of the waterfall, the heartbeat of the earth can be heard.” A caption like that may be all it takes to awaken the desire to journey.