Ancient stone stream discovered in Gia Lai province

An ancient stone stream which is believed to date back over 100 million years ago in Ia Phi commune, Ia Ly township, Chu Pah district in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai has attracted a lot of visitors. (Photo: VNA)

 An ancient stone stream has been discovered in Ia Phi commune, Ia Ly township, Chu Pah district in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai.

Ia Ruai stream flows through many villages in Ia Ly township before running into the reservoir of the Ia Ly Hydropower Plant.

On a section to Van village of Ia Ly town which is about 1km long, there is an exposed rocky outcrop, concentrating at two points located about 30 metres apart.

The two sides of the stream, believed to date back over 100 million years ago, are similar hexagonal stone blocks, arranging close together into large and solid blocks which are similar to the rocks at Ganh Da Dia (Reef of Plates) - a special national relic site in Phu Yen province.

Ha Thi Thuy, a tourist from Pleiku City, said she knew about the stream through social network.

On the weekend, she took her family to Ia Ruai stream and was surprised to see that it was similar to Ganh Da Dia tourist site in Phu Yen.  She liked the stream very much and has recommended it to her friends so that they could admire the unique natural beauty of this rock stream.

According to Chu Pah district’s Culture and Information Division, Ia Ruai stream is a potential tourist destination that needs to be protected and retained in its current state. Thus, it suggested the district People's Committee upgrade the road leading to the stone stream and plant Shunshine trees (Cassia splendida Vogel) along the roads to provide shade for tourists. 

Nguyen Quang Tue, head of Heritage Management Division under the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gia Lai province, said that the ancient rock stream need to be protected and kept the status quo as it has high potential for becoming a tourist destination.

The provincial department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will continue to survey to develop a plan for tourism development and  compile a dossier of request for recognising it as a national relic site in the near future, he said./.

VNA