At the flower garden “Cao Nguyen Hoa” in the highland city of Da Lat, Vietnam, a gravity kart that descends slopes using only brakes and steering—without an engine—is spreading widely on TikTok as a “real-life Mario Kart.” The power is all gravity. Footage of it descending paved slopes in one go while dodging hairpins and obstacles is being played around the world, and it’s becoming a new attraction of Da Lat sightseeing. Admission is 100,000 dong (about 570 yen), with plenty of highlights too, such as flower fields and a cliff-edge infinity pool.
Powered by gravity alone, controlled with brakes and steering
This kart has no engine. Once released at the top of the slope, the mechanism keeps it descending on gravity alone. Control is by two hand brakes (left for the front wheels, right for the rear wheels) and a steering bar. If you gather too much speed, you pull the brakes to slow down before the successive hairpins. The course is fully paved, with cushions to soften impacts placed at various points. Since each group starts separately, it plays out just like a game—overtaking the kart ahead, dodging someone who ran wide on a hairpin, and so on.
The thrill of descending an undulating slope in one go
The course is built to descend an undulating slope in succession, with sharp curves and exhilarating straights appearing in turn. “Chicane”-like obstacles are also placed, giving a thrill of not knowing what awaits beyond. Since speed changes with the angle you steer and how you pull the brakes, a trade-off arises between attacking and going safely. This very experience was hailed as “Mario Kart itself,” leading to its spread on TikTok. A post by video creator cocolastic9 has been picked up on overseas media’s TikTok as well.
Fees and location (data table)
Cao Nguyen Hoa’s admission is 100,000 dong. Da Lat International Airport (DLI) is the nearest, easy to head to from the city. Here’s a summary of the basics.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue name | Cao Nguyen Hoa (flower garden) |
| Location | Da Lat, Vietnam (nearest: Da Lat International Airport, DLI) |
| Admission | 100,000 dong (about 570 yen) |
| Kart | No engine, descends on gravity / two hand brakes front and rear + steering |
| Course | Fully paved with cushions / a continuous downhill slope |
| Spread | Buzzing on TikTok as a “real-life Mario Kart” |
A flower garden to enjoy beyond the karts
Cao Nguyen Hoa is a tropical garden of about 0.5 square miles, with plenty of highlights beyond the karts. At the top of the slope is a giant tree swing, and manicured walkways, flower fields, and waterfalls spread out. At “Seven-T Cafe,” which has an infinity pool jutting out over the cliff edge, you can look out over the valley with a Vietnamese ca phe sua da (iced coffee with condensed milk) in hand. In the grounds you can borrow a non la (Vietnam’s traditional conical hat) and enjoy taking photos.
As a new Da Lat sightseeing staple
The cool highland city of Da Lat is a tourist destination known for flower fields and offbeat architecture. Add to that a social-media-photogenic experience—“a kart that descends slopes on gravity”—and visits are increasing, especially among young travelers. The gimmick of running on gravity alone, without power, has strong visual impact, and it spread worldwide from TikTok. Together with its highlights as a flower garden, it’s become a spot where you can play for a good half a day.
Summary
A gravity kart that descends paved roads with only brakes and steering, without an engine. Cao Nguyen Hoa’s “real-life Mario Kart” is a new Da Lat attraction that spread worldwide from TikTok. Since admission of 100,000 dong also lets you enjoy flower fields and a scenic café, it suits travelers who want to move their bodies in the highland city.
Related articles:
・A guide to Da Lat's photogenic cafes
・Da Lat's flower hill
・Da Lat’s giant maze bar
Source:Islands / Cao Nguyen Hoa Da Lat downhill karting / YouTube / Viral TikTok Mario Kart Track in Da Lat
