TRAN QUOC PAGODA – THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OLD PAGODA IN VIETNAM
Tran Quoc Pagoda is considered to be the oldest pagoda in Thang Long – Hanoi, with an age of up to 1500 years. This place has long become a tourist destination, as well as a very famous Buddhist center in Vietnam. Especially, thanks to the sacredness and the history of thousands of years, going to Tran Quoc pagoda became a belief of many people.
1. About Tran Quoc Pagoda
Tran Quoc pagoda’s original name was Khai Quoc pagoda, built-in 541 under the Tien Ly period. The place was renamed Tran Quoc pagoda during the reign of King Le Hy Tong (1681 – 1705). The King desired this place would be a place to dispel natural disasters, bringing a peaceful life to his entire people. And that name remains until today.
Formerly, Tran Quoc pagoda was the Buddhist center of Thang Long capital. The kings Ly and Tran often came and stay here to worship at festivals and New Year. Therefore, they built many palaces for the King to rest, such as Thuy Hoa palace, Ham Nguyen palace.
2. Where is Tran Quoc Pagoda?
Tran Quoc Pagoda is a place of sacred cultural activities, and also the most beautiful tourist destination in Hanoi. The pagoda is located on a small island to the east of West Lake on Thanh Nien Street. It is a harmonious combination between the ancient solemnity and the poetic, courteousness of the lush green garden with a vast poetry lake. Therefore, it is not too difficult to understand that Tran Quoc was again one of the most beautiful temples in the world by Thrillist. This place becomes a stop not only for Buddhists but also for tourists from all over the world.
3. How to go to Tran Quoc Pagoda
To visit the pagoda, visitors can choose many different means, as follows:
- Motorbike or car: The most convenient vehicle is probably a motorbike. You can go in the direction of Uncle Ho’s tomb and turn to Thanh Nien Street. Near the pagoda, there are parking lots, which is very convenient for visitors.
- Bus – both safe and economical means: visitors can choose bus routes 30 or 50.
- Taxi: If traveling in a group or with a family, a taxi will be the best option for you.
4. The opening time and ticket price to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda
Tran Quoc Pagoda is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm with the ticket price of 5,000 VND / person / one way (about 25 yen). This is a sacred pagoda so that visitors can choose to visit the temple on the first lunar day or the full moon. Coming here, visitors not only admire the landscape but also pray for peace for yourself and your family. In addition, the pagoda has many big and small Buddhist festivals, such as Buddha’s birthday, Yulanpen ceremony, star-worshipping ceremony, etc., attracting thousands of people.
5. The unique architecture of the pagoda
The temple is a complex of many layers of houses with three leading houses: the front house, the crematorium, and the upper palace. It all became Cong. On the door of the pagoda, there are the words Phuong Tien Mon and two sentences written in beautiful Han Nom script.
The gate is the first unique spot that you will come across. The first time you come here, you will feel like the gate is not straight. The entrance is built to one side with a softly curved path leading to the pagoda.
Ancient tower tomb garden: A particular highlight is the ancient tower tomb garden behind the pagoda. There are many old towers from the 18th century – Vinh Huu and Canh Hung period. Among them, the most impressive is the 11-storey, 15-meter-high Luc Do Dai Sen tower built in 1998. Each floor has six doorways. In each door, there is a precious stone Amitabha Buddha statue. On the top of the tower is Cuu Pham Lien Hoa (9-floor lotus tower), also made of precious stone.
As a green island reflecting on the West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda today is one of the sacred places by not only terrain but also history associated with the people and Thang Long – Hanoi Buddhist center. Any tourist will be extremely excited at the quiet space and the poetic beauty of the “lotus” floating on the surface of the West Lake.
