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Quan Thanh Temple - Where is it located? What makes Quan Thanh Temple so special and endearing to visitors from near and far? Let's explore with Klook Vietnam for the answers!
When it comes to the nostalgic beauty of an early autumn morning by West Lake, you might have heard the poetic lines: 'The breeze carries the fragrance of bamboo. The Tran Vu bell, the rooster crow of Tho Xuong.' The resonating Tran Vu bell is none other than the bell echoing from Tran Vu Temple, or Quan Thanh Temple as it is known near West Lake, becoming a legendary and captivating sound in the subconscious of Hanoians since ancient times.
Quan Thanh Temple is one of the four sacred temples, guarding the land of Thang Long, and has become a cultural and spiritual symbol of the land of the Capital. Especially during springtime, Quan Thanh Temple attracts a considerable number of people for prayers, and on regular days, it's an impressive tourist spot not to be missed when visiting Hanoi.
Join Klook Vietnam to visit this sacred temple and discover the cultural aspects and historical values behind it! When planning a trip to the capital Hanoi, #teamKlook, book your Hanoi hotel or rent a private car in Hanoi directly on Klook for a smoother journey. There are plenty of enticing deals available!
Introduction to Quan Thanh Temple, Hanoi
Quan Thanh Temple, also known as Tran Vu Quan, was built during the reign of King Ly Thai To (1010 – 1028) to worship Huyen Thien Tran Vu, one of the four guardian gods protecting the four gates of the ancient Thang Long Citadel.
The Thang Long Four Guardian Temples consist of four temples: Bach Ma Temple guarding the East, Voi Phuc Temple guarding the West, Kim Lien Temple guarding the South, and Quan Thanh Temple guarding the North.
According to inscriptions on steles, Quan Thanh Temple has undergone numerous renovations.
In 1962, this temple was recognized as a national historical relic with significant historical, cultural, and religious values that need to be preserved.
Today, Quan Thanh Temple remains a familiar cultural and religious center for the people of Hanoi, particularly renowned for its unique architecture and exquisite bronze statues, showcasing the artistic craftsmanship of ancient Daoism.
Where is Quan Thanh Temple Located?
Quán Thánh Temple is situated at the corner of Thanh Nien Street and Quan Thanh Street overlooking West Lake. Along with Tran Quoc Pagoda, Van Nien Pagoda, Tay Ho Palace, and numerous other temples around West Lake area, Quán Thánh Temple has contributed significantly to the overall harmonious architecture and embodies precious cultural and spiritual values.
To reach Quán Thánh Temple, you can opt to travel by personal means such as car, motorbike, or taxi, as well as by bus.
Quan Thanh Street is located in the central area, hence it is easily accessible. From Ba Dinh Square, head towards Doc Lap Street and Hoang Van Thu Street, then turn right onto Hung Vuong Street. Just continue straight on Hung Vuong Street for over 400m, and you will arrive at Quán Thánh Temple.
If you choose to travel by bus, you can select from routes: 14, 33, 50. These routes have stops near the temple, and you only need to walk a short distance to reach your destination.
Certainly, Quán Thánh Temple is an essential stop in the journey of exploring the streets with the Hanoi City Tour double-decker bus.
Quán Thánh Temple Opening Hours
- Quán Thánh Temple opens its doors from 8 am to 5 pm every day of the week.
History of Quán Thánh Temple
According to historical documents and inscriptions found on steles, Quán Thánh Temple dates back to the reign of the Lý dynasty, undergoing renovations in the years: 1618, 1677, 1768, 1836, 1843, 1893, and 1941.
During the renovation under the reign of Emperor Lê Hy Tông, Lord Trịnh Tạc entrusted his son Trịnh Căn to oversee the casting of the Trấn Vũ Quán bell and the statue of Saint Trấn Vũ. Master craftsman Vũ Công Chấn personally led the casting of the Huyền Thiên Trấn Vũ statue in bronze, replacing the previous wooden statue.
In 1794, during the reign of Emperor Cảnh Thịnh, Tây Sơn Admiral Lê Văn Ngữ had a large bronze bell cast and placed it in the main hall.
When Emperor Minh Mạng toured the Northern Citadel, he renamed the temple to Chân Vũ Quán. These three Chinese characters were engraved on the triple gate, but the horizontal plaque in the Hall of Ceremonies still reads Trấn Vũ Quán.
In 1842, Emperor Thiệu Trị visited the temple and donated funds to cast a gold ring to adorn the statue of Saint Trấn Vũ.
Thus, the temple has two names: Trấn Vũ Quán and Quán Thánh Temple. 'Quán' is part of the term 'Đạo Quán,' which refers to the worship place of Daoism.
Quán Thánh Temple was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic in early 1962 along with Trấn Quốc Pagoda.
The Legend of Quán Thánh Temple
Saint Trấn Vũ is a mythical figure in both Vietnamese and Chinese mythology, hence there are legends about this character in both cultures.
According to legend, Huyền Thiên Trấn Vũ was originally a deity tasked with guarding the Northern Gate of Heaven during the Tuy dynasty. Later, he descended to earth and became the first king of Tĩnh Lạc, China.
However, upon reaching adulthood, he renounced the luxuries and power of royalty to practice asceticism at Vũ Dương Mountain. After 42 years of arduous practice, Huyền Thiên Trấn Vũ attained enlightenment and journeyed to Vietnam.
Upon arriving at Long Đỗ Village, along the Nhị Hà River, which is present-day Hanoi, he decided to settle and practice at a temple near West Lake. Through his profound teachings, he exorcised evil spirits and protected the villagers. In gratitude, the villagers built a temple to honor Huyền Thiên Trấn Vũ right at the temple where he meditated, and named it Trấn Vũ Quán.
There is also a legend that Huyền Thiên Trấn Vũ was the envoy sent by the Jade Emperor to vanquish the nine-tailed foxes that troubled the lives of the people in Long Đỗ Village.
Therefore, after relocating the capital to Thăng Long, Emperor Lý Thái Tổ ordered the construction of a temple dedicated to Huyền Thiên Trấn Vũ in the north to ward off malevolent spirits harming the villagers.
Who is Worshiped at Quán Thánh Temple?
Quán Thánh Temple is established to worship Huyền Thiên Trấn Vũ, a mythical figure who once protected Long Đỗ Village and guarded the northern gate of the royal capital Thăng Long.
What Makes Quan Thanh Temple Architecture Special?
Quan Thanh Temple follows the traditional architecture of China, consisting of three gates, a courtyard, front and main altars, and a rear chamber.
The outer gate of the temple, located on Thanh Nien Street, features four columns with four phoenixes back-to-back and a unicorn on top. Surrounding the columns are prominent details such as painted tigers, carp turning into dragons, and pairs of red couplets, adding grandeur to the temple's entrance.
Beyond the outer gate lies the temple's triple gate, structured like a pavilion with three doors and two stories. Notably, the central gate of the triple gate houses a relief of Rahu, a deity from India, reflecting the cultural integration of the Vietnamese people since ancient times. Additionally, atop the main triple gate is where the bronze bell, cast in 1677 during the reign of King Le Hy Tong, is placed. This bell's sound has been immortalized in Vietnamese poetry and folk songs.
Passing through the triple gate, visitors reach a house of steles with numerous inscribed stone steles documenting the temple's renovation history. Adjacent to the house of steles, along Quan Thanh Street, is a memorial shrine built in the form of a pavilion, containing an altar and images of soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Quan Thanh Temple area.
Entering the courtyard, one finds an area arranged for ritual offerings. The small courtyard features an ancient banyan tree, surrounded by fish ponds and miniature rock gardens.
In front of the main hall, there are two large incense burners and a table for preparing ritual offerings. The hall's porch is adorned with relief sculptures depicting a tiger descending from the mountain, a fish transforming into a dragon, and a plaque introducing the bronze statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu in the rear chamber.
Previously made of wood, the statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu was recast in black bronze in 1677, placed on a slab of jade. The Tran Vu statue is a unique sculpture in Vietnam, showcasing the exquisite art of bronze casting and sculpture craftsmanship of the Vietnamese people over three centuries ago.
Within the hall, there is also a smaller black bronze incense burner. Additionally, the temple houses a bronze gong cast during the reign of the Trinh lords.
Aside from bronze casting, Quan Thanh Temple boasts numerous valuable artworks engraved on doors, columns, rafters, and over 60 poems, horizontal lacquered boards, and couplets written in Chinese characters.
The sacred sculptures and themes are intricately and meticulously carved, embodying the artistic style of the Le dynasty.
Prayers at Quan Thanh Temple
Quan Thanh Temple is a sacred place, visited by many for worship. Typically, people use prayer texts similar to those used for rituals at temples and shrines, such as the Thanh Hoang prayer, the Ban Cong Dong prayer, or the Tam Toa Thanh Mau prayer.
Quan Thanh Temple Festival
The Quan Thanh Temple Festival takes place annually on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, attracting a large number of people to come and offer incense for blessings. Additionally, people often gather here during the first days of the lunar new year, around the 1st to the 15th of the first lunar month. If you visit Quan Thanh Temple during this time, please note the crowded conditions and potential congestion.
Beautiful Hotels Near Quan Thanh Temple, Hanoi
If you can find accommodation in the West Lake or Truc Bach Lake area, your Hanoi trip will be even more enjoyable. Here are some great suggestions for #teamKlook:
1. Moon View Hotel 1
- Address: 65 Cua Bac, Quan Thanh Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi City
- Reference Price: 772,000 VND/night
2. May de ville City Centre II Hotel 2
- Address: 57 Pham Hong Thai, Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi City
- Reference Price: 1,110,000 VND/night
3. Somerset West Lake Hanoi
- Address: 254D Thuy Khue, Thuy Khue Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi City
- Reference Price: 1,348,000 VND/night
4. The Q Hotel
- Address: 87 Nguyen Truong To, Nguyen Trung Truc Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi City
- Reference Price: 1,320,000 VND/night
5. Millan Home Reflections Homestay
- Address: 63 Truc Bach, Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi City
- Reference Price: 749,000 VND/night
Hanoi also offers a plethora of luxurious hotels, homestays, and resorts. Simply book your hotel through Klook Vietnam's system to get the best prices. Don't forget to use discount codes for additional savings!
So, we've briefly visited Quan Thanh Temple. The rest is up to #teamKlook to plan their trip, explore the cultural, architectural, and artistic nuances here, and delve deeper into folk beliefs while sending wishes for peace to themselves and their families.
Apart from Quan Thanh Temple, you can also visit other famous landmarks such as Ngoc Son Temple at Hoan Kiem Lake, sacred pagodas in Hanoi, or even the Huong Pagoda complex in the outskirts of Hanoi to further understand the spiritual culture of the Vietnamese people in the Red River Delta region.
You're planning to visit Quan Thanh Temple, Hanoi during your upcoming vacation, aren't you?
