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Embark on a journey to visit 5 gates and explore the ancient Thang Long Imperial Citadel, ensuring an intriguing trip filled with millennia-old historical depth of the capital city.
Touring Hanoi: Discovering 5 Gates and Traces of the Ancient Thang Long Imperial Citadel
Thang Long, in the past, was a prominent urban center, serving as the capital under various dynasties. It boasted a complex of citadels, temples, and tombs. Despite the ravages of time, most of the relics of Thang Long have been destroyed. Nevertheless, for history enthusiasts and adventurers alike, there are still renowned sites where the extensive history since the relocation by King Ly Thai To to Thang Long is documented.
The first destination is the Imperial Citadel. This is the remaining relic of the ancient Forbidden City. Thang Long Citadel consists of the Forbidden City, La Thanh, and Hao Thanh. The Forbidden City was once vast, serving as the residence of kings and the royal family. It housed numerous palace structures and tombs.
However, after the Nguyen dynasty, the Forbidden City underwent significant demolition and contraction, becoming the current Thang Long Imperial Citadel. During the French colonial period, the citadel was once again heavily damaged, replaced by some military-style buildings in French architecture.
Exploring the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, you can discover Hanoi Flag Tower, visit Ngọ Môn, the Foundation of Kính Thiên Palace, Cửa Bắc, Princess' Pavilion… Within the Imperial Citadel area, there are also remnants from the resistance against French colonialism and American aggression.
You can visit the archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu Street. This site was recently unearthed. Archaeologists have found numerous relics, traces, and evidence of the grandeur and magnificence of Thang Long Imperial Citadel both spatially and temporally.
After exploring the Imperial Citadel, you can delve into the 5 gates of Hanoi immortalized in literature to learn more about the scale of the ancient Thang Long Citadel.
In fact, the ancient Thang Long Citadel had many gates, but the most famous are still the 5 gates of Đống Mác, Cầu Dền, Cầu Giấy, Chợ Dừa, and Ô Quan Chưởng. The ancient Thang Long Citadel was surrounded by 3 rivers: the Red River, To Lich River, and Kim Ngưu River. Most of the gates opened towards these 3 rivers. Nowadays, these rivers have been gradually narrowed. After the ravages of time, only Ô Quan Chưởng gate remains steadfast alongside time.
Đống Mác Gate is located at the end of Lò Đúc Street, at the intersection with Trần Khát Chân Street and Kim Ngưu Street. Cầu Dền Gate is the major intersection connecting Huế Street, Bạch Mai Street, Trần Khát Chân Street, and Đại Cồ Việt Street. Chợ Dừa Gate is now the intersection of 6 streets: Xã Đàn, Khâm Thiên, Tôn Đức Thắng, Tây Sơn, Đê La Thành, and Chợ Dừa. This is also an extremely important traffic hub, meeting the significant transportation needs of Hanoi.
The location of Cầu Giấy Gate is believed to be at the northern end of the bridge over Tô Lịch River at the intersection of Láng Street – Bưởi Street – Cầu Giấy Street – Kim Mã Street. The position of Ô Quan Chưởng Gate is the intersection of Hàng Chiếu Street, Đào Duy Từ Street, and Thanh Hà Street.
The name Ô Quan Chưởng originates from an event in the 26th year of Emperor Tự Đức's reign, when the French colonialists attacked Hanoi (November 20, 1873), and a Commander and one hundred soldiers defended the citadel until the last person. Because of this, people call this gate Ô Quan Chưởng to commemorate their contributions.
After visiting the gates, you should also explore the historical sites associated with Hanoi's thousands of years of history. The most famous ones are the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, the Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu Quốc Tử Giám), and the Tran Quoc Pagoda.
Thăng Long Imperial Citadel is a folk name used to refer to four sacred temples guarding the East – West – South – North directions of the Thăng Long Citadel. They are:
Eastern Guard: Đền Bạch Mã (Hang Buom Street) dedicated to the deity Long Đỗ – the founding king of Hanoi. The temple was built in the 9th century.
Western Guard: Voi Phục Temple (now located in Thu Le Park) dedicated to Linh Lang – a prince during the Lý dynasty. The temple was built in the 11th century.
Southern Guard: Kim Liên Temple, formerly located in Kim Hoa Ward, later in Đông Tác Ward, Thọ Xương District, Hoài Đức Prefecture (now Phương Liên Ward, Đống Đa District, Hanoi), dedicated to Cao Sơn Đại Vương. The temple was built in the 17th century.
Northern Guard: Quán Thánh Temple (also known as Trấn Vũ Temple), located at the end of Thanh Niên Street, dedicated to Huyền Thiên Trấn Vũ. The temple was built in the 10th century.
All four temples are very famous and built in the ancient architecture of Thăng Long Citadel. Every year, these temples host vibrant festivals that attract numerous tourists.
The Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám) is the most famous landmark in the capital, with the iconic image of the Pavilion of Literature becoming a symbol. The Temple of Literature was constructed in 1070, during the reign of Emperor Lý Thánh Tông, to worship Confucius and other Confucian sages, serving as a royal academy. In 1076, Emperor Lý Nhân Tông established the Quốc Tử Giám (Imperial Academy) next to the Temple of Literature, which can be considered as the first university in Vietnam.
To conclude your journey, you can visit Tran Quoc Pagoda. The pagoda is situated on a small island in the eastern part of West Lake (Tay Ho District), with a history of 1500 years, making it the oldest in Thăng Long – Hanoi. The architecture of the pagoda harmoniously combines solemnity, antiquity with elegant scenery amidst the serene backdrop of a vast lake. It was the Buddhist center of the capital during the Lý and Trần dynasties.
A short trip that will help you envision the thousand-year history of ancient Thăng Long, modern-day Hanoi, a land that many people hold dear to their hearts.
Source: Zing News
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourMay 13, 2016
