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Overview of Yen Tu Tourism
Yen Tu Mountain is part of the Dong Trieu range, located on the border between Bac Giang and Quang Ninh provinces. It became a center of Buddhism when King Tran Nhan Tong relinquished his throne, donned monk's robes, and practiced meditation here, establishing the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect.
Yen Tu Mountain is approximately 130 km from Hanoi, making it a popular 2-day-1-night or day trip destination in the North. The Spring Festival at Yen Tu, held annually from the 10th day of the first lunar month to the end of the third lunar month, attracts a large number of visitors. During this period, the mountain is bustling with worshippers, so it's advisable to avoid weekends and peak festival times if you prefer a more serene experience.
Getting to Yen Tu Mountain
Yen Tu Mountain is 130km from Hanoi and 40km from Hai Phong, not too far if you're considering a motorbike adventure. There are two routes for motorbike travel: one via Hanoi - Uong Bi and the other via Hanoi - Hai Phong. However, familiarity with the roads is essential to avoid getting lost.
If you take the Hanoi - Uong Bi route: Head towards Chuong Duong Bridge - Nguyen Van Cu - Bac Ninh City, then follow National Highway 18. Keep going straight until you reach Trinh Yen Tu Pagoda...
If you take the Hanoi - Hai Phong route: Follow National Highway 5, approximately 94km from km 14 of National Highway 5 to Quan Toan. Then continue straight and turn left at the first junction (turning right leads to a bridge, turn left and go straight), then turn left again at the fourth junction. This stretch is 6km until you reach the foot of the Kien Bridge. Next, follow National Highway 10 until you reach the left turn, about 2km from there is Trinh Yen Tu Pagoda.
Besides traveling by motorbike, you can also take a passenger bus. Since climbing Yen Tu Mountain involves trekking, this method helps conserve energy. To take a bus, you can go to My Dinh Bus Station and catch buses like Khumho Viet Thanh, Duc Phuc, Ka Long, Van Minh... If you plan a day trip to Yen Tu, it's best to depart early in the morning, around 4 a.m., taking about 3-4 hours to arrive at Yen Tu.
How to Climb Yen Tu Mountain
Upon reaching Yen Tu, you'll commence the pilgrimage to the Ancestor's Land by climbing to the summit and then entering the Dong Pagoda to make offerings. To ascend Yen Tu Mountain, you can take the cable car or hike. If you feel insufficient strength for hiking, opt for the cable car. Yen Tu Mountain offers two cable car routes.
Yen Tu Cable Car Prices
Adults Children
Round-trip for 2 routes 280,000 200,000
Round-trip for route 1 180,000 120,000
Round-trip for route 2 180,000 120,000
One-way for route 1 100,000 80,000
One-way for route 2 100,000 80,000
Alternatively, if you choose to trek, you'll need to hike about 6 km uphill via staircases, which isn't too difficult but requires good physical condition.
Attractions along the Yen Tu Pilgrimage Route
Itinerary: Zen Monastery – Giai Oan Bridge – Giai Oan Pagoda – Hoa Yen Pagoda – One-Roof Pagoda – Bao Sai Pagoda – An Ky Sinh and Buddha King Statue – Dong Pagoda
– Trinh Pagoda: Before reaching the foot of Yen Tu Mountain, you'll pass by Trinh Pagoda, so make sure to stop by and offer incense.
– Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Monastery: Vietnam boasts numerous Truc Lam Zen Monasteries, and it's worth visiting one. This is where monks and practitioners engage in meditation and spiritual practices.
– Giai Oan Bridge and Giai Oan Pagoda: Previously, when King Tran Nhan Tong abdicated the throne and donned monk's robes, the king's concubines wanted him to return to the palace but were unsuccessful, so they drowned themselves in the stream. Giai Oan Bridge and Giai Oan Pagoda are the places of worship for these concubines.
– Hue Quang Tower: This is another stop along the Yen Tu pilgrimage route that you should visit. It houses a part of King Tran Nhan Tong's relics, with the rest being enshrined at Tran Nam Dinh Temple. Here, you can offer incense in remembrance.
– Hoa Yen Pagoda: On the way up to Dong Pagoda atop Yen Tu Mountain, you'll undoubtedly pass through Hoa Yen Pagoda. This is the largest temple in the Yen Tu area, also known as Ca Pagoda, Phu Van Pagoda, or Van Yen Pagoda. The temple is situated at an altitude of 543 meters with ancient trees believed to have been planted since King Tran Nhan Tong's meditation on Yen Tu.
– One-Roof Pagoda: One-Roof Pagoda is dedicated to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Here, you'll find a cool spring from which you can drink. The architecture of this temple consists of three sections, corresponding to three altars.
– Bao Sai Pagoda: This temple is where the Buddha King renounced worldly life.
– Van Tieu Pagoda: This is where the monks practice meditation.
– An Ky Sinh and the Statue of Buddha King Tran Nhan Tong: a stone statue of a monk and a large bronze statue of the Buddha King.
– Dong Pagoda: Located at an altitude of 1,068m, it was built during the Later Ly Dynasty under the name Thien Truc Tu. Today, the pagoda has been renovated and restored extensively. The pagoda was cast in pure bronze, with a length of 4.6m, a width of 3.6m, a height of 3.35m, and weighing over 70 tons. It serves as a lotus platform to worship the Buddha Shakyamuni and the three founding masters of the Truc Lam Zen sect.
Besides these destinations, along the way you will also encounter other attractions such as Golden Waterfall, Silver Waterfall.... You will also witness breathtakingly beautiful scenes as if you were in paradise. Though it may be a bit tiring, it's clear that Yen Tu is worth spending 1-2 days exploring and enjoying the scenery.
Essentials for Traveling to Yen Tu
– Plan: A well-thought-out plan will help you navigate this sacred land without any confusion.
– A pair of hiking shoes. As young individuals, you should hike to admire the beautiful scenery here and to express reverence to the ancestral Buddhas,
– A backpack: The backpack will be used to carry essential items, doesn't need to be too large
– Bottled water, snacks, sweat towel, paper fan, mini fan... Snacks can be bread, sausages, boiled eggs, corn, potatoes...
– Clothing: Lightweight, comfortable, with a fully-brimmed hat
– Sunscreen: Essential
– Walking Stick: You can buy a bamboo walking stick for 5,000 VND right at the foot of the mountain.
Above are some tips for young people when embarking on a pilgrimage to Yen Tu Pagoda.
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