Huong Pagoda, Iconic Spiritual Destination in Hanoi

Huong Pagoda holds deep significance in the spiritual and childhood memories of Hanoi locals. Renowned not only as a sacred pilgrimage site but also for its serene and harmonious natural landscapes, Huong Pagoda captivates with rare tranquility. Let's explore Huong Pagoda, Hanoi with Klook Vietnam through the article below! Situated in the outskirts of Hanoi, Huong Pagoda has long been a leading Buddhist spiritual destination in Vietnam. Each year, numerous domestic and international tourists visit to pilgrimage, pray for peace, good luck, and admire the picturesque scenery resembling a beautiful painting.

Hanoi tourism has been renowned for its numerous historical and sacred temple and pagoda landmarks. Each structure, big or small, holds a story with a remarkable history that attracts the curiosity of many visitors.

Today, let's embark on a Huong Pagoda journey with #teamKlook, full of new discoveries!

Commonly referred to as Huong Pagoda Hanoi, it is also known as 'Chua Trong' - the heart of the sacred Buddhist complex comprising various temples and pagodas built into the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich Cave.

The entrance path to Huong Pagoda is wide and filled with mystery, with the most notable being the Huong Tich Cave shaped like a dragon's open mouth. The stone walls bear ancient Chinese characters dating back to 1770.

Inside the cave, numerous Buddha statues carved from green stone, including the statue of Buddha and the statue of Quan Am, are displayed. Pilgrims believe that touching the natural stalactites in the cave brings good luck. The air inside the temple is cool and refreshing, providing a tranquil and peaceful experience for tourists. The liveliest scenes occur during the Huong Pagoda festival, which lasts from January to April.

Take time to pause and enjoy the scenery on the way to the pagoda, as the landscape is fascinating, adorned with fruit-bearing trees such as apricots and various medicinal plants cultivated by local residents. Other temples worth visiting in the complex include Vong Temple, Thuyet Kinh Cave, and Thien Son Pagoda.

Huong Pagoda is a complex of shrines and temples on Huong Son Mountain. The pagoda is situated on the right bank of the Day River, belonging to Huong Son Commune, My Duc District, Hanoi.

Huong Pagoda is approximately 70km southwest of the central Hanoi, taking just over an hour by car. Due to its proximity to Hanoi, the serene Huong Pagoda has become a favorite weekend retreat for Hanoi residents and people from the northern provinces seeking an escape from the bustling city life.

There are various ways to reach Huong Pagoda from the center of Hanoi. You can opt for public buses, motorbike rides, or hire a private car for the journey. 

Bus route 103 operates from My Dinh Bus Station to Huong Pagoda and vice versa. The buses run from 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM daily, departing every 15 minutes. In terms of cost, there is no cheaper option as the fare is only 9,000 VND/one-way/person. While economical, this option comes with some inconveniences such as longer travel time, crowded peak hours, and the possibility of standing during the journey.

Choosing a motorbike offers great convenience as you can freely navigate your journey without waiting. After exploring the Huong Pagoda site, you can visit nearby attractions to optimize your itinerary and save time.

The safest, quickest, and most comfortable way to travel from Hanoi to Huong Pagoda is to rent a private car. If you're traveling with a group or family, consider hiring a private car with a driver. 

However, you cannot drive directly to the pagoda; upon arrival, you need to purchase a boat ticket. You will then board the boat at Duc Pier and cruise along the Yen Stream to reach the main attractions. This water route is approximately 4km long, taking between 45 minutes to 1 hour to travel from the boat pier to the pagoda.

Along the journey on Yen Stream, travelers will pass by Trinh Temple and various uniquely shaped mountains. Listen to stories from boat drivers about the origins and legends of these locations. 

Among them, the route to Huong Tich Cave is the main and most chosen route by many tourists. This route covers the top famous sites within the entire complex. If you are taking a one-day tour of Huong Pagoda, this is the recommended route. If you have more time staying overnight, you can explore other routes in the following days. 

Huong Pagoda welcomes visitors from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can take advantage of an early morning drive from Hanoi to the boat pier to enjoy the fresh air.

Huong Pagoda has a history dating back to the late 17th century. According to historical records, the pagoda was established during the reign of King Le Huy Tong (1680 - 1704). During the 20th-century War of Independence, the pagoda suffered severe damage; later, Venerable Thich Vien Thanh led the restoration efforts in 1988. 

Historical documents also indicate that Huong Pagoda is now a replica of Huong Tich Pagoda in Central Vietnam. Huong Tich Pagoda (also known as Huong Pagoda) is an ancient temple atop Huong Tich Mountain in the Hong Linh range, Ha Tinh province. 

So, why is there a 'Huong Pagoda' in the North? During the Le-Trinh period, most kings, lords, and their consorts were from the Hoan Chau region (present-day Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh provinces). Every year, as spring approached, they would pilgrimage to Huong Tich Pagoda to participate in the festival and admire the beauty of the Hoan Chau scenic area.

Because this pagoda was too far from the Forbidden City, making travel dangerous and time-consuming, Lord Trinh sent scholars to survey the Ha Son Binh mountainous area and built a second Huong Pagoda there for the consorts to travel more easily. And that's how Huong Pagoda in Hanoi came into existence.

The place name Huong Pagoda is closely associated with the folk belief in the worship of the Three Mothers. The pagoda has a legend about Princess Dieu Thien, who later attained enlightenment and became Avalokitesvara - a Buddhist deity. Legend has it that a divine tiger protected Princess Dieu Thien on her journey to the Hong Linh range, where she took refuge in a cave and practiced Buddhism. The temple in Ha Tinh province is believed to have existed since the 13th century, much earlier than Huong Pagoda in Hanoi.

As time has passed, Huong Pagoda is no longer just a small temple and cave but has become a large complex of various temples, shrines, and altars. Here are the top tourist spots at Huong Pagoda, Hanoi, that you shouldn't miss.

The first starting point of the pilgrimage is Duc Pier. Typically, it takes over 2 hours to travel from Hanoi to Duc Pier. During the annual festivals, Duc Pier sees thousands of rowing boats used to transport tourists. For many travelers, an hour-long boat ride on the Yen Stream from Duc Pier is truly the highlight of the journey and has inspired many famous poets.

Yen Stream flows between two mountains, stretching 3km. However, when sitting on the boat leisurely enjoying the surrounding scenery, you can feel that the stream is endless. Although there is a convenient road from Duc Pier to Huong Mountain, most people choose to take a boat on Yen Stream, a much more romantic and scenic route to reach Huong Pagoda.

While traveling along Yen Stream, tourists will admire the beautiful landscape of lush green rice fields and the rugged limestone mountains all the way to the foot of Huong Mountain. From the boat, you can easily see on the left the Phoenix Mountain and the Twin-Paddle Mountain resembling an Indian python. On the right is the Five Melodies Mountain with Trinh Temple, where visitors stop to burn incense for the Mountain God.

Trinh Temple, also known as Upper Temple, is about 300m from Duc Pier, the first stopping point of Huong Pagoda. Located at the foot of Five Melodies Mountain, it worships General Tu Ma, who played a crucial role in protecting the nation from foreign invaders. The temple suffered severe damage during the French Indochina War in the 20th century and was reconstructed in 1992.

Perfume Pagoda Cave is considered the main destination for pilgrims visiting the complex of Huong Pagoda because it houses the Perfume Pagoda, also known as the 'Inner Temple.'

The massive entrance of the cave, as well as the temple, astonishes visitors as the cave resembles the mouth of a dragon. Carved on the wall at the cave's entrance is an ancient Vietnamese inscription: 'Nam Thien De Nhat Dong,' dating back to 1770. This inscription can be loosely translated as the 'Supreme Cave of the Southern World,' using 'Southern World' to refer to the country of Vietnam due to its geographical location south of China.

Entering the Inner Temple, visitors will be amazed by numerous stone-carved statues of Buddha, Quan The Am Bodhisattva, and other Buddhist deities. The most impressive statue here is the Statue of Quan Am Bodhisattva, with the left leg straight and resting on a lotus flower, while the right leg is bent and supported by a lotus made of winding leaves, holding a pearl in hand.

Additionally, inside the cave, there are various natural stone formations. Over the years, some of them have become smooth, and it is believed that touching and rubbing them brings about miracles and good luck to people's lives.

There are 2 options to reach Hương Tích Cave: climbing the mountain or taking the cable car. The mountain ascent, with its steep and lengthy climb, takes about an hour, demanding excellent physical fitness due to thousands of high-gradient stone steps. Occasionally, some steps can be slippery, requiring visitors to be cautious and wear comfortable shoes or sandals. However, it's a memorable experience with breathtaking scenery along the way. You can feel the towering lush green canopies around and sometimes catch glimpses of the locals' daily life.

There are two ways to reach Hương Tích Mountain: an approximately 1-hour mountain climb or a cable car ride. The cable car swiftly takes you to the mountain's summit in just a few minutes, offering spectacular views from above. You can also purchase a one-way ticket up the mountain for a less tiring downhill trek.

The cable car journey to Hương Tích Cave takes only 10-15 minutes to reach the cave's entrance. Sitting inside the cabin, you can admire the romantic beauty of the landscape below, with mountains, forests, and temples along the way.

The first destination you'll visit after disembarking from the boat is Thiên Trù Pagoda, also known as the Outer Pagoda. This is one of the main attractions in the entire complex and serves as the venue for the festival's opening ceremony. Besides its unique architecture and religious significance, Thiên Trù Pagoda houses the Vien Cong Tower, where the remains of the Zen master Vien Quang, the temple's founder, are enshrined.

Midway between Thiên Trù Pagoda and Hương Tích Cave lies Giải Oan Pagoda. With the meaning 'Temple of Apparition,' locals believe that this temple is where deities can purify souls, alleviate suffering, and bestow blessings upon childless families. The highlight of this pagoda is the Giải Oan Stream, flowing from nine springs, and the Long Tuyền Well with its naturally clear water.

The Perfume Pagoda Festival is one of the largest religious events in northern Vietnam, attracting millions of Buddhists and international tourists. It is also the longest-lasting festival in Vietnam, spanning from the 6th of the Lunar New Year to the 6th of the third Lunar month, with the main events occurring from the 15th to the 20th of the second Lunar month.

During the festival, spiritual events take place, including incense offerings, processions, and meditation ceremonies. The festival encompasses three religions: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Considered a profoundly sacred religious site, Perfume Pagoda and its festival draw thousands of pilgrims to Vietnam, seeking prosperity and well-being for the new year. Particularly, those facing fertility challenges pray for divine intervention. Hence, participants make every effort to overcome the challenging journey to Hương Tích Cave, firmly believing that deities will understand their heartfelt wishes and make them come true. Alongside exploring Vietnam's traditions and culture during this festival, visitors also get the chance to participate in engaging traditional games such as rice cooking competitions and tug of war.

Experience the enchanting beauty of Perfume Pagoda through these captivating images, surely igniting your wanderlust and prompting you to pack your bags for an exploration right away!

Surrounded by stunning and mystical limestone mountains, visitors can only reach Perfume Pagoda by a 45-minute rowboat journey. Sailing along the poetic Yen Stream provides a serene experience.

In contrast to the bustling atmosphere during the spring festival season, Perfume Pagoda exudes tranquility in the remaining months of the year. Following Klook's independent travel tips for Perfume Pagoda, if you seek an escape from the hustle and bustle of big cities to enjoy peaceful moments in the humble countryside, visit Perfume Pagoda in early April (after the festival) or between October and November when the vibrant red silk cotton flowers bloom, signaling the arrival of summer. During this time, visitors will be impressed by the beauty of the blooming red flowers adorning the banks of the Yen Stream as they row towards the pagoda.

Another fantastic time for a rowboat journey along the Yen Stream is in November when the Bombax ceiba flowers start to bloom. These brilliant purple flowers embellish the clear Yen Stream, creating an extraordinary picturesque scene. You might also encounter Vietnamese women dressed in Ao Dai capturing glamorous photos next to the Bombax ceiba flowers.

Rowing a boat along the Yen Stream during these floral seasons allows you to feel as if you've stepped into a truly magical fairyland.

If you're passionate about discovering the beauty and cultural richness of Perfume Pagoda but unsure where to begin, worry not, because Klook has you covered! Currently, there are numerous enticing deals for Perfume Pagoda sightseeing tours and exciting destinations in Northern Vietnam, whether it's a day trip or an extended journey. 

Head over to the Klook Blog to pocket some self-guided Hanoi travel experiences, discover interesting travel spots near Hanoi, find Hanoi's delicious eats, explore Hanoi hotels, and the exclusive hotel booking system in Hanoi with unique discount codes exclusively for #teamKlook. What are you waiting for? Start exploring now!

Need a moment of tranquility amid the hustle and bustle of life? Visit Perfume Pagoda Hanoi now!