1. Côn Sơn Pagoda
Côn Sơn Pagoda, also known as Thiên Tư Phúc Monastery, is a prominent attraction in the Côn Sơn Heritage Site, part of the famous Côn Sơn Kiếp Bạc historical complex. Nestled at the foot of Côn Sơn Mountain, the pagoda is linked to historical events, including a battle against invaders by the 12 generals of Đinh Bộ Lĩnh in the 10th century. Consequently, the mountain is also named Kỳ Lân or Hun Mountain, and the pagoda is colloquially referred to by names associated with the mountain, such as Côn Sơn Pagoda, Kỳ Lân Pagoda, or Hun Côn Sơn Pagoda.
In the 12th year of Hưng Long (1304), the French Loa monk initiated the construction of a small temple here. By the first year of Khai Hựu (1329), Côn Sơn Pagoda was expanded and beautified under the abbotship of Huyền Quang, becoming one of the central hubs of the Trúc Lâm Zen sect. During the Lê dynasty, Côn Sơn Pagoda underwent further expansion, comprising 83 lateral and 385 statues placed throughout the temple...
Throughout historical upheavals, the pagoda's scale was reduced. Presently, the architecture of Côn Sơn Pagoda forms the letter 'Công,' consisting of three main structures: Front Hall, Incense Burning Hall, and Upper Palace. The Upper Palace houses 3m-high Buddha statues crafted in the artistic style of the Lê dynasty.
The entrance to the Tam quan (Côn Sơn Pagoda gate) is paved with bricks, extending beneath centuries-old pine trees intertwined with branches of lychee trees. The Tam quan, constructed in 1995, follows an ancient design with two stories and eight gracefully decorated roofs featuring floral patterns and artistic clouds. Behind the pagoda lies the Đăng Minh protective tower, built from green stone and towering three stories high, housing relics and a statue of Zen master Huyền Quang.
Alongside the moss-covered ancient architecture, Côn Sơn Pagoda boasts a 600-year-old banyan tree and four stone steles, notably the 'Thanh Hư Động' stele erected during the Long Khánh era (1373 - 1377), preserving inscriptions by King Trần Duệ Tông, and the hexagonal stele 'Côn Sơn thiện tư bi phúc tự'...