A-to-Z Guide to Visiting Yen Tu Pagoda When Traveling to Ha Long

1 Where is Yen Tu Pagoda located?

Location of Yen Tu Pagoda: Yen Tu Mountain, Nam Mau Hamlet, Thuong Yen Cong Commune, Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province

When looking for travel tips for Yen Tu Pagoda, the first thing you need to know about is Yen Tu Mountain. This mountain trail spans up to 6,000 m on foot and sits at an altitude of 1,068 m above sea level, belonging to the Dong Trieu mountain range, bordering Quang Ninh Province (to the east) and Bac Giang Province (to the west). In the past, this mountain was called Bach Van Son (White Cloud Mountain) because its summit was constantly enshrouded in floating clouds. Yen Tu Pagoda is renowned as the "ancestral land of Vietnamese Buddhism" and is also the birthplace of the Truc Lam Zen sect today.

Yen Tu Mountain also boasts lush, vast, and diverse vegetation that attracts tireless explorers. In addition, this place preserves a system of cultural and historical relics associated with the Tran dynasty and the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect. Conquering the sacred 6,000 m trail to the summit of Yen Tu – Dong Pagoda is a long journey that can take up to 6 hours. On your pilgrimage, you will pass by small shrines, stupas, and ancient steles nestled among ancient bamboo groves and magnificent pine forests.

See more: Top 10+ stunning travel destinations in Quang Ninh that you must visit

2 Yen Tu travel experience is incomplete without the Yen Tu Spring Festival

A guide to Yen Tu Pagoda would be quite incomplete without mentioning the period from the 10th day of the first lunar month to the third lunar month every year, which is also the peak travel season. During this time, Yen Tu Pagoda welcomes a large number of visitors from various provinces for spring outings and pilgrimages. On the opening day of the festival, the entire sacred Buddhist land seems to don a new coat, accompanied by unique and vibrant traditional cultural and artistic activities such as the opening seal ceremony "Sacred Mark of Dong Pagoda", incense offering rituals to Buddha, paying homage to Truc Lam Zen Ancestors, and more.

When arriving at Yen Tu Pagoda, embarking on a pilgrimage to the peak of Dong Pagoda, and immersing yourself in the majestic, boundless nature enveloped in drifting mist, you will truly understand what it feels like to step into a fairy-like wonderland—where your body sheds worldly dust and your mind is freed from mundane desires. The Yen Tu Spring Festival is an ideal opportunity for you to experience the sacred and serene atmosphere of the Buddhist realm.

3 A-to-Z Guide to Visiting Yen Tu Pagoda and Important Notes to Remember

To prepare for your Yen Tu Pagoda journey, you should first learn how to conquer the sacred Yen Tu peak right from the starting point. Travel enthusiasts can choose one of two popular methods: trekking on foot or taking the cable car.

To reach Dong Pagoda by cable car (reference ticket prices: 350,000 VND / person / round trip – 200,000 VND / person / one way – Free for children under 1.2 m and seniors over 70 years old). Useful cable car tips for you: it will take about 4 hours by cable car, or around 6 hours of hiking along thousands of stone steps cutting through the pristine, lush, and expansive forest. Let's explore with MIA.vn what the route to Yen Tu Pagoda looks like.

3.1 Giai Oan Pagoda & Giai Oan Stream

When researching tips for visiting Yen Tu Pagoda, you must have heard of Giai Oan Pagoda and Giai Oan Stream, right? The path leading to Giai Oan Stream is a 10 m-long blue stone bridge weathered by time, spanning across a crystal-clear stream. According to folklore, this stream is where the concubines and palace maids of the Tran dynasty were relieved of grievances and guided to salvation. They threw themselves into the stream after failing to persuade their king to return to the imperial court.

Giai Oan Pagoda, also known as Ha Pagoda (Lower Pagoda), is a key pagoda on your upcoming journey to conquer Yen Tu, alongside Trinh Pagoda, Dong Pagoda, Trung Pagoda, and Hoa Yen Pagoda. Arriving at the pagoda entrance, you will have the chance to admire 6 stupas, notably the tombs of Zen Master Phap Loa, Zen Master Huyen Quang, and the stupa dedicated to King Tran Nhan Tong.

3.2 Pine Path (Duong Tung)

Continuing your path toward the Buddhist sanctuary, this Yen Tu travel guide will lead you through the ancient Pine Path, aged over 700 years. The entire road is shaded by more than 250 ancient pine trees with trunks so massive that a single person cannot hug around them.

Absorbing the sacred aura of the ancestral land, these giant pine trees remain evergreen, standing majestically along the trail leading to the sacred mountain. They shelter pilgrims and serve as resting spots for monks, nuns, and Buddhists seeking their spiritual roots in a crisp, pleasant atmosphere.

3.3 Hue Quang Ancestral Stupa, Hoa Yen Pagoda

Hoa Yen Pagoda, also known as Ca Pagoda, is located at an altitude of 534 m. It is considered the largest pagoda, the heart of Yen Tu, and the most anticipated destination when researching travel tips for Yen Tu Pagoda. Built during the Ly dynasty under the name Phu Van, the pagoda was renamed Hoa Yen Pagoda during the Le dynasty through successive reigns. This most scenic pagoda on Yen Tu Mountain was once where the Buddhist King lectured the Dharma to monks, nuns, and followers.

After climbing thousands of stone steps, you can stop at Hoa Yen Pagoda to sightsee and admire its unique and elaborate Tran dynasty architecture. In addition, you can visit the Hue Quang Ancestral Stupa—where a portion of King Tran Nhan Tong's relics is preserved.

3.4 Mot Mai Pagoda

Mot Mai Pagoda (One-Roof Pagoda / Ban Mai Pagoda) leans against the cliff of Yen Tu Mountain, built with an intricate and elaborate three-bay architecture, dedicated to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva (Guan Yin).

Upon arriving at the pagoda, you will immediately see 3 main altars: the Ancestral Altar, the Three Jewels (Tam Bao) Altar, and the Rear Altar at the lowest and deepest position. A visit to Yen Tu Pagoda would also not be complete without taking a sip of sacred water from the mountain cleft at Mot Mai Pagoda. After drinking this water, your entire body will feel refreshed, light, and purified.

3.5 Bao Sai Pagoda

Bao Sai Pagoda is the next stop when looking for travel tips for Yen Tu Pagoda. Named after the first disciple of King Monk Tran Nhan Tong – Zen Master Bao Sai, this pagoda is nestled against the Yen Tu cliff. Despite several restorations, Bao Sai Pagoda still retains the distinct Tran dynasty architectural characteristics in its ancestral house and main hall, along with its sacred, distinctive landscape. Notably, Bao Sai Pagoda also features a spirit shrine and an ancient, moss-covered sacred well, accompanied by an impressive, colossal statue depicting King Monk Tran Nhan Tong entering Nirvana.

3.6 Statue of King Monk Tran Nhan Tong & An Ky Sinh

Continuing your journey exploring Yen Tu Pagoda, you will behold the majestic and solemn statue of King Monk Tran Nhan Tong erected on the An Ky Sinh peak. Weighing up to 138 tons and standing 15 m tall, the statue sits majestically amidst the ethereal landscape of Yen Tu.

Beside the King Monk Tran Nhan Tong statue stands the stone hermit statue (An Ky Sinh), weathered by time, moss-grown, and full of nostalgia. Wearing a dark robe with hands respectfully clasped before the chest, the statue stands proudly and solemnly across 7 decades through countless weather conditions on the sacred mountain, carrying profound meanings that are difficult for mortals to fully comprehend.

3.7 Dong Pagoda (Bronze Pagoda)

Concluding the quest to conquer the sacred Yen Tu peak, this is also the final leg of your Yen Tu Pagoda itinerary. After a long journey past thousands of steep, precarious cliffs and boundless green forests, you will set foot on Dong Pagoda. The pagoda is perched atop the sheer cliff of Yen Tu summit, encircled by rolling sea of clouds resembling an ethereal fairyland.

Unwinding atop Yen Tu peak, you will be able to take in breathtaking, speechless panoramic views in all directions. Here you will find swirling mist, lush ancient forests, and sprawling views of massive rock boulders alongside endless bamboo groves. The entire Yen Tu pagoda complex, with its exquisite and painstaking architecture nestled into the valley, resembles a Tran dynasty village from 7 centuries ago.

Visiting Dong Pagoda – the largest bronze pagoda in Asia, you will marvel at its entirely cast-bronze, remarkably unique architecture. A large Buddha statue is placed in the center of the peak, flanked by a bronze chime and a large bronze bell. Listening to the rhythmic sound of wooden bells echoing through the majestic landscape, your heart will feel calmer and more peaceful than ever, leaving behind mundane worldly distractions.

3.8 Important Notes for Visitors to Yen Tu Pagoda

These travel tips for Yen Tu Pagoda are especially meant for first-timers planning to visit this tranquil and peaceful sanctuary. You should take note of a few essential tips before starting your journey:

- Prepare a small amount of cash for expenses and breaks; avoid carrying too much cash to prevent theft in crowded areas.

- The trail to the summit of Yen Tu is relatively long with many challenging sections; it is best to prepare well-fitting, comfortable shoes and prioritize compact belongings to conserve energy.

- Bring drinking water along the way, as services on Yen Tu Pagoda are noticeably more expensive than usual.

- Make sure to dress modestly, comfortably, and respectfully, which makes hiking easier and suits the sacred atmosphere at Yen Tu Pagoda.

Above is the complete A-to-Z Yen Tu Pagoda travel guide for restless wanderers seeking new experiences and memorable moments in their youth. We hope this will help you plan a flawless itinerary for your upcoming Ha Long trip. Don't hesitate to share your journey with MIA.vn!