Giua Dong Pagoda, located in Nam Hoa Ward, Quang Yen Town, was built by local people around the late 17th century. The pagoda is an important spiritual sanctuary for the local community and an ideal spiritual tourism destination.
Giua Dong Pagoda – A sacred pagoda amidst the plains of Quang Yen
Previously, the pagoda was officially named Huong Dinh Phong Quang, and in Nom script as Giua Dong Pagoda. Later, it was officially renamed Giua Dong due to its location situated amidst vast wet rice fields and peaceful rural villages.
The pagoda is nestled amidst rice fields. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Having existed for a long time under the impacts of nature, many parts of the pagoda had severely degraded and suffered damage. To meet the cultural and spiritual needs of residents within and outside the town, Quang Yen Town restored and renovated Giua Dong Pagoda across an area of 21,671 square meters.
By January 2021, the restoration was completed and the main hall was officially inaugurated. The main sanctuary was designed in the Ly Dynasty architectural style with a total area of 600 square meters, built entirely of ironwood and monolithic stone, featuring a tiered eight-roof structure with seven compartments and two wings.
The triple gate of the pagoda. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
In addition to the main sanctuary, other structures include the main shrine hall, ancestral hall, Mother Goddess worship hall, guest reception house, one-pillar pagoda, offering house, Arhat corridor, petition-burning pavilion, bell tower, mountain deity cave, Eighteen Arhats...
Photo: Nguyen Hung.
The main hall venerates the Three Jewels, Buddhas, Shakyamuni Buddha, Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta, the Medicine Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, the Jade Emperor, Nam Tao, Bac Dau, Goddess of Mercy Thi Kinh... The bell tower is also crafted from wood, housing a bronze bell weighing 1.5 tons.
The newly inaugurated pagoda built of ironwood. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
A special feature of Giua Dong Pagoda is that in the ancestral hall, in addition to honoring those who contributed to founding the pagoda and the venerable ancestors, there is also a statue of Uncle Ho to commemorate his immense contributions and magnanimous heart, as well as to remind Buddhists and practitioners to always follow his moral example.
In addition to the main festival held on the 9th day of the first lunar month each year, twice a month on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar calendar, numerous locals and visitors from all directions come to the pagoda for sightseeing, worship, and praying for peace.
Photo: hinn27.01.
The completed renovation of the pagoda unleashes potential for spiritual tourism development, creates a highlight for the tourism industry of Quang Yen Town, and above all, satisfies the religious and spiritual needs of the local community. Giua Dong Pagoda will surely be an attractive destination in Quang Ninh during the Lunar New Year!
