1 Where is Loi Am Pagoda?
Loi Am Pagoda is located along a road in Dai Yen Ward, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province. At an elevation of 503m, it boasts a vast, highland-like landscape and a location praised for its ideal setting and distinctive scenery. Behind the pagoda are Giai Oan Stream and Tien Well, whose clear blue waters remain refreshing throughout the year. Nearby is Hang Pagoda, covering an area of about 8.5 square meters. It juts out like a single-roof house and resembles a giant monitor lizard.
Read more: Discover Ngoc Vung Island, both peaceful and remarkably enchanting
Loi Am Pagoda offers a cool, tranquil atmosphere in a prime location, surrounded by the wondrous beauty of nature
2 How to get to Loi Am Pagoda
To reach Loi Am Pagoda, you must cross five steep hills and two more with gentler slopes. The journey takes an estimated one hour to complete. However, the route can be quite challenging, with narrow, winding, uneven and rugged trails. On rainy days, the path becomes slippery and difficult to navigate, making falls more likely.
As there is no cable car service, visitors generally have to hike up to reach Loi Am Pagoda
3 Discover some of Loi Am Pagoda’s highlights
3.1 A brief history of the pagoda
Loi Am Pagoda was founded in the 15th century, during the reign of King Le Thanh Tong. During the resistance war against the French, the pagoda became a base for Regiment 98, which went on to achieve victory. In 1997, the Ministry of Culture recognized Loi Am Pagoda as a National Historic Site. Since then, it has become one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia.
3.2 Admire the pagoda’s unique beauty
Along the way to the pagoda, towering old trees with lush green canopies line both sides of the path, while pineapple plants spread across the ground beneath them. On winter days, the scenery is shrouded in a sea of white mist, drifting like rising evening smoke. To put it simply, it is like a miniature fairyland.
Loi Am Pagoda is relatively small against the vast natural landscape. It lies tucked away on a large mountain, surrounded by endless shades of green from the mountains and trees, as well as wisps of ethereal clouds. What is fascinating is that even when standing in front of the pagoda, you are not overwhelmed by the sweeping mountain and cloudscape. That is because Loi Am Pagoda is so solemn and majestic that it does not seem diminished by nature’s beauty.
The entrance to the pagoda is a familiar sight to visitors who often come to Loi Am Pagoda
To the right of the pagoda is a small path leading to Ban Mau, where the Mother Goddesses are worshipped, including Mau Lieu, Mau Thoai, Mau Thuong Thien and Mau Lieu Hanh. A little farther along, visitors will come across Cau Cave. This is one of the most sacred sites at Loi Am Pagoda. Formed from a natural rock slab, it resembles a giant monitor lizard and measures 2.2m high and 8.5m2 wide.\
3.3 An ideal spot to visit Yen Lap Lake
Yen Lap Lake is one of the largest artificial freshwater lakes in Quang Ninh Province. The water curves around the foot of the mountains, creating winding shorelines and offering beautiful views of natural islands such as Canh Island, Giap Gioi Island and Ban Tay Island. Vast pine forests blanket the towering, picturesque hills around the lake.
From Loi Am Pagoda, the view from above reveals a rolling expanse of water reminiscent of a miniature Ha Long Bay. On autumn afternoons, as the sun sets, its rays shimmer across the lake’s surface. The surrounding scenery adds to the enchanting, otherworldly atmosphere. Just take in the view from the mountaintop and you will be captivated by the tranquil lake and reluctant to leave. Visitors can also enjoy a range of activities on the water, including kayaking and boat trips.
Boat trips offer visitors a wonderful way to enjoy the waters of Yen Lap Lake
3.4 A “strange” tradition among visitors to Loi Am Pagoda
If you have visited Ngoa Van Pagoda or Cai Bau Pagoda, where visitors usually carry only a bag, you may be surprised by the “strange” custom observed by visitors to Loi Am Pagoda. They bring red bricks as offerings instead of cash. Bricks are donated because the pagoda has stood for a long time and is gradually deteriorating. However, the pagoda prepares the bricks in advance, so visitors simply need to tie them into pairs and carry them to the donation area.
Recently, the pagoda has undergone extensive renovations, with several new structures added. Because it is situated at a considerable elevation, transporting building materials is extremely difficult. As a result, not only visitors but also Buddhists help carry the bricks as a way of expressing their devotion.
Loi Am Pagoda is an ideal destination for spiritual tourism. If you are planning a trip to Quang Ninh, be sure to add it to your itinerary. And don’t forget to share your wonderful experiences of its tranquil, sacred atmosphere with MIA.vn.
