Yen Tu Spiritual Tourism Area in Yen Tu, known as a sacred Buddha area, is a network of temples with traditional architecture that draws travelers from all over the world.

In the mind of many people, Yen Tu is the place where many famous religious architectures are present and the cradle of Truc Lam Zen School since the 13th century – a school of Buddhist meditation steeped with cultural and religious identity that best embodies the Vietnamese people’s intellect and spirit. At an altitude of 1068 meters above sea level, with rich wildlife, stunning mountain scenery, and a pleasant climate, Yen Tu has emerged as a bright spot in Quang Ning’s cultural and spiritual tourism.

Quang Ninh, like the majority of other northern provinces, has a four-season weather pattern. The greatest time to visit the Land of Yen Tu Buddha is from January through March January to March of the lunar calendar every year. At this time, the season is spring, the weather is pleasant, spring rains and the festive atmosphere are definitely something that visitors look forward to experiencing.

In addition, if travelers simply want to travel to Ha Long and look for an spiritual and cultural destination, Yen Tu relic is an ideal option in any season. Just keep an eye on the weather in advance, avoid stormy days and the journey will definitely be incredibly entertaining..

To approach Yen Tu relic site, visitors first need to go up the mountain. There are 2 methods of transportation: hiking and taking the cable car.

The road to Yen Tu mountain is approximately 6 kilometers long. Under sparse conditions and ideal weather, an average person can reach the peak in 6 to 8 hours. Hiking is both a type of exercise that helps to develop physical strength and a fascinating challenge in the quest to conquer Yen Tu.

However, tourists will have a more distinct experience when traveling by cable car to view the Yen Tu primeval forest from above. The Yen Tu cable car will carry tourists from a height of about 50m to 450m above sea level.

The total Yen Tu cable car route has a length of 2,104m including 2 routes corresponding to 2 routes from Stream of Exonerate to Hoa Yen pagoda, and from Mot Mai pagoda to An Ky Sinh statue.

Tourist attractions at Yen Tu

As a starting point for the pilgrimage to the sacred Yen Tu peak, Trinh pagoda was built quite a feat with unique architecture and a long history that would captivate tourists from the first encounter.

Trinh pagoda was built in the Late Le Dynasty and is located in the southwest direction. This is the birthplace of Truc Lam Zen sect founded by King Tran Nhan Tong, based on the basis of absorbing and inheriting the quintessence of Indian Buddhism and Chinese Buddhism. This has created a line of Zen incarnation, imbued with Vietnamese national identity.

Trinh Pagoda remains a sacred gateway as well as a site where people place their trust in heaven and earth. If you have the opportunity to visit Quang Ninh, this is a site not to be missed, together with the sacred mountain of Yen Tu, for priceless moments of reflection, relaxation, and healing the soul on the road of spiritual discovery in life.

On the journey to discover Yen Tu , visitors will cross the clear and winding Stream of Exonerate. This place is related with the myth of hundreds of palace maidens who drowned themselves to prevent King Tran Nhan Tong from taking refuge in the Buddha’s door.

Resting along this refreshing stream is a great way for visitors to both view the poetry mountain landscape and take in the fresh air.

Dong Pagoda is the most prominent temple in Yen Tu and should not be missed while visiting Quang Ninh. The temple here is named Dong Pagoda because it is entirely composed of copper. In addition to its exceptional attribute of being created entirely of copper materials, Dong Pagoda is also renowned as the pagoda with the best position in Yen Tu at an elevation of 1,068 meters.

Dong Pagoda is shaped like a gigantic lotus flower. Each stone is a gorgeous flowering lotus petal. There is a steep hill to the east and a sheer cliff to the west that can barely fit one foot. The pagoda was constructed with rectangular construction, one compartment, and two roofs, with the front facing southwest. The pagoda has a total area of roughly 20 square meters and a height of 3.35 meters from the ground to the roof. In addition, the decorative patterns on the temple are also very unique. Most of them bear the imprint of the Tran Dynasty.

The statue is cast in monolithic bronze, weighing up to 138 tons, up to 12.6m high located  at an altitude of 1.100 meters, in the middle of a majestic and palatial mountain landscape. This statue is a symbol to record the merits of King Tran Nhan Tong, as well as a place to visit and worship.

• Dress formally and discretely.
• Jackets are recommended since the temperature at the top of the mountain is quite cold.
• Littering, causing environmental damage and destroying the area’s property are prohibited
• Go lightly, say be quiet in this area
• Be cautious with money and personal belongings when going to crowded places.