Location: Thuong Yen Cong Commune, Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province, about 40km from Ha Long City and 14km from centre of Uong Bi City.
Characteristics: Situated within the immense arched mountain range of north-eastern Viet Nam, Yen Tu Mountain bears at its peak Dong (Bronze) Pagoda at an altitude of 1,068m above sea level. The beauty of Yen Tu consists in the majesty of its mountains, and forest mingling with the ancient and solemn quietness of its pagodas, shrines and towers.
◊ A Centre of Buddhism
Under the Ly Dynasty, Yen Tu held Phu Van Pagoda with An Ky Sinh as its warden. However, Yen Tu only really became a centre of Buddhism when King Tran Nhan Tong surrendered his throne to establish a Buddhist sect called Truc Lam Zen. He ordered the construction of close to 100 buildings of various sizes on Yen Tu Mountain. After his death, his successor, Phap Loa Dong Kien Cuong (1284-1330), ordered the building of 800 pagodas, shrines and towers throughout the country.
During the Le and Nguyen dynasties, Yen Tu became the focal point of Vietnamese Buddhism and was often subject to restoration. Consequently, Yen Tu conjugates different styles from various historic periods, visible in the many different designs and decorations that ornate its constructions.
◊ How to get Dong Pagoda
You can get to Hoa Yen Pagoda at the altitude of 534m by the cable car system and will see on this peak two 700-year-old frangipane trees, and then continue by the cable car system to An Ky Sinh. The bronze statue of King – Monk Tran Nhan Tong (138 tonnes in weight, 15m in height) is placed here. This is the largest bronze statue in Asia in 2014.
Besides, you can choose climbing up stairs leading to Dong Pagoda. There you will feel like walking on clouds. If the weather is agreeable, from this summit you can admire the dramatic landscape of the northeast of Viet Nam.
◊ Yen Tu Festival
In spring, Yen Tu attracts a large number of visitors going on pilgrimage and sightseeing. Especially when Yen Tu Festival begins on the 10th day of the first lunar month and lasts until the end of third lunar month.
