1. Where is Dong Phuc Pagoda?
Dong Phuc Pagoda is located in Yen Giang Ward, Quang Yen Town, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. It is about 31 km southwest of Ha Long City and about 140 km east of Hanoi.
2. How is Dong Phuc Pagoda unique?
The first impression when visiting this unique pagoda is the solemnity, peace and spaciousness. It emanates from the harmonious landscape and beautiful architecture of the pagoda.
Not only is it a beautiful landscape, Dong Phuc Pagoda is also a relic that marks a long history. A place where you can learn about the story associated with the heroic tradition of fighting to save the country of the nation. The pagoda is also a place to spread Buddhism of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect. It is also a place to hold a ceremony to pray for the souls of soldiers who died in the historic Bach Dang victory in 1288. This is also a secret base in the network of revolutionary soldiers in the resistance war against the French, …
In particular, Dong Phuc is one of the largest wooden and stone pagodas in Quang Ninh province.
3. When is the best time to visit Dong Phuc pagoda?
You can travel to Dong Phuc pagoda at any time of the year. However, the most ideal time to travel is from September to April yearly. At this time, the weather is beautiful, cool, with cool winds, clear blue sky, convenient for traveling, sightseeing, exploring and participating in outdoor activities.
In addition, you can also visit this amazing destination in the spring. The weather in the pagoda at this time is often cold with little rain. Notably, in the spring, the local people often organize many unique traditional festivals such as: Dong Phuc festival, Bach Dang festival or Tien Cong festival, …
4. How to get to Dong Phuc pagoda?
With modern transportation infrastructure, you can easily get to Dong Phuc pagoda. You can choose different means of transport such as: motorbike, passenger car, taxi or tourist car, … depending on your needs, preferences and budget.
Starting from the center of Hanoi, you cross Chuong Duong bridge to Long Bien district. From here, you follow Long Bien – Xuan Quan road about 15 km to the Southeast, then you will meet a roundabout to enter National Highway QL5B, you turn right, and enter National Highway QL5B.
You just follow this National Highway QL5B about 122 km to the East, then you will meet an intersection, you turn left at this intersection. Continueing on this road, you cross the Song Chanh 2 bridge about 5 km to the North, then you will meet another intersection, you turn left onto Tien An street. You go about 5 km to the West to reach Dong Phuc pagoda area.
5. History of Dong Phuc pagoda formation
According to the documents on the remaining stone stele. Dong Phuc pagoda was built during the Ly dynasty around the end of the 11th century. During the Tran dynasty, the pagoda became a place to propagate Buddhism of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect founded by Buddha King Tran Nhan Tong.
Legend has it that in 1288, General Tran Quoc Tuan and his generals came to the pagoda to pray for peace before the historic Bach Dang battle and after the victory, the pagoda was also the place to hold a prayer ceremony for the generals who died in battle.
According to the elders, Dong Phuc pagoda is also relating with the childhood of King Le Thanh Tong, when the end of the Later Le dynasty was in turmoil. Queen Ngo Thi Ngoc Giao took Prince Le Tu Thanh (later crowned King Le Thanh Tong) from the capital to the temple to take refuge.
6. Discovering the architectural beauty of Dong Phuc Pagoda
In addition to its historical significance, Dong Phuc Pagoda has a harmonious landscape and unique architecture. With a total area of over 4,000m2, the pagoda is a harmonious combination of natural landscape, trees and Buddhist architecture. When visiting the pagoda, you will be amazed by its majestic and spacious appearance. The grandeur of dozens of majestic Lim wood pillars in accordance with the architectural style of the Tran Dynasty, with decorative motifs of the Le and Nguyen Dynasties.
On a construction area of 368m2, the pagoda was built with 500m3 of Lim wood with 76 Lim wood pillars supporting the pagoda’s arch. And 20 carved stone pillars placed in front of the main arch. All are made from monolithic materials, carved delicately and clearly. This has made the wooden pagoda more majestic and solemn.
Notably, through the ups and downs of time and many renovations. The peaceful, solemn beauty and values of the old temple foundation, architecture and many ancient Buddha statues and stone steles are still well preserved. When you come to worship Buddha, you will immerse in a solemn and peaceful space. The place still preserves more than 30 Buddha statues, 2 bells, 10 stone steles and many valuable parallel sentences and large characters.
It is worthy visiting Dong Phuc pagoda
In particular, when visiting and worshiping the temple, you will learn and be introduced to the ancient banyan tree. Which is said to be nearly 1,000 years old, located in the temple grounds. The banyan tree, which is over 1,000 years old, is believed to be attached to the Bach Dang Giang wharf. Where the ancient village of An Hung supported the army of Tran Hung Dao in the third war to defeat the Yuan-Mongol army on the Bach Dang River.
According to Buddhism, banyan wood is the only type of wood used to carve the printing blocks of Buddhist scriptures of the ancient Buddhist ancestors. Banyan wood is very beautiful, durable, not susceptible to termites, cracks, shrinkage, etc…. So it was used by the ancestors to print Buddhist scriptures.
7. Enjoying Quang Yen specialties after visiting Phuc Dong Pagoda
7.1 Nem Quang Yen
Quang Yen is famous for its sour Nem and Nem chao dishes. From simple ingredients such as pigskin and rice powder, the skillful processing hands of Quang Yen people create an extremely delicious snack. Nem Quang Yen is also very easy to preserve, so it is suitable to buy as a gift.
7.2 Sea Cucumber
Quang Yen is a coastal area so there are many seafood specialties. The most famous of which is sea cucumber. This type of saltwater seafood can be processed in many different ways. Such as: stir-fried lemongrass and chili crab, fried crab eggs, crab blood pudding, etc.
But the most special is grilled crab and sweet and sour crab. That flavor is guaranteed to make you remember it forever after eating it once.
7.3 Sam Quang Yen
Sam is a type of crab, has a hard shell and lives in pairs. If you want to enjoy sea cucumbers, you cannot miss Sam Quang Yen, a specialty of Ha Long Bay.
Sam Quang Yen is big, firm, nutritious and delicious, and is popular with many tourists.
8. Accommodation when visiting Phuc Dong Pagoda
When traveling to Quang Yen to visit Phuc Dong Pagoda. You can refer to some of the following accommodations:
- Riverside Hotel. Address: North intersection of Chanh River Bridge, Quang Yen Ward, Quang Yen Commune
- Phong Duong Motel. Address: Le Hoan, Yen Giang, Quang Yen, Quang Ninh.
- Binh Minh Motel. Address: Tran Nhan Tong, Yen Giang, Quang Yen, Quang Ninh.
- Anh Tho Motel. Address: Tran Nhan Tong, Yen Giang, Quang Yen, Quang Ninh.
- Long Dat Hotel. Address: QL18, Minh Thanh, Quang Yen, Quang Ninh.
- Thanh Nga Hotel. Address: Tran Nhan Tong, Yen Giang, Quang Yen, Quang Ninh.
- Capital Hotel. Address: Vinadeco Area, Quang Yen Ward, Quang Yen Town, Quang Ninh.
With updated and useful information about the experience of traveling to Phuc Dong Pagoda. That Origin Vietnam – a professional tour operator, has just shared in the article above. Hopefully it will help your upcoming tour to Vietnam. We also accompany you on the Halong bay tour to combine exploring the ancient and quiet features of this pagoda with unforgettable memories.
