Thien Mu Pagoda – A Spiritual Retreat Along the Perfume River

Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the best tourist destinations in Hue with many wonderful things to explore. Coming to Thien Mu Pagoda, visitors will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the fresh atmosphere and closeness to nature. Moreover, Thien Mu Pagoda is also a great way for you to expand your horizon about a unique ancient architectural feature that is almost not duplicated anywhere in the world. Besides being a great destination to visit, Thien Mu Pagoda is also known as the land of Buddhism, so this place also has many interesting things worth exploring such as beliefs and mausoleums, shrines, and palaces.

This article will equip you with a lot of knowledge about the best things at Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue as well as give you the opportunity to prepare well for your trip in the future.

Thien Mu Pagoda – Where History, Culture, and Spirituality Converge

1. Scenic Location

One of the main reasons why Hue Thien Mu Pagoda is ẹnoyed  by many people is it  located in an  prime  location. It means that this pagoda is located on a majestic hill called Ha Khe which is about 5 km from the city center and next to the  Perfume River. For this reason, this favorable location has given Thien Mu Pagoda a romantic scene but no less solemn and ancient

2. Thien Mu Pagoda history

Hue Thien Mu Pagoda is famous for being the oldest pagoda still standing in Hue with an age of more than 400 years, so it has an extremely massive historical foundation as well as a deep relationship with Buddhism in the world. According to historical records, this pagoda was built in 1601 according to the idea of a king of the Nguyen Dynasty. The reason he chose this place is because there is a majestic mountain next to the romantic Perfume River. This made him imagine the image of a majestic dragon bending in the clear blue water as a symbol of the king with full power.

3. Architectural Marvel of Thien Mu pagoda

Thien Mu Pagoda not only has an architectural style typical of Buddhism in the world, but it also has a uniqueness that makes it an extremely outstanding feature. First, with two main colors of black and dark yellow, Hue Thien Mu becomes more solemn and ancient than ever. Furthermore, this temple also stands out by its talented sculptural architecture and construction in Chinese-Thai architectural style. The grandeur of this pagoda focuses on places such as the entrance gate, the tower, the mausoleum, the accompanying pagodas and the altar.

4. What To See In Thien Mu Pagoda

4.1 Phuoc Duyen Tower

Phuoc Duyen Tower is the most massive burnt brick structure in the architectural system at Thien Mu. Phuoc Duyen Tower was built with 7 floors facing the Perfume River and according to the rule that the lower floor is bigger and the higher it goes, the smaller it gets. Each floor of the Phuoc Duyen Tower is like a miniature castle with spiral stairs and marble roofs. In particular, with 7 floors of the tower and each floor worships a different god, so this place is not only a great place to explore architecture but also a place of absolute spirituality and peace.

4.2 Masterpieces Dai Hong Chung Bell and Giant Tortoise

The Dai Hong Phuc bell and giant tortoise  are also unique symbols at Thien Mu. It is located on the left side of Phuoc Duyen tower and right in the center of Hue Thien Mu Pagoda. These are objects made entirely of bronze and are also the result of bronze culture in ancient Vietnam as well as proving the talent of artisans. The sound of the Đại  bell and the giant turtle make the scene at the pagoda even more solemn and peaceful, making the souls of visitors more peaceful and pure when coming here.

4.3 The architecture of the three-entrance gate and Dai Hanh temple

The three-entrance gate is the main gate and has an extremely majestic design at Hue Thien Mu Pagoda with 2 floors, 8 roofs and 3 walkways all equipped with red wooden doors. Furthermore, around the doors there are many majestic statues of gods with feng shui elements with the purpose of bringing peace to everything in the temple.

For Dai Hanh temple, this is the main hall of the pagoda so it is decorated extremely solemnly and splendidly. Inside there is a giant bell, gilded wooden diaphragms, and tall pillars also painted with gloss paint. In addition, this temple also has a Maitreya Buddha statue symbolizing the most sacred deity here as well as many other bronze Buddha statues symbolizing many other gods.

4.4 Immortal Austin Car & Thich Don Hau Tomb

These two objects are both related to a great true story in Vietnamese history about monk Thich Don Hau. This person was a monk who self-immolated to protest the cruel domination of the people by the Ngo Dinh Diem government in Vietnam. He used the Austin car to move to the big square and set himself on fire there. Later, to show gratitude for his sacrifice, people built a mausoleum for him at Thien Mu and also displayed that car at this pagoda. Currently, these two artifacts are located behind Thien Mu and are of interest to many tourists when visiting the pagoda.

5. Art and Culture of Thien Mu Pagoda

5.1 Buddhist Art in Thien Mu Pagoda

Hue Thien Mu Pagoda is not only an ideal landscape destination, but it is also known as the soul of Vietnamese Buddhist art . With the possession of a series of Buddhist art artifacts such as giant statues, magnificent churches, Buddhist paintings and giant bells. Besides, Thien Mu is also a place to heal the human soul thanks to the Buddhist world such as chants about the ethics of life, the pure sound of the temple bell, the fresh air and the relaxing aroma of incense.

5.2 Cultural Festivals

Thien Mu Pagoda is a large Buddhist temple in Vietnam, so every year there are often many ceremonies related to Buddhism. Notably, the peace praying ceremony takes place on Lunar New Year, Buddha’s birthday and most often on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar calendar with many interesting activities. Outstanding activities include offering incense, reciting Buddha’s name, chanting sutras and vegetarianism to honor Buddhist ethics in Vietnam as well as around the world.

6. Best time to visit Thien Mu pagoda

For those who enjoy participating in Buddhist rituals and ceremonies at Thien Mu Pagoda, the period from January, February and March is the most suitable because this is the time of Lunar New Year in Vietnam. Therefore, there are many special Buddha’s Birthday festivals to pray for peace as well as celebrate the new year. The weather at this time is also favorable with cool climate, mild sunshine and little rain.

Besides, if you are someone who likes to explore the landscape of Thien Mu Pagoda, the period of May and June is extremely wonderful because at this time there is almost no rain and it is sunny all day. Furthermore, September and October are also ideal times for visitors to fully enjoy the ancient, peaceful atmosphere of Thien Mu Pagoda through drizzle and slightly chilly temperatures. Especially, Thien Mu pagoda entrance fee will be completely free for everyone when visiting. Thien Mu pagoda opening hours  are also extremely convenient: daily from 8 am to 6 pm. will definitely make your trip go really  smoothly.

7. How to get to Thien Mu Pagoda

Thien Mu Pagoda is only 5 km from Hue city center, so moving here is almost convenient for you. All means of transportation are extremely easy to get here and give you a comfortable feeling. Suggestions for you such as: motorbike, taxi, bus, cyclo, boat. A highly recommended system for you is a high-quality private car system. It means you can flex your schedule according to your wishes and be served attentively by a team of highly professional drivers with excellent English proficiency.

8. Thien Mu pagoda tour

To make your trip more great  than ever, take a Hue City tour to visit Thien Mu Pagoda with wonderful  places such as: Dai Hung Palace, Phuoc Duyen Tower, Venerable Thich Don Hau’s mausoleum, Dai Hung Palace, Three entrance Gate. Besides, there are also places near Thien Mu Pagoda that you should not miss such as Hue Imperial Citadel, Minh Mang Tomb, Tu Duc Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb, Hue Imperial Citadel.

Hue Thien Mu Pagoda is a destination imbued with the ancient style of Hue and this place is considered the kingdom of the Buddhist world from ancient times to nowaday. Visiting Thien Mu Pagoda is a great opportunity for visitors to expand their horizon of unique cultural and historical features as well as heal their souls with the noble and sacred things that this place brings. So quickly take a trip to Thien Mu Pagoda to enjoy the things this place has to offer as soon as possible. Wishing you a happy and safe trip !