Thien Mu Pagoda (Linh Mu Pagoda) is a must visit tourist attraction of Hue city – the old kingdom of Vietnam. This is one of the oldest most beautiful and spiritual pagodas in Hue as well as Vietnam. There are many things to see at the pagoda such as unique architecture, precious objects, sound of the big bronze bell and romantic landscapes.
Beautiful landscape with peaceful Perfume River and boats outside Thien Mu Pagoda
Thien Mu Pagoda is located at the end of Kim Long Road, Huong Long Ward, Hue City and about 5 km far from the city center. In 1601, Nguyen Hoang – the first lord of Nguyen Dynasty established the pagoda on Ha Khe hill on north bank of Perfume River. It has been said that the lord chose this hill because it was like a dragon turned its head back. At midnight, local residents saw an old woman wearing red top and green bottom appeared at top of the hill and told local people that a lord would build a pagoda there to keep dragon source, then she disappeared. So that Nguyen Hoang named the pagoda “Thien Mu” which means “the Celestial Lady”. Throughout the years, Thien Mu Pagoda has been destroyed by natural disaster and rebuilt many times.
Thien Mu Pagoda consists of dozens of palaces, towers, gates… The pagoda area could be divided into 2 parts:
Nghi Mon Gate
In front of Nghi Mon Gate:
24-stone-step port
Tam Quang Gate that had four square columns imprinted with Chinese characters, followed by 15 stone steps
Huong Nguyen Temple (only its foundation exists)
2 little quadrilateral buildings in the left and right of Huong Nguyen Temple
Phuoc Duyen Tower behind Huong Nguyen Temple
2 hexagonal buildings, one for arranging tombstone, other for placing bell
Behind Nghi Mon Gate:
Dai Hung Palace, Dia Tang Palace, Quan Am Palace, Huong Nguyen Palace
Trai House, Guest House, flower garden and pine garden.
Priest Thich Don Hau’s tomb
Four square columns imprinted with Chinese characters at Tam Quan Gate
15 stone steps at Tam Quan Gate
Quadrilateral building
Hexagonal building
Dai Hung Palace
Inside Dai Hung Palace
Ceilings of Dai Hung Palace
Beautiful flower garden with green grass and fish ponds
The car that Thich Quang Duc monk drove to Saigon to burned himself to death
Thich Don Hau’s tomb in pine forest
Erected in 1884 by King Thieu Tri, Phuoc Duyen Tower (formerly known as Tu Nhan Tower) is a famous symbol of the pagoda. It stands 21 meters and made by brick. The tower has octagonal shape and seven stories, each of which is dedicated to a different Buddha.
Giant pagoda houses the car that drove Thích Quảng Đức to his death by self-immolation. … Malcolm Browne’s image of Thích Quảng Đức’s self-immolation is one of the most powerful and disturbing of the images of the 20th century. It was such an important cultural event
At Thien Mu pagoda, monks ring bell daily at 7:30pm and 3:30am 108 times to throw away 108 sufferings a person experience in life. The bell ring is so loud that it could be heard from 10 kilometers away. It resounding over Perfume River and flowing with the wind, resonating in the hearts and minds of locals and visitors.
Thien Mu Pagoda is a place for many valuable antiques such as Ho Phap statue, Thap Vuong statue, Happy Buddha statue, the horizontal sentences marking the pagoda’s golden period. Thien Mu Pagoda houses the car that Thich Quang Duc monk drove to Saigon to burned himself to death at a busy Saigon road intersection on 11 June 1963. His heart remained intact and unburnt. Malcolm Browne’s image of the monk’s self-immolation is one of the most powerful and disturbing images of the 20th century.
Thien Mu Pagoda has been mentioned in many poems, folk rhymes and songs about Hue city. It plays an important part in local spiritual life. Considered as iconic symbol of Hue, Thien Mu Pagoda is worth a visit. It’s perfect choice to relax, sightsee and learn more about rich history and culture of Hue as well as Vietnam.
Beautiful landscape with peaceful Perfume River and boats looked from Thien Mu Pagoda
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