The spiritual cultural complex at the summit of Fansipan attracts millions of tourists and Buddhists from around the world to visit and worship every year.
The complex starts from Bich Van Thien Pagoda, located right above the “Thanh Van Dac Lo” gate, near the Fansipan cable car station. The project is designed and built in the Northern pagoda architectural style. The front yard of the pagoda is where tourist groups perform incense-offering ceremonies and take the opportunity to fully admire the majestic Hoang Lien Son range.
Located on the main axis of Bich Van Thien Pagoda, there is a watchtower, also known as Vong Linh Cao Tower, which helps visitors broaden their view. The 35m-high, 5-story structure has a vertical layout with an eight-roof bell tower, similar to the typical architectural features of famous ancient temples in the North, such as Tay Phuong Pagoda, But Thap Pagoda, and Keo Pagoda.
The Triple-gate – Thanh Van Dac, Bich Van Thien Pagoda, and Vong Linh Cao tower are also the first destinations leading visitors on a journey of worship at the top of the Indochina sky.
Kim Son Bao Thang Pagoda is a structure with the architecture of an ancient pagoda, perched precariously atop a mountain; the pagoda’s shape blends with the green of the great forest, appearing and disappearing in the beautiful mist.
The main architectural style of the works is derived from the earliest wooden pagodas in Vietnam, such as Boi Khe Pagoda (Thanh Oai, Hanoi), Thai Lac Pagoda (Van Lam, Hung Yen), and Thay Pagoda (Hanoi). The pagoda was built on a large site, but most of the construction elements are limited in size to suit the landscape and high mountain terrain, while also creating a harmonious architectural landscape complex.
Inside the building, in the central position, is Dai Hung Bao Dien – the main hall, where many Buddha statues are gathered by famous Vietnamese sculptors. The style of arranging the statues in the pagoda strictly follows the regulations of the Northern Zen sect. In particular, on the 15th and 1st of the lunar month, and on holidays, this is a sacred destination for Buddhists and tourists to meditate and pray for peace.
Along both sides of the main hall are the left and right corridors, displaying 18 exquisite gilded Arhat statues. Although it is the largest structure in the Fansipan spiritual cultural complex, Kim Son Bao Thang Pagoda has only 5 compartments, is less than 10m high, and has a terrace less than 30m wide.
The architecture of the pagoda is designed to lean against the mountain. The lines and decorative details of the pagoda roof are crafted according to the model from the Thang Long citadel relics, made of raw wood or terracotta with copper enamel to withstand the harsh weather conditions on the summit area, but at the same time, still preserve and promote the simple and sophisticated beauty of traditional architecture.
Located right on the main axis of Kim Son Bao Thang Pagoda, the bronze statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is an 11-story stupa. The structure is covered with sandstone mined from the Central region, with the architectural art of the Tran Dynasty.
The prototype of the structure is the famous tower at Pho Minh pagoda in Ninh Binh, which also houses the relics of Emperor Tran Nhan Tong.
From here, going down, following Arhat Street or the narrow, winding stone stairs, visitors can visit many more beautiful spiritual architectural works, such as the bell tower, the bronze statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the mountain god temple, and the largest bronze Amitabha Buddha statue in Vietnam…
Source: collected by An
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