Chau Thoi Pagoda is not only an ancient pagoda marking the formation and development of Northern Buddhism in the Southeast region but also a famous scenic spot of Binh Duong province. With ancient architecture and a convenient location, this pagoda attracts many tourists to visit and worship.
General information about Chau Thoi pagoda
The full name Chau Thoi Mountain Pagoda (Vietnamese: Châu Thới Sơn Tự), this is the oldest pagoda in the Southeast of Vietnam. It’s located on Chau Thoi mountain (Bình An ward, Dĩ An town, Bình Dương province). The mountain is 82m high, with an area of about 25ha, located on a large plain.
According to history, Chau Thoi pagoda was built in 1612 by Zen master Khanh Long. The pagoda is associated with the history of the migration of Vietnamese people in the South. During the two resistance wars against the French and Americans, the pagoda became the refuge and activity of revolutionary cadres and soldiers.
After more than 400 years, under the impact of natural disasters and wars, the pagoda is still intact with a diverse architectural complex built at different times, including the main hall and shrines… The ancestral house and lecture hall were restored in 1930.
Chau Thoi Pagoda is a scenic spot, a spiritual area that always attracts tourists from all over the world. This place is very convenient for tourists to combine visiting other destinations such as Tam Bảm Pagoda, Lồ Ô stream, Bửu Long mountain (Biên Hòa city, Đồng Nai province).
a great look of Chau Thoi Pagoda
On the 1st and the full moon day, especially during the New Year holiday, tourists from all over the world, travel to Vietnam, gather here in large numbers to worship and pray for peace. With historical, cultural, and architectural values, in 1989 Châu Thới pagoda was recognized as a national historical, cultural, and scenic relic.
How to get here?
Chau Thoi Pagoda is located in Binh Duong province, about 30km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, so it only takes you less than 1 hour by car to reach the pagoda. If you travel with a group, don’t forget to book a private car to Binh Duong with driver as it include pick up and drop of service and easy for sightseeing on the way.
Sample of 7-seater car to Binh Duong
If traveling by motorbike or self-driving car, from Ho Chi Minh City, you will travel to Chau Thoi Pagoda by going along Truong Chinh route to reach Ha Hoi Highway in Tan Hung Thuan. After that, you continue to Dai Han Highway and you will reach Chau Thoi area, Binh Duong. With a convenient location, you can turn on and follow Ms. Google map advice.
After arriving the foot of Chau Thoi mountain, there will be 2 ways for you to get to the pagoda. You can choose to walk up 220 cement steps leading to the pagoda and admire the nice view along the way or keep driving along the path for motorbikes and cars.
Unique architecture of Chau Thoi Pagoda
Visitors to Chau Thoi Pagoda, at the height of the pagoda, can see the clear, quiet lake surface combined with shady green trees, creating a beautiful scene that is likened to a fairyland. Below is a deep abyss, a quiet lake, on all four sides is a quiet space, above the head is the wind and clouds.
The highlight of the architectural decoration of the pagoda is the 9 large dragons covered with multi-colored ceramic pieces, placed around the pagoda and towards the sides.
In the pagoda, there are still many paintings, statues, legal instruments, valuable worshiping objects, and the terracotta set of the Eighteen Arhats and the Ten Palaces of Hell. These are two unique sets of statues, showing that the local pottery profession has developed very early. In addition, the pagoda also preserves three stone Buddha statues dating to the late seventeenth century, and a wooden Avalokiteśvara statue of an ancient jackfruit tree planted in the garden.
Stepping inside the grounds, visitors can admire the solemn, skillfully sculpted statues. In particular, the statue of Avalokiteśvara is cast in bronze and marble. When viewed from above, the highlight of the pagoda is the two white statues of Avalokiteśvara in the left and right corners of the pagoda complex. Both statues exude majesty but do not lack gentleness and charity.
Useful information
- Location: Bình Thắng Ward, Dĩ An town, Bình Dương Province.
- Best for: solo, pilgrims
- Note: wear polite, do not wear clothes revealing, or offensive.
- Tourist spots nearby:
Source: collected by An
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