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.
Overview of Chau Thoi Pagoda
The full name of the Chau Thoi Mountain Pagoda (Vietnamese: Châu Thới Sơn Tự) is the oldest pagoda in the Southeast of Vietnam. It’s located on Chau Thoi Mountain (Dong Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City). The mountain is 82m high, with an area of about 25ha, and is 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 Vietnamese migration to the South. During the two resistance wars against the French and the Americans, the pagoda served as a refuge and a hub of activity for revolutionary cadres and soldiers.
After more than 400 years, affected by natural disasters and wars, the pagoda remains 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, spiritual spot that always attracts tourists from all over the world. This place is very convenient for tourists to visit other destinations, such as Tam Bảm Pagoda, Lồ Ô stream, and Bửu Long mountain (Đồng Nai province).
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. In 1989, for its historical, cultural, and architectural values, the Chau Thoi pagoda was recognized as a national historical, cultural, and scenic relic.
How to get here?
Chau Thoi Pagoda is located in Binh Duong province (currently a part of Ho Chi Minh City), about 30km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City center, 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 a driver, which includes pickup and drop-off and makes sightseeing along the way easy.
If traveling by motorbike or self-driving from Ho Chi Minh City, take the Truong Chinh route to the Ha Hoi Highway in Tan Hung Thuan, then continue to Chau Thoi Pagoda. After that, continue on Dai Han Highway and reach the Chau Thoi area. With a convenient location, you can turn on and follow Ms. Google map advice.
After arriving at 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 likened to a fairyland. Below is a deep abyss, a quiet lake; on all four sides is a quiet space; above the head are the wind and clouds.
The highlight of the pagoda’s architectural decoration is the 9 large dragons, covered with multicolored ceramic pieces, placed around the pagoda and along the sides.
In the pagoda, there are still many paintings, statues, legal instruments, valuable objects of worship, 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 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 without lacking gentleness and charity.
Useful information about Chau Thoi Pagoda
- Location: Dong Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.
- Best for: solo, pilgrims
- Note: wear polite clothes; do not wear clothes that are revealing or offensive.
Source: collected by An
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