Kien An Cung (Vietnamese: Kiến An Cung) or Kien An Temple is an ancient temple dating back nearly a hundred years. The unique architecture, bearing the Chinese style, has created a feature of a Chinese temple in the Mekong Delta.
History of Kien An Cung
Kien An Cung was built in 1924 and completed in 1927 by a group of Chinese people from Fujian. At that time, there was a businessman named Huỳnh Thuận who mobilised a large number of Fujianese in Sa Đéc to build a temple.
Photo about Kien An Cung in the past
The main purpose was to preserve the nation’s traditional beliefs and to provide a place for the community to meet, discuss and exchange business information…. Kien An Cung worships many gods, meticulously carved and colorfully decorated, but the main deity here is Mr Quách, who is believed to protect and support the Fujianese. And with Chinese-style architecture, Kien An Cung was recognised by the Ministry of Culture and Information as a national historical-cultural relic on April 27, 1990.
Unique architecture of Kien An Cung
Kien An Cung is a very majestic and splendid temple. It has a large and airy yard. A solid fence surrounds the outside. The entire yard is covered with cement, so it’s very clean. The roof of the pagoda is covered with yin and yang tiles; in the middle of the roof is an image of “two dragons flanking a moon”.
A look from outside of Kien An Cung
The tiles are roofed in ripples at each level; the lower layer covers the ground for the upper waves to curve upward. Each end of the wave is a miniature palace; in total there are 6 palaces.
Roof of Kien An Cung
On either side of the main entrance, there are two huge green stone unicorns. Beside the stones, there are paintings of two gods standing at the entrance.
Stepping through the main gate is “Sky well”. This is where light and ventilation help the temple always be bright and airy. In particular, the beauty of Thien Tinh is that it helps the temple quickly clear the smoke of incense during major holidays when there are many visitors who come to pray.
Sky Well in Kien An Cung
Also, there are 12 rows of large round columns, spaced on both sides, supporting the temple’s roof. Around the column, the wood is intricately carved, and panelled with counters inscribed with Chinese characters.
Right in the middle of the main hall is Mr Quach’s altar, with the red-faced figure holding a jade belt; on either side are two gods holding sword seals, with majestic appearances… In front of the altar is the statue of another god, with two rows of shining weapons.
Main altar of Kien An Cung
Especially around the temple, there are many flexible and sharp “Ink wash paintings”, on the wall, with content promoting good and exorcism, taken from novels including “The Investiture of the Gods”, “Journey to the West”, and “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”….And most of the materials in this temple were transported from China, even builders and painters were also invited from China as well.
Every year, on February 22 and August 22 of the lunar calendar, worship ceremonies will be held. In addition, on full moon occasions, worship ceremonies are often held here. Because it is considered a sacred temple in Dong Thap, tourists and people often come to pray for peace and worship.
Useful information about Kien An Cung
- Address: 39 Phan Boi Chau Street, Sa Dec Ward, Dong Thap Province.
- Best for: Family, solo, couple
- Entrance: Free
- Opening Hours: Daily 07:00 – 18:00
- Other tourist spots nearby: Xẻo Quyét Relic Area, Gáo Giồng eco-tourism area, Sa Đéc flower gardens, Huynh Thuy Le ancient house, Tràm Chim National Park, The tomb of Nguyễn Sinh Sắc…
Source: collected by An
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