The spiritual cultural complex at the top of Fansipan attracts millions of tourists and Buddhists from all over 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 while taking the opportunity to fully admire the majestic Hoang Lien Son range.
Located on the main axis of Bich Van Thien Pagoda, there is watchtower, also known as Vong Linh Cao Tower, helping visitors expand their vision. The 35m high, 5-storey 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, Keo Pagoda, etc.
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 on the top of the Indochina sky.
Kim Son Bao Thang Pagoda is a structure with the architecture of an ancient pagoda perched precariously on the top of a mountain, the shape of the pagoda blends with the green color of the great forest, appearing and disappearing in the beautiful mist.
The main architectural style of the works is inherited from the earliest wooden pagodas in Vietnam such as Boi Khe Pagoda (Thanh Oai, Hanoi), Thai Lac Pagoda (Van Lam, Hung Yen), Thay Pagoda (Hanoi)… The pagoda was built on a large site, but most of the construction items are limited in size to suit the landscape and high mountain terrain, while at the same time, 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 of the Fansipan spiritual cultural complex, Kim Son Bao Thang Pagoda has only 5 compartments, less than 10m high, and 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 and the bronze statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is an 11-storey 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 from Pho Minh pagoda in Nam Dinh, also known as the place where the relics of Emperor Tran Nhan Tong are kept.
From here, going down, following Arhat Street or the narrow, winding stone stairs, visitors will be able to visit many more beautiful spiritual architectural works such as the bell tower, the bronze statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the mountain god temple, the largest bronze Amitabha Buddha statue in Vietnam…
Source: collected by An
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