Cảnh Huống Pagoda
Quảng Ninh(Chùa Cảnh Huống)
Overview & history
Cảnh Huống Pagoda (the name of the pagoda means 'Pagoda of Beautiful Scenery') is a pagoda located in Đồn Sơn, Hoàng Quế Ward, Quảng Ninh Province (formerly: Yên Đức Ward, Đông Triều City, Quảng Ninh, Vietnam). This is an ancient pagoda dating from the Trần dynasty (12th–14th centuries). The pagoda is associated with the legend of King Trần Nhân Tông, who, after leading the people to victory against the invading forces for the second time at the Bạch Đằng River, came here to establish the pagoda, served as abbot, and inscribed poetry on the cliff face.
Over the course of wartime, the pagoda was destroyed many times. The largest restoration was during the Lê dynasty in 1664. The pagoda was once used as a revolutionary base during the resistance against the French, and as a place to care for wounded soldiers during the resistance against the Americans. The pagoda is set amidst picturesque mountains and covers an area of 36,000m², comprising three worship halls. Local people often come here to make offerings, pray for good things for their families and loved ones, and to pray for favourable weather and abundant harvests.
To the right of the pagoda is a one-roofed ancestral temple (đền thờ tổ, an ancestral worship hall), which was renovated in 1987. Inside, there is a stele inscribed with the names of the eight founding ancestors who contributed to the establishment of the village.
Next to the ancestral temple is the 'Immortal’s Chessboard' (bàn cờ Tiên) beneath a large rock that forms a wide natural shelter, inside which a chessboard is carved onto a stone slab. According to local legend, two immortals used to descend here to play chess, and later it became a place for the village elders to play chess.
In 1993, the scenic complex and relics of Cảnh Huống Pagoda and Hang 73 were recognised as National Historical and Cultural Sites.
Photos
📷 Contribute photosVisiting tips
- Dress modestly; remove hats and keep quiet inside the main hall.
- Incense, flowers and offerings are usually sold right outside the gate; light an odd number of sticks (1 or 3).
- Most pagodas open from early morning to evening and are free to enter (some major sites charge a small scenic fee).
- Full-moon days, the 1st of the lunar month and Tet are very crowded; visit on weekday mornings for a quiet experience.
- Ask permission before photographing inside shrines; do not touch statues or altar objects.
Read more & references
Useful links to learn more before your visit:
Location
Coordinates: 21.05490, 106.64225
🧭 Directions on Google MapsReferences
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