Chùa Hang (Kim Sơn Tự) Pagoda

Chùa Hang – Kim Sơn Tự is located in Linh Sơn ward, Thái Nguyên province, Vietnam.

The scenic site of Chùa Hang – Kim Sơn Tự is situated 3 km north of the centre of Phan Đình Phùng ward, on the left side of National Highway 1B, in the direction from Thái Nguyên to Lạng Sơn. The pagoda possesses many distinctive features of the mountainous region, and was therefore selected for inclusion in the collection of 100 Outstanding Vietnamese Pagodas, first published in 2011. According to legend, this is an ancient pagoda dating from the 11th century and was designated a National Scenic Site in 1999.

Chùa Hang, whose formal name is “Kim Sơn Tự”, is also known as “Tiên Lữ Phật Động” (Fairy Abode Buddha Cave). The scenic site of Chùa Hang comprises three large, independent limestone mountains on a flat plain. The central mountain is called “Huyền Vũ”, tall and solid, flanked on either side by the imposing “Thanh Long” (Blue Dragon) and “Bạch Hổ” (White Tiger) peaks. The three are connected by a saddle-shaped ridge about 1,000 metres long, with the mountain base covering approximately 2.7 hectares.

According to legend, "Chùa Hang" dates back to the Lý dynasty (11th century), considered a flourishing period for Buddhism. The story goes that on a spring morning in the year Nhâm Tuất, King Lý Thánh Tông awoke and recounted to Queen Mother Ỷ Lan a dream he had the previous night, in which the Buddha led him to a sacred land in Đồng Hỷ, Thái Nguyên. Queen Mother Ỷ Lan immediately undertook an inspection tour, and upon seeing the picturesque landscape, majestic mountains, and vast caves, ordered a pagoda to be established in the cave to worship the Buddha. It is believed that "Kim Sơn Tự" originated from this event, but locals commonly refer to it as Chùa Hang (Cave Pagoda) because the pagoda is situated within a cave.

Passing through the Tam quan (three-arched gate), upon entering the pagoda, there are two statues on either side: the Dharma Protectors Khuyến Thiện (Encouraging Good) and Trừng Ác (Punishing Evil), majestically riding an elephant and a tiger. Venturing deeper, the cave widens, and on the cave vault, stalactites appear as if "Ancient clouds entwine with strange rocks in mid-air"; many large stone columns stand tall, supporting the cave vault like pillars holding up the sky. Around the cave walls, numerous stalactites protrude to form altars and many fascinating, unusual shapes. The cave has many nooks and crannies, with paths leading to heaven and to the underworld, and entrances at both front and back, making the air inside the pagoda very fresh—cool in summer, warm in winter. Incense smoke always drifts, adding to the pagoda’s mysterious and sacred atmosphere.

Chùa Hang – Kim Sơn Tự, with the legend of the “Fairy Abode Cave”, is a landscape painting that has enchanted the souls of many scholars and literati—those of the “tao nhân mặc khách” class—from the Early Lê to the Later Nguyễn dynasties. Numerous Han-script stone steles with poems praising the unparalleled natural beauty of the site remain carved on the cave walls.

According to the master plan, Chùa Hang will be constructed and restored in five zones: the preservation area, comprising the entire cave and limestone mountains with a total area of 2.7 hectares; the main spiritual axis, including eight structures: the Main Hall of the Three Jewels, the Ancestral Hall, the Dharma Lecture Hall, the Stupa, the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, the inner Tam quan, and the outer Tam quan; to the right of the pagoda is a dedicated meditation centre; a social charity centre; and a festival courtyard. The total investment is about 500 billion VND, sourced from social contributions.

With all the historical values inherent to this place and the dedication of the abbot and the people, over the past three years, many monks, nuns, Buddhist followers, organisations, and businesses have contributed labour and resources to build the pagoda. The entire pagoda architectural complex is embraced by mountains and water. Behind the pagoda are mountain ranges; in front, the Cầu River meanders around. The main structures—the Main Hall of the Three Jewels, the Tam quan gate, the Bell Tower, and the Drum Tower—have been or are being completed, soon to fulfil the aspirations of the community, helping to preserve a spiritual cultural heritage and elevate the value of the site, creating a scenic landscape as beautiful as a poetic, fairyland painting.

As a messenger of the Tathāgata, Venerable Thích Nguyên Thanh, the abbot of Chùa Hang, calls upon devoted Buddhists, philanthropists, businesses, and entrepreneurs both within and outside the country to contribute labour and resources so that Chùa Hang may soon be fully realised. With its great values as a scenic and historic site from ancient times, after restoration and expansion, “Chùa Hang – Kim Sơn Tự” will become a major Buddhist centre of Thái Nguyên province and an attractive spiritual tourism destination.