Kim Son Bao Thang Pagoda

Lào Cai(Kim Sơn Bảo Thắng Tự)

Overview & history

Kim Son Bao Thang Pagoda sits at 3,091 m near the summit of Fansipan — the “roof of Indochina” — in Sa Pa town, Lao Cai province, within the Sun World Fansipan Legend complex.

Architecture

The pagoda follows Tran-dynasty Vietnamese temple architecture, with a five-bay Tam Bao hall, a patriarch house and two corridor wings, built to hug the rocky terrain of the Fansipan summit. Its main materials are timber and glazed terracotta tiles; the layout places the Buddha in front and the Saints behind, with the central space housing numerous Buddha statues arranged by Northern-school convention.

Setting

Rising amid seas of clouds in the majestic Hoang Lien Son range, the pagoda has an otherworldly beauty and is a place of worship for visitors after the cable-car ride and stone-step climb to the summit. From its courtyard one can survey the Muong Hoa valley and the forests of the Northwest.

Photos

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Visiting 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.