Amazed with the spiritual compound on the highest mountain range in Vietnam

From a distance, visitors will be amazed by the compound of spiritual cultural constructions with ancient architecture style rising among the green of the mountains and forests in the North-West Viet Nam. That is Fansipan Legend Spiritual Compound inaugurated on January 30, 2018, including pagodas, stupas, Buddha statues built in authentic Vietnamese Buddhist architecture, inheriting the unique quintessence of long historical pagodas.  

And especially impressive because these constructions are built basing on the mountainous terrain of the majestic Hoang Lien Son Range, rising gradually to near the top of Fansipan Mount (3,143m high), the roof of Vietnam and also of Indochina.

Coming here, visitors will surely be surprised and fascinated while discovering the sacred place among the massive and majestic mountains in the Northwest Region.

The starting site among the compound called Bao An Zen Monastery (or Trinh Pagoda) is located at an altitude of 1,604m above sea level, close to the Fansipan cable car station, in the west of the city center of Sa Pa. This is the first stop for visitors on the journey to conquer the roof of Indochina and pilgrimage to contemplate spiritual cultural ensemble.

Leaving Bao An Zen Monastery and taking journey by cable car, visitors will continue to admire the spiritual ensemble on the highest mountain range in Viet Nam, start at the three-entrance gate of Thanh Van Dac Lo, next Bich Van Zen Monastery, then explore many wonderful works, and reach to the Kim Son Bao Thang Pagoda at the top of the mountain.

The Gate of Thanh Van Dac Lo hidden in the clouds is built according to the typical architecture of Ly Dynasty (10th-13th centuries) with its pillars made by monolithic blue stone. Coming here, it seems that visitors could feel the interference between heaven and earth and get lost in the fairyland.

Bich Van Zen Monastery (or Lower Pagoda) is the next spot in the compound of spiritual works. The pagoda was built at an altitude of 3,037m above sea level with the architectural style influenced by the essences of Tran Dynasty (13th-14th centuries). The pagoda consists of wooden three-compartment and two-bay main hall, together one temple to worship Saint Tran Hung Dao and one to worship Three Holy Mothers.

Standing in the courtyard in front of the pagoda, visitors can view the majestic landscape panorama of Hoang Lien mountains and forests.

Located on the main axis of Bich Van Zen Monastery, the Grand Belfry (Dai Hong Chung) also called Vong Linh Cao Dai is 32.8m high, and comprises 5 stories. Four stories are built of rock and the upper one is designed after the traditional eight-roof pavilion. Each storey of the Grand Belfry hosts a bronze bell that is cast after the original one in Tran Dynasty. 

Along the small path from Bich Van Zen Monastery leading visitors to admire the Great Buddha Statue of Amitabha that is 21.5m high and cast of over 50 tons of copper. Its pedestal is decorated with a dragon and flower. Standing at an altitude of 3,000m above sea level, amid the space of cold clouds and winds in the middle of the Northwest sky, visitors appreciate the talented artisans who have created the masterpieces for life.

Inside the Great Buddha Statue holds the Buddha relic donated by Vinh Nghiem Pagoda to the Great Buddha Statue at Fansipan to pray for the peaceful nation and people. This Buddha relic was given to Vinh Nghiem Pagoda by Myanmar monks before. The Buddha relic is stored in a small bronze stupa placed in a 7-storey crystal stupa, shimmering in the solemn space.

In the foot of the Great Buddha Statue, there is the 9-storey Waterfall with a height of 30m with 150 stone steps on both sides; inside is a pillar of Buddhist scriptures. In the midst of the majestic natural scenery, the sound of running water helps dispelling all troubles and bringing peace to visitors.

Next, on the 800m-long Arhat Path along the mountain side leading to Kim Son Bao Thang Pagoda, 18 Arhat statues were cast in bronze with varying postures and facial expressions. The height of each statue is up to 2.5m with a weight up to 500 – 600kg.

Here the hundreds-of-year-old perennial azalea trees with many colors along the side of the path are wonderful places to take check-in photos. Perennial azalea blooms from the end of December to June each year.

Guanyin Statue is in front of Kim Son Bao Thang pagoda and faces to the East, showing the benevolence and kindness. The statue is 12 meters high and weighs 18 tons, and is cast of bronze.

The Stupa comprises 11 stories built in the yard in front of Kim Son Bao Thang. The stupa surface is clad instone exploited from the Central Viet Nam. The top of stupa is cast of copper in the lotus shape. The work is inspired by the famous Pho Minh Stupa (in Nam Dinh Province), with typical Buddhism architecture of Tran Dynasty.

Kim Son Bao Thang Pagoda is a sacred work located on the top of a mountain at an altitude of 3,091m. The structure is composed of Tam Bao (Three-Treasure) Hall, Ancestral Hall, and 2 rows of left and right corridors (Ta Vu and Huu Vu).

Tam Bao has 5 compartments facing a yard of nearly 30m wide. The decorative details of the pagoda’s roof are made from wood or terracotta with copper enamel, and are crafted in the model of Thang Long Ancient Imperial Citadel relics.

Many Buddha statues decorated in accordance with the Northern Buddhism sect is placed in the central part of the pagoda. The statues here are all made by Vietnamese famous sculptors. Ta Vu and Huu Vu house 18 delicate Arhat statues.

In addition in this compound, there is also Son Than (Mountain God) Shrine which features typical architecture of Tran Dynasty. It is a place to worship the god of this land – the Mountain God. The construction is also a reminder to respect and protect natural resources.

Located on the top of Fansipan, with its unique architectural style and convergence of features in ancient Vietnamese Buddhist architecture, the spiritual cultural compound of Fansipan Legend is considered one of the most impressive tourist destinations in Viet Nam. It is said, surely this place will give visitors unforgettable memories and impressions in their travel in the immense high mountainous region of Northwest.

Source: TITC (Photo: Fansipan Legend)