This morning we are on a tour group to Perfume Pagoda. P.P. is located in Huong son (Perfume Mountain) 70 km
southwest of Hanoi. Chua Huong is not one temple but a cluster of temples and
shrines in the general vicinity of Huong son. The pagodas are located in My
Duc hamlet in the province of Ha Tay. According to the book, Huong Son Thien Tru
Pha, Huong Tich temple was built during the reign of King Le Chinh Hoa (1680-1705),
by a monk who happened on the site on his way to search for enlightenment. Other
shrines and temples were later built in this area to take advantage of the
beautiful scenery in this area.
Yen Vi River
It takes us about 2 hours to get to the Ben Duc (pier Duc) where we use a row boat on Yen Vi river, which is by far the more romantic and scenic route, to Chua Huong.
The first stop must always be a visit to Den Trinh. Den Trinh means registration shrine. All visitors to Chua Huong must first "trinh" or register at the shrine and to announce their intentions.
Thien Tru (Heavenly Kitchen) Temple
The next point of interest would be a visit to Thien Tru temple (chua Ngoai - Outer Temple). The temple was built in the 18th century. Thien Tru means heavenly kitchen. This name was derived from the imagination of the locals in this region.
After the short visit to the Thien Tru (Heavenly Kitchen) Temple we make our way to catch a cable car up the Perfume Mountain.
Huong Tich Grotto (Cave)
Upon arriving to Huong Tich grotto, there is a 120 steps descend as the temple lies deep within the grotto. At the entrance to the grotto, there is "heaven's gate" (path to heaven) and "hell's gate" (descend to hell).
According to legend, the cave was discovered two thousand years ago. However, local people only began to place a shrine there in 1575, and later a larger temple was built.
There are many colorful stalagmites and stalactites within the cave.
To me the cave is very interesting and somewhat eerie but cool. People come from near and far to pray for lots of things affecting their lives.
After exiting the cave we have to endure the hour-long boat ride back to pier Duc in hot scorching sun even though we have on our SPF+ hats and what not . During the 2 hour drive back to Hanoi I start to feel some irritations at the back of my throat and sinuses. I said, "oh no, I have a cold coming my way!". This sucks.
We have a dinner at Quan An Ngon.
A very nice restaurant but very packed with hundreds of diners and very noisy. The food was nice but we were very tired and are swamped by kids making noise and running around at the restaurant; that SM and lose their usual charm and joy.
And I am so burdened by my impending cold that we just want to push the food down our necks and get out of there!
Having our ca phe break
Yen Vi River
It takes us about 2 hours to get to the Ben Duc (pier Duc) where we use a row boat on Yen Vi river, which is by far the more romantic and scenic route, to Chua Huong.
The first stop must always be a visit to Den Trinh. Den Trinh means registration shrine. All visitors to Chua Huong must first "trinh" or register at the shrine and to announce their intentions.
Thien Tru (Heavenly Kitchen) Temple
The next point of interest would be a visit to Thien Tru temple (chua Ngoai - Outer Temple). The temple was built in the 18th century. Thien Tru means heavenly kitchen. This name was derived from the imagination of the locals in this region.
After the short visit to the Thien Tru (Heavenly Kitchen) Temple we make our way to catch a cable car up the Perfume Mountain.
SM is OBVIOUSLY not enjoying the ride
Huong Tich Grotto (Cave)
Upon arriving to Huong Tich grotto, there is a 120 steps descend as the temple lies deep within the grotto. At the entrance to the grotto, there is "heaven's gate" (path to heaven) and "hell's gate" (descend to hell).
According to legend, the cave was discovered two thousand years ago. However, local people only began to place a shrine there in 1575, and later a larger temple was built.
There are many colorful stalagmites and stalactites within the cave.
To me the cave is very interesting and somewhat eerie but cool. People come from near and far to pray for lots of things affecting their lives.
Hell's Gate
We have a dinner at Quan An Ngon.
A very nice restaurant but very packed with hundreds of diners and very noisy. The food was nice but we were very tired and are swamped by kids making noise and running around at the restaurant; that SM and lose their usual charm and joy.
And I am so burdened by my impending cold that we just want to push the food down our necks and get out of there!
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