Information
Landmark: Yen Tu MountainCity: Quang Ninh
Country: Vietnam
Continent: Asia
Yen Tu Mountain, Quang Ninh, Vietnam, Asia
Overview
In northeastern Vietnam’s Quang Ninh Province, Yen Tu Mountain rises among green slopes and mist, standing as one of the nation’s most important religious and cultural landmarks.People know it for its deep ties to Truc Lam Zen Buddhism and the breathtaking scenery-mist curling over pine-covered hills at dawn.Let’s start with a few standout moments from Yen Tu Mountain-first up, the winding stone path that crunches under your boots.Yen Tu holds deep religious meaning, known as the birthplace of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism in Vietnam, where green peaks fade into the mist.In the 13th century, King Tran Nhan Tong of the Tran Dynasty gave up his crown and retreated to the misty slopes of Yen Tu to live as a Buddhist monk.There, he founded the Truc Lam Zen School, weaving Zen practice together with the rhythms and traditions of Vietnamese life.Perched at the very top of Yen Tu Mountain, the bronze Dong Pagoda stands among Vietnam’s highest, rising 1,068 meters above sea level where the air feels thin and cool.Buddhists travel from far and wide to visit this pagoda, a sacred stop where incense drifts in the quiet air.Step two comes next, like turning the page to see what happens.Yen Tu Mountain, a gem within the Yen Tu Nature Reserve, teems with life-from rare orchids clinging to mossy rocks to elusive animals hidden in the dense forest.Lush forests blanket the mountain, and from its slopes you can see valleys curling away, rivers flashing in the sun, and more trees stretching to the horizon.The area’s home to countless ancient trees, among them the famous Yen Tu pines, whose dark, weathered trunks have long stood as quiet symbols of the mountain’s serenity.Three.One of the best ways to reach Yen Tu Mountain’s summit is to hop on the cable car, gliding above green slopes and mist, a ride first opened to visitors in 2010.The cable car holds the world record for the longest non-stop ride-over 2,000 meters-and glides above the mountain, giving passengers sweeping views of rocky slopes and green valleys below.Number four.Yen Tu Mountain draws the biggest crowds during the Yen Tu Festival, held each year from the 10th day of the first lunar month, when the scent of burning incense drifts through the cool mountain air.Each year, the festival draws thousands of pilgrims and travelers, some carrying flowers or incense as they offer prayers for peace, prosperity, and good health.Five.Activities and Attractions – Pagodas and Temples: Besides Dong Pagoda, the mountain is home to several others, like Hoa Yen with its sweeping courtyard, Ba Vang, and the tranquil Giai Oan.If you love hiking, you’ll find several trails that wind up to the mountain’s summit, some shaded by tall pines and cool mountain air.The trek’s no walk in the park-steep paths and endless stairways will test your legs-but reach the top and you’re met with quiet air and sweeping views that stretch for miles.Number six.Yen Tu Mountain sits about 50 kilometers from Ha Long City and roughly 130 kilometers from Hanoi, a drive that winds past rice fields and quiet villages.You can get there quickly by car or bus, and the cable car station waits right at the mountain’s base, making the trip simple for both pilgrims and curious travelers.Seven.Yen Tu’s cultural heritage has earned recognition as a national site, a place where stone steps wind through misty mountain air.The area serves as both a sacred sanctuary and a site rich in history, holding relics from the Tran Dynasty, some worn smooth by centuries of touch.Yen Tu Mountain weaves together sacred temples, centuries of history, and misty green slopes, making it a place you shouldn’t miss when you’re in Vietnam.
