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After 70 km or 2 hours driving out of Hanoi, located on the
limestone rocks of Huong Son Mountain in
beautiful and mystical surroundings. Unlike
other temples in Vietnam, the only way to reach
this sanctuary is floating along a narrow but
extremely poetic stream by rowing boats that
takes 45 minutes.
An iron boat can carry 3-5 people and a large wooden boat – up to
20 locals. The stream is edged by rice, grass,
small paths, and temples here and there. A local
pilgrim can spend here traditionally three days
to visit entirely the area and pray at all the
temples. The first temple they often stop is
called Den Trinh (i.e. The Shrine for First
Presenting), where Vietnamese burn the first
jossticks to inform the local deities about
their presence and pray for a good trip and good
luck for the year ahead. If you are anxious to
reach the main Wharf of Huong Son mountain to
start the uphill trip to see the Main Grotto of
Huong Tich, you may skip this temple, especially
in the peak season between January and early
April.
The uphill trip takes an hour climbing on the
ancient flat and sometime slippery stones, which
have been here thousand years ago. The road is
"breathtaking" in all aspects – you will have
some exercise, and at the same time have chance
to take some stops to contemplate beautiful
scenery and daily life of local farmers, who
plant cassava and apricots in the valleys, who
run quickly on the slippery stone with their
burdens of tapioca, apricots or medicinal herbs
whilst you are careful with your steps. The main
pagoda is set in a huge grotto containing a
highly decorative shrine. Each stalactite and
stalagmite inside, which are soaked by
undercurrent, is combined with a legend about
its miracle and good luck. Most of them became
small shrines by now. Remember that the stone
grotto is huge and very cool, so stop for a
while at the entrance to dry your sweat before
coming in.
The main festive days of Chua Huong stretches
from January to early April, busy and exciting.
Sometimes it's drizzling and the Vietnamese all
believe that the real good things will reach you
if you catch rainwater after praying in a sacred
pagoda. And among all the sacred temples and
pagodas in Northern Vietnam, Chua Huong is even
more attractive and mysterious not only for its
spectacular scenery, but for the painstaking
road you passed over to reach to the top.
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