Recently updated on November 30th, 2020 at 08:46 am
Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi, Vietnam, was voted one of the 10 most beautiful temples in the world by UK tourism website wanderlust.co.uk.
About Tran Quoc Pagoda, the website says: “Located on a small peninsula, east of West Lake, Tran Quoc is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi. The pagoda is over 1,500 years old and has recently been voted as one of the most beautiful temples/pagodas in the world, the view of the lake makes the pagoda attractive, and visitors are given incense to burn in the small temples throughout the whole pagoda rose from a branch taken from the very root tree in Boh Gaya in India, where the Buddha sat and attained Enlightenment. “
According to the website, a temple/ pagoda is only beautiful if it is in harmony with its surroundings, whether it’s urban or mountainous. Big temples, but contrary to the surrounding landscape, lack of a long history, did not enter this vote.
This is not the first time an English website has praised the Tran Quoc Pagoda. In 2016, the Daily Mail in England ranked Tran Quoc Pagoda among the 16 most beautiful temples in the world.
Tran Quoc Pagoda was originally named Khai Quoc Pagoda, built-in 541 in the Tien Ly dynasty. At that time, the pagoda was located near the banks of the Red River, so when the dyke fell in 1615 (the reign of King Le Trung Hung), the pagoda was moved to the Yen Phu dyke on the Kim Nguu mound.
Then, in the 17th century, Lord Trinh built the Co Ngu dyke (now Thanh Nien street) to connect with Kim Nguu island. The pagoda was renamed Tran Quoc pagoda in the reign of King Le Hy Tong (1681 – 1705) with the meaning that it would be a place to help people ward off natural disasters and bring a peaceful life to the people. And that name is used to this day.
Considered as a green island lying on the waves of West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is today considered one of the sacred places of Buddha not only by the terrain but also by the history associated with the nation, with Thang Long – Hanoi Buddhism.
