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Phat Tich Pagoda, also known as Van Phuc Pagoda, is a Buddhist Pagoda built in the 11th century during the Ly Dynasty. The pagoda is home to valuable religious artifacts, including a stone statue of Amitabha Buddha that dates back to the Ly Dynasty and is recognized as a National Treasure.
A peaceful corner in Phat Tich Pagoda
Phat Tich Pagoda has undergone several renovations and expansions over the centuries. Nowadays, the current pagoda complex consists of over 100 buildings, including pagodas, temples, shrines, and stupas.
Have you noticed the pagoda's prominence in Vietnamese history? Asia King Travel will show you more spiritual attractions of Phat Tich Pagoda right below.
Phat Tich Pagoda is located in Phat Tich Commune, Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam. It’s only 40 kilometers from Hanoi, you might need an hour to get there. This is a place very suitable for personal vehicle driving.
Tien Du is a developed district with convenient transportation
Departing from Hanoi City Center, there 2 usual routes for you to arrive in Phat Tich Pagoda:
Cross Chuong Duong or Long Bien Bridge: Following Ha Huy Tap and Ngo Gia Tu Road, then cross Duong Bridge to Bac Ninh Province. Turn right to Ly Thanh Tong Street in Tu Son City to get to Phat Tich Pagoda.
Cross Vinh Tuy or Thanh Tri Bridge: Following Highway No. 01 (turn right to Co Linh Road if you cross Vinh Tuy Bridge) and leave the overpass when reaching Tu Son City. Straight forward to Phat Tich Pagoda. You must travel by car to follow this route.
According to ancient documents, Phat Tich Pagoda was built by King Ly Thanh Tong in 1057. In 1066, the King again had a tall tower built. After the tower collapsed, an Amitabha Buddha statue was revealed inside. To commemorate the miraculous appearance of this statue, the hamlet near the pagoda was renamed Phat Tich village.
In 1686 under the Later Le Dynasty, the pagoda was rebuilt on a grand scale with high artistic value and renamed Van Phuc Tu. However, the splendor of the Phat Tich Pagoda only lasted for nearly 300 years after that. The resistance war against French colonialism damaged the pagoda. The pagoda was completely burned down by the French in 1947.
Since the peace after 1954, Phat Tich Pagoda has been gradually restored. In 1959, the Ministry of Culture reconstructed three small pagodas to house the precious Amitabha stone statue. In April 1962, the Government recognized the Phat Tich Pagoda as a historical and cultural relic.
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You can visit Phat Tich Pagoda at any time of year, but the most suitable time is in January and February. At this time, the spring weather is pleasant and plants are in full bloom, making it an ideal time to visit the pagoda.
Crowded scene in Phat Tich Pagoda New Year Festival. Source: Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper
In addition, the Phat Tich Pagoda Festival is held annually for three days from the 3rd to the 5th of the Lunar New Year. Tens of thousands of tourists flock to the pagoda to attend the festival. A small note is that when visiting the pagoda, tourists should dress politely to show respect for Buddhism.
The Main Hall worship area consists of 7 rooms in the front hall to welcome guests, 5 rooms to worship Amitabha and Buddhas, 8 rooms to worship the Patriarchs and 7 rooms to worship the Holy Mother. On the right is a temple to honor the merits of reconstructing the pagoda by Mrs. Tran Thi Ngoc Am - a concubine of Lord Trinh Trang who lived in this pagoda.
Rooms in The Main Hall
The worship area bears the strong architectural features of Buddhism of the Ly Dynasty with the design style of Chinese characters, the curved roof of the pagoda carved with clouds, dragons and lotus flowers.
The Amitabha Buddha statue under the time of King Ly Thanh Tong is considered a "National Treasure" and the most unique worship place in the pagoda. The statue is made of a single block of green stone and enshrined in the Upper Hall. In terms of art, the Amitabha Buddha statue is the oldest Buddha statue in Vietnam and a model of Vietnamese sculpture.
The Amitabha Buddha statue still retains its outline after thousands of years
A colossal 27-meter Buddha statue, modeled after the Amitabha Buddha, stands atop Lan Kha Mountain. This remarkable statue holds the record as the biggest Buddha statue in Southeast Asia. From afar, visitors can already see the statue against the backdrop of the mountains, creating a truly sacred scene
Behind the main courtyard stand 32 brick and stone towers store relics of monks who once presided over the pagoda. Among them, the largest tower is Pho Quang Tower, which is over 5 meters tall. Pho Quang Tower was built to commemorate an ancient tower over 40 meters tall constructed under the Ly Dynasty. A large bell hangs at the top of the tower only rung on special occasions.
The colossal Buddha statue and Pho Quang Tower on Lan Kha Moutain. Source: VOV
Millennia-old statues of mythic creatures stand guard in the courtyard of the pagoda. These ten creatures are divided into five pairs: rhinoceros, horses, buffaloes, elephants, and lions. Each creature is depicted showcasing unique postures and expressions. The mythic creatures symbolize protection and devotion to Buddhism. In 2017, the collection of statues was recognized as a National Treasure.
Different postures of creature statues
Phat Tich Pagoda is a popular tourist destination and is known for its beautiful architecture, serene landscape, and spiritual atmosphere. Contact us now to plan a trip to the Buddhist center of the Vietnamese feudal era.
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