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Hanoi has many ancient attractions, and the Quan Thanh Temple is one of them. Located by romantic West Lake, this place is one of the “Four Defense Temples of Thanh Long Citadel” - four most sacred temples in the Thang Long era. With more than 1000 years of history, this temple is not only a spiritual destination but also an architectural masterpiece, attracting visitors with the unique black bronze statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu. Let’s discover the beauty of the temple with Asia King Travel!
Quan Thanh Temple is located on Thanh Nien Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam. The temple is near the intersection of Thanh Nien and Quan Thanh Streets, opposite West Lake. This is a prime location in the heart of the capital that is very convenient for traveling.
The whole front view of Quan Thanh Temple. Source: Vinpearl
From the city center of Hanoi, visitors only need to take about 3km following the West Lake direction to get to the temple. If you choose to go by bus, it is a safe choice, and bus route numbers 14 and 33 will stop near the temple. In addition, travelers can easily get there by taxi or motorbike and enjoy the trip while sightseeing the tree-lined roads around the West Lake area.
From Noi Bai International Airport, it takes around 25km to get to Quan Thanh Temple. You can choose the fastest options, such as taxis or technology vehicles, and it will take about 30 to 40 minutes. The most common route is through Vo Nguyen Giap Road - Nhat Tan Bridge - West Lake.
If you want to save your budget, you can take bus number 86 from the airport to Long Bien Station, then walk for about 10 minutes or continue taking the city bus to the temple.
The temple plays an important role in the citizen's life. Source: Traveloka
If you are an adult, you need to pay 10,000 VND per person for an entrance ticket to visit the temple. However, if you come here with your family and you have children, it is free for the kids under 1m2 tall.
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Quan Thanh Temple was constructed under the Ly Dynasty (11th century), it is one of the four sacred temples guarding the four directions of the ancient Thang Long Citadel. The temple was built during the reign of Emperor Ly Thai To (from 1010 to 1028) to worship Huyen Thien Tran Vu, the god guarding the North of the citadel.
Huyen Thien Tran Vu is a Taoist god, originating from China, he is considered the god guarding the North, with the power to exorcise evil spirits, destroy demons, and protect the country from natural disasters and foreign enemies. In the Vietnamese folk consciousness, he is considered a god with great achievements in protecting the nation and bringing a peaceful life to the people.
The god is worshiped in many places in Vietnam, but the most famous place is at Quan Thanh Temple. Worshipping Huyen Thien Tran Vu shows the people's respect for this god, and also the wish that he will protect Thang Long - Hanoi to always be safe and prosperous.
In particular, the black bronze statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu, which was cast in the 17th century during the Later Le Dynasty (1677) is one of the representative works of art of Vietnamese culture. The statue is 3.96m tall and weighs about 4 tons.
A daily view from the temple behind the gate. Source: Wikimedia Commons
The fact is tourists can visit the temple at any time in the year. However, the most ideal period is from September to April, when the weather in Hanoi is cool and relaxing, it is suitable for jogging around West Lake and enjoying the calm space.
Especially, in the new year festivals (from January to February), Quan Thanh Temple attracts many people who come to visit and pray for peace.
The temple has ancient architecture with the traditional structure of Vietnamese temples. The gate of the temple is solidly built with curved tiled roofs, creating a sense of majesty from the moment visitors enter.
Inside, the temple has many rooms arranged reasonably, the highlight of which is the main house - where the statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu is worshiped. The black bronze statue of the god is nearly 4m tall, holding a sword on the back of a snake wrapped around a turtle, representing the power to guard the North.
In addition to the bronze statue, the temple also has many ancient stone steles which keep the history of construction and renovation over the years. Although the temple space is not large, it still gives travelers a sense of serenity thanks to the big trees and small lakes that create the harmony of architecture and nature.
A sacred elephant statue in the temple's area. Source: Nguoi Dua Tin
Coming here, visitors can admire the ancient architecture, learn about the history of the formation, and listen to the tour guide tell mythical stories associated with the temple. In particular, the black bronze statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu is a unique work of art, demonstrating the talent of ancient artists.
The main shrine of Quan Thanh Temple. Source: Nguoi Dua Tin
This is also a great activity when you visit this place. The delicate carved wooden doors, the stone steles showing the temple's history, and the calm space will help tourists understand more about the cultural value of the structure of Quan Thanh Temple.
After visiting the temple, visitors can immerse themselves in the sacred space, learning about the Northern religious culture through folk stories about the “Four Defense Temples of Thang Long Citadel”.
The unique black bronze statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu. Source: Xanh SM
Quan Thanh Temple is located near the city center of Hanoi, near West Lake and many other historical and cultural attractions such as Tran Quoc Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature... Tourists can consider visiting these places to make their trip more interesting. For example, after immersing yourself in a sacred time, you can jog around West Lake, enjoy the fresh air, and watch the beautiful sunset.
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A beautiful sunset view at the West Lake. Source: Xay dung so
Quan Thanh Temple is not only a spiritual destination but also a testament to the thousand-year-old cultural beauty of Hanoi. Let’s visit here to admire the legendary black bronze statue, the architecture, and feel the peace in the heart of the capital with Asia King Travel!
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