Yen Tu Mountain

Yen Tu Mountain is located at the Quang Ninh and Bac Giang provinces border in northeastern Vietnam. Standing at 1,068 meters above sea level, it is part of the Dong Trieu Mountain Range, situated 44 kilometers from Ha Long City.
It is renowned as the Buddhist center of Vietnam, especially in the context of Vietnamese Buddhism.
Yen Tu overview (Source: Legacy YenTu)
When visiting Yen Tu, tourists can join in activities such as mountain climbing, and exploring the temples, pagodas, and scenic spots in this area. In addition, they also offer meditation programs and special festivals during major holidays throughout the year.
The climate on Yen Tu Mountain varies distinctly across the seasons. From April to June is summer time with cool and pleasant weather, clear skies, and little rain, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Don't forget to bring a warm jacket when you reach the peak of Yen Tu Mountain (Source: Kenh14)
January through March is the ideal time of year to visit if you're interested in spiritual and cultural celebrations. The Yen Tu festival will be held at this time, giving tourists the chance to fully experience the mountain's distinctive Buddhist customs and rich spiritual traditions. and unique Buddhist practices.
Yen Tu Pagoda
Located in Yen Tu Mountain in Quang Ninh Province, Yen Tu Pagoda was built in the 13th century during the reign of King Tran Nhan Tong. It is one of the major Buddhist centers in Vietnam
The serene atmosphere inside Yen Tu Pagoda (Source: Vietnam Discovery)
In February and March, Yen Tu welcomes a large number of pilgrims who come to celebrate the Lunar New Year and start on spiritual journeys. On the festival's first day, the mountain is filled with many traditional activities such as the "Sacred Seal Ceremony at Dong Pagoda", incense offerings to the Buddha, and the worship of the Truc Lam founders.
Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Monastery
This is one of the largest monasteries in Vietnam and was chosen by Tran Nhan Tong King (a 13th-century Vietnamese king) as his place of retreat. Then he founded the Truc Lam Zen Sect, contributing to the rich culture of Vietnamese Buddhism.
Visitors can learn about Buddhist teachings before continuing to the mountain peak (Source: Checkin Travel)
Located near the Hoa Yen Pagoda, surrounded by many mountains and a serene atmosphere, making it an ideal place for meditation and mindfulness. It is also a popular stop on the journey to climb Yen Tu Mountain.
Chua Dong
The highest pagoda in Yen Tu Mountain is made entirely of bronze. It is the largest of its kind in Asia, with a total area of approximately 20 square meters and a weight of 70 tons. Inside the Bronze Pagoda are statues of Buddha Shakyamuni and the three founders of the Truc Lam Zen Sect seated on lotus thrones.
The most anticipated destination for visitors to Yen Tu (Source: Wonder Tour)
With a 6-kilometer road comprising stone steps and forest paths, visitors can easily reach the Bronze Pagoda by cable car, enjoying the majestic mountain scenery of Yen Tu at the height of 1,068 meters above the sea.
Yen Tu National Forest
This national forest covers 2,783 hectares and protects many animal species and rare genetic resources. If you love the wild beauty of mountain forests, this is a must-visit destination.
This is a place that preserves many rare species of animals and plants (Source: Baoquangninh)
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Mountain Climbing Experience at Yen Tu
The route includes 136 stone steps over a distance of about 500 meters and a 6-kilometer walking path that offers a combination of mountain climbing, scenic views, and fresh air from the forest. During the 6-kilometer climb, visitors can explore beautiful attractions such as Giai Oan Stream, Tung Co Road, Thap To, Hoa Yen Pagoda, Mot Mai Pagoda, Bao Sai Pagoda, Dong Pagoda, Yen Tu Summit.
Visitors should have a guide to avoid getting lost in the forest trail of Yen Tu Mountain (Source: Le Hai)
Along the way, you can rest at several stops to regain strength before continuing. To make the journey more convenient and conserve energy, you can rest at the summit first and then take your time exploring the pagodas.
If you're unable to complete the full walk, you can combine walking with taking the cable car for part of the journey.
Scenic ride on Yen Tu Cable Car in Quang Ninh
For visitors who may not have the physical strength for the climb but still wish to explore the temples and mountains. Yen Tu offers 4 cable car systems that meet international standards, operating on two routes: the Hoang Long route, which is below 700m, and the Bach Long route, which is above 700m. This is the optimal and safe mode of transport, allowing visitors to conserve their energy for the entire trip.
Visitors can admire the panoramic view of natural landscapes of Yen Tu (Source: Legacy Yen Tu)
Price (current and change due to season)
Free Ticket: Monks, seniors over 70 years old, war veterans, and children under 1.2m are exempt from the cable car ticket fee.
Operating Hours: 6:00 AM until all visitors are served during the festival season, and from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM during other times.
Located just about 500 meters from Yen Tu Mountain, Legacy Yen Tu is the perfect accommodation for tourists. The hotel offers a reasonable price for every budget with more activities like folks costumes, cable car, and commercial photography service for the most memorable.
Address: Thuong Yen Cong Commune, Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam.
The serene atmosphere inside Legacy Yen Tu (Source: Legacy Yen Tu)
Plum wine
The famous wine in Yen Tu is made from fresh plums, which are fermented in large clay jars and then distilled. The entire process is carefully done using traditional methods. The wine has a gently sweet taste, which is good for digestion and enhances health.
Enjoying plum wine with dried squid or other light dishes for a perfect pairing (Source: Vietgourmet)
The plums are picked in March and April, with water sourced from a height of 1,000 meters. This combination results in a special wine that makes everyone remember it forever.
Yen Tu bamboo shoots
It is one of the famous local ingredients in Yen Tu. This type of bamboo shoot is typically small, long, and crunchy, with a distinctive sweet taste. Yen Tu bamboo shoots can be used to prepare many delicious local dishes.
Yen Tu bamboo shoots when cooked will not be sour and bitter (Source: Danviet)
Che Lam
A local delicious dish made from a mix of ingredients such as glutinous rice flour, honey, ginger, and peanuts. Siping a hot pot of tea with Che Lam in the cool atmosphere of Yen Tu Mountain is truly a new experience.
Che Lam cake is soft, chewy, and fragrant with a distinctive flavor (Source: Saostar)
Traveling to Yen Tu Mountain in Quang Ninh for a pilgrimage to a serene place has become an increasingly popular choice for many visitors. While Yen Tu may not be your final destination, it is definitely a place you must visit at least once.
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