Chuc Thanh Pagoda is the largest Buddhist temple and a must see attraction in Hoi An, Vietnam. It plays an important role in the history of Buddhism in the city because it’s the birthplace and headquarter of a specific school of Buddhism (‘Chuc Thanh school’). Over centuries, it has had grand architectural buildings, surrounded by peaceful gardens with burial towers and local graves. Now, let’s HoiAn Day Trip Company provide all information about Chuc Thanh Pagoda in Hoi An.
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• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Must Knows about Chuc Thanh Pagoda (Hoi An)
– Location/address: 104 Ton Duc Thang St, Tan An ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, Vietnam
– Name meaning: Chuc Thanh means ‘wishing [all the bests] for [Nguyen] lord’
– Other name(s):
– Opening hours: 7 AM to 8 PM everyday
– Year of establishment: 1697
– Year of construction: 19th century
– Ticket price: free
– Reason(s) to visit: the largest and the most important Buddhist temple in Hoi An
– Best time to visit: anytime during the day
– Time to spend: 30-45 mins
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.con/chuc-thanh-pagoda-hoi-an
– Recognition(s): national historical site
– Food & drink: not available
– Shopping: not available
– Tour guide: +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)
– Fact: Chuc Thanh Pagoda is the birthplace and the headquarter of a sect of Buddhism that was found in Hoi An and then spread to many countries
Chuc Thanh Pagoda on Map
History of Chuc Thanh Pagoda in Hoi An
Chuc Thanh Pagoda was established in the late 17th century by Chinese monk Minh Hai, the successor of the 34th generation of Linji Buddhism school. He was one of members in the delegation followed by Chinese monk Shi Dashan (Thich Dai San) that traveled to and stayed in southern Vietnam in the last years of the 17th century. In 1697, when his leader Thich Dai San returned to China, he went to Hoi An (a bustling international trading port at that time) and established Chuc Thanh Pagoda.
There are two ways to explain the name of Chuc Thanh Pagoda:
Way 1: the founding monk named Chuc Thanh Pagoda with a meaning of ‘wishing [all the bests] for [Nguyen] lord’ who ruled the are at that time
Way 2: the founding monk named Chuc Thanh Pagoda after a Buddhist temple in his hometown China
In the beginning, Chuc Thanh Pagoda was a simple thatched cottage constructed by monk Minh Hai. Later, his successors enlarged and improved it.
In 1845, monk Quan Thong constructed a new pagoda on the same place and changed its direction from west to southwest to suit better feng shui principles.
In 1849, monk Quan Thong continued enlarging Chuc Thanh Pagoda and then its size became two times larger than the former one.
In 1894, a building to worship ancestors was added behind the main worshipping hall of Chuc Thanh Pagoda by request of monk Chung Dao and monk Quang Dat.
In 1911, two more buildings near the main worshipping hall (west house and east house) were added by request of monk Pho Bao. Since then, the architecture of Chuc Thanh Pagoda has been unchanged. His successors improved the ground and small constructions here, including the burial tower of founding monk Minh Hai.
Today, Chuc Thanh Pagoda is the largest and the most important Buddhist temple in Hoi An city, Vietnam.
Architecture of Chuc Thanh Pagoda in Hoi An
Today, Chuc Thanh Pagoda is the largest Buddhist temple in Hoi An Vietnam. It has the New triple gate, the Old triple gate, the Main worshipping hall, the Ancestor hall, the West house, the East house and other buildings serving the daily life of monks. Everything lies within an enclosed area that is protected by a wall. Although the New gate (the outermost gate) is newly constructed, its architecture still follows the Vietnamese traditional style. During the day, it’s closed and visitors need to enter via the entrance on the right hand side.
Behind the New gate, the Old gate is one of the original structures left in Chuc Thanh Pagoda. It’s much smaller, built by bricks and decorated by holy animals. Many visitors like taking photos here. To the left hand side, there is a series of burial towers where the ashes of different monks are kept. The tallest tower (in the left end) is to honor the founding monk Minh Hai. Tombs of his parents are not far away.
The Worshipping Hall is the biggest construction of Chuc Thanh Pagoda. It boasts a harmonious architecture between Vietnamese and Chinese styles. Its doors, windows and wooden frame are beautifully crafted by highly skilled carpenters from Kim Bong Woodworking Village in Hoi An. Its interior is furnished by ancient ceremonial artifacts, ceramics, wooden horizontal boards, parallel sentences and a large number of Buddha statues (42 in total). The roof is covered by tiles and topped by dragons rising upwards.
Behind the Worshipping Hall and a courtyard, there is the Ancestor hall where monks have honored monk Minh Hai who founded the pagoda and 11 other successors in history. It’s connected with the large building in the front by two covered walkways that look like Japanese Bridge, one of Hoi An’s symbols. While walking around, visitors will find a library, kitchen, chanting house, private rooms, flower gardens, zen garden, sculptures and others that serve the daily life and religious activities at Chuc Thanh Pagoda.
In the ground of Chuc Thanh Pagoda, visitors can see a cemetery with many tombs of many generations of monks and local Buddhists.
Tips to Visit Chuc Thanh Pagoda in Hoi An
– It’s free to visit Chuc Thanh Pagoda because it’s a Buddhist temple.
– Visitors need to wear respectively if want to sightsee Chuc Thanh Pagoda, especially before entering the worshipping building.
– In Chuc Thanh Pagoda, visitors can see long dresses to choose one and cover for sightseeing. The right place to find them is behind the entrance gate, to the right hand side, and by the big tree. It’s free to use.
– In the dry season, from February to the end of August, visitors should bring sun cream, sun glasses, hat/cap/umbrella, and bottles of water.
– In the rainy season, from September to January, visitors should bring rain poncho/jacket or umbrella, sandals or waterproof shoes.
– Visitors are not allowed to go into monk’s houses and other private places (often with a sign to let people know).
– On the 1st and 15th days of each lunar month, there are many locals coming here to pray and listen to chanting.
– Parking is free at Chuc Thanh Pagoda.
– It’s better to visit Chuc Thanh Pagoda with a local guide. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo).
How to Get to Chuc Thanh Pagoda in Hoi An
Chuc Thanh Pagoda is at 104 Ton Duc Thang Street, Tan An ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, Vietnam.
From Hoi An, visitors can go to Chuc Thanh Pagoda by walking, bicycle, motorcycle, taxi/car, electric bus, shuttle bus of the hotel/resort, cyclo, bus/minivan. If stay in the hotel within Tan An ward, it’s absolutely possible to get there by foot. From the areas of Minh An, Cam Pho, Son Phong, Cam Nam, Thanh Ha, Cam An and Cam Chau, visitors can cycle or ride the motorbike easily. Just part near the main entrance of the temple. It’s free. If want to take a car/taxi/bus/electric car, the driver can drop passengers off at the main entrance. From here, the distance to major sights in the Hoi An Old Town is not long.
From Da Nang, the distance to Chuc Thanh Pagoda in Hoi An is some 30 kilometers, to the south. Visitors often choose a car or ride the motorbike by themselves. The best motorbike route is the coastal road and then Hai Ba Trung Street. At the crossroad of Hai Ba Trung Street and Ton Duc Thang Street (a traffic light here) and turn right. Keep going and the pagoda lies on the right hand side. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/zalo/line) to book a private roundtrip transfer by car.
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes transfers to Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Places to Visit near Chuc Thanh Pagoda
Near Chuc Thanh Pagoda, visitors can go to these places to visit: Tra Que Vegetable Village, Tan An Market (aka Tiger Market), the Hoi An Silk Village, An Bang Beach and Hoi An Ancient Town (a Unesco world heritage site).
Photos, Videos about Chuc Thanh in Hoi An
Here are beautiful photos and videos about Chuc Thanh Pagoda in Hoi An:
