Hanoi is the 17th largest capital city in the world. Hanoi will celebrate its 1 000th anniversary from 1st to 10th of October in 2010. Now, let’s explore Hanoi’s beautiful sights and attractions.
1. Hoan Kiem Lake vestiges complex
Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Resorted Sword) is located in the historical center of Hanoi. According to Vietnamese geographers, Hoan kiem lake is residual part of one of the branches of the Hong River(Red River). The lake was formerly known as Luc Thuy(Green Water), because the water was always green. In the 15th century it was renamed Hoan Kiem Lake. According to the legend, emperor Le Loi had a magic sword called “Heaven’s Will” which brought him victory in his revolt against the Chinese Ming Dynasty.
In the 6th century, the Le Kings and the Tring Lords began to decorate the lake and between 1862 and 1865, Nguyen Van Sieu, a Confucian scholar of Hanoi renovated the entire lake including Ngoc Son temple, The Huc Bridge, Pen Tower and Doc Ton Mountain. The Tortoise Tower standing on a small island near the center of the lake was built in the late 19th century. The ngoc Son temple is dedicated to Guan yu, La To, Tran Hung Dao and there are many cau doi (parallel sentences) of Northern Poest and real stories of the giant turtles which have been living in the lake for hundreds of years.
Hoan Kiem Lake
2. West Lake Vestiges Complex, Tay Ho Palace
West Lake convers an area of 500 hectares and is the largest lake in the northwest center of Hanoi with a perimeter of 17 km. West Lake was known as Xac Cao Lake (For corpse Lake). Trau Vang Lake (God buffalo Lake), derived from a lagend. In the 11th century, the lake was called Dam Dam Lake(Fog Lake) and in the 15 century it was renamed West Lake. West Lake was once a resort for mandarins and kings under the reign of the Ly anf Tran dynasties and an inspiration for many poets like Nguyen Cong Tru, Nguyen Khuyen, To Huu… There are many sights to see around the lake including West Lake Palace (for the worship in the 17th century), Nghi Tam flowers village (the homeland of poet Ba Huyen Thanh Quan), Kim Lien Pagoda, Nhat Tan village, Thien Nien Pagoda (for the worship of the founder of embroidering in Trich Sai village), Ke Buoi village, Ba Dinh Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple and more.
West Lake
3. Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam
Van Mieu (or Templa of Literature) was founded in 1070 as a Confucian Temple. In the 1076, Quoc Tu Giam, Vietnam’s first university or Imperial Academy, was established within the Temple to educate Vietnam’s bureaucrats, royalty and other students in the country.
Van Mieu consists of five courtyards: Van Mieu Gate, Khue Van Cac, Dai Thanh Gate (there remains 82 stone tablets where the names of the laureates of the university from 1442 to 1779 are carved), the freat pavillion with a bronze bell that was cast in 1768 and an ancient stone wall. at the far end of the courtyard is the altar with atatues of Confucius and his four closet disciples including yanzi (Nhan Tu), Zengzi (Tang Tu), Zisi (Tu Tu) and Mencius (Manh Tu). Behind the great pavillion is the Quoc Tu Giam school, built under the reign of the Le dynasty. In 1999 the Ministry of Culture and Information rebuilt it in the ancient architecture style as a venue for cultural activities in Hanoi.
Van Mieu (Temple of Literature)
4. Quan Chuong Entrance _ The sole remaining gate of the original Thang Citadel
The entrances were only built in Hanoi. Quan Chuong Entrance is located at the beginning of Hang chieu Street, near the Red River. The Entrance was built in 1749 towards the eastern gate of the original Thang Long Citadel. O Quan Chuong is also known as Dong Ha Mon(Eastern Gate).
Quan Chuong Entrance
5. One – Pillar Pagoda – a unique architectural work
It is a group of structure consisting of a pagoda and a tower, built in the middle of a square lake. The whole group was officially called Dien Huu Pagoda and Lien Hoa Tower but the tower has traditionally been called the One-Pillar Pagoda. It is square shaped and each side is nine feet long with a curved roof and standing on a round stone pillar. The pillas is 4 feet in diameter, twelve feet high, supporting a system of beams and timbers. The pagoda was dedicated to Buddha and built in memory of a dream King Ly Thai Tong had in 1049. Buddhist monks were then asked to pray or worship for the King’s longevity. The pagoda was therefore called Dien Huu(lasting life).
One Pillar Pagoda
6. Tran Quoc pagoda – the oldest pagoda in Vietnam.
According to the legend, Tran Quoc was built during the Ly Nam De Dynasty (544-548). Originally, the pagoda was built adjacent to the Cai River and called Khai Quoc (Founding of the Nation). Its name was changed to An Quocs pagoda. during the reign of King Le Thanh Tong (1600-1618), the river embankment broke and people disassemenbled the pagoda and rebuilt it on Ca Vang island in West Lake (its current location) and King Le Hu Tong (1680-1705) changed its name to Tran Quoc. The pagoda maintains its unique architecture which is very different from the other pagodas found in Hanoi.
Source from Travel Live Magazine
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Tran Quoc Pagoda
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