Top 15 beautiful and sacred temples in Lang Son

If you are planning to make a pilgrimage to Lang Son to visit the sacred and ancient Lang Son pagodas with hundreds of years of history, do not forget to save the most beautiful and sacred temples and pagodas to visit in the following article.

1. Bac Le Temple

Bac Le Temple is one of the oldest temples in Lang Son, where lush trees shade the hundreds-year-old temple. Through the ups and downs of history and time, the temple is still majestic, sturdy and is a spiritual destination for visitors. Bac Le Temple is located in Tan Thanh commune, Huu Lung district, Lang Son province, 80km from the center of Lang Son city. To get here, you have to cross a red dirt road of more than 10km from the center of Huu Lung town. This is an architectural complex located on a high hill, below is a row of hundreds-year-old green trees. The temple worships Ba Chua Thuong Ngan - the goddess of the mountain. People believe that she is the one who looks after and bestows precious assets to people from the mountains and forests.

Coming to Bac Le Temple in Lang Son, visitors will feel like they are immersed in the space of the mountains and forests. The temple has 3-room architecture: First - Second - Third, the area of the temple is 126m2. In front of the temple is a large Tam Quan gate to welcome visitors. The main temple has a Dinh-shaped structure with a front hall and a back hall. Bac Le Temple Festival in Lang Son is one of the major festivals, held from the 18th to the 20th of the 9th lunar month every year.

Address: Tan Thanh Commune, Huu Lung, Lang Son.

2. Tam Thanh Pagoda

Known as the “First of the Eight Landscapes of Lang Son”, Tam Thanh Pagoda in Lang Son is a unique spiritual tourist destination, blending into the wild space of the rocky mountains, creating a wonderful experience between nature and human faith. Tam Thanh Pagoda dates back to the Le Dynasty, with many historical marks on its relics. Located inside Tam Thanh Cave in Lang Son City, the pagoda is named after the cave it is located in. With a picture of clouds covering the year round, in the middle of the rugged mountains, the spiritual place becomes mysterious and poetic.

Tam Thanh Cave is quite unique as it is located in the middle of a mountain range shaped like a herd of lying elephants. The cave entrance faces the East, covered by rows of ancient trees, creating a natural wall that shields the Zen entrance. Inside the pagoda, many cultural and historical imprints are clearly shown through the poems and poems of the ancestors. What is special about Tam Thanh Pagoda is the worship of both Sakyamuni and Buddha, as well as Confucius and Lao Tzu during the Three Religions period. This is a unique feature, rare in other pagodas in Vietnam. Tam Thanh Pagoda Lang Son - a combination of simple beauty and sublime spirituality, closeness and majesty.

Address: Lang Son City, Lang Son Province.

3. Dong Dang Mother Temple

The Mau Temple is located in the center of Dong Dang town, Cao Loc district, Lang Son province, 4km from Huu Nghi border gate. With its special architectural, religious and historical values, this is not only a place of worship and spiritual cultural activities for the people and tourists, but also contributes to connecting the community and preserving national culture. Dong Dang Mau Temple or "Dong Dang Linh Tu" is an ancient temple located on the top of the mountain, where people come to worship, pray for protection, a happy and prosperous life, and seek luck. In addition to spirituality, the temple is also an ideal stop for tourists to explore the northernmost land of the Fatherland.

The temple has a majestic architecture located on the top of the mountain, including 5 sacred worshiping rooms. Every year, on the 10th of January, the Dong Dang festival attracts a large number of tourists to participate in activities such as lion dance, traditional martial arts, and sports competitions. Tourists also have the opportunity to experience the spring festival atmosphere of the ethnic groups in Lang Son.

Address: Dong Dang Town, Cao Loc, Lang Son.

4. Ky Cung Temple Sanctuary

Located in Vinh Trai ward, the northern bank of Ky Cung river, Ky Cung Temple is considered a sacred place, once worshiping Giao Long god (god of water) with the task of maintaining favorable weather all year round. Later, the temple worshiped Tuan Tranh, an official under the Tran dynasty, who was sent to Lang Son to fight the enemy and died. Ky Cung Temple is ranked as a national historical and cultural relic, attracting many tourists and locals to pray and visit.

In the temple, Ky Cung stone wharf is one of the eight beautiful landscapes of Lang Son, famous since the time of Ngo Thi Sy. This is a must-see for all journeys and marches to China. Ky Cung River has rocks on the water surface creating a spectacular scene with white waves. Since ancient times, Vietnamese envoys have stopped at the stone wharf, burned incense at the Holy Land of Ky Cung Temple, praying for a safe and successful trip.

Address: Vinh Trai Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son Province.

5. Chua Thanh Heaven

Dien Khanh Pagoda - Thanh Pagoda is an ancient pagoda with unique religious and artistic architecture. Built in the 15th century, the pagoda has undergone many name changes and restorations, famous for its system of the largest bronze statues in Vietnam. Each statue is sculpted to standard and vivid, creating a warm and solemn space. Thanh Pagoda is the headquarters of Lang Son Province Buddhism, where many activities are held to connect religion with life. Exploring the pagoda, you will not only experience spirituality but also have the opportunity to connect with unique culture.

Address: Chi Lang Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son Province.

6. North Russia Temple

Welcome to Bac Nga Pagoda, a pristine and peaceful place. 11 km from the city center, the pagoda is located on a gentle hilltop, with a wide view of Highway 4B and the winding Ky Cung River, forming the image of "Dragon and Tiger". The simple architecture in the pagoda with Buddha statues, Good and Evil, and steles recording the history and merits of the pagoda. Although not large, Bac Nga Pagoda has long become a sacred place, attracting visitors from everywhere to come and pray. According to legend, this area was once a paradise with fresh flowers, green grass, and the winding Ky Cung River. Fairies often came down to earth to admire the beautiful scenery, and there was a fairy immersed in that beauty, not wanting to return to the fairy world. The villagers built a temple to worship the Fairy in the hope of achieving a peaceful and happy life.

Bac Nga Pagoda Festival is held on January 15, is one of the biggest traditional festivals in Cao Loc district. It attracts a large number of people and tourists to pray, sightsee, and enjoy culinary specialties. Legend has it that in the past, fairies loved this place so much that they did not want to leave. Come to Bac Nga Pagoda to understand more about this story. Address: Gia Cat Commune, Cao Loc District, Lang Son. Come on January 15 to experience the joyful atmosphere of Bac Nga Pagoda Festival.

7. Tien Pagoda

Welcome to Tien Pagoda, also known as Song Tien Pagoda. Built on Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Chi Lang Ward, Lang Son City, the pagoda is located across from Dai Tuong Mountain. The pagoda is home to many folk legends, such as the Fairy turning rocks into wells during drought years. Tien Pagoda also often holds festivals on the 18th day of the first lunar month every year, creating a decorative and bustling atmosphere. Located in a cave and in the middle of worshiping Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Tien Pagoda worships Buddha, Mother Goddess and Saint Tran. The pagoda's architecture is in the style of "Buddha before Saint" with the Tam Bao palace worshiping Buddha on the outside and the Mau palace worshiping Mother Goddess and Saint Tran on the inside. This is also where many steles of writers and poets are kept, especially the poem "Tran doanh bat canh" by Ngo Thi Si. Every year, the pagoda holds a festival on the 18th day of the first lunar month, enriching the festival atmosphere of Lang Son.

8. North Gate Temple

Welcome to Cua Bac Temple, a sacred and historical destination. The temple is located on Cua Bac Street, with unique and impressive architecture. Come to admire the beauty and learn about the history of this place. Cua Bac Temple, one of the four sacred temples that protect the spiritual energy of Lang Son ancient citadel, is located between Tran Hung Dao - Cua Bac Street. Built in the 18th century, it is ranked as a national monument. Worshiping Saint Tran and Mother Lieu, Buddha. The architecture is in the shape of the letter Nhi, including the outer Great Worship Hall and the inner Back Palace. Preserving many valuable artifacts, including a stele recording merits (1924), worship statues, thrones, and shrines.

9. West Gate Temple

Cua Tay Temple is located in Chi Lang ward, the western gate of Lang Son ancient citadel. In 1924, a historical structure was carved here to honor Tran Hung Dao and the Holy Mothers, which is Ngu Nhac Linh Tu Temple. According to the record of the School of Far Eastern Archaeology: "Here, a temple rises on the bank of Tam Ky (Ky Cung) River, which used to be Ngu Nhac Mountain...". The structure of the temple includes the outer Tam Quan gate and two inner shrines. The first one, built in 1934, is the Mother Shrine. According to legend, this is where Mother Lieu Hanh met Trang Bung Phung Khac Khoan. The second building has the architecture of the letter “dinh” (丁), worshiping Saint Tran along with his princesses and sons, as well as talented generals: Pham Ngu Lao, Da Tuong, Yet Kieu... The temple still preserves many valuable artifacts such as horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences and three steles, which are important sources of documents to learn about historical relics.

This temple was built in the late 18th century to worship Tran Hung Dao and the Holy Mothers. The architecture of the temple includes two buildings: the first is the Mother Temple, the second has the Dinh-shaped architecture to worship Duc Thanh Tran and his generals such as Pham Ngu Lao, Da Tuong, Yet Kieu, along with the Princes and Princesses. This is one of the famous temples to worship Duc Thanh Tran in Lang Son. People often come to pray to Duc Thanh Tran for success in their careers. If you have the opportunity to visit the temple, you will see two merit steles outside, carved in 1916 and 1923, which are valuable in content and are important sources of documents for research. In addition to its architectural value, Cua Tay Temple is also a place where religious activities of the local community as well as tourists participating in multilateral festivals are concentrated.

Address: Chi Lang, Lang Son city, Lang Son.

10. East Gate Temple

Cua Dong Temple is one of the Four Temples of Lang Son. Located in the East of Lang Son Citadel, the temple is located on Hung Vuong Street in Chi Lang Ward, Lang Son City, facing the Ky Cung River. As its name suggests, Cua Dong Temple is one of the four temples guarding the four directions of Lang Son Citadel. In front of the temple gate, a hundred-year-old banyan tree creates shade, making the space much more peaceful and quiet. Previously, the temple was known as Dong Mon Tu or Bach De Temple, and was also the Temple of the Great Mandarin of the Three Palaces. According to historical records, the temple was built from the late 18th century to the early 19th century.

In the inner area of the temple, the architecture reflects the mark of time from the T-shaped design to the main door facing the Ky Cung River, the temple entrance facing the West. The temple is divided into 3 parts including Nghi Mon, Chinh Dien and Ta Huu Vi. Notably, during the resistance war against the US, the temple became a place specializing in transporting weapons and ammunition for the army and people from the Soviet Union to the South. Cua Dong Temple worships the god Bach De - the god of water, river god or snake god. The reason why the temple worships Bach De is because the local residents mainly do agriculture and grow rice, so they have to depend on the river god as in folk legends. At the same time, the temple is also a place to worship the Mother Goddess and Saint Tran. Cua Dong Temple has been ranked as a national historical relic since 2013. This is a famous spiritual tourist destination in Lang Son that you should not miss!

Address: No. 67A Hung Vuong Street, Chi Lang Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son.

11. Cua Nam Temple

According to historical documents, the ancient Lang Son citadel (Doan Thanh) had four main gates in the four directions of East - West - South - North. Corresponding to these four gates, there were four sacred temples worshipping four gods protecting the citadel, including: Cua Dong temple (Dong Mon Tu); Cua Tay temple (Tay Mon Tu); Cua Nam temple (Nam Mon Tu) and Cua Bac temple (Bac Mon Tu). These structures were built around the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They are all located in Chi Lang ward, Lang Son city and facing the Ky Cung river. Among them, Nam Doan Thanh town has Cua Nam temple located in the south of Lang Son ancient citadel, currently in Cua Nam street, Chi Lang ward, Lang Son city, about 100m south of the city gate. The sacred temple in the four towns of Lang Son has been ranked as a national historical relic since 2013.

Like the temples in the four Lang temples, Cua Nam Temple was built around the end of the 18th century, with architecture in the shape of a Dinh chuoi vo, the main gate of the temple facing north. The temple worships the Mother Goddess (the four palaces) and the Tran Saint (Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan). In terms of scale, Cua Nam Temple is not large but attracts people with its rustic, simple beauty and is known for its sacredness. Tradition has it that devoted people from the city come here to pray for what they want, mainly success in work, fortune, and peace for the country. Cua Nam Temple Festival usually takes place on the 12th day of the second lunar month, attracting many local residents and visitors from all over to join in praying for their families and loved ones. This is also a sacred place for local people and visitors to enjoy spirituality. Cua Nam Temple, along with the "Four Towns" and the Ancient Citadel, is truly a valuable historical and cultural relic that you should not miss when you have the opportunity to visit Lang Son.

Address: Cua Nam Street, Chi Lang Ward, Lang Son City, Lang Son.

12. Tan Thanh Pagoda

Lang Son owns many pagodas with beautiful architecture, especially Tan Thanh Pagoda. When visiting Tan Thanh Pagoda, visitors not only enjoy the natural beauty but also pray for their wishes. Tan Thanh Pagoda is located 28 km from Lang Son city, one of the sacred pagodas in Lang. In particular, this pagoda is located near Tan Thanh border gate, near the Vietnam - China border. Built in 2015 in Tan Thanh commune, Van Lang district, Lang Son province, Tan Thanh Pagoda has an area of 21 hectares and the construction cost is up to 500 billion VND, entirely donated by Buddhists at home and abroad.

Nowadays, there are many temples and pagodas built in Chinese and Indian architectural styles. However, Tan Thanh Pagoda has a purely Vietnamese style. This attracts tourists because they have the opportunity to explore ancient Vietnamese Buddhist architecture. At this pagoda, all signs and stone slabs use the national language, unlike other pagodas that usually use Han Nom characters. What is impressive is that each brick at Tan Thanh Pagoda is engraved with the words: "SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM - BUDDHIST EFFECT 2559 FOUNDING TAN THANH PAGODA". This is a clear affirmation that each brick, each inch of land belongs to the country and people of Vietnam.

Address: Tan Thanh Commune, Van Lang District, Lang Son Province.

13. Ta Phu Temple

Ta Phu Temple is located in Ky Lua market street, Hoang Van Thu ward, Lang Son city. In 1683, the temple was built to worship the general Than Cong Tai, the Left Admiral of Han district in the Later Le dynasty. With majestic and sacred architecture, the temple has 2 buildings in the shape of the letter Cong and a small gate leading to the main axis. In the center is a courtyard with a stone stele dated the 4th year of Chinh Hoa (1683), recording Than Cong Tai's contributions to Lang Son. Every year, the Ky Lua Cannon Festival at Ta Phu Temple attracts a large number of people and tourists.

Address: Ky Lua market street, Hoang Van Thu ward, Lang Son city, Lang Son.

14. Tam Giao Pagoda - Nhi Thanh Cave

As a relic site located in the historical relic complex Nhi - Tam Thanh - To Thi Mountain - Mac Dynasty Citadel, Nhi Thanh Cave is about 200m from Po Soai intersection, following Nhi Thanh road. Nhi Thanh Cave was discovered and restored by the famous man Ngo Thi Sy when he was the Governor of Lang Son from 1777 - 1780. He had great contributions in expanding the land, pacifying the people and building Lang Son into a bustling commercial area. During his time traveling the mountains and rivers in the area, he discovered Nhi Thanh Cave and ordered the construction of Tam Giao Pagoda, Dinh Duyet Quan, Thach Mien Am, Thuy Tuyen Hien, Trai Tao. Ngo Thi Sy was from Ta Thanh Oai village, Thanh Oai district, old Ha Tay province. When he passed the mandarin exam to remember his hometown, he used the two Thanh words of his hometown to name his nickname: Nhi Thanh Cu Si and later when he discovered Nhi Thanh cave, he used his own nickname to name the cave Nhi Thanh Cave.

On the right side of Nhi Thanh cave is Tam Giao Pagoda, built by Ngo Thi Sy in the year of Ky Hoi (1779), worshiping Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism (three religions with the same origin). Currently, the pagoda has worshiping palaces such as: Cong Dong Palace, Tam Toa Thanh Mau Palace, Son Trang Palace, Tam Bao Palace... with a rich system of worshiping statues. On the left side of Tam Giao Pagoda is the path to Nhi Thanh cave, where the crystal clear Ngoc Tuyen stream flows through the cave with a length of about 600m, the part that accumulates in front of the cave entrance forms the poetic Nhat Bich Pond. From the back door of Nhi Thanh cave, visitors can observe that Tam Thanh cave entrance has a walking path from Nhi Thanh back gate to Tam Thanh cave with a distance of 500m. As a majestic natural beauty spot with the sacred Tam Giao Pagoda and a rich system of stele, Nhi Thanh cave is expected to satisfy the needs of sightseeing, spiritual needs and scientific research of many classes of people and tourists from all over the world.

Address: Lang Son City, Lang Son.

15. Suoi Ngang Girl Temple

The Suoi Ngang Girl Temple, also known as Suoi Ngang Temple in Pho Vi Commune, Huu Lung, Lang Son, is not only a place for cultural exchange but also a place to organize spirit singing sessions. Suoi Ngang Girl, one of the Upper Mountain Girls in the Four Palaces, serves the Upper Mountain Mother. The Upper Mountain Girls, in traditional costumes, often come here to serve her. To get to the temple, from Met intersection, turn into the street and ask for directions to the Temple, the locals will show you the way. The road is straight and easy to find. You can go by car to the temple gate. The Suoi Ngang Girl Temple is a place to worship the girls on the Mountain Palace, serving the Upper Mountain Mother, with the presence of many girls throughout the forest gates. Visitors can visit the Temple not only to sightsee but also to pray for blessings and fortune. If you come on the 1st or 15th, you can admire the spirit singing performance of the girls and boys. September 20 is the party day of Suoi Ngang Girl.

Address: Hoa Thang, Huu Lung, Lang Son.

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