Hung Yen Chuong Pagoda is a unique architectural work in the Pho Hien relic complex. The temple is famous for its unique architectural system, ancient statues and is known as “the most famous Pho Hien”. If you have the opportunity to come to Hung Yen, do not miss this wonderful place.
About Hung Yen Bell Pagoda
You don’t have to go to the dreamy city of Hue to admire the magnificence. Even in the peaceful land of Hung Yen, there is an ancient work like a version of Hue Citadel in miniature. That is the Hung Yen Chuong Pagoda , which many people call “the most scenic Pho Hien”.
Hung Yen Bell Pagoda
Chuong Pagoda is also known with another name, Kim Chung Tu . Located right in Nhan Duc village, belonging to Pho Hien relic complex. Over time, the temple became more and more ancient and attracted many tourists to visit.
The temple is an attractive tourist destination in the land of longan (Photo: Nguyen Phuong Anh)
In the temple, there are currently many valuable ancient relics such as: couplets, diaphragms, stone stele, worshiping objects, in which the stele “Kim Chung Tu Thach Bi Ky” erected in 1711 describes the landscape position in the temple and the people with the temple. construction work. Through this relic, researchers have guessed that there is a trade route between Thang Long and right at the temple door. In addition, at that time, Hien Street included 12 wards in all.
Chuong Pagoda impresses with its ancient beauty
With unique architectural and polite values, Hung Yen Chuong Pagoda has been ranked by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Historical and Architectural Monument. The temple is also one of the 16 most typical monuments in the Complex of relics “National Special Monument Pho Hien”.
(Photo: tao_hoang_)
How to go to Chuong Pagoda?
To go to Hung Yen Chuong Pagoda , you can choose a coach, bus or motorbike. If you take a bus, you can catch a bus from Hanoi to Hung Yen of Hoang Vinh garage. The bus has stops at Gia Lam and Giap Bat bus stations and operates from 5am to 10pm. If going by bus, take bus 205, 208 or 40. If you are traveling by motorbike or private car, follow the following route. From the center of Hanoi, go to Long Bien or Chuong Duong bridge to Highway 5. When you reach the junction, there will be a signpost leading to Hung Yen. You go straight in the direction of Noi street to the intersection with Highway 39A, then turn left. Follow Highway 39A for about 30km, you will reach Hung Yen.
Bus route 205 goes from Hanoi to Hung Yen
History of Hung Yen Chuong Pagoda
According to the legend of Chuong Pagoda, there was a yellow bell on the raft that was pushed in here during a great flood. At that time, no one could lift the bell, only when the abbot stayed in the temple for 10 years and selected 10 male and female students, he could move the bell. Then the villagers built the tower and hung the bell in the temple.
Hung Yen Bell Pagoda has a history associated with the nation’s past (Photo: Nguyen Phuong Anh)
When Vietnam suffered from a foreign invasion to the North, that precious bell was hidden in a small well. To this day, the exact location of the hidden bell remains a mystery. The name Chuong Pagoda or Kim Chung Tu is also derived from that.
To this day, the location of the bell is still a legend
According to the book Dong Khanh Du Ge, Hung Yen Chuong Pagoda was built in the Later Le Dynasty (about the 15th century). However, the exact time has not yet been agreed. There are some researchers who believe that Chuong Pagoda was discovered in the Le Dynasty, but there are some studies that confirm that the temple was built in the 3rd century AD. The stele in the temple has been kept intact since the 17th century, on the stele records the restoration process but does not specify the time of construction.
The exact time to build the temple has not been agreed (Photo: Nguyen Phuong Anh) 
The picture of the underworld in the templeThe architectural beauty of Hung Yen bell pagoda
Hung Yen Chuong Pagoda is an architectural complex with a harmonious layout of “foreign and internal affairs” continuously. The pagoda is symmetrically designed on an axis starting from Tam Quan gate to the Ancestral house, including the following architectures: Tam Quan, Tien Duong, To’s house, bell tower, Upper palace and 2 rows of corridors,… The facade of the pagoda. The temple faces south.
Chuong Pagoda is designed in harmony and proportion
Going through Tam Quan gate , you will reach the “dragon’s eye” pond, at the lake planted with many lotus flowers and especially a stone bridge built in 1702. Passing Tam Quan and the “dragon eye” pond, you feel like yourself. become very pure, remove all dust to move towards the good. Next you will come across a righteous path. This is the only way to bring sentient beings out of misery and suffering. Connecting between the front hall and the upper hall, there will be a courtyard. In the middle, there are stone incense trees made in 1702. The four sides of the tree record the merits of the people who have contributed to the repair of the pagoda.
Water lily in the middle of the dragon’s eye pond
Righteous path
Front entrance at Chuong pagoda
Inside Hung Yen Bell Pagoda , there is a diverse system of Buddha statues that can be mentioned as: Di Da Tam Ton, Tam The, Cuu Long statue, … Among the most prominent are 8 Diamond statues, 4 Bodhisattva statues, 18 Arhat. These statues are all meticulously crafted with different poses, shapes and mood expressions. The pagoda also has a relief of the Diocese of Diem Duong depicting the scene of the King of Hell punishing the wicked. Two Earthquakes record the Buddha’s process of attaining enlightenment.
Impressive picture of the underworld in the temple 
Statue of 18 Arhats 
These are valuable ancient relics at Chuong Pagoda
Coming to Chuong Pagoda , you will have the opportunity to admire the ancient features of the unique patterns and architecture of the Later Le period that are still preserved on the roof of Tam Quan or the gate. The pagoda’s door has a 3-storey, 12-roofed stack of matches, showing harmony but also majesty. In the temple cages, there are four images of four spirits and stone statues standing in adoration, the curved roof represents the sacred place of the Buddha’s door.
The architecture of the Later Le Dynasty is clearly present at the Chuong Pagoda
Pattern at the gate
Buddha’s Birthday Celebration at Chuong Pagoda
Every year, on the full moon day, the 1st lunar month or the occasion of Buddha’s birthday, Chuong Pagoda is the destination of many local people and tourists from far away to worship. Going to the Buddha ceremony, visiting the temple is peaceful and pure, in the hearts of tourists, it is as if all the chaos and worries are removed. Here you will find your inner peace.
Great Buddha Party at Chuong Pagoda
Experiencing many ups and downs of history, although Hien Street is no longer a busy trading port for buyers and sellers, Hung Yen Chuong Pagoda has always stood proudly among the shadows of ancient trees. It is that peaceful ancient feature that is enough to hold the hearts of many travelers far away.
Source: Collected internet.