Situated in the Marble Mountains of Da Nang, Huyền Không Temple is a hidden ancient temple, known for its cultural and historical significance. The temple is located inside a beautiful cave on Thuy Son (Water Mountain), the largest one of the five Marble Mountains. You can reach this temple by climbing a series of steps that lead towards the summit of the mountain.
Huyền Không Temple houses several small statues of bodhisattvas and a giant statue of Gautam Buddha. The temple offers a spiritual ambiance with dim lighting and tranquillity, ideal for meditating and reconnecting with yourself. Additionally, the temple offers breathtaking panoramic views of Da Nang which will surely leave you in awe.
The temple boasts an authentic Vietnamese architecture with vibrant colours, steep roofs and symbols. The structure includes a main hall, prayer room, open space, residence for monks and a kitchen. Furthermore, explore the nearby surroundings of the temple which includes serene lakes, stunning gardens and a dense forest.
Highlights
• Offer your prayers at one of the most sacred temples of Da Nang, the Huyền Không Temple.
• Admire its traditional Vietnamese architecture, featuring vibrant colours, steep roofs and spacious halls.
• Reconnect with yourself through a soothing meditation session in the peaceful ambience of the temple.
• Explore the nearby surroundings of the temple including Calligraphy Hall, stone grass garden and the Five Lakes.
How To Reach
By Road: Huyền Không Temple is located at a distance of around 8 km from the city centre of Hue. You can easily reach the temple in approximately 21 minutes via the Nguyễn Phúc Nguyên route. You can either hire a local taxi or rent a car to reach the temple. For a more budget-friendly option, you can also rent a motorbike to reach the temple as well as to explore nearby surroundings.
Best Time To Visit
Huyền Không Temple is a popular tourist attraction which you can visit throughout the year.
- Best Day of the Week: It is advisable to visit the temple during early hours or late afternoon to experience fewer crowds.
- Best Time of the Day: You can visit the temple in the late afternoon so that you can also witness a breathtaking sunset.
Other Essential Information
Visitor Tips:
- Wear modest clothes, covering your knees and shoulders as it is a spiritual site.
- Make sure to wear sturdy and comfortable shoes as it is a hilly region.
- Remember to take off your shoes before entering the temple as a sign of respect.
- Carry sufficient water to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.
- Keep your environment clean and avoid littering or throwing garbage on the ground.
- Apply sunscreen and carry a hat to protect yourself from skin burns.
- Be cautious while climbing the stairs as it can get slippery during rain.
Explore The Temple
Built in 1989, Huyền Không Temple is one of the most sacred sites in Hue city. The temple includes a main hall, reception area, study room and monk residence with a kitchen. There are several open spaces as well to rest, have tea and admire the scenery.
The outer court area of the temple includes a lush green stone grass garden where monks practise martial arts and recite poetry. There are five gorgeous lakes around the temple, all of which have their own small picturesque bridges. Additionally, there is a Calligraphy Hall which is a beautiful thatched-roof structure amidst the lush greenery of the forest.
Calm Your Mind With Meditation
One of the must-try activities at Huyền Không Temple is to meditate in its peaceful ambience. The temple offers dim lighting, the smell of incense and the echo of chants which is the perfect setting for meditation.
Additionally, the forest surrounding the temple is another great place to meditate which offers a natural setting with lush greenery, rustling wind and the chirping of birds. Meditating in a dense forest as well as enjoying a leisurely stroll in the woods surely relaxes your mind and body which is an unparalleled experience.