The Scenic Historical Site of Tien Temple – Dong Vua Lake – Phu Thong Cave

23/12/2024
Narration

The complex of scenic historical sites, including Tien Temple, Dong Vua Lake, and Phu Thong Cave, is located in Nhan Son Village, Nga An Commune, Nga Son District, approximately 45 kilometers from Thanh Hoa City. It lies adjacent to National Highway 10, bordering the Kim Son District of Ninh Binh Province. This site offers a harmonious blend of nature and Buddhism, featuring three legendary and mystical scenic spots. All three of these attractions are part of the mythical Peach Blossom Garden according to local legend.

Tien Temple (also known as Dao Vien Temple) is one of the most beautiful and famous scenic sites in Nga Son. The temple’s formal name is Lau Nam Temple, but it is commonly referred to as Tien Temple due to its association with a vast garden of peach blossoms and camellias. It is connected with the Peach Garden Festival and the enchanting legend of Tu Thuc meeting the fairy Giang Huong, a story filled with poetry and romance.

The Scenic Spot of Tien Temple.

Tien Temple is surrounded by the Tam Diep Mountain Range, creating a stunning and sacred landscape. It can be said that the connection between Tam Diep Mountain and Tien Temple forms the most beautiful scenic complex in the Nga Son region. The temple is situated at the foot of the Ba Mountain, facing the East Sea. It combines the architectural style of the late Nguyen Dynasty with elements of Western Christian church architecture, featuring arched vaults for both the front hall and the main sanctuary. Traditional Vietnamese architectural elements, such as the use of curved-tile roofs and the archway-style gate, are still clearly visible.

The front hall of the temple measures 3.80 meters by 10.20 meters, and the main sanctuary is 4.80 meters long and 2.5 meters wide. The temple is connected at the front by a three-story bell tower, with an entrance on the second floor for ringing the bell. The roof is designed with two layers, with a stepped front to form upper and lower roofs. At the back, a sloping wall rises close to the upper roof. In addition to the main temple, there is also a Mother Goddess Shrine, built in the same vaulted style and covered with curved tiles. Close to the temple is the shrine dedicated to the Saint Mother Lieu Hanh, the Four Holy Mothers, and General Tran Hung Dao.

Visitors to Tien Temple are often curious to climb to the peak of Ba Mountain to see the "fairy chessboard" – a large, naturally-formed stone slab with many shapes resembling chess pieces. Not far from Tien Temple are Dong Vua Lake and Phu Thong Cave – scenic spots rich in folk tales and deeply connected to Buddhist spirituality. About 800 meters from the temple lies Mai An Tiem Mountain, which is associated with the legend of the watermelon during the reign of the Hung Kings.

The Tien Temple Festival is held annually on the 15th day of the third lunar month, when Buddhists from all directions gather to offer incense to the Buddha and participate in various cultural and sports activities. While in Nga An, visitors should also try the famous straw-wrapped goat meat at popular restaurants such as Ngoc Toan and Duc Hai.

Dong Vua Lake
 

Dong Vua Lake

Dong Vua Lake, located next to Tien Temple, is one of the natural lakes formed as a result of geographical movements when the Thần Phù Sea retreated thousands of years ago. The lake spans over 20 hectares, with three sides surrounded by the Vạn Sơn Mountain Range, which is part of the Tam Diep Mountain system. The lake reaches a length of up to 1 km at its longest point and several hundred meters in width at its widest. In the center of the lake rises a small mountain resembling a turtle, emerging above the water. The area surrounding the lake retains its pristine and rustic beauty, with mountains on one side and water on the other, creating a harmonious and picturesque landscape. The lake's water remains clear and never runs dry throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy boat rides around the lake, admiring the surrounding scenery, watching the sunset or sunrise, or experiencing the foggy mornings with an ethereal, mystical atmosphere. The lake is also home to many fish, and visitors can try fishing and enjoy the delicious local fish dishes. In the summer, lotus flowers bloom around the lake, their fragrance filling the air and adding vibrant colors to the area. To the northwest of the lake, there is a small hill called "Lèn" made of limestone, from which visitors can climb to reach the Chính Đại River and the village of Chính Đại (Nga Điền Commune), famous for its fragrant rice wine. Not far from the lake are Tien Temple, Phu Thong Cave, and the famous Bia Thần Mountain, which, according to legend, was ordered to be engraved by King Le Thanh Tong.

Phu Thong Cave

Located about 200 meters southwest of Tien Temple and Dong Vua Lake, Phu Thong Cave is one of the natural caves situated on the side of Thong Mountain, close to National Highway 10. The cave lies within the heart of a rock mountain, standing alone in an ancient peach orchard. The entrance arch of the cave is about 5.6 meters wide and 3.5 meters high. Inside the cave is a spacious area that resembles several rooms, separated by doorways leading deeper inside. The cave has a natural opening that allows light to enter, and it is commonly referred to as Thong Cave. The cave is also a place of worship for the Mother Goddess Thượng Ngàn, a legendary figure in Vietnamese culture. The worship of Mother Thượng Ngàn is an integral part of the Vietnamese belief system tied to the mountains and forests, where she is considered the spiritual essence of the land, guiding and protecting the people. The cave has been known as Phu Thong since the establishment of the Mother Goddess Shrine. Inside the cave, there are many stalactites in fascinating shapes, which local people have imbued with mythical tales. Phu Thong Cave also contains natural underground water springs that drip from the mountaintop, creating a stream that surrounds the shrine. This stream is known as Suối Tiên (Fairy Stream), which is considered sacred and mysterious. The striking mountain formations and unique shapes of the cave have made it a popular destination for visitors.

Every year, a traditional festival is held at Phu Thong on the 19th to 21st of the third lunar month. With their proximity and exceptional natural beauty, Tien Temple, Dong Vua Lake, and Phu Thong Cave form an inseparable cultural complex located in the Peach Garden of the legendary tale of Tu Thuc meeting the fairy Giang Huong. This area is also near the ancient Thần Phù Sea, which submerged many foreign invaders in the past. Visitors to the area will also have the opportunity to taste unforgettable local specialties such as gỏi nhệch (a local dish), straw-wrapped goat meat, and Nga Điền rice wine.

The Tien Temple, Dong Vua Lake, and Phu Thong Cave complex was recognized as a National Scenic Site under Decision No. 39/QĐ-BTBVH dated December 30, 2004, and is classified as an exploration tourism destination.

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