Half Day Sacred Pagodas and the Ancient Origins of Water Puppetry

Overview

• ✓Escape the bustle of Hanoi on this half-day journey to Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas, two sacred sites located 30 kilometers southwest of the city.
• ✓Begin at Thay Pagoda, an 11th-century complex set at the foot of a limestone mountain and regarded as the legendary birthplace of Vietnamese water puppetry.
• ✓Explore its peaceful grounds, admire its traditional wooden architecture, and learn about the caves linked to the monk Tu Dao Hanh.
• ✓Continue to nearby Tay Phuong Pagoda, reached by climbing laterite stone steps.
• ✓Often described as a museum of Buddhist sculpture, it is home to 72 remarkable jackfruit-wood statues from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Escape the bustle of Hanoi on this half-day journey to Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas, two sacred sites located 30 kilometers southwest of the city. Begin at Thay Pagoda, an 11th-century complex set at the foot of a limestone mountain and regarded as the legendary birthplace of Vietnamese water puppetry. Explore its peaceful grounds, admire its traditional wooden architecture, and learn about the caves linked to the monk Tu Dao Hanh. Continue to nearby Tay Phuong Pagoda, reached by climbing laterite stone steps. Often described as a museum of Buddhist sculpture, it is home to 72 remarkable jackfruit-wood statues from the 17th and 18th centuries. Among them are the famous Arhats, known for their expressive detail and spiritual depth. With insights from your guide along the way, this tour offers a peaceful introduction to the religious heritage, art, and history of Northern Vietnam before returning to Hanoi.

What to Bring

• •Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• •Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• •Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• •This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide.
• •Return transfers for this excursion apply only / are inclusive for customers staying in and inside Hanoi city centre. Transfers outside these areas, including any accommodation outside the capital, harbour and the Hanoi International Airport are excluded. Supplements apply for customers who want to join this excursion outside one of these regions.
• •Customers are advised that during the TET celebrations (celebration of Vietnamese New Year), excursions and tours may be subject to supplementary charges and/or may see longer waiting times than normal. We appreciate your understanding on this.
• •Due to the nature of this tour, we regret to inform you that this excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users.
• •We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation. For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
• •Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power.
• •It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package. Any changes in accommodation outside 48 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 48 hours may be on request.
• •The Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh City is closed very afternoon, on Mondays and Fridays and during the months of October and November

Meeting and Pickup

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