The Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong) is in fact a vast complex of pagodas and shrines built into the limestone Huong Tich mountains. From the middle of the second lunar month to the end of the third lunar month, it is the site of a very popular religious festival which draws large numbers of pilgrims.
08:00: get together at our bike store meeting point – 38c, lane 209, Doi Can street – view location.
Bike, helmet preparation to start biking Perfume Pagoda
Depart to Van Dinh on the road 21 (car supports you and bikes) then from here, discharge bikes to start cycling (25 km) to Perfume Pagoda
The Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong) is in fact a vast complex of pagodas and shrines built into the limestone Huong Tich mountains. From the middle of the second lunar month to the end of the third lunar month, it is the site of a very popular religious festival which draws large numbers of pilgrims. You first start the trip by boating on a river among a beautiful karstic landscape, then you hike quite a long trail, which is all lined up with stands of food and religious souvenirs, to reach eventually the main sanctuary in a cave. Along the way, there are a great number of other places to worship. It is a festive occasion for the Vietnamese who often make the trip in large groups.
Enjoy a 1.30 hours boat trip on Yen (Swallow Bird) stream and visit Trinh temple before disembarking at Ben Duc (Duc quay). Following is a short trek to Thien Tru pagoda (the main pagoda). Get up to the mountain peak by cable car to visit pagoda inside grotto Huong Tich, where people often come to pray for health, luck, … etc. Return to Thien Tru Pagoda area on foot for lunch. After lunch, rowing back to Yen boat quay and we will cycle back to Van Dinh to upload bikes to car and drive back.
Meals: Lunch
Destinations: Van Dinh, Te Tieu, Perfume pagoda, Hanoi
Accomplished: 50 km
