Temple of the Jade Mountain, Spiritual temple on Jade Islet in Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, Vietnam
Temple of the Jade Mountain is a sanctuary on an artificial island in Hoan Kiem Lake, featuring multiple buildings connected by walkways and open spaces. A distinctive red bridge spans the water to reach pavilions, shrines, and a central worship hall.
The sanctuary was founded in the 18th century as a place of worship and gained its current form through major reconstruction in the 1860s. Scholar Nguyen Van Sieu shaped its appearance by adding the red bridge and other structures.
The temple stands as a place where locals honor General Tran Hung Dao and the god of prosperity Van Xuong through daily rituals and offerings. Visitors can observe people burning incense and making prayers at different shrines, connecting to beliefs that have shaped the community for generations.
The site is open to visitors daily, and the red bridge crossing is easy to find and navigate. Wearing comfortable shoes is advisable, as some paths on the island can be narrow or uneven.
A giant turtle skeleton is kept inside the temple, connecting to an ancient legend of the sacred lake. This relic offers a rare physical link to the stories passed down through generations about the water and its mysterious inhabitants.
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