Thanh Luong Pagoda - The Unique Coral Pagoda in Phu Yen

Thanh Luong Pagoda - The Unique Coral Pagoda in Phu Yen

Thanh Luong Pagoda is a unique spiritual destination, notable for its architecture built from coral and rare coconut shells. Not only does it possess a serene beauty from nature, but the pagoda also attracts many visitors seeking to worship and experience the peaceful, sacred atmosphere. In the following article, let's explore this famous pagoda with NVK Travel.

A brief introduction to Thanh Luong Pagoda

Thanh Luong Pagoda is located in My Quang Nam village, An Chan commune, Tuy An district, Phu Yen province (now part of Tuy An Nam commune, Dak Lak province). This location is only about 500m from the beach, providing a tranquil and cool space.

The scenery of Thanh Luong Pagoda

The scenery of Thanh Luong Pagoda

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The pagoda is constructed from coral and coconut shells, creating a unique architectural style that has endured through many phases over time. With its rustic and sacred beauty, it has become one of the special stops on the Phu Yen travel journey, reminiscent of the land of "yellow flowers on green grass."

According to the elders in My Quang Nam village, Thanh Luong Pagoda in Phu Yen was built in 1956. This land was previously called Ma Linh Ma Lien, and in the 1960s it was renamed My Quang, and in 2003 it was divided into two villages, My Quang Bac and My Quang Nam.

The pagoda is a famous spiritual tourism destination

The pagoda is a famous spiritual tourism destination

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Since 2003, Venerable Thich Quang Ngo has been serving as the abbot. Initially, the pagoda was quite simple, mainly serving the local people. From 2004, it became more well-known to many tourists thanks to a special statue of Quan The Am that was salvaged by fishermen when it drifted into the sea.

Directions to Thanh Luong Pagoda

To get to Thanh Luong Pagoda, visitors can follow Google Maps or ask local residents for directions. Since it is only about 10 km from Tuy Hoa city, the route to the pagoda is relatively easy.

The road to the pagoda is convenient, making it easy for you to travel

The route to the pagoda is convenient for easy travel

There are 2 ways to travel as follows:

  • Method 1: Starting from Tuy Hoa City. From the center of Tuy Hoa City, go straight along Le Duan street to the intersection with An Chan street, then turn right to enter An Chan street, and after that turn left at My Quang Nam, continue for 270m then turn left, the pagoda will be on your right.
  • Method 2: Coming from Bai Xep - Ganh Ong. Move along the concrete road heading towards Tuy Hoa. This stretch will be about 2km long and visitors will encounter the destination on the left.

The legend of Thanh Luong Pagoda in Phu Yen

The most intriguing aspect of the pagoda that attracts many tourists is the story of the mysterious statue of Quan The Am that is placed here. Although the exterior of the statue is no longer intact, its standing posture has been preserved by the pagoda until now. Notably, since the statue's arrival, the pagoda has increasingly attracted more visitors from near and far.

The mysterious legend about the statue

The mysterious legend of the statue

According to the abbot of the pagoda, on the morning of December 24, 2003, a statue of Quan The Am drifted ashore at Dua Beach. The statue was standing and wedged between two cliffs, discovered by local fishermen who reported it to the pagoda.

The Quan Am statue at the pagoda

The statue of Quan Am at the pagoda

The pagoda requested permission from the local authorities and mobilized forces to properly bring the statue back according to the rituals. However, despite the manpower, they could not move the statue to the pagoda. Until the abbot personally brought the statue back, a large wave came in to help bring the statue ashore.

After bringing the statue back to the pagoda, the abbot decided to start renovating the landscape. This further attracted visitors to the pagoda. Many foreign tourists also learned about this mysterious story and wished to come to worship and visit.

Unique features attracting tourists at Thanh Luong Pagoda

Unique architecture

The pagoda's space is rustic and peaceful

The pagoda's space is rustic and peaceful

Since the Quan The Am statue was restored, the pagoda has gradually become a famous pilgrimage site and has been renovated with many items such as the Tam Quan gate, meditation hall, Long Thuy lake, and Quan Am shrine. The main hall and the ancestral altar have a spacious area of nearly 1,000 m2, covered with a roof, and decorated entirely with coconut shells and coral. These are familiar materials associated with the daily life of the local people.

The discarded coral blocks are meticulously gathered and carved into wave shapes and the swastika symbol. Additionally, coconut shell pieces are cleverly assembled and attached to the walls to replace wood, creating a rustic and sacred space.

The unique architecture is built from coconut shells and coral

Unique architecture built from coconut shells and coral

Passing through the pagoda gate, you will encounter a gentle statue of Buddha Di Lac, followed by a stone garden. The entire landscape of the pagoda is hidden under the canopy of ancient trees, creating a peaceful and airy atmosphere.

The highlight of the pagoda's scenery is the harmony between nature and the soul, making it a tranquil destination in many people's travel journey to Phu Yen. Especially, the pagoda is also being invested in building a dormitory for people to come to avoid storms and learn short-term meditation courses.

The pagoda's space is always green, cool, and serene

The pagoda's landscape is lush and green

The pagoda's landscape is lush and cool

The surroundings of the pagoda also exude tranquility with many lush green trees, to the east bordering the sea, and to the west stretching sandy hills, creating a picture that is both serene and poetic. Thanks to the cool climate year-round, this place has become an ideal stop for those seeking tranquility in their souls. Notably, the pagoda also features a Buddhist space, a tea ceremony area, and unique souvenirs.

Many beautiful check-in spots

The pagoda has many beautiful photo spots

The pagoda has many beautiful photo spots

Thanh Luong Pagoda is also a must-visit place for photography enthusiasts. Any corner here can create an impressive background for your check-in.

Among them, the lake with the smiling statue of the Bodhisattva and the hand rising above the water is a photo spot loved by many. Visitors just need to prepare a modest outfit, a phone, and a fully charged camera to freely take pictures.

Some important notes when visiting Thanh Luong Pagoda

Some important notes for visitors when visiting the pagoda

Some important notes for visitors when visiting the pagoda

To ensure a smooth and safe trip exploring Thanh Luong Pagoda, visitors should pay attention to the following:

  • Choose polite and modest clothing, avoiding short or inappropriate attire.
  • Maintain general cleanliness and do not litter.
  • Taking souvenir photos is allowed but should be limited in worship areas and avoid inappropriate poses.
  • When moving close to the lake with the statue of Bodhisattva Quan Am, you need to pay attention to safety and avoid playing around to prevent risks.
  • The ideal time to visit is early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the air is cool, fresh, and quiet.

Conclusion

If you have the chance to set foot in Phu Yen, be sure to visit Thanh Luong Pagoda. For a smooth trip, contact NVK Travel for our advice on all-inclusive tours to Phu Yen at special prices.