Tuyen Quang – a sacred land

     This weekend Ha Temple Festival will take place on the 11th and 12th days of the second lunar month (March 7 and 8). Ha Temple, built in 1738 in Le Dynasty, is one of the most sacred temples in Tuyen Quang and is dedicated to “Mother Worship”. Locals go there to pray for good luck and peace, according to the online newspaper of Tuyen Quang.
The annual festival, the biggest festival in the region, also features traditional artistic performances including lion dance, music shows and folk games. Tourists visiting at this time will have many opportunities to celebrate with the locals.
The temple is characterized by its curved roof with carved symbols of dragons and phoenix. It is silhouetted against Lo River, offering visitors a peaceful and poetic view.
Meanwhile, Kiep Bac Temple in Tan Quang Ward, Tuyen Quang Town brings locals and tourists a sacred feeling to commemorate and express gratitude to national hero Tran Quoc Tuan. The temple was built in the nineteenth century with elegant design of old architecture on a mount near Lo River. The temple, one of 30 famous temples in Tuyen Quang, was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic in November last year.
Every year the province welcomes thousands of tourists to sanctuaries with Mau (Mother) temples, such as Mau Thuong Ngan, Mau Thuong Thien and the temple of two princess sister of Mai Hoa and Quynh Hoa. The temples represent the power of women in matriarchal society.
Another attraction in Tuyen Quang are the huge leafy canopies of ancient trees in Canh Xanh (green scenery) Temple. Tran Quang Ngoc, a tourist from Thai Binh said he has been in many places in the world and witness many wonderful things but this is the first time he has seen such magnificent trees.
Cam (forbidden) Temple honoring Thuong Ngan goddess in Cam Mountain, Trang Da Commune, is also well known for its poetic sceneries. Here, travelers may contemplate the mystery of Heaven Gate, an eco-tourism site of Dum Mountain.
Doi (Bat) Cave, Ba Cun Cave, Ong Cave and Hang (Cave) pagoda are also popular sites for tourists. Huong Nghiem Pagoda, so called Hang (Cave) Pagoda, is thousands of years old and was built from large rocks in interesting shapes. The pagoda is also famous for diverse kinds of birds, ancient trees.
Other ancient temples including Y Lan Mother Temple, Thuong (Upper) Temple, mo than (coal mine) Temple, Trung Quang Pagoda are places for tourists to contemplate the old architecture as well as to experience the tranquility of nature.
The town of Tuyen Quang also has many historical relics such as Mac Dynasty’s Citadel, which was built late in the sixteenth century and is imprinted with many glorious historical events of the Tuyen Quang people.
The town is also home to many ethnic people such as Tay, Nung, and Dao with different indigenous cultures and customs. The festivals of these indigenous people make this an enticing destination for tourists.