Tu Hieu Pagoda Hue – Ancient And Spiritual Beauty

Introduction

Once an imperial city of Vietnam, Hue has gained a reputation for its variety of time-honored monuments, especially pagodas. Tu Hieu Pagoda is one of the most ancient and holy sites, offering mysterious views for curious visitors. Its poetic and peaceful beauty stirs up a vision of getting lost in a fairyland. Indeed, its wonderfully tranquil atmosphere and the sound of dial chanting bring peace to travelers.

To visit Tu Hieu Pagoda and other holy sites in Hue City, you shouldn’t miss the Hue Buddhist Tour (47 USD/pax). Besides, we highly recommend some of the most intriguing Hue tours, such as:

• Hue Imperial City Walking Tour – from 40 USD/pax
• Hue Photo Tour – from 80 USD/pax
• Hue City Tour Half Day – from 31 USD/pax
• Hue Street Beer Tour – from 35 USD/pax
• Sunrise on Tam Giang Lagoon Tour – from 12 USD/pax

Where Is Tu Hieu Pagoda Hue?

Situated in Thuy Xuan Commune, about 5 kilometers from Hue city center, Tu Hieu Pagoda Vietnam nestles amidst a fresh green pine forest. Thanks to this preferable location, this beautiful spot has been catching the attention of both domestic and foreign visitors. To be precise, it takes passengers about 5 kilometers via Le Ngo Cat Street to reach this holy pagoda from the city center.

Look at the Tu Hieu Pagoda map as follows for more details:

How To Get To Tu Hieu Pagoda?

If you get to Tu Hieu Pagoda from downtown, it will take only 5 kilometers and 15 minutes. If you get there from Phu Bai International Airport, it will take 20 kilometers and around half an hour.

As it’s on Le Ngo Cat Street, a decent road in the middle of Hue City, you can easily reach it in many ways, such as by private car, taxi, or motorbike. You will come across a direct sign to the pagoda, or you can ask the locals for directions.

We suggest the best options that we usually offer to tourists: a Hue private car with sightseeing and a Hue city tour 1 day. Private cars to Tu Hieu Pagoda ensure a smooth trip with door-to-door pickups and on-request transfers. Plus, we promote private car transfers with up to 5 destinations combined in a one-day trip so that you can visit more places in Hue.

Entrance Fee And Opening Hours

Tu Hieu Pagoda doesn’t collect fees from visitors, so you can visit this place without being charged anything.

As a Buddhist monastery, it is open 24 hours a day, from Monday to Sunday. Yet, because it’s a religious site, we recommend you only visit from 6:30 AM – 6 PM. Without daylight, you can barely enjoy any sights in this place.

Tu Hieu Pagoda History

In 1843, the monk Nhat Dinh built a small temple called Thao An Duong to nourish his ill mother. He was told to be a dutiful son who always showed respect and took good care of his mother. Due to his mother’s illness, day by day, he walked 5 kilometers to a market to buy food for her.

Yet his mother was not a Buddhist, which means she wasn’t vegan like he was. All monks must be vegan, but when people saw him buy meat and catch fish, they gave him a terrible reputation. After the Tu Duc Emperor heard such a blasphemous story, he came to examine the monk and found out the truth.

As a filial son himself, Emperor Tu Duc was so moved by Venerable Nhat Dinh’s heart that he gave him the title “Sac Tu Hieu Tu.” It was also where the pagoda’s name came from: “Tu Hieu,” or “a dutiful son.” Later on, in 1848, the emperor expanded the small temple of Venerable Nhat Dinh to a bigger pagoda, as you see it today.

What To Do In Tu Hieu Pagoda Vietnam?

Visit The Eunuch Cemetery

Tu Hieu Pagoda is also well-known for its unique cemetery for a special people in the Nguyen Dynasty – the eunuchs. Back then, every eunuch had the same fate: serving the emperors in the Forbidden City until they died. Yet, there was no decent resting place for them after death, so some saved up when alive to have a burial place in Tu Hieu Pagoda.

That’s why it is also known as “Eunuch Pagoda,” where roughly 30 graves of eunuchs were placed. Because they had no kids or descendants to visit, their graves looked quite gloomy. You can drop by this special cemetery and offer them incense or a simple prayer.

Admire Buddhist Architecture

Tu Hieu Pagoda Hue Vietnam has conventional architecture with Chinese-style influences. Overall, it gives off serene and holy vibes with its natural surroundings. You can feel real peace of mind and divinity while visiting this place.

Firstly, you will pass by a triple-door gate to enter the front hall. Then, you will see a temple where they worship a Buddha statue, behind which is an altar to worship the previous principal monks. Furthermore, opposite the triple-door gate is a 3-story tower built in 1896 to store Buddhist texts. Entrances’ structure shows curved domes with 2 roofed floors on them.

Later, you will walk on a brick road leading to the main hall, which boasts a large semi-circle lake with enjoyable schools of fish. If you come on a sunny day, you will see lotuses bloom beautifully on the lake. Markedly, the lotus lake sends out the fragrance, and fish enthusiastically swim, which makes peace for tourists.

By the lake, there is a roof pavilion where monks relax or study. A zigzag bamboo bridge is cleverly connected to the pavilion. After the lake is the Great Hall with three parts, functioning as Buddha Le Van Duyet’s worshipping place. He was a great mandarin, usually appearing with his horse and sword. Additionally, on both sides of the courtyard are steel houses engraved in the history of Tu Hieu Pagoda.

50 meters away from the Great Hall is the Eunuch Cemetery mentioned above, featuring a special characteristic of the pagoda. Significantly, the Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh chose Tu Hieu Pagoda as his final resting place until he passed away. He was a celebrated and inspiring figure who was ordained in this pagoda and became its principal monk for 40 years.

Learn About Vietnamese Buddhism

With the valuable ancient relics at this pagoda, visitors can expand their knowledge about Vietnamese culture and history, especially Buddhism. On a daily basis, Tu Hieu Pagoda Hue welcomes all kinds of people to listen to the chanting at 4.30 AM, 10 AM, noon, 4 PM, or 7 PM. You might not understand the chants, but you can feel their implications for beautiful thoughts and ideas.

Also, you can see other religious customs of the locals if you come by on special occasions. For example, on the full moon, people normally visit the solemn pagoda to wai, give offerings, and say Buddhist chants for lucky wishes. On Lunar New Year, many travelers come to light incense sticks and draw a fortune stick.

Interestingly, its perfect location among the high hills enchants teenagers to have some picnic campfires. Regarding adults, meditating is what they occasionally do when visiting Tu Hieu Pagoda.

Tu Dam Pagoda in Hue Imperial City

Attractions Near Tu Hieu Pagoda

Around Pagoda Tu Hieu Hue, there are a couple of intriguing sites that you might want to add to your Hue trip. We selected the top three recommendations for you as follows:

Tu Duc Tomb

Only 2 kilometers away from the pagoda, the Tomb of Tu Duc Emperor is an attraction that deserves a visit. Among Hue Royal Tombs, Tu Duc Tomb is one of the most notable due to its cultural, historical, and architectural significance. Its mausoleum system showcases a masterpiece, marking the peak of Nguyen’s architectural art.

• Address: Dong Ba Bridge, Thuong Village, Hue City
• Opening hours: 7 AM – 5 PM, every day
• Entrance fees: 150,000 VND/ticket (6 USD)

Thuy Xuan Incense-making Village

Just nearly 2 kilometers away from Tu Hieu Pagoda, Thuy Xuan Village appears prominently due to its colorful incense. Hue accommodates many long-standing craft villages, and the most accessible one is Thuy Xuan Incense-making Village. The locals combine their traditional craft with tourism experiences, creating a unique space for visitors to Hue.

• Address: 62 Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street, Thuy Xuan, Hue City
• Opening hours: 24/24, every day (daytime visit recommended)
• Entrance fees: free (you can buy souvenirs to support the locals)

Tiger Arena

Tiger Arena Hue is 4 kilometers away from Tu Hieu Pagoda. Established in 1830, it used to serve as an arena for fights among wild animals, such as elephants and tigers. Those fights aim at God’s offering rituals at big festivals and entertainment for the monarchs and commoners. It is like a “Vietnamese Colosseum,” reflecting a custom of the past.

• Address: 373 Bui Thi Xuan Street, Duc Ward, Hue City
• Opening hours: 7 AM – 5 PM, every day
• Entrance fees: 50,000 VND/ticket (2 USD)

Useful Notes For Visitors

• When you visit pagodas, temples, or other spiritual sites in Hue, please make sure to show respect by wearing clothes covering your knees and shoulders, keeping quiet, and not running around.
• Please do not litter to keep a clean space for the pagoda.
• To explore more about Hue, you should make a day trip plan with 3–4 spots to visit besides Tu Hieu Pagoda.
• The pagoda is popular with tourists and locals, so you can ask the locals for directions if you unfortunately get lost.

Conclusion

Tu Hieu Pagoda Hue is not only a normal tourist attraction but also a holy land for peaceful minds. Amidst Hue’s ancient capital city, the pagoda silently contributes to its serenity and calmness. Vietnamese culture and beliefs are demonstrated beautifully through its present architecture and hidden history. If you happen to enter this city, the pagoda of Tu Hieu should be on your travel list.

We hope that our blog can help you plan your travel better. Thanks for reading.

Culture Pham Travel