Chùa Hang - Kim Sơn Tự

Chùa Hang - Kim Sơn Tự is located in Linh Sơn ward, Thái Nguyên province, Vietnam.

The scenic site of Chùa Hang - Kim Sơn Tự is situated 3 km north of the centre of Phan Đình Phùng ward, on the left side of National Highway 1B, in the direction from Thái Nguyên to Lạng Sơn. The pagoda possesses many characteristics typical of the mountainous region, and was therefore selected for inclusion in the first edition of the compilation "100 Notable Vietnamese Pagodas" published in 2011. According to legend, this is an ancient pagoda dating back to the 11th century and was recognised as a National Scenic Site in 1999.

Chùa Hang, whose formal name is "Kim Sơn Tự", is also known as "Tiên Lữ Phật Động". The scenic site of Chùa Hang consists of three large, independent limestone mountains on a flat plain. The central mountain is named "Huyền Vũ", tall and solid, flanked on either side by the imposing "Thanh Long" and "Bạch Hổ" peaks. The three mountains are connected by a saddle-shaped ridge about 1,000 metres long, with the mountain base covering an area of approximately 2.7 hectares.

According to legend, "Chùa Hang" dates back to the Lý dynasty (11th century), considered a flourishing period for Buddhism. The story goes that on a spring morning in the year Nhâm Tuất, King Lý Thánh Tông awoke and recounted his dream to Queen Mother Ỷ Lan: the previous night, he had dreamt that the Buddha led him to a sacred land in Đồng Hỷ, Thái Nguyên. Queen Mother Ỷ Lan immediately set out on an inspection trip, and upon seeing the picturesque landscape, majestic mountains, and vast caves, she ordered a pagoda to be established in the cave to worship the Buddha. It is believed that "Kim Sơn Tự" originated from this event, but locals commonly refer to it as Chùa Hang (Cave Pagoda) because the pagoda is situated inside a cave.

Passing through the Tam quan (three-entrance gate), upon entering the pagoda, there are two statues of Dharma Protectors—Khuyến Thiện (Encouraging Good) and Trừng Ác (Punishing Evil)—riding an elephant and a tiger, standing majestically on either side. Venturing deeper, the cave widens, with stalactites on the cave dome resembling "ancient clouds entwined with strange rocks floating in mid-air". Many large stone columns stand upright, supporting the cave dome like pillars holding up the sky. Along the cave walls, numerous stalactites protrude to form altars and many fascinating, unusual shapes. The cave has many nooks and crannies, with paths leading to the heavens and to the underworld, and entrances at both the front and back, making the air inside the pagoda very fresh—cool in summer, warm in winter, with incense smoke always gently wafting, adding to the pagoda's mysterious and secluded atmosphere.

Chùa Hang - Kim Sơn Tự, with the legend of the "Fairy Grotto" (Động tiên lữ), is a picturesque landscape that has captivated the hearts of many scholars and literati—"tao nhân mặc khách"—from the Early Lê to the Later Nguyễn dynasties. Many stone steles inscribed with Han script poetry remain on the cave walls, praising the unparalleled natural beauty encountered here.

According to the master plan, Chùa Hang will be constructed and restored in five zones: the preservation area, comprising the entire cave and limestone mountains with a total area of 2.7 hectares; the main spiritual axis, including eight structures—Main Hall of the Triple Gem, Ancestral Hall, Dharma Lecture Hall, Stupa, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, inner Tam quan, and outer Tam quan; to the right of the pagoda is a specialised meditation centre; a social charity centre; and festival grounds. The total investment is about 500 billion VND, sourced from social contributions.

With all the inherent historical values of this place and the dedication of the abbot and the local people, over the past three years, many monks, nuns, Buddhist followers, organisations, and businesses have contributed labour and resources to build the pagoda. The entire pagoda architectural complex is nestled amidst mountains and water. Behind the pagoda are mountain ranges, while in front, the Cầu River meanders around. The main hall, Tam bảo, Tam quan gate, bell tower, and drum tower have been or are being completed, and will soon fulfil the aspirations of the community, helping to preserve a spiritual cultural heritage and elevate the site's value, creating a scenic landscape as beautiful as a poetic painting of paradise.

As a messenger of the Tathāgata, Venerable Thích Nguyên Thanh, the abbot of Chùa Hang, calls upon kind-hearted Buddhist followers, philanthropists, businesses, and entrepreneurs both at home and abroad to contribute labour and resources so that Chùa Hang may soon be fully accomplished. With its great values as an ancient scenic site, once restored and expanded, "Chùa Hang - Kim Sơn Tự" will become a major Buddhist centre of Thái Nguyên province and an attractive spiritual tourism destination.