National Geographic, the US’ monthly magazine of geography, archaeology, anthropology, and exploration, has listed Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi and Buu Long Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City among top world’s 20 most beautiful Buddhist temples.
Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest temples in Hanoi, is located on a small peninsula near the Southeastern shore of Hanoi's West Lake. The historic monument was built nearly 1,500 years ago and became a Buddhist center of Thang Long city during the dynasties of Ly and Tran between the 12th and 14th centuries.
According to the magazine, the 11-story red pagoda in the temple’s yard is topped by a nine-story gemstone lotus. Gold and bronze statues clutter altars throughout the temple, and three different female Buddhas, called “Mothers,” can be found in Tran Quoc's front courtyard.
The pagoda has drawn a number of tourists thanks to the marvelous architecture, which was designed to inspire peaceful reflection.
Buu Long Pagoda is located in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 9. The pagoda was built in 1942 on a hill near the Dong Nai River and restored in 2007 with a mixed architecture of India, and Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos.
National Geographic described Buu Long Pagoda as featuring carved dragons that curve down the temple stairs and a turquoise pool reflects the temple’s white walls and golden spires.
Other 18 most beautiful temples in the world listed by the US magazine are Bagan (Myanmar), Wat Benchamabophit (Thailand), Seiganto-Ji (Japan), Wat Rong Khun (Thailand), Paro Taktsang (Bhutan), Taung Kalat (Myanmar), Wat Xieng Thong (Laos), Buddhist and Taoist Man Mo Temple in Hong Kong (China), Kye Gompa (India), Mahabodhi (India), Byodo-In (Hawaii), Angkor Wat (Cambodia), Gyeongbokgung Palace(the Republic of Korea), Datsan Gunzechoinei (Russia), Gangtey Monastery (Bhutan), Kopan Monastery (Nepal), Borobudur (Indonesia) and Thean Hou (Malaysia).
Tran Quoc Pagoda. Photo by Jimmy Tran/Shutterstock.
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According to the magazine, the 11-story red pagoda in the temple’s yard is topped by a nine-story gemstone lotus. Gold and bronze statues clutter altars throughout the temple, and three different female Buddhas, called “Mothers,” can be found in Tran Quoc's front courtyard.
The pagoda has drawn a number of tourists thanks to the marvelous architecture, which was designed to inspire peaceful reflection.
Buu Long Pagoda.
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National Geographic described Buu Long Pagoda as featuring carved dragons that curve down the temple stairs and a turquoise pool reflects the temple’s white walls and golden spires.
Other 18 most beautiful temples in the world listed by the US magazine are Bagan (Myanmar), Wat Benchamabophit (Thailand), Seiganto-Ji (Japan), Wat Rong Khun (Thailand), Paro Taktsang (Bhutan), Taung Kalat (Myanmar), Wat Xieng Thong (Laos), Buddhist and Taoist Man Mo Temple in Hong Kong (China), Kye Gompa (India), Mahabodhi (India), Byodo-In (Hawaii), Angkor Wat (Cambodia), Gyeongbokgung Palace(the Republic of Korea), Datsan Gunzechoinei (Russia), Gangtey Monastery (Bhutan), Kopan Monastery (Nepal), Borobudur (Indonesia) and Thean Hou (Malaysia).
