Quan Cong Temple Hoi An: A religious site that is worth visiting

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Quan Cong Temple is a favorite destination of visitors to Hoi An (Source: Collected)

Quan Cong Temple stands out in the center of the ancient town with its architecture that is considered the most typical among the pagodas and temples in this land of heritage. Because it was built during the period when Hoi An was a very prosperous trading land, for a long time, the temple had been frequented by merchants. Today, the temple has become an indispensable destination for many people during their trips to Hoi An.

1. Where is Quan Cong Temple? How to get there?

Quan Cong Temple was built in 1653 by the Chinese people in Hoi An ancient town. It worships Guan Yu (162-220), a talented general of the Three Kingdoms period in China. In order to maintain its present appearance, the temple has undergone 6 restorations over hundreds of years, with the most recent one being in 1966. This place is a tourist destination in Hoi An that strongly bears the imprint of the ancient Chinese people in Hoi An.

• Address: No. 24, Tran Phu street, Hoi An ancient town, Quang Nam province
• Opening hours: 6 a.m – 5 p.m every day
• Entrance fee: Free (note that Hoi An Ancient Town’s entrance fee is 150,000 VND (about $6.5) per person for foreigners, which already covers the entry to 5 tourist sites including this temple)

It is free to enter Quan Cong Hoi An Temple (Source: Collected)

Because the temple is located right in the heart of the ancient town, it is quite easy to find the way to this 400-year-old destination. Visitors can go to Cua Dai Street, turn onto Tran Hung Dao Street, then turn left onto Nguyen Hue Street. Continue for about 240 meters and you will see the temple on the left side. The travel distance is only about 1 kilometer, so visitors can choose to go on foot or rent a bicycle to move around and admire the beauty of Hoi An along the way.

2. The remarkable history of Quan Cong Temple Hoi An

In the 17th century, Hoi An was a bustling international trading port, a meeting place for merchant ships from different countries around the world. There were many Chinese traders coming here to do business who also chose Hoi An to be their second hometown. Therefore, they had built temples, pagodas, shrines, etc. for their spiritual needs, which included Quan Cong Temple.

Quan Cong Temple has a long history (Source: Collected)

The temple worships the general Guan Yu, who was a role model and symbolic figure of the people at that time. The temple was once considered a major religious center of ancient Quang Nam and a place where merchants frequented to make trade commitments and pray for good fortune. Today, the temple has become a favorite destination of many people when they travel to Hoi An.

3. The highlights of Quan Cong Temple that attract tourists

3.1. The impressive Confucian architecture

Quan Cong Temple features classical Chinese architecture and consists of 4 buildings: vestibule, main hall, left and right sections. The main hall is the highlight here. Here, there is a majestic statue of Guan Yu wearing a dragon-embroidered tinseled robe. Next to the statue are two other statues of Guan Xing and Guan Ping, both of whom were loyal vassals of Guan Yu.

There are many statues of famous ancient figures in Quan Cong Temple (Source: Collected)

Standing in front of the statue of Quan Vu, visitors can fully feel the temperament of the talented general. In addition, you can also see the virtuosity of the ancient artists who created this work. There are horse statues on each side in the left and right sections of the temple. The left section has the White Horse statue, while the right section has Guan Yu’s favorite Red Hare which was given to him by Cao Cao.

3.2. The various valuable historic artifacts

In Quan Cong Temple, there are precious artifacts such as stone steles, ancient relics which are still quite intact. In particular, the temple also preserves a poem by Nguyen Nghiem (1708 – 1776), father of the renowned poet Nguyen Du (1766 – 1820), and 2 paintings by Uong Si Cu and Nguyen Lenh Tan.

After many ups and downs of history, these works still retain the integrity and freshness of the handwriting. It can be said that, compared to many other architectural works at that time, this temple has greater historical value. It serves as an evidence of the period of the Trinh – Nguyen conflict in the 18th century, which still stands until this day.

Quan Cong Temple preserves numerous artifacts of the ancient times (Source: Collected)

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4. What to experience when you come to Quan Cong Temple?

As Quan Cong Temple is one of the most sacred shrines among Hoi An temples, many merchants and locals frequently come here to worship the general figure and make offerings. Tourists can light incense and pray to deities for blessings and good luck. Moreover, fascinating legends and historical events surrounding the temple will give visitors insights into the local culture and religious traditions.

In addition, the temple hosts many activities and festivals that attract domestic and foreign tourists every year:

• Early Spring Festival: At the beginning of the new year, people often go to the temple to pray for peace and luck, especially in their business.
• Via Ong Festival: Held on the 16th of the first lunar month every year.
• Via Quan Hien Thanh Festival: Held on the 24th of the sixth lunar month every year.

Tourists can light incense and pray to deities for blessings and good luck at Quan Cong Temple (Source: Collected)

5. The top tips for a complete visit to Quan Cong Temple

Notes for tourists coming to Quan Cong Temple:

• Wear polite and non-revealing clothes to visit the temple
• Take off your shoes before stepping in the temple
• Do not touch the artifacts in the temple to avoid causing damage
• Walk lightly, speak quietly, avoid making noise in the temple
• Take care of your personal belongings in the temple, beware of pickpockets

Besides Quan Cong Temple, Hoi An also attracts tourists with many other destinations that combine tradition and modernity such as Hoi An ancient houses, Hoi An markets, etc., and especially VinWonders Nam Hoi An. Only 15 kilometers away from the center of Hoi An, this place is known as the ideal destination for all visitors thanks to its entertainment activities and the profound values ​​of culture, art and nature.

VinWonders Nam Hoi An is your next go-to destination after Quan Cong Temple

With 5 subdivisions designed in a variety of themes, VinWonders Nam Hoi An is an interesting destination that is suitable for all sorts of visitors, from families to groups of friends, from adults to children. Namely:

• Harbor Corner: A place that simulates the atmosphere of a bustling trading port in the heart of Hoi An in the 16th and 17th centuries
• River Safari: The first and only riverside semi-wildlife conservation park in Vietnam, with more than 50 species of animals and nearly 550 individuals
• Island of Folk Culture: The convergence point of the cultural quintessence of Vietnam’s 3 regions with craft villages and traditional art forms
• Water World: a combination of slides and pools for children, families and friends with 11 exciting and thrilling games
• Adventure Land: A land of extreme games that can challenge your bravery

The subdivisions at VinWonders Nam Hoi An will surely give you the time of your life

>>> Book tickets of VinWonders Nam Hoi An to have fun at this wonderful attraction in Hoi An!

With great value both in terms of architecture and history, Quan Cong Temple has become a memorable destination for many tourists amidst the traditional ancient town of Hoi An. Make your journey to this land of heritage complete by booking voucher, combo, tour to Hoi An, Nam Hoi An now and visit this mesmerizing temple. And don’t forget to book tickets of VinWonders Nam Hoi An to enjoy a time of pure relaxation at this amazing top-rated amusement park!