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But Thap Pagoda

But Thap Pagoda Bac Ninh: ALL you need to know before traveling

01/12/2025 1.257 views

With a history of more than 800 years, But Thap Pagoda is among the most ancient and sacred Buddhist temples in Vietnam. The pagoda has a precious collection of antiques, telling fascinating stories of the past.

But Thap Pagoda

But Thap Pagoda in Bac Ninh Vietnam (Source: Collected)

Hanoi travel attracts tourists thanks to various historical sites in the inner city and surrounding areas. But Thap Pagoda is such a notable attraction near Hanoi. This pagoda will certainly provide tourists with interesting insights into the history, traditional belief, culture, and architecture of Northern Vietnam.

1. About the history of But Thap Pagoda in Bac Ninh

But Thap Pagoda is situated in But Thap Hamlet, Tri Qua Ward, Bac Ninh, Vietnam. The pagoda is close to Duong River and surrounded by expansive, lush fields of corn and bean, creating a poetic scenery in the area.

But Thap Pagoda

The ancient atmosphere inside But Thap Pagoda (Source: Collected)

So far, there are no exact records about when But Thap Pagoda was built. According to some researchers, the history of the pagoda started during the Tran Dynasty in the 13th century. In the 17th century, the pagoda underwent a major restoration. All the structures as seen today are believed to have existed since then.

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2. The unique architecture of But Thap Pagoda Bac Ninh

But Thap Pagoda has large-scale buildings and structures with meticulous architecture created in harmony with nature. The front of the pagoda faces south and so do most of the buildings. The south is favored by Vietnamese people and regarded as the direction of wisdom and enlightenment according to Buddhist belief. 

But Thap Pagoda

The stone Bao Nghiem Tower in But Thap Pagoda (Source: Collected)

Many structures and artworks preserved in But Thap Pagoda date back from the 17th century and thus are considered precious antiques. The pagoda is decorated with a lot of stone carvings and sculptures. These sophisticated pieces of art depict natural landscapes and bring about a calm and meditative vibe for this sacred place.

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3. Things to know about the 4 national treasures in But Thap Pagoda

But Thap Pagoda in Bac Ninh Vietnam is home to 4 recognized National Treasures of the country. These one-of-a-kind treasures include: the Statue of Guanyin of the Thousand Hands and Eyes, the Nine-Level Lotus Tower, the Grand Incense Table, and the Triad Buddha Statues.

But Thap Pagoda

The Statue of Guanyin of the Thousand Hands and Eyes in But Thap Pagoda (Source: Collected)

  • Statue of Guanyin of the Thousand Hands and Eyes: This woodcarving masterpiece is well-known internationally for its long history, meticulous design, and large size. Dating from 1656, this is the statue of Guanyin with 11 heads, 42 big arms, and more than 940 small arms. Behind Guanyin is an artwork carved with thousands of arms and eyes. Her numerous eyes and arms represent her mastery of knowledge in the universe. 
But Thap Pagoda

The Nine-Level Lotus Tower in But Thap Pagoda (Source: Collected)

  • Nine-Level Lotus Tower: This is one of the 3 ancient towers of its kind left in Vietnam. It bears testimony to the extraordinary carving skills of Vietnamese artisans in the feudal age. The tower has 9 lotus-shaped storeys and 8 fronts, representing The Nine Consciousnesses and The Eightfold Path in Buddhism.
But Thap Pagoda

The Grand Incense Table in But Thap Pagoda (Source: Collected)

  • Grand Incense Table: This giant table for offering incense is the only one of its kind that has existed since the 17th century. The wooden table was carved with sophisticated details and patterns that are typical of the wood carving art at that time.
  • Triad Buddha Statues: This ancient set of 3 Buddha statues represent the past, the present, and the future. They were made of wood and covered in traditional paint.

Besides, But Thap Pagoda is also preserving other ancient and precious objects with a long history that cannot be found anywhere else.

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4. The detailed guide for your visit to But Thap Pagoda

In order to have a perfect trip to But Thap Pagoda, note the following:

4.1. The most suitable time to visit

But Thap Pagoda is open all year round. Many people and pilgrims choose springtime to make their visits. For Vietnamese, visiting pagodas to pray and sightsee is a beautiful tradition to celebrate spring.

But Thap Pagoda

The festival of But Thap Pagoda (Source: Collected)

Notably, spring is also the time when the festival of But Thap Pagoda takes place. The exact dates are the 23rd and 24th of the third lunar month. As a typical traditional activity of Northern Vietnam’s culture, participating in the festival will be a great experience for tourists. 

The festival of But Thap Pagoda includes religious rituals, such as commemorating Buddhism, offering incense, and praying. There are also folk games, quan ho singing, cheo singing, etc.

4.2. The recommended way to get there

But Thap Pagoda is about 40 kilometers away from downtown Hanoi. There are several means of transportation to get there:

  • Personal vehicles: It only takes about one hour to drive from Hanoi to But Thap Pagoda. You can choose either a car or motorbike. From Hanoi, cross the Red River via one of the bridges of Chuong Duong, Vinh Tuy, or Thanh Tri. Go to National Road 5, turn left onto Co Bi Road, then go for about 2 kilometers to reach National Road 20. From here, go for about 11 kilometers to reach the pagoda.
  • Public transportation: You can also get to But Thap Pagoda by bus, though it will take a bit longer. From Luong Yen Bus Station, take bus route 204, get off at Keo Market, then take a taxi or motorbike taxi to reach the pagoda. 

4.3. Extra notes for the best experience

  • A pagoda is a sacred place for worship, so dress up politely and modestly
  • Avoid making loud noises
  • Do not touch or move the objects without permission
  • Do not step on the plants, grass, or furniture
  • Do not litter
  • Only take photos or film with permission
  • The pagoda is often open for visitors between 7 am and 6 pm

If you are interested in history and culture, there are also numerous other ancient places to visit in Hanoi, including Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Hang Bac Street, Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature, Hanoi Opera House, Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural, One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi Museum, Ta Hien Street, etc. And while you’re in Hanoi, don’t forget to check out the city’s modern amusement centers Vinpearl Aquarium and VinKE Times City. Vinpearl Aquarium brings visitors a chance to explore marine life with all kinds of sea animals and plants. Meanwhile, VinKE is the ideal entertainment hub for your kids with tons of job simulation games.

But Thap Pagoda

Vinpearl Aquarium and VinKE

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Besides Hanoi and Bac Ninh, Vietnam has many other attractive destinations, including Hoi An, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Ha Long, Danang. In all these tourist hotspots, you can enjoy luxurious hospitality services at the system of Vinpearl hotels and resorts and indulge yourselves in the world-class entertainment complex VinWonders.

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But Thap Pagoda

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But Thap Pagoda is favored by many tourists thanks to its cultural and historical values. With more than 800 years of history, the whole pagoda can be considered as a museum of antiquities. Visiting this Buddhist temple, tourists can find out more about the glorious history, rich culture, traditional belief, and meticulous art of Northern Vietnam. The solemn and tranquil atmosphere of the pagoda will also bring calm and relaxing moments, which promise a worthwhile experience.

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