Kh'leang Pagoda is the first religious structure of the Khmer people in Soc Trang. Previously, Soc Trang land was called Kh'Leang, which means Khmer. Therefore, the pagoda was named Kh'Leang to represent the long-standing cultural tradition of the Khmer ethnic community.

The temple grounds are quite large, each structure represents the typical architectural culture of the Khmer people.

Located on Ton Duc Thang Street, Hamlet 5, Ward 6, Soc Trang City, Kh'leang Pagoda is 500 years old, with a very delicate beauty, combining Vietnamese-Chinese style in decoration and arrangement. The pagoda is located in a large campus, shaded by rows of ancient trees, most of which are palm trees.

Kh'leang Pagoda is 500 years old and is the first religious structure of the Khmer people in Soc Trang.

Most of the structures in the temple grounds are built in the traditional stilt house style of the ancient Khmer people in the South and are sculpted and decorated with brilliant colors and extremely sophisticated and elaborate motifs and patterns.

The unique feature of Kh'leang Pagoda is the 6.8m high Buddha statue, the body of the statue is 2.7m high and was cast in 1916.

The most prominent is the main hall, divided into three levels and surrounded by a fence, creating the feeling that the temple grounds occupy a large area. Surrounding the inside and outside of the main hall are pillars made of precious wood, quite large and gilded with gold. On top of each pillar is a statue of Krud, seemingly holding up the temple roof with his arms. The steps leading up to the main hall are decorated with statues of the god Teahu and the statue of Chan.

The temple roof is built in three folds, the middle fold is larger than the two secondary folds. The edge of the roof also has a winding dragon statue, with a fan-shaped head and a uniquely curved tail.

People from all over flock to Soc Trang to admire the beauty of Kh'leang Pagoda.
Every festival, people flock to Kh'leang Pagoda to offer incense and pay their respects.

Inside the main hall are Buddha statues according to Khmer beliefs. In particular, there is a 6.8m high Buddha statue, the body of the statue is 2.7m high and was cast in 1916. The majestic statue is placed on a lotus pedestal emitting an electric halo. In addition, the main hall is also decorated with images of the life of Buddha. In addition to the main details according to Khmer architectural patterns, the main hall also uses Kinh decorative images on the arched door, and Chinese images of carp, dragons and Chinese characters painted on the pillars in the main hall.

Young people also chose Kh'leang Pagoda as a place for community activities, contributing to preserving the cultural and artistic identity of the Khmer people.

Thanks to its unique architecture, the harmonious combination of the cultures of three ethnic groups has created a work of high artistic and historical value. On April 27, 1990, the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) recognized Kh'leang Pagoda as a National Architectural and Artistic Monument.

THANH TAM

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