Co Thach Tu - Architecture in harmony with nature

After 30 years of being recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Relic, Co Thach Pagoda (Hang Pagoda) in Binh Thanh Commune - Tuy Phong District has become increasingly famous and has become a pilgrimage and sightseeing destination not only for the Buddhist community but also attracting a large number of tourists from afar.

100 km north of Phan Thiet city center, Co Thach Tu is located on a rocky hill complex about 60m high, so there are many special caves. With unique architecture, combined with large, majestic shaped rocks, Co Thach Pagoda is surrounded by forests, rocky mountains and the sea, so the air here is very cool. Visitors to the pagoda always feel peaceful and comfortable.

Co Thach Tu - a place with ancient oriental architecture, located on a complex of high rocky hills.

The temple gate is covered with eye-catching ceramic patterns, making it a great place for you to take photos to commemorate your visit here.

Last weekend, my family and I had the opportunity to visit the temple after many years of not returning here. Everything is still as ancient as before, the tree roots are bigger and more luxuriant, many items have been restored, embellished, repaired, and repainted, so the temple space still looks full of art, even though this temple has a history of nearly 200 years. From the main hall, following the small caves or following the stairs, visitors can visit the temple grounds of more than 1,200 m2 with many cool trees. In particular, there are many fruit trees planted here, of which the tragacanth tree is very fruitful, creating a fresh and interesting landscape. Not only that, around the temple there are also giant rocks stacked on top of each other, leaning against each other, creating beautiful shapes.

The main hall of Co Thach Tu is nestled in the middle of a primeval rock mountain complex, surrounded by meditation houses, communal houses, ancestral houses, bell towers, and drum towers, creating a majestic and unique beauty.

The carvings on the roof create an ancient, solemn beauty.

Because of the high rocky terrain, each path of the pagoda has steps up and down the slope. In each cave in Co Thach Pagoda, there is a Buddha, Bodhisattva or a deceased monk. Here, there is a cave of the Patriarch - the person who founded this pagoda. Inside, in addition to the statue of the Patriarch, there are also tablets that have contributed to the construction of the pagoda. Every year on the 25th day of the 5th lunar month, there will be the death anniversary of Co Thach Pagoda. This is the day when monks and Buddhists here remember the great merit of Zen Master Bao Tang - the person who contributed greatly to the construction of the pagoda that day.

In each cave in Co Thach Pagoda, there is a Buddha, Bodhisattva or a deceased monk.

Around the temple there are also giant blocks of stone stacked on top of each other, leaning against each other.

The temple impresses with its extremely sacred "leaning on the mountain, facing the water" terrain.

The higher you go, the more you can see the vast ocean in the open space, creating a charming landscape. This place is not only famous for its special location and sacred architectural complex, but also attracts visitors from all over the world because of the amazing beauty of Co Thach beach and the unique seven-color stone beach. On holidays and Tet, this place attracts millions of visitors to visit, admire the temple and pray for good luck. Each person brings a small offering with a kind heart, turns to Buddha and prays for good things and luck in life. Not only that, after visiting the temple, Co Thach beach and the seven-color stone beach are also plus points for you to stop by and experience.