The ancient temple on Cao Cat mountain

With mountains above and waters below, it remains lush and green all year round.

These are two lines of poetry inscribed on a rock in front of the ancient Linh Son Pagoda on Cao Cat Mountain, Phu Quy Island. Surrounding the pagoda are hundreds of ancient, lush green trees, providing shade. The vast forest on Cao Cat Mountain creates a strange sense of tranquility and peace for pilgrims.

The distinctive architecture of Linh Son Pagoda, the statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara on the summit of Cao Cat Mountain.

Linh Son Pagoda was built over 100 years ago on the slopes of Cao Cat Mountain, at an altitude of over 106 meters above sea level. The pagoda has a unique architectural style, with its back against the cliff and its sloping and rounded roofs blending harmoniously with the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the summit of Cao Cat Mountain boasts many stunning scenic spots. Visitors and pilgrims come here to offer incense and pray for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and peaceful lives, while also enjoying the majestic views of the sky, mountains, and surrounding landscape from the highest point of the mountain. To reach the main hall, pilgrims must climb nearly one hundred stone steps. Most of the staff at Linh Son Pagoda are middle-aged and elderly people who volunteer to clean and manage the pagoda, maintaining its beauty and cleanliness. Buddhists organize worship ceremonies on important occasions and take turns guarding and welcoming travelers and pilgrims who come to visit, light incense, and pray to Buddha with joyful enthusiasm… Mr. Le Van Long, a resident of Ngu Phung commune who has been associated with the temple for many years, said: “Cao Cat Mountain is considered one of the two highest mountains in Phu Quy, and people often call it the ‘Sacred Mountain’. Linh Son Temple, located on this sacred mountain, plays an important role in the spiritual life of the people of Phu Quy Island and is a spiritual anchor for fishermen to come and pray to Buddha for good fortune before going out to sea to catch seafood.”

After offering incense and paying respects to Buddha at the main hall and admiring the exquisite architecture and artistry of the temple, pilgrims continue to the mountaintop to admire the beautiful view of Phu Quy from above. Here, Buddhists have erected a statue of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva on a giant rock. This is a distinctive highlight, adding to the beauty and solemnity of the Linh Son Temple - Cao Cat Mountain scenic complex. Surrounding the statue of Avalokiteshvara are strangely shaped rocks; spiral cliffs formed by the erosion of rain and sun and the weathering of time, looking very unusual, as if created by human hands.

Standing atop the sacred Cao Cat mountain, one can gaze into the distance and behold a spectacular view of the vast sky and sea.

Standing atop the sacred Cao Cat mountain, one gazes into the distance and sees a spectacular landscape: the vast sea and sky, villages and architectural structures stretching endlessly; on the sea's surface, boats glide like leaves on the blue water; in the distance, a bustling harbor with ships anchored... All of it resembles a picturesque landscape painting. The most beautiful time is in the early morning, when the morning sunlight spreads widely, birds chirp on either side of the path leading to the temple, the wind and waves murmur, blending with the resonant sound of the temple bells in the tranquil atmosphere.

As dusk fell, the pilgrims adjusted their gear, preparing to descend the mountain. The ringing of the temple bells seemed to beckon them to slow down. Many travelers regretted that time was too short to explore and learn more about the unique architecture of Linh Son Pagoda, nestled against the cliff face, and the strange, spiral-shaped rocks eroded by rain, sun, and the passage of time.

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