Binh San Mountain - a famous destination in Kien Giang

Binh San Mountain is one of the 10 famous scenic spots in Ha Tien, associated with the Mac family who played a key role in reclaiming this land 300 years ago.

Binh San Mountain, located within the urban area of ​​Ha Tien City, was once featured in poetry in Mac Thien Tich's work "Ha Tien Thap Vinh" (Ten Verses on Ha Tien), with its Chinese name "Binh San Diep Thuy," meaning "mountain rising in a green color." The mountain, approximately 50 meters high, is also known as Lang Mountain, because it houses the tomb of Mac Cuu and his relatives, generals of the Mac family, who contributed to the development of what is now Ha Tien.

Mac Cuu was originally a Chinese merchant. Unwilling to live under Qing rule, he took his family on a ship south. Upon reaching present-day Ha Tien, he settled and developed the area. When the Nguyen dynasty expanded its territory southward in the early 18th century, Mac Cuu offered the Ha Tien region to the Nguyen lords (1708) and was appointed 'Governor-General of Ha Tien'.

Today, the Mac Cuu mausoleum complex at the foot of Binh San mountain is a familiar destination for tourists whenever they visit Ha Tien. The grounds of the Mac family temple are always quiet and solemn, and the complex also contains many royal decrees recognizing the family's contributions.

The Mac Cuu Temple is located at the foot of Binh San Mountain, with a Chinese-style architecture, surrounded by thick stone walls, and a central shrine. Photo: @bell.beoo/Instagram

After visiting the temple, tourists follow the path to the right to the mausoleum located on Binh San Mountain. The path has gently sloping steps paved with green stones, and on both sides are carefully maintained green forests, creating a spacious, cool atmosphere all year round. There are also stone benches along the way for visitors to rest.

On Binh San Mountain lies a forest of white plum blossoms, also known as white apricot blossoms. The forest was propagated from the first white plum tree brought from Guangxi by Mac Cuu in 1720. Every year during the Lantern Festival, the white plum blossoms bloom in clusters of pure white petals with yellow stamens, emitting a pleasant fragrance, exuding a pure beauty that permeates the entire mountain region.

The path leading from the temple to the tomb of Mac Cuu on Binh San mountain. Photo: @bell.beoo/Instagram

Binh San peak is considered the most strategically located spot in the Ha Tien region. In the past, the ancestors of the Mac family often ascended it to perform rituals to worship heaven and earth, praying for favorable weather. From the peak, there are also paths leading down to other tourist attractions in the area, such as Phu Dung Pagoda. From there, visitors can move on to visit Phat Da Pagoda, also known as Lo Gach Pagoda.

For over 300 years, the Mạc family's temple and tombs on Bình San Mountain have remained intact. In front of the temple are two large lotus ponds, said to have been dug to store fresh water for the people of Hà Tiên. Besides Bình San Mountain and the Mạc Cửu tomb, Hà Tiên also attracts tourists with other destinations such as Thạch Động Cave, Mũi Nai Beach, Đá Dựng Mountain, and Tam Bảo Pagoda.

Compiled by Huynh Nhi

source