Cao Cat Mountain captivates tourists.

With its unique and magnificent features bestowed by nature and shaped by human hands, Cao Cat Mountain and Linh Son Pagoda located there have captivated many tourists whenever they have the opportunity to visit Phu Quy Island.

Ancient temple

During a trip with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, we visited this tourist spot so that the young people in our group from Ho Chi Minh City could enjoy the scenic beauty of the pearl island. That day, we coincidentally met some artists from Binh Thuan who were here to create their works. To reach the ancient Linh Son Pagoda located on the mountaintop, pilgrims must conquer 148 steps, but this did not deter the young people in the group. They held onto the handrails and persevered, eventually reaching the top. Many were sweating, but they also smiled as if they had just overcome a challenge. The ancient pagoda before them was solemn and beautiful, with a structure built from rare and precious woods. A member of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism delegation said that Linh Son Pagoda is located on the mountainside at an altitude of 61 meters above sea level, and was built in the early 20th century with contributions from Buddhist followers and people on the island mobilized by Mrs. Tran Thi Tan. From the main gate, one can find the main hall inside. The interior of the main hall is strikingly Buddhist in style, adorned with embossed couplets in Han Nom script expressing the devotion of believers, praising the virtues of Buddha, and encouraging people to cultivate their minds, refine their character, and accumulate merit through good deeds. The supporting pillars of the roof are decorated with embossed dragons, creating a majestic scene. The front and side walls of the Buddha hall feature embossed rectangular panels depicting Buddhist stories. The central Buddha hall houses a 2-meter-tall statue of Shakyamuni Buddha seated on a lotus throne, flanked by numerous other statues, including Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva with eighteen arms in a meditative posture. Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is worshipped to the right of the Buddha hall, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva to the left. Behind the Buddha hall are five shrines dedicated to Bodhidharma, Guan Sheng Di Jun, and the ancestral tablets of monks who have contributed to the founding and preservation of the temple throughout history. In front of the Buddhist temple is a small shrine dedicated to the Great Bodhisattva Tiêu Diện, to the left is the monks' quarters, to the right is the guesthouse, and the smokehouse is located behind…

The ancient Linh Son Pagoda is located on Cao Cat Mountain.

The fascinating black rock mountain

After visiting the temple and offering incense to Buddha, the young people climbed the stone steps leading up to admire the mountain scenery above. Here, a breezy sky opened up, revealing many strangely shaped rock formations perched high above sea level. Cao Cat Mountain, with its honeycomb-like black rock formations stacked upon each other, has been eroded by wind for millions of years, creating bizarre and unique shapes in Long Hai commune, Phu Quy island. The scenery at the summit is very poetic, with giant rocks of many strange shapes, caves, cliffs creating beautiful wavy patterns, swirling layers, and giant mushroom-shaped formations. From the mountaintop, one can see long stretches of white sand dunes along the coastline beside the turquoise water. That day, the young people had the opportunity to gaze out at the vast landscape, as well as the houses and gardens hidden in the villages of Long Hai commune below.

Of course, the whole group took advantage of the opportunity to take commemorative photos on the mountaintop that day. Especially the young people from Saigon, who posed on one rock after another to check in. Le Truong Hoang Nam, from Viettravel in Ho Chi Minh City, shared: “This is my first time going up Cao Cat mountain and I find the scenery so unique, rarely seen anywhere else. Next time I will invite more friends to come back here to collect more beautiful photos!”

Young people pose for photos on the black rock outcrop at the mountaintop.

According to data from the People's Committee of Phu Quy district, in the past year, more than 166,000 tourists visited and explored the scenic spots on the island, with many groups conquering Cao Cat mountain and visiting the tranquil Linh Son pagoda.

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