Tay Phuong Pagoda

This is the second and more distant of the so-called Western Pagodas, located about 30km. from Hanoi. We visited after seeing the Thầy pagoda in Sai Son.

The original pagoda was built between the 3rd and 6th centuries and was updated in the 9th century when Cao Bien transformed it into a "prison for a dragon whose power would be transferred to the Vietnamese people."

Additions carried out by the Tay Son dynasty in the 17th and 18th centuries gave the temple the shape of the Chinese character "San," as is the case at the Thầy pagoda as well. When we first arrived, we found a long 235-step staircase and a stand selling incense and offerings. At the top of the steps, we were struck by the curved roofs and the carved dragons staring down at us.