Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery is an extremely attractive spiritual tourist destination in Hue. Here, visitors not only have peace of mind in the Buddha realm. But also to see the beautiful fairyland, closer to nature. We invite you to explore this fairyland with Danang Motorbike Adventure in the article below!

A brief introduction about Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery

Truc Lam Bach Ma was founded by Most Venerable Master Thanh Ha. The Zen monastery belongs to the first Truc Lam Yen Tu sect in the Central region. Truc Lam Bach Ma was started construction on March 30, 2006.

Currently, the monastery has been completed, including 3 areas: external, monastic and nunnery with more than 20 large and small items. Truc Lam Bach Ma is a picturesque landscape complex. It has become an attractive attraction of tourists everywhere when traveling to Hue .

Standing from the top of Bach Ma National Park, visitors can have a panoramic view of Truoi Lake as well as Truc Lam Bach Ma. This place is covered with clouds all year round, so the climate is always cool and fresh. Every day, hundreds of visitors flock to the monastery to admire and offer incense.

Coming here, visitors can listen to the sound of water flowing in the stream, the singing of birds. Walking around the monastery, you can enjoy the scenery and Buddhist buildings. With the attraction of unspoiled scenery, you will feel closer to nature than ever.

Where is Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery located in Thua Thien Hue?

Truc Lam Bach Ma is located in Loc Hoa commune, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. The monastery is located at the foot of Bach Ma mountain, between Truoi lake and Loc Hoa area.

Although about 30km southwest of Hue city. But Truc Lam Bach Ma is still a very attractive place for tourists because of the peace and romance. Besides, there are many impressive construction works.

When should you go to Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery?

The climate in Bach Ma range is quite mild, due to its location near the sea, 5km from the East Sea as the crow flies. Located at an ideal height (1450m), it welcomes both continental and sea breezes. So the average temperature is from 19 degrees Celsius to 21 degrees Celsius. This is the ideal climate for tours to visit the monastery at any time of the year.

However, because Truc Lam Bach Ma is located on the mountain, the reasonable time to visit is from March to September. Usually, this time will not rain, so visitors can easily take beautiful photos. .

Like the weather in Dalat in the heart of Hue. In the summer here, visitors will enjoy the cool fresh air. However, if you come here in winter, you need to bring warm clothes and scarves. Especially lightweight waterproof jackets, because there is often fog and drizzle.

>>> See more: danang to bach ma private car

How to get to Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery?

Visitors can use bus, car or motorbike to get to Truc Lam Bach Ma. Leaving Hue city along Highway 1 to the south is the way to Da Nang city. You will reach Truc Lam Bach Ma about 30km from Hue city.

Detailed instructions on the way to the monastery from Hue

  • From Hue City, go south about 30km, to Truoi bridge
  • Turn right and go straight for about 10 km along Truoi Dam street
  • Follow the river through a bend to Truoi Dam
Visitors have to take a boat to get to the monastery
  • About 500m from the foot of the dam is Truc Lam Bach Ma. Visitors have to take a boat to get to the three-way gate of the monastery. It will take you about 15 minutes to reach the monastery through Ho Truoi.

Visitors can buy tours from travel agents or rent Hue motorbikes from 100,000 to 200,000 VND/car for the day to move to the monastery by themselves.

Hue Motorbike Tour

Going to Truc Lam Monastery in Hue from Da Nang

The distance from Da Nang to Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery is about 69km. It will take you about two hours to visit the monastery when traveling from Da Nang.

From the center of Da Nang city, please move to National Highway 1A. Then go through Hai Van tunnel and Phuoc Tuong tunnel. When you see a sign of Dam Trieu, turn left. Continue to ask the locals to move to the marina. Take a boat across Truoi Lake to reach Truc Lam Bach Ma.

Entrance fee to Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery

Visitors will not have to pay a ticket to the temple area. But you will have to pay for the boat ride to the monastery.

  • Boat ticket is about 30,000 VND/person.
  • If renting a boat through the monastery is 240,000 VND for a boat under 12 people.
  • If you rent a boat to visit around Truoi Lake tourist area, the price is 600,000 VND, maximum 20 people.

What is special about the architecture of Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery?

When the boat reaches the other side of Truoi Lake, there is a row of soaring stairs for pilgrims. To get to Truc Lam Bach Ma, you have to step through these 172 steps. And to the towering Tam Quan gate, majestic in the high sky.

The way to the monastery

Triple Gate Truc Lam Bach Ma

The monastery is located on the top of a 1,450m high mountain, welcoming about 50,000 visitors every year. From Tam Quan gate, looking down, you will be surprised with a mountainous area in the shadow of Truoi clouds and sky.

From Tam Quan gate to the temple grounds, you will feel the quiet and peaceful space. From the temple yard, visitors can easily see when the main hall and nest are dignified. Along with the ancient traditional temple architecture.

Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery is divided into 3 zones. Outside the hospital where the main shrine is located, worshiping Buddha meditating under the Bodhi tree. Behind the main hall is the ancestral worshiping area of ​​Zen Master Dat Ma. The monastery is a place of practice for monks and male Buddhists. The nunnery is a special area for female monks and Buddhist women.

The main hall of Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Hue

The main hall is the area with the largest area and scale in the overall monastery. This area is built with 2 floors with tiled roofs in the shape of ancient fish scales. Besides, there are curved dragon carvings.

The doors and windows all use ironwood or precious wood that is durable, sturdy and fragrant with nature. To enter the main hall of the hall, you need to walk about 20 steps.

In the main hall, the statue of Buddha sitting on a stone lotus is extremely majestic. The two sides of the Buddha statue are incense burners for visitors to burn incense to pray for peace, health or luck.

The bell tower of Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery

Stepping out of the main hall, visitors can visit the steeple area. The bell here is cast entirely of copper with a large size.

The steeple of the monastery is designed in the traditional style of pagodas in Vietnam. Consists of two very unique yin and yang tile roofs. Besides, the bell tower is also carved with flowers, leaves, and dragons very vividly.

Interior of Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Hue 

Inside the monastery is airy, cozy, designed with wood, bearing Vietnamese architectural style. The wooden main door can be fully opened to welcome guests, while the two side windows for ventilation and light absorption.

Points not to be missed at Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery

Truc Lam Zen Monastery  is one of the famous tourist attractions in Hue city. Coming here, visitors can enjoy the feeling of peace and lightness, removing all the troubles of busy life. Here are the points you must definitely visit when coming to the monastery:

Ho Truoi – fairy scene in Hue

Truoi Lake is like a jewel between Hue city and Da Nang. The lake is the first and largest irrigation system in Hue with a total area of ​​400ha. The reservoir holds about 60 million cubic meters of water.

In November 2019, Truoi Lake was officially recognized as a tourist area. Visitors to the lake at any time of the year can enjoy the cool, fresh air and breathtaking scenery.

When sailing around the lake, visitors can see the crystal clear blue water. Most of the boatmen, being locals, can serve as tour guides and even photographers for tourists.

In summer, the lake is like a giant mirror reflecting the mountains and the sky in the bright sunlight. In winter, fog can cover the landscape like a fairyland. The cruise will stop at Truc Lam Bach Ma located in the middle of the lake.

Giant Buddha statue 

When taking a boat to Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery , you will admire the 24m high stone Buddha statue, weighing 1,500 tons. Sitting Buddha statue on the hill overlooking the lake.

Shakyamuni Buddha statue in front of the monastery

Shakyamuni Buddha statue in front of the monastery

Around the statue appear many paintings talking about the life of Buddha. From birth to the time of conversion and to the realm of nirvana. Located right in the middle of a sacred hill where feng shui is charming, this Buddha statue is the destination of many tourists to visit, worship and pray.

Super nice check-in at every corner of the monastery

Possessing a green and poetic landscape, Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery has countless super beautiful backgrounds. Help you own a lot of unique and impressive photos.

Coming to Truc Lam Zen Monastery, many tourists choose to wear ao dai from Hue. To own many super beautiful commemorative photos during the visit to Truc Lam Bach Ma.

Ba Trai Stream

Having been to Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery , you should take the time to visit Ba Trai stream nearby. Ba Trai Stream is one of four famous springs in this area, hiding fresh and attractive wild beauty.

It takes about 30 minutes from Truoi lake to Ba Trai stream. And the hike gives you a comfortable time to take great landscape photos.

The landscape here is still very wild, surrounded by mountains and green trees. Below is the extremely mysterious blue water with many strange stories told by the people here.

Besides enjoying the pure beauty of the water, fishing. You can drop the fishing rod and light the grill directly. Surely you will forever remember the feeling of living in the peaceful natural mountains here.

In addition to Ba Trai stream, you can also try to explore some other unspoiled streams near the monastery. For example, Ong Vien stream, Vung Thung, Hop Hai, …

Retreats at Truc Lam Bach Ma Monastery in Hue 

Visitors come to the monastery not only for sightseeing and sightseeing. And many people also come here to attend retreat courses. The retreats usually run for about 3 months. However, class opening times are not always fixed, so you can contact the monastery to register.

During the retreat, you will be taught a lot of knowledge about Buddhism. Besides, there is a way of life, a way of cultivating moral standards. Simultaneously immerse yourself in nature with the fresh air. The schedule of activities for a day in a retreat usually includes:

  • 3:00: Wake up and meditate for 2 hours
  • 6:00: Have breakfast and join the labor force at the monastery
  • 12h00: Lunch and 1 hour rest
  • 13:30: Studying Buddhism and chanting
  • Evening activities: Meditate for about 1 hour 30 minutes.
  • 22:00: Go to bed.

Schedule to visit Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery during the day

Locals or backpackers will visit on their own. However, tourists who come to Hue will buy tours to have a safe and perfect experience.

Because the process to get to the monastery is quite complicated and through many means. Therefore, visitors can buy a one-day tour to visit the monastery. The regular schedule will depart from 8am to 5pm.

  • 08h00: Pick up guests at the hotel, start the tour.
  • 09h10: Get on the boat across Truoi Lake.
  • 11h10: Arrive at Bach Ma tourist area located at the foot of the mountain.
  • 12:00: Have lunch at a restaurant with local specialties.
  • 13h30: Visitors are free to experience at the monastery: visit, relax, take pictures,…
  • 16h00: Passing the boat, the car takes visitors back to the hotel.

Important notes when traveling to Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery

If you want to visit the monastery more safe, complete and meaningful. Definitely pay attention to the monastery travel experiences compiled by dulichsontra.com below!

  • Only bring the most essential items for the trip.
  • Wear comfortable shoes as you have to walk 172 steps to reach the Tam Quan gate of the monastery. The monastery is a sanctuary, you should dress politely.
  • It is recommended to check the weather forecast before the trip to visit Truc Lam Bach Ma.
You should check the weather before going to the monastery
  • There are no food stalls in the temple area, so bring your own food and drinks.
  • In the monastery, there is no requirement to remain silent. However, you should not talk loudly, as this is a place for meditation and retreat.
  • If going in the rainy season (October to February), you should bring warm clothes, scarves, light waterproof jackets.

Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery is in the list of eight most beautiful monasteries in Vietnam. If you like to explore the peaceful land or ancient architecture. Then come to the monastery to experience the feeling of silence, immerse yourself in the sound of the bells ringing in the peaceful unspoiled nature with dulichsontra.com .