1. Overview of Linh Son Long Chau
1.1. Geographical location and special significance of Linh Son Long Chau
Located at an altitude of 200 meters above sea level, Linh Son Long Chau, situated in the Ma Thien Lanh area – the intersection of three mountains: Ba Den Mountain, Heo Mountain, and Phung Mountain. From this location, just about 200 meters away is Suoi Vang valley, opening up a vast and tranquil natural space.
Directions to Linh Son Long Chau will take you to one of the most sacred pagodas in Tay Ninh, a stop not only for those seeking peace but also a place that preserves many cultural values. Starting from Ho Chi Minh City, the journey to this land takes only about 2 hours. The fresh air, impressive mountain scenery, and the positive energy from this place of worship have attracted a large number of visitors here each year.
Cave Pagoda is not just a destination for those who want to pray for peace, but also a place that crystallizes the spiritual culture of the people of Tay Ninh. Located amidst lush green mountains, this place becomes an ideal choice for those seeking peace and mental relaxation.
Chua Hang pagoda is located within the spiritual complex at Nui Ba Den mountain. (Source: Collected)
1.2. History of formation and legends associated with Hang pagoda
The story of Hang pagoda began in 1830 when the pagoda was built according to the Mahayana sect. In 1864, this place became the place of practice for Master Hue Mang Kim Thien and a Cham monk, thus bearing the name Linh Son Long Chau Tu. Over nearly 200 years, the pagoda has been renovated many times, with the most recent renovation in 1995 giving it its current magnificent appearance.
The name "Chua Hang pagoda" is associated with the special story of "The Stone Ông Split in Two on Dien Ba Mountain". The ancients recounted that the path up the mountain was once blocked by a large rock. After 100 days of sincere prayer from the villagers, a miracle occurred when the rock split in two on its own, creating a 1.5-meter wide path leading into the cave.
Currently, the entrance to the pagoda still lies between two large rock formations, a testament to the ancient legend. Guide to Linh Son Long Chau will help you explore more about this space, a place where Vietnamese, Khmer, and Cham cultures intersect, along with the spiritual values and unique identity of Tay Ninh.
The outer gate of the pagoda. (Source: Collected)
2. Guide to Linh Son Long Chau from Ho Chi Minh City and provinces
2.1. Route to Linh Son Long Chau by motorbike, car
When departing from Ho Chi Minh City, the guide to Linh Son Long Chau is most conveniently done by choosing National Highway 22, passing through Cu Chi district. Continue the journey along National Highway 22 to Trang Bang intersection, turn left onto National Highway 22B and travel another approximately 15 km to reach the foot of Ba Den Mountain. The total distance is about 100 km, with a travel time of 2 to 2.5 hours.
Along the way, you will admire the lush green of the fields, rubber forests, and the gradually emerging majestic mountainous scenery. When traveling independently, each person can easily manage their time, stop for photos, or rest as they please. However, you should pay attention as the road up the mountain is quite steep, especially if traveling by motorbike, caution is needed to ensure safety.
If departing from the Mekong Delta provinces such as Can Tho, An Giang, you can travel along National Highway 1A and then merge onto National Highway 22. For visitors coming from Dong Nai, Binh Duong, the route via National Highway 22 and 22B as mentioned above can also be applied.
2.2. Getting to Chua Hang by bus
The bus is a reasonable, cost-effective, and convenient option for the guide to Linh Son Long Chau. In Ho Chi Minh City, you can choose to depart from Mien Tay Bus Station or An Suong Bus Station to catch buses to Tay Ninh. Ticket prices per trip usually range from 80,000 to 120,000 VND, with a travel time of about 2 to 2.5 hours.
Buses will drop passengers off at Tay Ninh city center or at the foot of Ba Den Mountain, depending on the route. From the drop-off point, visitors can continue by motorbike taxi, taxi, or electric car to get to Hang Pagoda. During peak festival seasons, booking tickets in advance is necessary to ensure suitable seating. Some reputable bus companies such as Phuong Trang, Thanh Buoi operate with stable schedules. You should check and book tickets through the official app or website for better assistance.
Tourists can experience bus travel for the trip. (Source: Compiled)
2.3. For tourists from the North and Central regions
Travelers from the North and Central regions often choose to fly to save time when undertaking the Linh Son Long Chau travel guide. Flying to Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City is a convenient option with many daily flights from Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue, and other major cities.
From Tan Son Nhat Airport, you can book a private car or take a taxi to the bus station to catch a bus to Tay Ninh. Ride-hailing services like Grab and Be accept long-distance trips at reasonable prices. Including travel time within the city, it is expected to take about 3 to 3.5 hours to reach Linh Son Long Chau. It is advisable to book flight tickets in advance, especially during festivals or weekends when travel demand is usually high.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways is a suitable choice for tourists. (Source: Collected)
3. Experience when visiting Linh Son Long Chau
3.1. Space and spiritual structures inside the Hang Pagoda
Upon entering Linh Son Long Chau, you will admire a unique architecture with two main areas: a man-made pagoda and a natural cave. Going deeper into the cave – the main worship area, you will encounter many statues such as Buddha, Bodhidharma, and Ba Chua Xu with benevolent faces. Notably, the area worshipping the three deities Phuc – Loc – Tho, Ngu Hanh Nuong Nuong, and the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni entering Nirvana creates a solemn and meaningful space.
The atmosphere inside the natural cave evokes a sense of mystery and peace. Light filtering through the rock crevices and the gentle echo of chanting make the space even more sacred. Statues such as Maitreya Buddha with a bright smile, and Ong Dia Than Tai in traditional attire are all exquisitely crafted, showcasing the artistic skill of the artisans.
The man-made pagoda area includes the main hall, the front hall, and a spacious temple yard, which is where important rituals and festivals take place throughout the year. The Guide to Linh Son Long Chau encourages you to take time to explore every corner to feel the deep spiritual significance of each architectural detail.
Inside the cave is the trio of Phuc Loc Tho. (Source: Collected)
3.2. Sightseeing and Spiritual Experience at Hang Pagoda
From the yard of Chua Hang, you can cast your eyes to admire the vast mountain scenery, the lush green Suoi Vang valley, and the Ma Thien Lanh area with its mystical beauty. The scenery here is especially captivating in the early morning, when mist still lingers on the treetops, creating a poetic atmosphere.
When performing prayers for peace and worship in the Linh Son Long Chau space, many people feel a sense of peace spreading, and worries almost disappear. Daily traditional rituals take place here, opening up opportunities for visitors to learn about the spiritual culture of the Tay Ninh region.
The Guide to Linh Son Long Chau also suggests combining visits to nearby pagodas such as Quan Am pagoda with its 72-meter-high Quan Am Buddha statue, the ancient Hoa Dong pagoda, or the impressive Tay Bo Da Son Buddha statue. Each destination offers its own unique beauty, contributing to a meaningful spiritual journey on Ba Den Mountain.
People perform rituals at Hang Pagoda. (Source: Collected)
4. Notes when visiting Linh Son Long Chau
Prepare for a pilgrimage to Linh Son Long Chau , you should pay attention to peak times such as the January festival season, Vu Lan festival, or Buddha's Birthday festival when the number of visitors is high. For a comfortable experience, it is advisable to visit in the early morning from 6 to 8 AM or late afternoon from 4 to 5 PM, when the air is pleasant and the scenery is very suitable for photography.
Attire when visiting Chua Hang should be solemn, polite, and suitable for the sacred space. Men should wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants; women should avoid short skirts or off-the-shoulder tops. It is advisable to choose soft, comfortable shoes for easy movement on rocky terrain.
In the worship space, you are encouraged to remain silent, turn off phone sounds, and limit photography when rituals are taking place. Guidance for visiting Linh Son Long Chau also pays special attention to environmental awareness – please do not litter, do not carve names on rocks, and help preserve the natural beauty of this place.
5. Combining a tour itinerary of the highlights of Ba Den Mountain
5.1. Suggested 1-day itinerary to fully explore Linh Son Long Chau (Chua Hang)
A reasonable itinerary for guidance for visiting Linh Son Long Chau is to start from Ho Chi Minh City at 5:30 AM. By around 8:00 AM, you will reach the foot of Ba Den Mountain – an ideal time to avoid the sun and have plenty of time for sightseeing. It is advisable to spend about 2 hours worshipping at Chua Hang , feel the peace and capture beautiful photos.
Lunch can be enjoyed at restaurants on the mountain or by experiencing Tay Ninh specialties such as grilled rice paper, grilled spring rolls with Phu Quoc fish sauce. The fresh air at high altitude also contributes to a more delicious meal.
In the afternoon, take the opportunity to check in at the 72-meter-tall statue of the Bodhisattva of Compassion Tay Bo Da Son – the symbol of Ba Den Mountain, then visit Quan Am Pagoda, Hoa Dong Pagoda to complete the spiritual journey. Around 5:00 PM, you can return to Ho Chi Minh City or choose to stay overnight in Tay Ninh to continue exploring the Cao Dai Holy See the next day.
5.2. Sharing experiences and tips for beautiful photos at Hang Pagoda
Impressive photo spots at Linh Son Long Chau include the temple courtyard with a mountain and forest backdrop, the path between two cracked rocks bearing legendary marks, or inside the cave with natural light creating special effects. The ideal time for photography is in the morning from 7 to 9 AM with soft light, or late afternoon when the sunset colors cover the landscape.
Guidance for visiting Linh Son Long Chau encourages you to prepare a good quality camera or phone to capture memorable moments. It is advisable to choose outfits in subtle colors such as white, beige, or light blue to harmonize with the temple's atmosphere, making the photos stand out more.
If the trip falls during a festival, you will have the opportunity to witness unique traditional ceremonies with ethnic costumes, lion and dragon dances, and many interesting cultural activities. Nature lovers can try trekking through the surrounding trails to find unique angles, closer to the mountain and forest landscape.
Linh Son Long Chau is not only a spiritual destination but also a journey to explore the unique culture and nature of Tay Ninh. With detailed guidance from transportation, experiences to important notes, we hope your pilgrimage will be complete and meaningful. Prepare your luggage to explore this sacred land!
