Tran Quoc Pagoda is a national cultural heritage site of Vietnam as the oldest, associated with many legends of Hanoi and its entire history. It was originally built in the mid-6th century on the bank of the main artery of northern Vietnam, the Red River. In the early 17th century, due to constant threats of flooding when the river overflowed, it was moved to a small island, rather even a peninsula of the West Lake. There it was placed on the foundation left from the palace of the Ly dynasty.
In the XVII-XVIII centuries, the pagoda was rebuilt, restored, expanded, while carefully preserving the ancient statues, steles, etc. On one of the steles of the XVII century the whole history of the pagoda is carved. Another 14 steles are dedicated to scholarly men who reached a very high spiritual degree - tienshi. The gilded statue of Buddha made of precious wood is considered the main value.
Today, a 15-metre high stupa of 11 tiers stands in the garden of the pagoda. Each tier has six vaulted windows, all of which contain stone statues of Buddha made of precious wood, from large ones at the bottom to small statues at the top - a total of 66 sculptures. The top of the tower, in the shape of a traditional lotus, is made of the same stone species.
In the pagoda's picturesque garden, there is a huge pot in which a bodhi tree grows. Legend has it that it is grown from the cuttings of the sacred tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. The ancient pagoda is surrounded by many other legends and tales - as an integral part of Hanoi's long history of existence. Besides, it is simply a beautiful place to relax and admire the scenery of the city's largest freshwater lake.
