The One-Pillar Pagoda (Chùa Một Cột) stands as a powerful testament to Hanoi’s enduring culture and inventive architecture. Despite its modest size, this historic Buddhist sanctuary, also known as the Lotus Dais (Liên Hoa Đài), is an essential stop for any traveler in the Vietnamese capital. It beholds much more than history; it is a profound representation of the nation’s spiritual depth and artistic brilliance.
The beginnings of a legendary
The pagoda’s roots trace back to 1049, during the Lý Dynasty, when it was commissioned by Emperor Lý Thái Tông. Its creation was inspired by a beautiful and poignant legend: the childless Emperor dreamed of the Goddess of Mercy (Quan Âm) sitting upon a large lotus blossom and presenting him with a male child.
To express his gratitude and honor the vision, the Emperor directed the construction of a temple that visually replicated the dream. The entire structure was placed upon a single stone column, seemingly floating above the water of the surrounding Linh Chiểu lake, thus embodying the Buddhist ideal of the lotus: purity rising above the murky world.
Architectural Uniqueness and Global Recognition
The design of the One-Pillar Pagoda is absolutely unique. The main sanctuary, a square wooden hall called the Lotus Dais, is supported entirely by a monolithic stone column, which is approximately four meters high. This singular pillar creates a visual paradox – a solid, ancient structure delicately poised in mid-air.
The original was tragically destroyed in 1954, and got a meticulous reconstruction in 1955, that perfectly preserves the original’s architectural spirit. Its unique structure has earned it international acclaim, notably being recognized by the Asia Record Organization in 2012 as having the “Most Unique Architecture in Asia.”
Located conveniently near the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex in the Ba Đình Ward, the One-Pillar remains a beautiful, tangible connection to Vietnam’s millennium-old heritage.
Opening information:
- Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
- Admission fees: free
- Location: Ong Ich Khiem Street, Ba Dinh Ward, Hanoi (within Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex)
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