Forbidden Mountain is the most beautiful mountain in seven ones of That Son Mountain range, belongs to An Hao commune, Tinh Bien distric, An Giang province, about 90km far from the centre of Long Xuyen city. In the forth lunar month every year, Via Ba Chua Xu festival is held in Chau Doc, attracting thousands of guests from everywhere. Especially, the national biggest statue of Di Lac Buddha is located in the top of Forbidden Mountain contributes to attract more travelers.  

The biggest statue of Di Lac Buddha in Vietnam

Forbidden Mountain is 705m high, there are many bends on the road to the mountain top. Before reaching the mountain top, visitors is recommended to come to Van Linh pagoda to visit Buddha and to contemplate the architecture in the pagoda area.  

Van Linh ancient pagoda formerly was a small pond covering a 1ha area. The pagoda compound includes a main hall worshipping Thich Ca Buddha, a hexagonal tower which has 7 floors and 30m height worshipping many Buddha, a tower having a big bell and another worshipping Xa loi Buddha. The pagoda was rebuilt in 1995.

Van Linh pagoda

Visit the pagoda, tourists can enjoy not only special architectural constructions but also pots of ornamental plants which are cared elaborately having spectacular shapes, specious baskets of orchid, high pine trees, cypress …

The statue of Di Lac Buddha in the top of Forbidden Mountain is 36m high, 600 tons of weight; its construction cost is 3.5 billion VND. This statue is recognized as the biggest statue in Vietnam by Vietnamese Record Book Centre (Vietbooks).

From the far, visitors can see the statue of Di Lac Buddha being imposing, grave in the 716m-high mountain top. Closely reaching the statue, they will feel the warmness, peace when contemplating the Buddha who has a joyful, gentle, ethical face.

An overview of Forbidden Mountain seen from the tower of Van Linh pagoda

Furthermore, tourists can also visit other attractions such as Phat Lon pagoda, Bach Tuong Stone, Thuy Liem cave.

After finishing visiting the mountain, people stop at Lam Vien resort which covers 100ha and situates in the east of the mountain bottom.  There are various entertainment services with don ca tai tu (đờn ca tài tử) area, playing field for kids, Kaolin hotel and restaurant serving specialties of the mountainous region.

A travel tour to Forbidden Mountain can last two days and a night in which people can rest at Forbidden Mountain or come back to Chau Doc after visiting the commune market. It can be sure that the tour will leave the unforgettable impressions in the visitors’ hearts.

Translated by V.T.D

Source: tuoitreangiang.com