Built
in 1941, Long Tiên is the biggest pagoda and a well-known historical
place in Ha Long City. The pagoda is situated at the foot of Bài Tho
Mount in the Chùa Long Tiên street, near Ha Long Market.
The
pagoda has original and unique architectural style of the Nguyên
Dynasty. Atop the three-gate entrance stands a statue of Buddha in a
sitting position. Below is a bell tower, featuring three words Long
Tiên Tu (Long Tiên Pagoda), flanked by two parallel panels. The main
altar is dedicated to Buddha. The altar on the right worships
generals of the Trân Dynasty, while the altar on the left is
dedicated to the Holy Mother of Three Palaces.
It
is very convenient for tourists to come there as the pagoda lies in
the heart of Ha Long City. In the past, the festival of Long Tiên
Pagoda opened on the 24th day of the 3rd lunar
month. At present, every day is a festival. Tourists and Buddhist
followers from near and far visit the pagoda for sightseeing, or
presenting their offerings to Buddha. The pagoda gets extremely
crowed on the 1st and the 15th day of each
month and during Têt traditional holiday.
