Cau Pagoda Hoi An: Bringing the soul of Ho An, stained with deep colors
When mentioning Hoi An ancient town, it is impossible not to mention the Cau Pagoda – a meaningful symbol of this land. Located in the heart of the ancient town, the Cau Pagoda is an architectural work that preserves the long-standing cultural and historical values ββof the people of Hoi An. With its typical Japanese architecture, harmoniously combined with local culture, the Cau Pagoda has become an unmissable destination, attracting tourists from all over when visiting Hoi An.
Learn about Hoi An’s Cau Pagoda
Cau Pagoda, also known as the Japanese Bridge or Lai Vien Kieu, is one of the unique cultural and architectural symbols of Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province. Covered Bridge is not only a bridge spanning a small canal, but also a historical witness, associated with the stages of development and cultural exchange in Hoi An.
The Cau Pagoda was built in the 17th century by Japanese merchants living and trading in Hoi An. The name “Japanese Bridge” clearly reflects the origin of this bridge. The structure of the Covered Bridge is a harmonious combination of Japanese architecture and local style, creating a unique structure with curved roofs, intricately carved wooden pillars and prominent red brick walls.
Located right in the heart of Hoi An Ancient Town, the Covered Bridge connects two busy streets, Tran Phu and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai. With this prime location, the Covered Bridge is not only a spiritual destination where locals and tourists can pray for peace and luck, but also an attractive check-in spot that attracts thousands of visitors every year.
When coming to Hoi An, visitors cannot miss the opportunity to visit the Covered Bridge. This is a place where every angle, every small detail gives you the feeling of going back to the past, experiencing the ancient and quiet beauty of an old Hoi An. Therefore, the Cau Pagoda is an architectural work symbolizing the harmony between the past and the present, between Vietnamese and Japanese culture.
The journey to explore the Cau Pagoda will bring visitors meaningful experiences about the history, culture and spirituality of Hoi An, one of the world cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO. Come here once to feel and keep memorable moments during your trip to Hoi An.
History of Hoi An’s Cau Pagoda
Cau Pagoda, also known as Lai Vien Kieu, is one of the architectural works bearing the cultural and historical imprint of Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province. Built in the 17th century by Japanese merchants, the Covered Bridge is not only a unique architectural work but also contains many interesting stories and legends. The exact time when the Covered Bridge began to be built is still unclear. The Covered Bridge is associated with a mysterious legend about a monster called Namazu. According to legend, Namazu is a giant monster with its head in India, its body in Vietnam and its tail in Japan. Whenever Namazu moves, it will cause earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters, seriously affecting the lives of people in all three countries. To prevent the destruction of Namazu, the Japanese built the Cau Pagoda as a sword across the monster’s back, to control and prevent it from causing earthquakes and floods, bringing peace and prosperity to the three countries.
In 1719, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu visited Hoi An. Impressed by the beauty and significance of the bridge, Lord Nguyen named the bridge “Lai Vien Kieu,” meaning “Welcoming guests from afar,” symbolizing the hospitality and connection of Hoi An people to merchants and tourists from all over the world.
With its special cultural, historical and architectural values, on February 17, 1990, the Cau Pagoda was recognized as a National Historical – Cultural Relic, affirming the importance and contribution of the pagoda to the cultural heritage of Vietnam. To this day, the Cau Pagoda still stands firm, becoming an attractive spiritual and tourist destination, a place that preserves the precious cultural and historical values ββof Hoi An.
Read more: Phuc Kien Assembly Hall β Ancient beauty in the heart of Hoi An
Restoration of Cau Pagoda Hoi An
Since its completion in the 17th century, the Cau Pagoda has undergone eight restorations in the years: 1763, 1815, 1875, 1917, 1962, 1986, 1996 and most recently in 2023. Each restoration is an effort by the community and conservationists to preserve the valuable cultural and historical values ββthat the temple brings.
Despite many restorations, the Cau Pagoda still retains its original unique and ancient architectural features. The temple was built in Japanese architecture with a wooden bridge and a softly curved tiled roof. The architecture of the temple harmoniously combines Eastern styles, demonstrating the interweaving of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese cultures.
In each restoration, skilled workers and conservation experts pay great attention to preserving and restoring old architectural details. For example, in the 2023 restoration, the restoration work was carried out using advanced techniques combined with traditional methods to ensure the structural safety of the Bridge Pagoda and preserve the original spirit of the structure. The meticulousness and care in the restoration process helped the pagoda retain its ancient appearance without losing its inherent cultural identity.
The restorations have contributed to preserving and maintaining the pagoda so that it continues to exist through generations, attracting tourists from all over the world. More importantly, the Bridge Pagoda has always been a symbol of harmony and cultural exchange between countries and generations.
Each brick and each wooden beam of the Bridge Pagoda contains a story about the past, about development and transformation over time, and is a testament to the longevity of Vietnamese culture. The restoration of the Bridge Pagoda is to protect an architectural work and preserve the memories and heritage of the entire nation.
The best time to visit Hoi An’s Cau Pagoda
Hoi An Bridge Pagoda, one of the famous cultural and historical symbols of Hoi An Ancient Town, always attracts tourists by its ancient beauty and mysterious legends. To fully enjoy the beauty and atmosphere here, choosing the ideal time to visit is extremely important.
The best time to visit Hoi An Bridge Pagoda is from February to August every year. During this time, the weather in Hoi An is very favorable for exploring and sightseeing.
From February to April, Hoi An enters the early spring period, the weather is quite cool with mild temperatures. This is a great time to stroll around the Old Town, enjoy the fresh air and admire the Bridge Pagoda in the gentle sunlight. The sun is not too harsh, there is little rain, making traveling and sightseeing easier and more comfortable. In particular, the scenery around the Bridge Pagoda during these months is very poetic, with brilliant spring colors creating a beautiful picture of Hoi An.
From May to August, the weather in Hoi An is still beautiful, with golden sunshine and little rain. However, during this time, the temperature tends to increase, making the air somewhat hotter. However, this is still the ideal time to visit the Cau Pagoda, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. At this time, you can enjoy the peaceful space of the Cau Pagoda, immersing yourself in the beauty of the ancient architecture and surrounding landscape.
The period from February to August brings favorable weather conditions, an opportunity for visitors to experience traditional festivals and unique cultural activities in Hoi An. In particular, the Cau Pagoda is a destination not to be missed in the journey to explore Hoi An, where you can learn about history, culture and immerse yourself in the ancient space of the Old Town.
Choosing the right time to visit the Cau Pagoda will help you have a complete and memorable experience, bringing back beautiful memories in your journey to discover one of Vietnam’s outstanding cultural heritages.
Special things you need to know about Cau Pagoda Hoi An
Cau Pagoda Hoi An is a tourist attraction not only because of its ancient beauty but also because of its special historical and cultural values. Here are some highlights that you need to know about the Cau Pagoda Hoi An:
- Japanese-style architecture: The first and most noticeable thing about the Japanese-style bridge is its Japanese-style architecture. Built with a length of 18m, the bridge has an elaborate roof design, typical of ancient Japanese architecture. The structure of the bridge is very special, with the upper part being a house of worship, the lower part being a bridge connecting the two banks of the river. The foundation of the bridge is supported by sturdy stone pillars, creating solidity and durability over time.
- Unique Chinese characters and animal statues: At the main entrance of the temple, you will see a sign embossed with three Chinese characters “Lai Kieu Vien”, a symbol representing the spirit of cultural exchange between ethnic groups in the region. Another special thing is that at both ends of the bridge there are wooden animal statues standing guard, with one end being a dog statue and the other end being a monkey statue. These animal statues represent the connection with Eastern culture and beliefs.
- The temple does not worship Buddha: Unlike many other temples in Vietnam, the Japanese Bridge does not worship Buddha. Instead, this place worships Bac De Tran Vo – a god worshiped by Hoi An people as a symbol of happiness, wealth and health. According to local legend, Bac De Tran Vo is the guardian god of Hoi An residents, bringing peace and prosperity to this land.
- Closely associated with the lives of Hoi An people: Cau Pagoda is not only an architectural work but also a place closely associated with the lives of Hoi An people. As a place of worship, Cau Pagoda is considered the soul of the old town, where residents come to pray for peace and happiness. Not only locals, but also tourists from all overcome here to learn about the unique culture and long-standing beliefs of this land.
- The image of Cau Pagoda is printed on Vietnamese currency, specifically on the back of the 20,000 VND note.
Hoi An Bridge Pagoda is an architectural and cultural work, a vivid symbol of cultural and religious exchange. When visiting the Bridge Pagoda, visitors have the opportunity to admire a unique work and immerse themselves in the profound historical and cultural flow of Hoi An.
Notes when visiting Hoi An’s Cau Pagoda
Hoi An Bridge Pagoda is one of the prominent destinations of Hoi An ancient town, not only famous for its ancient architectural beauty but also rich in cultural and spiritual values. To make your visit smooth and memorable, please note the following points:
- Buy tickets: To visit Hoi An’s Cau Pagoda, you need to buy a ticket. The ticket price for Vietnamese is 80,000 VND/person, while international visitors will have to pay 150,000 VND/person. Note that this ticket is not only applicable to the Cau Pagoda but also includes access to a total of 21 other highlights in Hoi An’s ancient town.
- Opening hours: The Cau Pagoda is open from 9:00 to 11:00 in the morning and from 15:00 to 22:00 in the afternoon. For the most comfortable sightseeing experience and to avoid crowds, you should visit around 9:00 in the morning or 3:00 in the afternoon.
- Tour guide: To better understand the history of the Cau Pagoda as well as the entire ancient town of Hoi An, international visitors should consider hiring a tour guide. The tour guide will help you discover the stories and profound meanings hidden in each structure.
- Dress and manners: The Cau Pagoda is a spiritual destination, so you should dress modestly and politely. When visiting, line up and avoid jostling or pushing to preserve the solemn atmosphere of this place. Please respect the space and the people around you, so that your trip becomes truly meaningful and memorable.
Hopefully, the above notes will help you have an enjoyable and complete visit to Hoi An’s Cau Pagoda. If you are looking for a convenient and comfortable place to stay in Hoi An, please refer to the list of rooms at Bliss Hoi An. We offer a variety of room categories to meet all accommodation needs of visitors. Wish you have a great experience when coming to Hoi An – Vietnam!
