Hidden on the middle of Dam Thuy mountain (Dong Trieu ward, Quang Ninh province), Ngoc Thanh Pagoda and Temple is a complex of relics imbued with the historical imprint of the Tran Dynasty. Not only is it a place for religious activities, it also deeply preserves the ideological, political and cultural life of a special period in the nation's history.
According to many sources of documents and legends, the relic site may have been formed from the Ly Dynasty as a religious center of Taoism. By the Tran Dynasty, this place developed strongly and became a large-scale religious center. The special feature of the complex lies in the "pagoda - temple" structure, where Buddhism and Taoism coexist in a unified space.
That combination reflects the spirit of "three religions and identities" popular under the Tran Dynasty. With open thinking, the Tran Dynasty harmonized many different ideologies to serve the rule of the country and social stability. Therefore, Ngoc Thanh Pagoda and Temple are not only places of practice for monks and Taoist scholars but are also closely associated with royal life.
Here, 3 Tran kings were once worshiped including Tran Minh Tong, Tran Nghe Tong and Tran Thuan Tong. In particular, the Hy Lang area is also the resting place of 2 kings Tran Due Tong and Tran Thuan Tong. The combination of pagodas, temples, shrines and tombs in one overall has created a unique value for the relic, both sacred and imbued with the political imprint of the dynasty.
Ngoc Thanh pagodas and temples are also associated with the last event of the Tran Dynasty. "Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu" once recorded Ho Quy Ly forcing King Tran Thuan Tong to become a monk at Ngoc Thanh temple in 1399. From a purely religious place, this place became a place witnessing a tragic turning point of the dynasty.
Not only carrying historical value, the relic also preserves the emotions of the famous Nguyen Trai. During a visit to the old place, he wrote the poem "De Ngoc Thanh Quan", expressing nostalgia for the desolate scenery and changes of the times.
Archaeological excavations in 2013 and 2016 continued to clarify the scale of the relic complex through architectural traces from the Tran to Nguyen dynasties. Prominent among them are an ancient funnel-shaped well, a system of stone embankments, foundations of "batches" of cultivation and many valuable architectural artifacts.
Today, Ngoc Thanh Pagoda and Restaurant are located in the National Special Relic Complex of the Tran Dynasty in Dong Trieu, ranked by the Prime Minister in 2013. The relic is not only the pride of the people of Quang Ninh but also a destination rich in historical, cultural and spiritual values of the nation.
