Admire the ancient temple architecture by Bai Tu Long Bay

Located on hill 9A, in Cua Ong ward, Quang Ninh province, Cua Ong Temple is a special national relic with profound historical and spiritual values. Photo: Linh Boo

Cua Ong Temple is one of the three most famous temples in the mining land, located in a prime location with picturesque mountains and rivers, facing Bai Tu Long Bay. The temple leans against a solid mountain range, facing the vast ocean, creating a majestic and mysterious posture. Photo: Linh Boo

Experiencing the ups and downs of history and many major restorations, Cua Ong Temple today has become a majestic and spacious architectural complex but still retains its ancient and solemn features. This place gathers all four strict feng shui mascots: Ta Thanh Long, Huu Bach Ho, Tien Chu Tuoc, Hau Huyen Vu. Photo: Linh Boo

Crowds of tourists come to visit and worship at the temple. Photo: Linh Boo

The temple architectural complex uses traditional materials with a durability of hundreds of years such as cast stone, Bat Trang bricks, terracotta roofing tiles and honey-mixed mortar typical of ancient Vietnamese architecture. The decorative patterns mainly emulate the legends of the four sacred animals including Dragon, Ly, Quy, Phung. Photo by Linh Boo

Bước vào bên trong đền, du khách sẽ không khỏi choáng ngợp trước những khung nhà bằng gỗ quý như đinh, lim, trắc, gụ được chạm khắc phù điêu, câu đối hoa văn sơn son thếp vàng lộng lẫy, uy nghiêm. Ảnh: Linh Boo

Stepping inside the temple, visitors will be overwhelmed by the precious wooden frames carved with reliefs, and magnificent, majestic lacquered and gold-plated parallel sentences. Photo: Linh Boo

Initially, the temple was a place to worship Hung Nhuong Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tang (the third son of Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan). Later, when the complex was expanded, the temple became a place to worship the family system, outstanding generals of the Tran Dynasty such as Tran Quoc Tuan, Tran Anh Tong, Tran Khanh Du, Pham Ngu Lao, Yet Kieu... Photo: Linh Boo

The entire relic complex is well-planned and divided into distinct worship space clusters. Photo: Linh Boo

The focus of the relic is Thuong Temple. This imposing central architectural complex includes Thuong Temple, Quan Chanh Temple, Quan Chau Temple, pagoda and tomb of Duc Ong Tran Quoc Tang. Ha Temple is the starting space of the relic area, including Mau Temple and Trung Thien Long Mau Temple. Next is Trung Temple, where Kham Sai Dong Dao Tiet Che Hoang Can and the Mountain Gods and Water Gods who govern the land are worshiped.

Finally, located in a separate location is Cap Tien Temple, where "Cửa Suốt Girl" (daughter of Duc Ong Tran Quoc Tang), Quan Chanh and the system of human gods, Buddha, Jade Emperor, Nam Tao and Bac Dau are worshiped. Photo: Linh Boo

The Cua Ong Temple Festival takes place from February 2nd of the lunar calendar to the end of March of the lunar calendar, becoming an indispensable cultural and spiritual life feature of the indigenous people. Photo: Doan Hung