Yên Tử Mountain Day Tour from Hanoi: Cable Cars, Hoa Yên Pagoda & Đồng Pagoda
A one-day trip from Hanoi to Yên Tử in Uông Bí: Buddhist sites linked to the Trúc Lâm Zen tradition, two cable-car routes and a walk up stone steps to Đồng Pagoda.
Hanoi – Uong Bi, Quang Ninh – Yen Tu Mountain
Overview
Travel from Hanoi to Yên Tử in Uông Bí, Quảng Ninh, for a day at the mountain's Buddhist sites. The visits relate to the Trúc Lâm Zen tradition and the Emperor-Monk Trần Nhân Tông. Lunch is included.
Yên Tử's Buddhist Sites
This tour treats Yên Tử as one connected Buddhist and cultural landscape. Your guide explains the Trúc Lâm Zen tradition and the Emperor-Monk Trần Nhân Tông as you pass pagodas, a stupa and other landmarks.
The visit begins around Huệ Quang Kim Tháp and Hoa Yên Pagoda, then continues on foot to Một Mái Pagoda. After lunch, the route goes to An Kỳ Sinh and the statue of Emperor-Monk Trần Nhân Tông, then up to Đồng Pagoda.
Cable cars cut down the amount of climbing. The approach to Đồng Pagoda still has stone steps and sloping ground, so go at a pace that suits you.
One day at the place linked to the Trúc Lâm tradition, visited in order along the mountain.
What You Do
Yên Tử and Trúc Lâm Zen
Yên Tử is associated with the Trúc Lâm Zen tradition of Emperor-Monk Trần Nhân Tông. Your guide gives the background.
Two Cable-Car Routes
Cable cars take you to Hoa Yên Pagoda and to the An Kỳ Sinh area, then down at the end of the day.
Hoa Yên and Đồng Pagoda
Visit Hoa Yên Pagoda partway up, then walk the stone steps to Đồng (Bronze) Pagoda near the summit, about 1,068 m above sea level.
Who This Day Tour Suits
It suits travellers who want a day of Buddhist and cultural sightseeing from Hanoi around Yên Tử's Trúc Lâm landmarks.
The day includes walking, with stone steps and sloping sections on the way to Đồng Pagoda. It is not suited to anyone who wants to avoid walking entirely or finds stepped mountain paths difficult.
Practical Notes
Pickup and drop-off are within central Hanoi. Locations outside this area may carry a surcharge.
Weekend, public holiday, Tet and Yên Tử festival-season departures may carry a surcharge.
Highlights
From USD 130 per person
Departs from Hanoi
Visits Hue Quang Kim Thap and Hoa Yen Pagoda
Walks to Mot Mai Pagoda and Dong Pagoda
Includes lunch
Returns to Hanoi after the mountain visit
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Explore Yen Tu – the sacred landscape of Truc Lam Buddhism
- Pick-up from a central Hanoi hotel or meeting point
- Travel to Yen Tu, Uong Bi, Quang Ninh
- Introduction to Yen Tu, the Truc Lam Zen tradition and Emperor-Monk Tran Nhan Tong
- Travel by cable car to Hue Quang Kim Thap and Hoa Yen Pagoda
- Visit Hue Quang Kim Thap and Hoa Yen Pagoda
- Walk to Mot Mai Pagoda
- Lunch at a local restaurant or Yen Tu service area
- Travel by cable car to An Ky Sinh and the Emperor-Monk statue area
- Visit the statue of Emperor-Monk Tran Nhan Tong and An Ky Sinh
- Walk up stone steps to Dong Pagoda
- Descend the mountain by cable car
- Return to Hanoi and drop-off at a hotel or convenient central point
Included / Not Included
Included
- Transport between Hanoi and Yen Tu and return, according to the selected package
- English- or Vietnamese-speaking guide on request
- Round-trip Yen Tu cable-car tickets for the two routes in the programme
- Electric-cart ticket within Yen Tu, where included in the cable-car package
- Local lunch or set menu as stated in the programme
- Admission tickets for sites on the standard route, where applicable
- Bottled water on the vehicle
- Operational support throughout the tour
Not included
- Drinks with meals not included in the programme
- Personal expenses and purchases of offerings or souvenirs
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Surcharges for pick-up or drop-off outside central Hanoi
- Surcharge for a Korean-, Chinese- or Japanese-speaking guide on request
- Surcharges during weekends, public holidays, Tet, or the Yen Tu festival season
- Services outside the programme, such as a stay at Legacy Yen Tu, meditation or retreat programmes, relaxation treatments, or special menus