Emperor Jade Pagoda

Emperor Jade Pagoda, also known as Tortoise Pagoda, is one of the five most important shrines in Ho Chi Minh City. Built at the turn of the 20th Century by a community of Cantonese who migrated from Guangzhou province in Southwest China, this pagoda is a fine representation of Mahayanist branch of Buddhism that is practiced widely in Vietnam.

 

In the main hall, the Emperor Jade Chua Ngoc Hoang or the 'God of the Heavens' reigns supreme. Aided by two assistants, the Emperor decides who can enter this higher realm. Those who don't pass this gate will meet with the formidable 'God of Hell', on the left, who will send sinners to one of the 10 levels of hell. Life in purgatory is magnificently if somewhat gruesomely represented by the intricate carvings on the temple wall, depicting different kinds of punishments that await transgressors.

 In a different hall, the goddess of fertility Kim Hua, surrounded by figures of women and small children, blesses childless couples who pray for an offspring here. The goddess of mercy Kuan Yin, who forms a very important part of any Taoist temple, has an altar in a room on the top floor.

 Emperor Jade Pagoda is a living and working shrine very much in use by the locals who come here to prayer or make votive offerings of flowers, and light candles and joss sticks. With worshippers coming and going, the temple can get busy and feel a little cramped. Its dimly lit, the narrow passageways filled with smoke lend an atmospheric feel to the place, adding to its charm.

 There is an overcrowded tortoise pond in front of the temple grounds and feeding the animals is considered part of the merit-making, temple-going rituals.

 Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00

Location: 73 Mai Thi Luu, District 3

Remarks: There is no entrance fee but visitors can make donations

See more

  • Ho Chi Minh City Zoo & Botanical Gardens

    Founded more than 100 years ago, Ho Chi Minh City Zoo and Botanical Gardens (aka Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens) are listed as one of the oldest zoos in the world, opened...

    Read more

  • Water Puppet Theatre

    Water puppetry is one of typical stage art of Vietnam culture- showing the intelligence, creativeness of people; being specialty of Vietnam’s wet - rice civilization.

    Read more

  • Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City

    The Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh is a beautifully preserved remnant of French colonial times and perhaps the grandest post office in all of Southeast Asia. Located next...

    Read more

  • Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

    This is the most recent yet probably the largest and undoubtedly the most interesting Museums in Hanoi and Vietnam.

    Read more

  • My Khe beach

    The Mother Nature has endowed Danang dynamic city with the unique and stunning beauty of My Khe beach. My Khe Beach is recognized as one of the most beautiful beach of...

    Read more

  • Lang Biang Plateau

    Lang Biang is considered as a rooftop of  Dalat. To reach the Lang Biang peak mountain, visitors have to walk through the pine forest then open up a majestic landscape....

    Read more

  • Sa Dec flower village

    Sa Dec is home to many kind of flowers and one of flower centers of South Vietnam. The best time to visit Sa Dec village is in spring when all flowers are blooming and Sa Dec...

    Read more

  • Bach Thao Park

    Bach Thao means “hundreds of plants” and like its name, the park is one of the few green areas in the increasingly industrialized city of Hanoi. Bach Thao Park or...

    Read more

  • Visiting Prince of Bac Lieu House

    If people have a chance to travel to Bac Lieu , they are difficult to ignore an attractive palace, Prince of Bac Lieu House. The house was designed by French engineer and...

    Read more

  • Star beach - the most beautiful beach in Phu Quoc

    Star beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc with a wild beauty, white sand with stretches, clear blue sea all year around. It a great place to relax in...

    Read more

Destinations

Most popular tours

Business info

  • Vietnam Local Guide

  • Address: 18th Floor, VTC Online Tower, 18 Tam Trinh Str.,Hai Ba Trung Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Email: info@vietnamguider.com
  • Phone: (+84) 0904989890
  • Hotline: (+84) 0904989890