Thay Pagoda (Chùa Thầy) is a Buddhist temple located at the foot of Sai Son mountain in Quoc Oai district, about 30 km from Hanoi city center. The temple was established in the 11th century during the reign of Ly Nhan Tong of the Ly dynasty. It is dedicated to Vietnamese Zen master Tu Dao Hanh (1072-1116), who was also a skilled puppeteer and inventor. The temple is also known as the Master’s Pagoda (Chùa Sư) or the Water Puppetry Pagoda (Chùa Múa Rối Nước), because of its association with water puppetry, a traditional art form that originated in this area.
Thay Pagoda is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists who want to pay homage to Master Tu Dao Hanh and admire the architecture and scenery of the temple. In this blog post, we will show you how to rent a car to Thay Pagoda and explore the best things to do and see in Thay Pagoda.
Why Rent a Car to Thay Pagoda?
Renting a car to Thay Pagoda is one of the best ways to travel from Hanoi to Thay Pagoda and enjoy your visit at your own pace and convenience. By renting a car, you can:
- Save time: You can avoid the hassle of finding and waiting for public transportation, which may be crowded, slow, or unreliable. You can also choose the shortest and fastest route to your destination, without having to stop at multiple places along the way.
- Save money: You can compare different prices and options online and choose the one that suits your needs and budget. You can also save on fuel costs by choosing a fuel-efficient car type.
- Have flexibility: You can choose your own itinerary and schedule, without having to follow a fixed or limited tour program. You can also visit places that are not easily accessible by public transportation, such as the Cac Co cave or the upper temple.
- Have comfort: You can enjoy a comfortable and private mode of transportation, particularly during Hanoi’s hot and humid seasons. You can also avoid the hassle of carrying your luggage or dealing with crowded and noisy vehicles.
- Have safety: You can drive safely with a reliable and well-maintained car that meets the international standards and regulations. You can also avoid the risk of getting scammed or overcharged by dishonest drivers or operators.
How to Find the Best Deals and Services for Car Rental to Thay Pagoda?
There are many factors that you need to consider when looking for the best deals and services for car rental to Thay Pagoda, such as:
- Car type: You need to choose a car type that matches your group size, luggage needs, and preferences. There are different car types available for rent in Hanoi, such as economy, standard, SUV, people carrier, estate, convertible, or luxury. You can check out some examples and compare prices on platforms like Rentalcars.com1.
- Car rental company: You need to choose a reputable and trustworthy car rental company that offers high-quality cars and services. There are many car rental companies operating in Hanoi, such as Avis2, Rental Cars Hanoi3, or Hanoi Journey. You can read reviews and ratings from previous customers to get an idea of their performance and reputation.
- Pick-up and drop-off location: You need to choose a convenient and accessible pick-up and drop-off location for your car rental. The most common pick-up location is Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), which is about 45 km away from Thay Pagoda. However, you can also choose other locations in the city, such as your hotel or a designated point.
- Booking method: You need to choose a convenient and secure booking method for your car rental. The most common booking method is online, where you can easily compare different options and prices, make reservations, and pay with cash or credit card. You can use platforms like Grab1, Welcome Pickups2, or Klook3 to book your car rental online or through their apps.
- Additional services: You need to check if there are any additional services or fees that are included or excluded in your car rental deal. Some of the common additional services or fees are insurance, fuel, driver, tolls, taxes, surcharges, or extras. You need to read the terms and conditions carefully before confirming your booking.
What to Do and See in Thay Pagoda?
Thay Pagoda offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Some of the highlights include:
- Main temple: This is the main temple where Master Tu Dao Hanh’s statue is worshipped. The temple is located on a small island in the middle of Long Tri pond (also known as Dragon’s Tail pond), which is connected by two arched bridges named Sun (Nhat) and Moon (Nguyet). The temple has a unique architecture with four roofs stacked on top of each other. The temple also features a bell tower, a stupa, and a statue of Quan Am (the Goddess of Mercy).
- Water puppetry stage: This is a wooden stage built on Long Tri pond where water puppetry shows are performed regularly. Water puppetry is a traditional art form that uses puppets made of wood or bamboo that are controlled by rods under the water surface. The puppets depict scenes from Vietnamese folklore, history, culture, and daily life.
- Cac Co cave: This is a natural cave located on Sai Son mountain behind the main temple. The cave is about 100 meters long and 10 meters high, with many stalactites and stalagmites forming various shapes and figures. The cave is also home to many bats that fly out at dusk.
- Upper temple: This is another temple located on Sai Son mountain above Cac Co cave. The temple is dedicated to Master Tu Dao Hanh’s parents who were also devout Buddhists. The temple has a simple but elegant architecture with wooden pillars and tiled roofs.
- Single-roof pagoda: This is a small pagoda located on Sai Son mountain near Cac Co cave. The pagoda has only one roof that covers both the front hall and the back hall. The pagoda is also surrounded by pine trees and flowers.
Conclusion: Enjoy Your Visit to Thay Pagoda with Car Rental
As you can see, renting a car to Thay Pagoda is one of the best ways to visit this beautiful and ancient temple from Hanoi. By renting a car, you can save time, money, have flexibility, comfort, and safety while exploring the architecture and scenery of Thay Pagoda.
We hope this blog post has helped you learn more about car rental to Thay Pagoda and how to visit this attraction with ease. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you!
- Thay Pagoda is a historic Buddhist temple located at the foot of Phat Tich Mountain, about 20 kilometers southwest of Hanoi’s city center. It dates back to the 11th century and is renowned for its stunning architecture, natural surroundings, and religious significance.
- The best time to visit Thay Pagoda is after the Lunar New Year, when the weather is cool and pleasant. It is the perfect time for spring trips and festival celebrations. Alternatively, you can choose to visit Thay Pagoda around September or October, when the weather is also mild and comfortable in early autumn.
- The best way to get to Thay Pagoda is by car or motorbike. You can rent a car or a motorbike from one of the many car rental services in Hanoi, such as Car For Rent Hanoi, Vietnam Car Hire, Hanoi Transfer Service, etc. You can also book online or by phone before your arrival or visit one of their offices located at the airport or around the city. The journey takes about 40 minutes to an hour, depending on the traffic and road conditions.
- The best things to do at Thay Pagoda are to admire the ancient architecture, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, learn about the history and culture of Buddhism, and participate in the rituals and ceremonies. You can also explore the scenic complex of Thay Pagoda, which has many attractions such as Tam Xa Shrine, Thuy Khue Communal House, Cac Co Cave, and Lu Gia Bamboo Garden. You can also watch water puppet shows, hike and explore caves in the area.
- The best way to experience Thay Pagoda is to join a guided tour. You can find many tour options online or by phone from various tour operators in Hanoi, such as Asian Trails Vietnam, Lonely Planet, Vinpearl, etc. You can also book online or by phone before your arrival or visit one of their offices located in the city center. A guided tour will help you understand the layout, features and attractions of Thay Pagoda, as well as its history and significance. A guided tour will also provide you with transportation, entrance fees, water and snacks.
- Thay Pagoda – Hanoi – Vietnam Car Hire with Driver: This is a car rental service that offers a wide range of cars, SUVs, MPVs, and mini vans to rent out at affordable rates. They have offices in both Noi Bai Airport and Hoan Kiem District. They also have a website where you can book online and get a free quotation. The journey takes about 40 minutes to an hour, depending on the traffic and road conditions.
- Car Rental Hanoi Travel | Car Rental SIXTVN: This is a car rental service that offers car rental services for both personal and business purposes. You can choose from various types of cars from compact to luxury. You can also enjoy features like free delivery, free pickup, free wifi, free water, etc. You can also book online or by phone before your arrival or visit one of their offices located at Nguyen Van Cu Street or Tran Quoc Toan Street. The journey takes about 40 minutes to an hour, depending on the traffic and road conditions.
- Hanoi Car Rent Half Day – Thay Pagoda – Vietnam Car Hire: This is a car rental service that offers a half day car rental package for travelers to visit Thay Pagoda in Hanoi. The package includes a private 4 seat car with driver. You can book online or by phone before your arrival or visit their office located at Noi Bai Airport. The journey takes about 40 minutes to an hour, depending on the traffic and road conditions.
- Private Car Hire Hanoi 1 Day – Thay Pagoda, Duong Lam Village: This is a car rental service that offers a one day car hire package for travelers to visit Thay Pagoda and Duong Lam ancient village in southwest Hanoi. The package includes a private car with driver for one day. You can book online or by phone before your arrival or visit their office located at Noi Bai Airport. The journey takes about an hour and a half to two hours, depending on the traffic and road conditions.
- Thay Pagoda is a historic Buddhist temple located at the foot of Sai Son Mountain, about 20 kilometers southwest of Hanoi’s city center. It dates back to the 11th century and is renowned for its stunning architecture, natural surroundings, and religious significance. It is dedicated to Zen Master Tu Dao Hanh, who was a great teacher and the ancestor of water puppetry
- Thay Pagoda is also known as Thien Phuc (Heavenly Blessing), Ca or Sai Pagoda. It consists of three main buildings: the Upper Pagoda on the mountain, the Lower Pagoda at the foot, and the Tam Xa Shrine in the middle of a pond. The pagoda also has many other attractions such as Thuy Khue Communal House, Cac Co Cave, and Lu Gia Bamboo Garden
- Thay Pagoda is a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims who want to admire the ancient architecture, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, learn about the history and culture of Buddhism, and participate in the rituals and ceremonies. The pagoda also hosts water puppet shows, which are a traditional art form originated by Tu Dao Hanh
- Thay Pagoda Festival is held annually from the fifth to the seventh days of the third lunar month (approximately March). It is a time to pay homage to Tu Dao Hanh and celebrate his achievements and miracles. The festival features various activities such as processions, ceremonies, games, performances, and offerings
I hope this helps you to learn more about Thay Pagoda. Have a nice day!
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