Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue
Situated on Ha Khe Hill near the Perfume River, Thien Mu Pagoda
is 5 km from Hue.
 This
pagoda overlooks the southwest bank of the Perfume River, around
4km south of the railway bridge crossing. This was the home of the
Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc, who burnt himself to death in protest
to the Ngo Dinh Diem regime. The motor car that took him to the
site of his self-immolation in Ho Chi Minh City in 1963 is out back.
The pagoda has been adopted as the symbol of Hue City and is very
popular with both foreign and local tourists, hence the trinket
sellers and beggars out front. Behind the pagoda is a lovely garden
and a large glass encased smiling Buddha. To the left of the pagoda
is a huge bell dating to the 18 century and is said to be audible
10 km away.
The road to Thien Mu Pagoda runs along the bank of the Perfume River
and is great for a late afternoon ride as many boats are returning
upriver. The light is just great so take your camera. The road also
passes by a Portuguese church and also a mid sized fresh produce
market, which stocks excellent fruit.
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