The Perfume Pagoda: a pilgrimage by boat

About The Perfume Pagoda: a pilgrimage by boat

By the ULTIMATE Hanoi Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

The Perfume Pagoda (Chùa Hương) is a complex of temples and pagodas in the limestone hills of Hương Sơn, south-west of Hanoi. Pilgrims are rowed along the Yến stream, then climb, or take the cable car, to the Hương Tích cave. The festival season after Tết draws great crowds.

Getting there

By car from Hanoi to the boat landing at Yến stream.

The pilgrimage

The boat ride along the stream, the temples on the way, and the climb or cable car to the Hương Tích cave. It is a place of worship: dress respectfully.

Avoid the weeks after Tết unless you want the festival crowds.

Our advice: go on a weekday outside the festival season for a quiet trip.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The Perfume Pagoda: a pilgrimage by boat before you go.