Danh Thắng Chùa Hương

A day trip from Hà Nội to the Danh Thắng Chùa Hương (Chùa Hương Pagoda) complex about 65 km SSW. At Bến đò Yến Vĩ we transfered into a row boat for the one hour glide up river to the temple complex. We visited Chùa Thiên Trù (Thiên Trù Temple) before lunch and then ascended to Động Hương Tích (Hương Tích Cave), the fit and keen elected to walk up- for me the cable car was the better option!

“Legend claims that the site was discovered over 2000 years ago by a monk" who while "meditating in the area  named the site after a Tibetan mountain where Buddha practiced [sic.] asceticism.” The first buildings, however, are thought to date from some time in the 15th century. See Wikipedia.