Hoan Kiem lake - The heart of Hanoi

Ngoc Son Temple is at the north end of Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi heart. The temple of the Jade Mountain, or Den Ngoc Son, is one of Hanoi's most visited cultural attractions. Accessed by a brightly painted red wooden bridge, the temple sits atop the largest island in HoanKiem Lake but very few learn about its symbolic significance.

Wandering around the 16th century Ngoc Son Temple, resting on an enigmatic lake amongst leafy green trees, is a highlight of any trip to Hanoi. The temple itself is also filled with fascinating symbolism and an intriguing history, knowledge of which will certainly make for an enhanced visiting experience.

The temple consists of several gates, the first of which starts almost on the road. Two large red Chinese characters are written on the first gate for Happiness on the right, and Prosperity on the left. Inside this gate is the Pen Tower, or Thap But, a ten-meter high stone structure whose tip resembles a writing brush. The mountain represents a good foundation, or the earth, and the characters on the tower say “writing on the clear blue sky”. This represents the importance of truth and clarity in everyday life.

The second gate is surrounded by Taoist symbols. On the left is a tiger and on the right is a Vietnamese dragon, which symbolize power and stability; a phoenix symbolized longevity. Above the third gate, the last one before crossing the bridge, is a large stone representing an ink pot to partner with the Pen Tower, as well as bats that symbolize happiness (the Chinese word for “bat” is phuc which means happiness in Vietnamese).

The temple itself is reached by crossing the red-painted wooden bridge called The Huc, or “Rising Sun”. The name reflects that the wooden bridge is an ideal location from which to watch the sunrise. After crossing the bridge, we come to the fourth gate, which is surrounded by typical Taoist symbols of protection-the dragon-horse, or long ma, is on the right carrying a yin yang mirror to send back evil spirits.

Ngoc Son Temple exemplifies the harmony of Taoist fengshui. It is surrounded by water, which directs energy to the temple and several viewpoints face the sunrise, also believe to attract positive natural energies. An ancient structure and one of the symbols of this city of over a thousand years, Ngoc Son is so much more than just a wooden bridge.