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Located in a charming natural area in northern Ha Nam province,
Nui Cam (Forbidden Mountain) with its beauty and legend has attracted a large
number of visitors.
About 70km from Hanoi, the Forbidden Mountain is known as a holy area with five
beautiful caves in Thi Son commune, Kim Bang district. It has been recognized as
a national historical and cultural relic site.
The mountain, also named Cuon Son or Quyen Son, is home to a special type of
medicinal herb often used by local people.
The lion-shaped mountain includes an ancient temple that is covered by a lively
green forest of bamboo. On the top of the mountain there is a nature-created
chess table where visitors can play chess and have a panoramic view of the
beautiful scenery.
Legend has it that in the 11th century General Ly Thuong Kiet commanded a naval
fleet to fight the Chinese invaders on the Day River. When the troops were near
the mountain, suddenly a hard wind blew the regiment’s signal flag to the
mountain’s peak. General Kiet took this as a sign and led the troops to the
mountain, burnt incense, and prayed for victory.
After winning the battle, he banned people from encroaching on the mountain,
which he considered as a holy area. Since then, the mountain has been called Nui
Cam (Forbidden Mountain).
Local villagers then set up a temple on the mountainside to commemorate the
victory and worship Ly Thuong Kiet.
For hundreds of years, the wooden temple has been restored many times, but its
ancient architecture remains unchanged.
Apart from the ancient temple, the legendary mountain has five miraculous caves
and visitors will enjoy seeing them which share a common entrance leading to a
400m-long cavern containing five rooms, split naturally by stalactites in
different forms.
Not far from the mountain, there is a special pagoda called Ba Danh that is
described as a holy land of the mother goddess. It sits peacefully on the bank
of the Day River.
At first, Ba Danh pagoda was small in size. It was then renovated under the
reign of Emperor Le Hy Tong in the 17th century and later named Ba Danh by local
villagers who installed a statue of Buddha there.
Ba Danh means so quiet according to an old saying, but in fact the pagoda is
frequented by pilgrims and tourists around the year.
After arriving in Phu Ly City by bus, you’ll just take a boat to the tourist
attraction on the Day River in 15 minutes.
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