Perfume Temple (Chùa Hương)

Hương Sơn complex · Hương Tích

Hà Nội

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Documentary photo of Perfume Temple (Chùa Hương). The surroundings may have changed since the photo was taken.

About

Chùa Hương is a whole complex of Buddhist temples, shrines and caves among limestone mountains, rather than a single temple. A well-known route takes visitors by boat along Yến Stream, to Thiên Trù Temple and then up to Hương Tích Cave.

Visitor information

Founded: Developed over several centuries
Visiting hours: Fixed opening hours have not been confirmed. Please ask the temple.
Fees: Check the notices at the destination; the current fee schedule has not been confirmed.
Address: Xã Hương Sơn, Hà Nội; khu vực Mỹ Đức trước đây

Allow time for both the outward and return boat journeys and wear a life jacket as instructed. The cave route includes slopes and stone steps; the cable car is a separate service. Check admission, boat and cable-car tickets before travelling.

Highlights

Yến Stream and the boat journey
Thiên Trù Temple
Hương Tích Cave

History and origins

Local sources trace its formation to the 15th century and describe substantial later development. Many structures have been repaired, destroyed and reconstructed. Hương Sơn was designated a special national heritage site in 2017.

Architecture & surroundings

The buildings are spread across valleys, mountainsides and caves rather than enclosed in a single temple courtyard. Thiên Trù has courtyards, a three-entrance gateway and worship halls; Hương Tích provides a sacred space within the mountain.

Thiên Trù features courtyards, gates and layered temple roofs, whereas Hương Tích is a cave sanctuary. The Yến Stream waterway, boat landings and mountain paths form a journey of several stages, not a single temple enclosure.

Cultural value

The Chùa Hương Festival connects Buddhist pilgrimage with mountain and river scenery and the cultural life of Hương Sơn. Yến Stream has inspired many works of poetry.

A visit combines pilgrimage with appreciation of limestone and water landscapes. During festival season, allow time for travel and boat queues, while preserving quiet around places of worship.

Events & festivals

Chùa Hương Festival

6th day of the first lunar month · traditional opening

The traditional opening is on the 6th day of the first lunar month. For 2026, the announced festival period runs from 18/2 to 11/5 in the Gregorian calendar; these dates apply to 2026 and must not automatically be used for other years.

Directions to the temple

Open this temple’s dedicated page ↗

References & photo sources

Information checked: 2026-10-20. Documentary photographs may differ from current conditions.

Photo 1. Documentary photo of Perfume Temple (Chùa Hương). The surroundings may have changed since the photo was taken.
Bùi Thụy Đào Nguyên · Original photo · CC BY-SA 4.0
Resized and converted to WebP without altering the image content.

Photo 2. Documentary photo of Perfume Temple (Chùa Hương). The surroundings may have changed since the photo was taken.
Jack French from San Francisco, USA · Original photo · CC BY 2.0
Resized and converted to WebP without altering the image content.

Photo 3. Documentary photo of Perfume Temple (Chùa Hương). The surroundings may have changed since the photo was taken.
Hoàng Việt at vi.wikipedia · Original photo · Public domain
Resized and converted to WebP, preserving the original composition.

Photo 4. Documentary photo of Perfume Temple (Chùa Hương). The surroundings may have changed since the photo was taken.
Hoàng Việt at vi.wikipedia · Original photo · Public domain
Resized and converted to WebP, preserving the original composition.

Photo 5. Documentary photo of Perfume Temple (Chùa Hương). The surroundings may have changed since the photo was taken.
Tango7174 · Original photo · CC BY-SA 4.0
Resized and converted to WebP, preserving the original composition.