Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong)

The Perfume Pagoda located in a vast grotto on Huong Son mountain, in a national park where the scent of flowers lends the shrine its name. Enjoy the scenery as you are rowed up a winding river to the site. You can hike the 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) up the mountain, or take a cable car.

At the top, you may feel like you're on some sort of bizarre Hollywood set where you'd expect Indiana Jones or Lara Croft to meet a spiritual Bruce Lee. Here spirituality lives in harmony with nature.

This Buddhist shrine is situated in the throat of a giant cave amongst spectacular rock formations and stalactites, and even features a spiritual stairway to heaven.

Practical Info

Perfume Pagoda is located approx 65 km (40 mi) south of Hanoi, up to a 2 hour bus ride. Be prepared: in such remote, captive locations it is commonplace to find an over-abundance of 'enthusiastic' hawkers; touts and a good tour guide will serve you well. Avoid visiting during religious holidays!