Three unique Khmer temples must visit in Soc Trang

With a long history and unique architecture, these Khmer temples are places that domestic and foreign tourists cannot ignore when they have the opportunity to come to Soc Trang.

1. Located at 53 Ton Duc Thang, Soc Trang City, Soc Trang Province, Kh’Leang Pagoda is one of the Khmer pagodas with a long history and the most beautiful architecture in the South. The pagoda was built in 1533, at first it was just a pagoda with thatched roofs. The current architecture dates back to the late 1910s restoration. The pagoda has a campus of 3,825m2, the central work is the main hall divided into three ground steps, each step is about 1 meter high, surrounded by fences, forming internal courtyards. The top floor is where the shrine is located. The entire main block of Kh’Leang pagoda is built by 60 pillars, divided into 6 rows. Inside the main hall, the altar and the place to place the statues are in the two innermost compartments. The centerpiece is a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha meditating on a high pedestal, decorated with many layers of lotus and fire patterns. In addition to the main hall, on the premises of Kh’Leang pagoda, there are other auxiliary structures such as Sala (meeting house), houses of monks, guest houses… With great values ​​of history and architecture The architecture and pagoda have been recognized as a national historical and cultural relic of Vietnam. 2. Located on Van Ngoc Chinh Street in Soc Trang City, Soc Trang Province, Bat Pagoda (also known as Ma Toc Pagoda or Mahatup Pagoda) was started construction in 1569. Since then, the pagoda has been restored many times. , the last major restoration in 2009. This temple has ancient Khmer architecture with the main hall built of bricks, tiled roof, four curved roofs carved with Naga snakes, on top of the roof there is a pointed tower. In the main hall there is a monolithic statue of Shakyamuni Buddha placed on a lotus about 2 meters high and a statue depicting the Buddha riding on the god Muchalinda snake. Outside the main hall of the temple are other buildings such as the sala house, the monk room, the relics tower.. located in the green campus shady with ancient trees, the space is cool and pure. In particular, the temple garden has a lot of bats and crows to live in. This is the origin of the name Bat Pagoda. 3. Located in Dai Tam commune, My Xuyen district, Soc Trang province, Chen Kieu pagoda or Sa Lon pagoda is one of the most unique pagodas in Vietnam. This is a temple of Khmer people, whose original name is Wat Sro Loun or Wat Chro Luong. Over time this name became Salon. The pagoda was first built in 1815 with leaves. In 1969, the pagoda was rebuilt. During the construction process, due to the lack of funds to buy enough decorative ceramic tiles, the monks came up with the initiative to donate broken cups and plates from Buddhist relatives in Phum and squirrels for wall cladding. The pagoda has mobilized Buddhists to donate tons of cups and plates for decoration. Intact cups and plates are left on the wall by the monks, while broken cups and plates are broken down to form floating patterns on the wall. With skill and meticulousness, Khmer artisans have created an extremely unique artistic architecture. Since then, the pagoda is also known by the people by the second name, Chen Kieu Pagoda. Invite readers to watch the video: Charming Non Nuoc Tam Chuc Pagoda | VTV24.