Lien Phai Pagoda Hanoi

The Lien Phai Pagoda, in the Dong Da District of Hanoi, has been described as having a wedding cake like appearance, thanks to its multiple tiers and, most notably, uniquely pastel exterior, a rare appearance for ancient pagodas in Hanoi, where more subdued color schemes are more popular. The Lien Phai Pagoda was built in the early 1700’s by commission from Lord Trinh Thap. Trinh Thap lived in the area where the Lien Phai Pagoda now stands, and found a rock shaped like the root of a lotus in the garden behind his palace. The lotus is a sign of perfect understanding in Buddhist mythology, so Lord Trinh Thap, taking this as a sign, had his own palace converted into the building we now call the Lien Phai Pagoda.