The lake is calm with emerald green water, surrounded by forests and cliffs, a scene that makes anyone want to stay longer.
Ta Pa means “high mountain” in Khmer. The temple, named Phnom Ta Pa, is located on the top of the hill and was built in 1999. After many repairs, in 2019, the temple was completed with 120 large concrete pillars. From afar, the main hall looks like it is floating in the sky. To reach the main hall, visitors must climb 240 steps, following the slope with shade trees, Naga snake statues and newly painted railings.
Looking up from the foot of the hill, the pagoda is both majestic and intimate. On the top, visitors can observe the whole Tri Ton area, the vast rice fields, the rows of tall palm trees stretching to the horizon. The air on the hill is cool and fresh. In the early morning, the pagoda bells often ring, gentle but far-reaching, creating a quiet, relaxing feeling.
Right at the foot of the hill is Ta Pa Lake, formed from an old quarry pit. The water in the lake is more than 10 meters deep, and its color changes with the seasons. In the dry season, the water is clear and you can see the bottom of the lake. In the rainy season, the water is more murky but still remains calm. Locals say that there were people who went swimming in the lake and got cramps, which is very dangerous, so there are now signs prohibiting swimming around the lake.
The scenery around the lake has also changed a lot. In addition to the lake and large rocks, this area has also been arranged with a few more photo-taking scenes to serve visitors. The highlight is the red double heart frame placed on the rocky ground, facing the mountain range. Nearby is a heart-shaped twisted chair, located in an iron frame with the words "Ta Pa Lake - Tri Ton - An Giang ". These scenes, although simple, help make the space more lively, especially when taking pictures. Many families and young people choose to take photos here before continuing their journey.
Ms. Hang (a long-time photographer) shared: “I have been involved in photography since I was 33 years old. I used to take photos at Cam Mountain, then I came here because it was close to home, and there were more customers. Before, only people in the province knew about Ta Pa, but now many people from far away come, including overseas Vietnamese. The weather is cool, the mountains are clear, and the photos are very beautiful.” Ms. Hang also said that at first, customers only came to take photos of the lake, then they learned about the pagoda. When the pagoda finished the stairs and night lighting system, the image of the pagoda at night spread on social networks, making many people curious to visit.
Phnom Ta Pa Pagoda is a destination closely associated with the spiritual life of the Khmer people, and is also a place that many tourists come to visit and learn about the culture. On holidays such as Chol Chnam Thmay, Ok Om Bok or Sen Dolta, people gather at the pagoda to worship and chant. The monk at the pagoda also opens a Khmer class for children in the area, helping them understand and preserve their mother tongue.
The Khmer pagoda is located on the top of Ta Pa hill, standing out with its brilliant golden architecture and exquisite carvings.
In the temple grounds, Ms. Hong Ngan regularly brings traditional Khmer costumes for rent. The costumes are imported from Cambodia, in a variety of colors and designs. Many young people want to try on traditional costumes to take beautiful photos when they come to the temple. "Some days, there are 5-7 costumes for rent, other days there are none. But I come here every day. It's fun to meet this person and that person," she laughed.
Next to it is a drink and snack stall owned by Ms. Phuong, a woman from Chau Phu who came here to start a family. The stall is small but clean, with reasonable prices. “I make a living selling drinks and snacks. People from the North and abroad also come here. They sit down, drink, chat, and then leave,” Ms. Phuong shared.
Tourists coming to Ta Pa each have their own feelings, but most of them have one thing in common: They like the peace and simplicity. Ms. Thanh, from Dong Thap province, with her children, said: “I find this place more beautiful than I imagined. There is both scenery and a pagoda, and the air is cool.” A 72-year-old woman from Vinh Long province said: “The pagoda here is very different. In my hometown, there is no pagoda located on such a high hill.”
Ta Pa is not a noisy tourist destination. There is no loud music here, no shops close together. There is only the sound of the wind blowing, the distant sound of temple bells every morning, and the gentle people. Ta Pa is like a place for people to slow down in the middle of busy days, to breathe fresh air, to chat with strangers, to look back at themselves in a close and pleasant setting.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/ta-pa-mot-ngay-yen-binh-noi-doi-cao-a423541.html
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