Tu Van Pagoda, often called Snail Pagoda or San Ho Pagoda, is a famous tourist destination in Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa province. Built in 1968 on 3/4 Street, the pagoda is about 60 km south of Nha Trang city. With unique architecture using shells and coral, the pagoda attracts many tourists because of its beauty and purity.

Right from the temple gate, visitors can feel the pure space with the image of the Bat Nha boat, 3 stories high and 10 meters long, made from snail shells and filled with the three jewels (sutras, rules, and treatises) of Buddhism. . On the right are scenes of Buddha’s birth, Buddha’s renunciation, Buddha’s enlightenment, Buddha’s turning the wheel of Dharma and Buddha’s entry into nirvana, while on the left is the Guan Yin palace.

The special highlight of the pagoda is the 39 m high Bao Tich tower, recognized as the tallest in Vietnam. This tower has a complex structure with 49 small pyramidal stupas on the outside, each small stupa contains a thousand-armed, thousand-eyed Buddha statue, and at the top of each small stupa there is a smaller stupa. Hundreds of large and small Buddha statues are meticulously arranged to create a solemn beauty for the tower.

Bao Tich Tower has 8 doors symbolizing the “Eightfold Path”. Inside the tower there are two floors, the upper floor worships Buddha, the lower floor is for visitors to stop and admire. The pattern lines inside the tower are made of shells, snails, mussels, and scallops creating a delicate and unique beauty. The dome of the conical tower, inlaid with colorful shell patterns, creates the image of a splendid castle in the middle of the sea.

Surprisingly, the entire tower was designed and built by monks in the temple, taking 5 years to complete from 1995. Over time, the coral stones and shells have been colored by time, creating giving the tower an ancient and peaceful look.

Another interesting experience at Oc Pagoda is the journey down to “18 levels of hell”. The downhill road is about 500 m long, built meticulously from coral stones and snail shells, surrounded by an eye-catching dragon image. The path is dark, narrow and winding but still attracts many people who love to explore. With candles or flashlights, you can try the feeling of “falling into 18 levels of hell”. Along the path are 12 signs recording crimes and punishments at the gates of hell, as advice to live a good life.

After overcoming “18 levels of hell” and passing through Nai Ha Bridge, according to Buddhist theory, you have ended all suffering and returned to earth through the mouth of a large dragon. Feeling like all your worries have been shaken off, you will feel your heart calm down and accept the beautiful life around you.

Next, the wide open road behind the dragon’s mouth leads visitors to the “paradise” of “Prajna Garden”. Here, rows of ancient trees, colorful flower gardens, and statues of sea creatures, wild animals, and five-element mountains made of snail shells create a peaceful and spacious space.

If you have the opportunity to come to Cam Ranh, take the time to visit Oc Pagoda to walk on the temple grounds, listen to the bells ringing and admire this unique terrestrial ocean world.