Hoan Kiem Lake
Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Description:
The name Hoan Kiem Lake is translated as “Lake of the Returned Sword”. It is located in the heart of Hanoi. This place is really amazing. The water surface here is so transparent that right from the shore you can watch how life boils at the bottom. You will not see this in any photo!
In the center of the lake stands a low tower called the "Temple of the Turtle". It is associated with one ancient legend about the Vietnamese hero of the XV century named Le Loi. He once fished on a lake, but instead of fish he found a magic sword with which he led a rebellion against the Chinese rulers.
When, after the victory, the hero came to the lake to thank the good spirits, the sword fell into the water, where he was picked up by a huge golden turtle. After a while, the “Temple of the Turtle” was erected here.
Nearby is the Temple of Jade Mountain, home to a giant turtle caught in 1968. It honors the great commander Chang Hung Dao, who defeated the Mongol conquerors in the XIII century, as well as Wang Suong - the patron saint of writers, La To - the patron of doctors and martial arts master Kuan Wu.
On the shore of the lake you can relax in a cozy cafe or look at a puppet show.