VietNamNet Bridge – Quang Ninh Province authorities have announced a plan to build a second cable system on Yen Tu Mountain, famous for its beautiful landscape and Buddhist heritage.

Second cable system to be built in Yen Tu Mountain, Quang Ninh Province.  – Photo: VNA

According to the plan, the total length of the two new cable routes will be 2,200m.  The destination landing station will be situated some 500m away from Buddhist King Tran Nhan Tong’s statue and some 600m away from the Dong Pagoda.

The project with a total investment of VND650 billion (US$2.9 million) is aimed at reducing traffic jams during the festive days.

The Quang Ninh project has been supported by relevant agencies and the Most Venerable Thich Thanh Quyet from the Viet Nam Buddhist Shangha.  Representatives from the agencies also contributed their suggestions to be incorporated in the document.

Deputy Chief of Ministry Agriculture and Rural Development‘s Administration of Forestry Cao Chi Cong, however, expressed concern about the project, saying it could affect the local forest.

Chairman of the National Heritage Council Luu Tran Tieu said the new cable system should not affect the pilgrims and landing stations should not be higher than Buddhist King Tran Nhan Tong’s statue.

A Construction Ministry representative stressed that the new cable system should be designed keeping in mind tourists’ safety because the Dong Pagoda is located in difficult terrain.

Buddhist King Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308), the third king of the Tran dynasty, ascended the throne when he was just 21. He is famed for defeating Mongol invaders twice during his 15-year reign.

The King abdicated the throne when he was 35 and spent the rest of his life on Yen Tu Mountain practising and propagating Buddhism. He founded the Truc Lam School of Zen and worked to unify different Vietnamese Buddhism sects into Vietnamese Zen Buddhism.

The Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscape is located on the Dong Trieu mountain range, at the intersection of the two provinces of Quang Ninh and Bac Giang.

The heritage site is mostly situated in a mountainous region, some 600m above sea level. With its peak at 1,068m above sea level.

VNS