Cao Temple, located in Ha Linh town (Ha Trung district, Thanh Hoa province), has recently undergone restoration. Its most striking feature is a 31-meter-tall statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva with four faces.
Also known as Thien Son Tu or Manh Son Tu, Cao Temple is situated in Hamlet 6 (formerly Tien Hoa village), Ha Linh town, Ha Trung district. The temple lies halfway up Manh Son mountain, a peak locals call Ma Lim due to the lim trees that once densely covered the area.
Panoramic view of Cao Temple atop Ma Lim peak. Photo: CT
According to local residents, the temple dates back to the Le dynasty. Over the centuries, historical upheavals have left only remnants of the original structure, including a stone turtle stele, a stone bell, a few stone pedestals, five stone incense bowls, and fragments of old bricks and tiles.
The inscription on the stele has faded, leaving only decorative patterns on its arch, notably a motif of "two dragons flanking the sun." The remaining bricks and tiles are of two distinct types, varying in design and size. One type of brick bears the inscription “La bach tinh chi,” while the curved tiles are adorned with stylized lotus petals and cloud motifs.
The temple’s highlight is the 31-meter-tall, four-faced Avalokitesvara statue. Photo: CT
Reconstruction of the temple began in 2020 and was divided into two sections: the main hall for worshipping Buddha and a separate shrine for the Mother Goddess.
By late 2023, the temple's primary structures were nearly complete. Its centerpiece is a 31-meter-tall, four-faced statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, standing on a 12-meter-wide pedestal and facing in four directions.
According to Venerable Thich Tinh Hai, the temple's abbot, the four-faced design was inspired by the geography of Ma Lim mountain, which lies at the center of four surrounding villages.
This layout ensures that each village can see one face of the bodhisattva, symbolizing spiritual inclusiveness and local belief.
The glass bridge designed like Buddha’s hand is a visitor favorite. Photo: CT
Venerable Thich Tinh Hai further explained that Avalokitesvara is a compassionate bodhisattva closely connected to sentient beings.
The statue features four symbolic forms: one holding a vase of pure water, one cradling a child, one holding a scroll, and one with prayer beads.
These four forms represent different spiritual blessings: the vase signifies the ability to wash away misfortune and karma; the bodhisattva holding a child offers hope for fertility and protection for parents; the scroll represents wisdom and success in education and career; and the prayer beads signify mindfulness and enlightenment.
Miniature landscapes decorate Cao Temple’s grounds. Photo: CT
Beyond the statue, Cao Temple also features a glass bridge designed as a Buddha’s hand, which has become a favorite attraction, particularly among younger visitors.
According to Ha Linh town officials, Cao Temple is among the rare temples in Thanh Hoa province that combines deep historical roots with unique architecture - an ideal foundation for developing spiritual tourism.
Construction at the temple continues to progress. Photo: CT
From the mountaintop, visitors enjoy a panoramic view of peaceful landscapes, layered mountains, and clustered houses along Ma Lim’s slope. Conveniently located near the North-South Expressway and close to other spiritual tourism destinations, the temple is highly accessible for visitors traveling to Thanh Hoa.
Thanks to its distinctive features, Cao Temple is fast becoming a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists. Since the beginning of the year, it has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors seeking serenity and spiritual reflection.
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