Co Loa Citadel is not only associated with the legends of the Vietnamese nation but also a unique tourist attraction for anyone who intends to explore Hanoi. For generations, Co Loa Citadel and legendary characters have become an indispensable part of the cultural and spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. Not only associated with the legends of the Vietnamese people, such as An Duong Vuong establishing the capital, building a citadel, the god Kim Quy crossbow or the tragic and touching love of My Chau - Trong Thuy..., Co Loa Citadel is also a Unique tourist attractions of Hanoi.
1. Location
Located about 14km from Hanoi Old Quarter, Co Loa Citadel historical relic area is spread over 3 communes: Co Loa, Viet Hung, Duc Tu in Dong Anh district, Hanoi. With an area of up to 500 hectares, this is the oldest citadel in Vietnam. Built in the 3rd century BC under King An Duong Vuong, Co Loa citadel was the capital of the Au Lac state and the feudal state under Ngo Quyen in the 10th century.
2. Places to visit in Co Loa Citadel
2.1 Temple of An Duong Vuong
The first stop in the journey to visit Co Loa citadel is the temple of An Duong Vuong. Located in the center of the inner citadel, the temple is also known as Thuong Temple. Previously, it was also considered the residence of King Thuc Phan.
2.2 Co Loa Communal House
Co Loa Communal House (Ngu Trieu Di Quy): has a floor plan in the shape of the word "Dinh", including the great communal house and the harem. The decorative themes on this architecture are in the artistic style of the 18th century. In particular, in the communal house, 17 artifacts of historical, cultural and scientific value are quite typical.
2.3 Temper of My Chau Princess
Villagers often call this place My Chau's grave, located right behind a thousand-year-old banyan tree that shading a large yard, the banyan root splits into a natural archway to open the entrance to the am. There is a statue called My Chau statue – a natural rock shaped like a headless person.
2.4 Cao Lo Temple
Referring to Co Loa, no one can forget Cao Lo, a good general under King Thuc Phan, who was the creator of the Lien Chau crossbow (a type of crossbow that caught many arrows at the same time) and he was also the one who created the Lien Chau crossbow. commanded the construction of Co Loa citadel. To commemorate his merits, people built a statue and built a temple for him.
2.5 Ngoc Well
Ngoc Well is located between Crescent Lake and right at the door of King An Duong Vuong's temple. According to an old legend, this is where Trong Thuy once threw herself down because she regretted and mourned for her. The water in Ngoc well, if viewed from afar, will see a slightly bloodshot color, striking between the clear blue lake water and cool trees.
3. Transport
Only about 15km from the center of Hanoi, moving to Co Loa Citadel is relatively easy and convenient for anyone who wants to visit this attraction.
If you do not know which means of transport to choose to travel to Co Loa Citadel, you can choose VN Biking Tour.
We have many tours to explore Hanoi by bicycle such as: Cycling city tour half day 4.5 hours, Hanoi bicycle to Red River island countryside in 3.5 hours, Cycling explore Red River delta countryside 5 hours, Cycling Full day explore the Red River delta, Cycling Sunset & Sunrise time.
Among our tours, there are Cycling explore Red River island countryside in 3.5 hours and cycling explore Red River delta countryside 5 hours that will pass through Co Loa Citadel.