Menu
Destinations→Locations→Blog→Map→About→
⚠️Temporarily Closed. As of mid-2026, the sole path leading up to the shrines and the Giếng Tiền volcano crater rim has been temporarily closed due to landslide risk - cracks and unstable sections have appeared on the cliff face. Confirm current access locally before planning a visit, since parts of the site may be off-limits.
pagoda · landmark · ly son

Chùa Đục

Chùa Đục (also known as Đỉnh Liêm Tự or 'the pagoda without a monk') is built into the volcanic rock face on the west side of Núi Giếng Tiền on Lý Sơn island, accessed by around 139 stone steps cut into the cliff. The complex is dominated by a 27-metre white Quan Âm statue facing the sea, believed by locals to protect the island from storms and typhoons.

Volcanic Rock Pagoda27m Quan Âm StatueSea-facing Shrine139 Stone Steps
Get Directions

Overview

Best Time to Visit
Morning for cooler temperatures on the climb
Entry Fee
Free
Opening Hours
Open daily, roughly 6 AM - 6 PM
Address
An Hải, Lý Sơn, Quảng Ngãi

Things to Know

Crowds
Minimal tourist crowds, especially on weekdays and during midday visits
Difficulty
Steep stone stairs require moderate fitness; some sections have uneven terrain and dense vegetation
Safety
Landslide risk on the volcanic cliff face has led to temporary closures of the path to the upper shrines and crater rim - check current access before visiting. Some visitors have reported disorientation on upper paths in the past.
Accessibility
The access road can be narrow in places; limited shade during midday

About This Place

What Makes Chùa Đục Special

Chùa Đục - also known as Đỉnh Liêm Tự, or sometimes 'Chùa Không Sư' ('the pagoda without a monk') - sits on the western slopes of Núi Giếng Tiền, one of Lý Sơn's extinct volcanic craters, accessed by around 139 stone steps carved into the cliff face. Despite its ancient, mystical atmosphere, the pagoda is a modern construction, built starting in 2008 and completed around 2010. The complex is built into and around the volcanic rock, incorporating three natural caves of varying size - the largest and central cave (roughly 65 cubic metres) serves as the main hall, housing Phật Tổ Như Lai, Địa Tạng Bồ Tát, and a shrine to the pagoda's first abbot; a smaller cave to the east holds the Three Buddhas (Tam Thế Phật); and the smallest cave, Viên Giác, to the west, is used by monks for meditation. The centrepiece most visitors come for is a 27-metre white Quan Âm statue on the upper terrace, facing out to sea. Local belief holds that the statue protects the island's fishing communities from typhoons - a significant concern in a region that sits directly in the path of storms moving through the South China Sea.

How to Get There

Getting There

Chùa Đục is on the western side of Lý Sơn, about 200 metres from Cổng Tò Vò along the same stretch of coast, and roughly 3km from the island's town centre. From the ferry port, follow the coastal road heading west; Chùa Đục is signed from the same road as Cổng Tò Vò. By motorbike or taxi from the port, around 10-15 minutes.

What to Expect

On the Ground

The stone staircase rises steeply through cliffside vegetation before opening onto the pagoda's terraces and cave shrines. The upper terrace with the Quan Âm statue has open views over the sea and the surrounding coastline, including views toward Đảo Bé (also called An Bình Island) in the distance. Beyond the pagoda itself, a further climb leads to Đỉnh Liêm Tự, the peak overlooking the old volcanic crater - a bowl-shaped depression covered in green grass, a genuinely rare sight in Vietnam, best seen in late afternoon as the light turns gold and pink. The complex is quiet most mornings outside peak season. There are no facilities at the pagoda - water and snacks should be carried. As of recent reports, cracks and landslide risk on the volcanic cliff face have led to the sole path up to the shrines and crater rim being temporarily closed at times - confirm what's currently accessible before your visit, since the crater viewpoint described above may not be reachable.

Travel Tips

Tips

Chùa Đục and Cổng Tò Vò are usually visited together, given how close they are along the same western coastal stretch - ride between them in a few minutes. Allocate around half a day for this western cluster before crossing to other parts of the island. Given the site's occasional access restrictions due to landslide risk, it's worth checking locally or with your accommodation on Lý Sơn about current conditions before making the trip out.

Insider Tips

Based on real traveler experiences and commonly mentioned advice from multiple visitors.

Visit in the morning or early evening for better light and cooler temperatures than midday
Support local vendors selling water and island produce near the entrance
Combine your visit with nearby Cổng Tò Vò and sunrise viewing from the adjacent coastline
Check current access before visiting - the path to the upper shrines and crater rim has faced temporary closures due to landslide risk on the cliff face
April-August generally has the best, most stable weather for a visit, though April-June is also Lý Sơn's peak tourist season - if you prefer fewer crowds, July-August offers similar weather with less congestion
The climb is around 139 stone steps cut into the volcanic rock - wear shoes with grip and go slowly in wet weather
The 27m Quan Âm statue at the top is the island's largest religious monument and frames well against the sea in morning light
Dress conservatively - this is an active place of worship
Time needed: 45-60 minutes
Standard temple etiquette applies: keep your voice down, silence or put your phone on vibrate, avoid casual photography inside the shrine areas, remove your shoes before entering the main hall to worship, and don't bring food (especially non-vegetarian food) into the temple
Best time for the crater viewpoint (if the upper path is open) is late afternoon, roughly 4-6 PM, for the sunset light
Chùa Đục is within a few hundred meters of Cổng Tò Vò, on the same western stretch of coast - combine both in the same stop
The complex includes three rock caves of different sizes: the largest, central one holds the main altar; a smaller cave to the east houses the Three Buddhas; and the smallest, to the west, is used by monks for meditation

FAQ

Common questions from travelers who've visited this place.

Is Chùa Đục currently open?›
Access is currently restricted in areas affected by landslide risk, particularly the upper path toward the highest shrines and the Giếng Tiền crater rim. The main pagoda and lower shrine areas remain a functioning place of worship. Check locally for the latest access conditions before visiting.
How tall is the Quan Âm statue, and how many steps are there?›
The statue is 27 metres tall, and the climb up involves around 139 stone steps cut into the cliff.
How do I get there from Cổng Tò Vò?›
Chùa Đục is a few hundred metres away along the same coastal road, on the western side of the island - just a few minutes by motorbike or a short walk.

Similar Experiences

Explore more things to do like this around Vietnam

🎎Culture→📸Photography→
Explore more
ly son - Full Guide
View destination guide →