Thanh Mai Pagoda was built around 1329 on the slopes of Thanh Mai mountain, also known as Tam Ban mountain (meaning three consecutive mountain levels of the three provinces of Bac Giang-Hai Duong-Quang Ninh, belonging to the Dong Trieu arc). , about 200m high, now belongs to Hoang Hoa Tham commune, Chi Linh city. The pagoda is associated with the life and career of Zen Master Phap Loa, the second patriarch of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect.
The main pagoda has Dinh-style architecture, with 7 front halls and 3 harem compartments. The structure of the pagoda is made of ironwood with 12 female columns with a diameter of 50cm, 7.2m high and 16 columns with a diameter of 42cm, 3.5m high, connected in the style of “stacking and bowling” which is the architectural style of the Tran Dynasty. The roof of the pagoda consists of 8 roofs, 8 sword heads, roofed with comedy nose tiles, on the roof is embankment, in the middle embossed with four words “Thanh Mai meditation”. The pagoda started and completed in 2005.
Currently, Thanh Mai pagoda still preserves many valuable artifacts such as: Vien Thong Bao Thap built in 1334; Pho Quang tower was built in the 23rd Chinh Hoa year (1702); Linh Quang tower was built in the 24th year of Chinh Hoa (1703), along with 5 other towers. In the temple, there are also 6 steles of the Tran and Le dynasties, of which Thanh Mai Vien Thong is recognized as a national treasure. The stele was carved in the 5th Dai Tri year (1362) about the life and career of the Second Patriarch of Truc Lam Zen School. The stele also shows the contemporary political, religious, and land situation and activities of Truc Lam Tam To: Tran Nhan Tong, Phap Loa and Huyen Quang. Thanh Mai Pagoda Festival takes place from the first to the third day of the third lunar month.
At the end of autumn, in the winter days, the maple forest in Thanh Mai pagoda area has beautiful scenery. The forests during this period became brilliant with red, yellow…
With an area of about 15 hectares, the maple forest in Thanh Mai pagoda area is quite dense. The height of the maple tree is up to tens of meters, growing from the foot to the top of the mountain, in which there are very large trees, about 2-3 people to hug. And the most beautiful is the time when the maple leaves change color, from the green foliage to yellow, then to red.