Hidden among the green mountain ranges of Ninh Bình, Cây Thị Pagoda is a destination for those who love tranquil beauty and wish to find a quiet pause in nature. Impressive for its fresh, clean surroundings, the pagoda, with its harmonious architecture and the story of its centuries-old thị (persimmon-relative) tree, has become a symbol of the place. Each season gives the pagoda a beauty of its own, but when autumn arrives, the sweet fragrance of ripe thị fruit drifting on the breeze leaves every visitor with a lasting, unforgettable memory.
The pagoda sits halfway up the mountain, embraced by two mountain ranges in the "Green Dragon on the left, White Tiger on the right" (tả Thanh Long, hữu Bạch Hổ) configuration, an auspicious site in East Asian geomancy (feng shui), symbolizing protection, stability, and sacredness. Cool green forest surrounds the pagoda, set apart from residential areas, creating a clean and peaceful atmosphere. From afar, the sound of the pagoda bell blends with the wind and the birdsong of the forest, making the space feel serene, as if carrying people away from the bustle of everyday life.

Looking up from the foot of the mountain, a statue of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva (Quan Thế Âm), about 6 meters tall, carved from granite and enthroned on the hilltop, stands out against the green of the mountains and forest. His compassionate, benevolent face turns toward the pilgrims as if silently watching over them, sheltering them and lighting the way for each person to return to their true nature. Amid the open expanse of the mountains, the majestic statue adds to the sacred and tranquil feel of the entire pagoda complex, becoming a special highlight that draws visitors to stop and pay their respects.
In recent years, Cây Thị Pagoda has been renovated and now has a spacious appearance while fully retaining its tranquility amid the mountains and forest. A path paved with white gravel leads to the main hall, dotted with circles symbolizing karmic connection (nhân duyên) in Buddhist teachings, giving a sense of peace from the very first steps. The pagoda's special highlight is the ancient thị tree, about 400 years old, standing beside the main hall. Having passed through many changes in history and several restorations, the tree remains lush and green, casting cool shade like a silent witness of time. Each autumn, the sweet fragrance of ripe thị fruit spreads throughout the pagoda courtyard, evoking a rustic, peaceful beauty. For local people and many Buddhists, the thị tree is not only a precious ancient tree but also a symbol of endurance, peace, and the bond between past and present. Each autumn, when the golden ripe fruits begin to release their scent, the entire pagoda grounds seem wrapped in a gentle, familiar sweetness. The fragrance of thị mingles with incense, the sound of the pagoda bell, and the cool mountain breeze, creating a feeling all its own: peaceful, nostalgic, and intimate, as if carrying each person back to memories of the old Northern Vietnamese countryside.
Visiting Cây Thị Pagoda, travelers not only find a sacred place of worship but also immerse themselves in nature, listen to the bell ringing out among the mountains and forest, admire the cool green canopies of ancient trees, and feel a rare, unhurried rhythm of life. Amid the peaceful beauty of Ninh Bình's land and sky, the pagoda becomes a meaningful stopping place where everyone can set aside their worries, find calm in their hearts, and come to cherish more deeply the cultural and spiritual values preserved over many centuries.