Hoi An Ancient Town
Places to visit with your ancient town ticket
As of now there is no charge to enter the ancient town, however if you want to visit the sights you have to buy a ticket for 120k VND / ~ 4,5€ . With this ticket to the ancient town you can visit five places of your choice, these are the ones I recommend after having been to fifteen over three years.
Fujian Assembly Hall
On top of my list is Fujian Assembly Hall / Hoi Quan Phuoc Kien. With its pink gate, intricate roof carvings and historic interior this UNESCO World Heritage Site invites you to spend a long time here. It served as a community center for the Chinese community who had immigrated to Hoi An from the Fujian province in China, as well as a place of worship for a sea goddess. This 2000 square meter wide complex was used for congregating, praying and trading from the 1690s onward.
Tan Ky Ancient House
Within the ancient town there are several ancient houses which have been inhabited by the same family for many generations. Tan Ky Ancient House is one of them and felt the least… odd when I went there. Some houses look more like a museum gift-shop today, even though the families supposedly still live in them.
Japanese Bridge Temple
The Japanese Bridge / Chùa Cầu or Cau temple bridge is a small pagoda on a wooden foot bridge in Hoi An. It was built by Japanese merchants who who were trading in the once bustling port city Hoi An. Today it is a well liked (and often terribly crowded) photo spot. Go here early in the morning to get a less crowded experience or come here after the tourbusses have left.
Cantonese Assembly Hall
Close to the Japanese Bridge you can find the Cantonese Assembly Hall / Quang Trieu Pagoda. The three-gate entree with pink pillars and intricate wooden carvings are often crowded. The inside is a lot calmer, both the garden and the main assembly hall. After it had been built in the 18th century, it served as a congregation place, a place of trade and a place of worship for the Chinese from the Quang Chau Province.
Museum of Folk Culture
In the Museum of Folk Culture, located in an old Chinese merchants house, you can learn about local life in Hoi An and the surrounding Quang Nam Province. I recommend this places especially if you don’t have time to visit any of the surrounding craft villages, as they have exhibits from all traditional local crafts: Lantern making, silk, pottery, carpentry, embroidery and much more.
Additional places to visit in the Ancient Town
Precious Heritage Museum
In the Precious Heritage Museum you can find beautiful photography: portraits and landscape, as well as costumes and traditional garb of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam and their subgroups. The Photographer Réhahn describes his journeys to even the most remote parts of the country and explains how the lives of the ethnic groups have changed in the modern times.
Cổng Chùa Bà Mụ
This is the gate of a former temple, the only remaining part of it. It is surrounded by great cafés and offers a peaceful view and a great backdrop for pictures.
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