The Jade Emperor Pagoda: Grotesqueries meet Beauty

Saigon's Jade Emperor Pagoda was built in 1909 by the Cantonese, and features fearsome deities and phantasmagorical wood carvings, set in beautiful architecture. Here, amidst the smoky joss sticks, you'll discover a splendid interior of teak, resplendent with carvings, statuary, and a striking roof of green ceramic tiles.

The statues depict the Taoist Jade Emperor Ngoc Hoang and many of deities associated with him. The carvings and clothing are exceptional. Our favorite room is to the left of the main altar, presided over by the Thanh Hoang, the God of Hell. Here, intricately carved wooden panels depict in graphic terms the tortures that await the damned. Each panel is topped by a judge, describing the punishments illustrated below.

Getting there

The pagoda is at 73 Duong Mai Thi Luu, on a side street just off of #20 Duong Dien Bien Phu.

GPS: N10°47.299' E106°41.894'