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Here are some famous pilgrimage routes.
Kumano Kodo Iseji, Japan
The Kumano Kodo Iseji pilgrimage route is an ancient path approximately 170km long, connecting Kumano Sanzan with Ise-jingu Shrine. This route has a long history, having been revered from the Edo period to the present day. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, it is Japan's most famous ancient pilgrimage route, passing through many breathtaking landscapes such as rivers, waterfalls, forests, and mountains.
The Kumano area has long been considered sacred, being the birthplace of Japanese cultural and spiritual values. Many even refer to it as "the dwelling place of the gods." The three main shrines along this route are Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha. Each shrine has a long-standing tradition and is a significant part of Japan's heritage.
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
The Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, also known as the Way of Saint James, stretches from the French-Spanish border to the city of Santiago de Compostela. The route boasts 1,800 buildings, churches, and historical structures, bearing witness to the religion and development of Christianity, and playing a crucial role in the cultural and religious exchange between the Iberian Peninsula and other parts of Europe during the Middle Ages.
Beyond its historical and religious significance, this place also represents the development of European architectural art over many centuries. The architectural heritage reflects the birth of the Romanesque art movement, Gothic-style churches, and a series of monasteries.
The pilgrimage route has many different paths, but all lead to the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, where the tomb of Saint James is believed to be located. The tomb is thought to date back to the 7th century, but its exact location in Compostela was not known until the 9th century. Afterward, the tomb's fame quickly spread throughout Europe, and pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela began as early as the 10th century.
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
When the word "pilgrimage" is mentioned, Mecca is probably the first place that comes to mind. This sacred land, located in the heart of Arabia, is the religious center of Islam. Many believe that a pilgrimage to Mecca, especially during the largest pilgrimage known as the Hajj, is the most important journey of a person's life.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of Muslims gather and perform rituals. They walk around the Ka'aba cube seven times in a counterclockwise direction; drink water from the Zamzam well; throw stones at Satanic pillars at Jamarat; spend a night at Muzdalifa; and run back and forth between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah.
Yen Tu, Vietnam
The 10th day of the first lunar month each year is considered the official opening day for the three-month Yen Tu Spring Festival, with the number of pilgrims reaching tens of thousands on some days. Here, visitors not only participate in a major traditional religious festival to pray for blessings and good fortune in the new year, but also have the opportunity to learn about one of the largest Buddhist centers in the history of Vietnamese religion.
Yen Tu Mountain, 1,068 meters above sea level, is part of the Dong Trieu mountain range, located on the border of Bac Giang and Quang Ninh provinces. The total length of the walking trail to the summit of Yen Tu (Dong Pagoda) is approximately 6,000 meters, requiring 6 hours of continuous walking through thousands of stone steps and winding mountain forest paths. In the more than 2,000-year history of Vietnamese Buddhism, Yen Tu is a place closely associated with the name and life of Emperor Tran Nhan Tong – the founder of the Truc Lam Zen sect – a Zen school deeply rooted in Vietnamese Buddhist identity. This sacred land was also the Buddhist capital of ancient Dai Viet.
In particular, the Bronze Pagoda, located on the summit of Yen Tu Mountain and cast entirely of pure copper, is a place that evokes unforgettable emotions. The Bronze Pagoda, situated on the summit of Yen Tu Mountain, is officially named Thien Truc Tu, after the land of the Buddha, befitting the "supreme" position of Yen Tu peak. At the site of the current Bronze Pagoda, there was once a small bronze temple. Inside, there was a statue of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, and the bell and other religious artifacts were all made of copper.
Ngoc Anh (TH)
