The Jade Mountain Temple sits on a tiny island near the northern end of Hoan Kiem Lake, reached by crossing the The Huc Bridge — a red-painted wooden walkway on stilts that is one of the most photographed structures in Vietnam. The temple was built in the early 19th century and expanded throughout the 1800s, dedicated to the military hero Tran Hung Dao, the scholar Van Xuong, and the physician La To. Its name means "jade mountain," a poetic description of the wooded island on which it stands.
Inside the main building, past the entrance gates and incense burners, you'll find the glass case holding the preserved remains of the giant turtle, the largest individual ever recorded in Hoan Kiem. The animal lived in the lake for centuries and was spotted only occasionally; locals and pilgrims regarded these appearances as auspicious omens. The temple itself is small and often crowded, but take the time to walk its perimeter and look back across the water at the Turtle Tower and the trees of the opposite shore. Early morning is quieter, and the light on the red bridge is best then.