Bich Dong Pagoda

Temple in Ninh Binh

Bich Dong Pagoda
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Vinnie Cartabiano

Renowned as a timeless cultural and historical relic in Vietnam, Bich Dong Pagoda is a captivating spiritual attraction for tourists worldwide. Visiting this pagoda allows you to worship, make offerings, enjoy a peaceful atmosphere, and learn more about Buddhism in Vietnam.

Bich Dong Pagoda

Ninh Binh is a province in Vietnam that boasts not only stunning natural landscapes but also ancient temples with unique and captivating architecture. Among these impressive sites, Bich Dong Pagoda stands out as a renowned tourist attraction in Ninh Binh. As a spiritual hub, it offers a serene retreat, taking pilgrims and tourists on a journey to the sacred realm of Buddhism amidst tranquil mountains.

1. Where is Bich Dong Pagoda? How to get there?

Bich Dong Pagoda is nestled in Ngu Nhac Mountain, Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province.

To reach the Tam Coc – Bich Dong area, travelers can use various means of transportation such as train, bus, motorbike, or car. The distance from Hanoi to Tam Coc – Bich Dong is approximately 110 kilometers.

You can board a train or take a bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, which takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. A train ticket from Hanoi costs approximately VND 110,000, while a bus ticket ranges from VND 70,000 to 210,000.

Once you reach Ninh Binh, it takes about 10 minutes by car to reach Tam Coc, where Bich Dong Pagoda is located. From Tam Coc, you can reach Bich Dong Pagoda by renting a bicycle or motorbike, taking a taxi, or walking to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

2. Learn about the long history of Bich Dong Pagoda

Originally constructed in 1428 during the reign of Emperor Ly Thai To, Bich Dong Pagoda was initially a small pagoda nestled in Ngu Nhac Mountain.

In 1705, two Buddhist monks named Tri Kien and Tri The discovered this pagoda and reconstructed it into three levels: Lower Pagoda (Ha Pagoda), Middle Pagoda (Trung Pagoda), and Upper Pagoda (Thuong Pagoda).

In 1774, Lord Trinh Sam of Dang Ngoai (Outer Land) visited the pagoda and was impressed by the breathtaking panoramic view of nature. The pagoda caught his attention, and he named it Bich Dong (Green Pearl Cave) Pagoda.

3. What to see at Bich Dong

Bich Dong Pagoda, located on a mountain, consists of three levels: Ha Pagoda, Trung Pagoda, and Thuong Pagoda. Each of the three pagodas has a roof with four upwardly curved corners, resembling the feathers of a phoenix’s tail.

3.1. Lower Pagoda (Ha Pagoda)

Located at the base of the mountain, Ha Pagoda is a two-story structure with 10 roofs and 5 rooms. It is made of an ironwood truss, crossbeams, and spars. Inside the pagoda, there is a remarkable 4-meter-tall monolithic stone pillar and an altar adorned with Buddha statues. The burning incense creates a sacred atmosphere.

3.2. Middle Pagoda (Trung Pagoda)

Halfway up Ngu Nhac Mountain, visitors can admire the beautifully constructed Trung Pagoda after climbing approximately 120 steps from the foot of Ha Pagoda. This unique Vietnamese pagoda features traditional tiled roofs and walls adorned with Chinese letters. Divided into two parts, one at the front and the other inside a mysterious cave, Trung Pagoda boasts figures of fairies, little boys, flying dragons, turtles, and Buddha. A massive bronze bell with intricate engravings hangs in the dark.

3.3. Upper Pagoda (Thuong Pagoda)

Ascending 40 steep stone steps from the dark blue caves of Trung Pagoda, visitors will reach the breathtaking Thuong Pagoda, the highest pagoda on the mountain. Thuong Pagoda has two rooms, a forecourt, and a stone altar in the outer room. The inner room houses a shrine of Bodhisattva. Beside Thuong Pagoda, there is a pond called Cam Lo, believed to cure all ailments.

3.4. Dark Cave Bich Dong

Just a few steps beyond Trung Pagoda lies Dark Cave, which can be reached by climbing about 21 steps. The cave features a large bronze bell cast by the two monks, Tri Kien and Tri The, in 1707. At the entrance, numerous Buddha statues add to the cave’s mystical ambiance. Moving forward, you will be amazed by the stunning paintings with embossed images decorating the cave’s walls.

3.5. Xuyen Thuy Cave

Xuyen Thuy Cave is a fascinating and unique semicircular cave that runs for approximately 350 meters along the Bich Dong massif from east to west. The average width of the cave is 6 meters, with the widest part being 15 meters. Visitors can reach the cave and Bich Dong Pagoda by taking the entrance to the Hydrodynamic River at the rear of the mountain, opposite the road to the pagoda.

4. Extra tips for your visit to Bich Dong Pagoda Vietnam

  • Prepare all necessary items in advance, as there are few stores outside the pagoda.
  • Bich Dong Pagoda is open year-round. The ideal times to visit are from April to June or from October to December. For a spring visit, January to March is suitable.
  • Wear appropriate and respectful clothing, avoiding revealing clothes.
  • Be prepared for a fair amount of walking and wear comfortable shoes.
  • Don’t miss exciting activities such as taking a Tam Coc boat tour, visiting the lesser-known Linh Coc Pagoda, and learning about the Tran Dynasty while admiring the stunning karst mountains at Thai Vi Temple.

Nestled amidst the rugged mountains and serene caves of Ngu Nhac Mountain, Bich Dong Pagoda is a mesmerizing ancient relic that exudes an aura of solemnity. Its harmonious blend of spiritual atmosphere and natural splendor forms an ethereal landscape that is truly one-of-a-kind. It is no wonder that visiting this mystical sanctuary is always considered one of the most exciting things to do in Ninh Binh.

The Bich Dong Pagoda appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Ninh Binh!

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Visiting Bich Dong Pagoda

Price:

To visit Bich Dong Pagoda, you need to buy a ticket to the Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourism complex, which costs VND 250,000 per adult and VND 120,000 per child.

Address: Bich Dong Pagoda, Ninh Hải, Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình, Vietnam

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