Mua Cave Viewpoint

Cave and Viewing Point in Ninh Binh

Han Mua
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Rod Waddington

Mua Cave Viewpoint or Hang Múa Peak and its famous twin pinnacles are among the top attractions in Ninh Binh province. Climbing the 496 stone steps carved into the rock to reach the summit is both challenging and rewarding. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to visit, both for the stunning panoramic views of the sunrise or sunset and for more comfortable temperatures, as midday can be quite hot on the mountain. The entrance area is well-shaded, with numerous small coffee shops, restaurants, and even homestays, making it convenient for those who want an early start. Hang Mua offers an unforgettable experience with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and numerous “selfie” spots to capture your visit.

The area is often referred to as the “Ha Long Bay on Land” due to it’s limestone karsts that are very similar to the ones in Ha Long Bay Vietnam.

Hang Mua Viewpoint
Unsplash / Fuu J

The Legend of Hang Múa

According to legend, when King Tran arrived in Hoa Lu to establish the Thai Vi Temple, he enjoyed watching dancing performances by ladies in this cave. Consequently, the cave was named “Hang Mua,” which means “Dance Cave.”

Tiger Cave

Just before you reach the famous Mua Caves stairs, you’ll encounter the only accessible cave, known as Tiger Cave. It’s a small cave, worth a quick look. However, compared to the caves on the Trang An Boat Tour, it is not particularly impressive.

Stairway to Heaven – The Dragon Stairs

The “stairway to heaven” of over 500 steps provides relatively easy access to the summit, offering incredible vistas from one of the region’s geological giants. A delicate dragon image at the foot of the stairs welcomes travelers on their journey upward, and there’s another dragon at the top to mark the summit.

Hang-Mua-Dragon-Stairs
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Nickolay Pirogov'

The architectural features of Hang Múa include various images of animals such as Nghe (Vietnamese guardian lions) statues and reliefs depicting Vietnamese spiritual and architectural culture. These figures are placed on stone pillars along the stairway, creating a sense of companionship and protection during the climb.

The observation deck on the left fork of the stairs stands 142 meters high and 800 meters wide, providing a vantage point that dates back to 1226, when it was used strategically to track and repel Mongol invaders. Over the centuries, it has also served as a retreat for meditation, festivals, and feasts.

The path forks about two-thirds of the way up with the left fork leading to the higher of the two pinnacles and the Dragon Viewpoint and the right leading to the Pagoda Viewpoint.

If you are heare before the crowds, head to the left to the Dragon Vierwpoint first before coming back here and going up the to the pagoda.

Pagoda Viewpoint

The Pagoda Viewpoint has a small Buddhist tower which overlooks the farms and villages below. The lotus fields directly below the Pagoda Viewpoint usually have a design in them.

Hang-Mua-Pagoda-Viewpoint

Dragon Viewpoint

The Dragon Viewpoint has a long dragon statue which overlooks and protects a large white marble statue of Guanyin (Quan Am in Vietnam). This area offers sweeping views of the southwest’s wild mountains and lakes, symbolizing the dragon and Guanyin welcoming the sunrise and sunset.

Hang-Mua-Dragon-Viewpoint
Unsplash / Jireh Foo

At the Dragon Viewpoint a statue of Quan Am, the Goddess of Mercy looks down from this mountaintop at Mua Caves.  The dragon at Hang Múa represents Nghe, one of the nine children of the god in Vietnamese mythology, highlighting the influence of both Chinese culture and local myths in Vietnamese religious architecture. This blend of Buddhism and local mythology creates a unique and spiritually rich experience for visitors.

How To Get To Mua Caves Viewpoint

The Mua Caves Viewpoint is situated in the Ninh Binh Province of Vietnam, just 3 miles from the popular tourist spot of Tam Coc and 4 miles from the Ninh Binh train station. You can easily reach the parking area by motorcycle or bicycle from Tam Coc or Ninh Binh. We rented a motorbike from our hotel in Tam Coc for the day and rode it to Mua Cave.

Motorbike rentals cost between 100,000-150,000 VND ($4-6) per day, with fuel for a full day costing no more than $3. Alternatively, you can rent a bicycle for 50,000 VND ($2) per day, and many hotels in Tam Coc offer free bicycle use.

The ride from Tam Coc town to Mua Caves viewpoint takes about 10 minutes by scooter. However, you may encounter delays, such as we did when a herd of water buffalo caused a traffic backup on the narrow road.

Parking Scam at Hang Mua Viewpoint

One important thing to be aware of when visiting Hang Mua Viewpoint is the presence of parking scams. A few hundred meters before the entrance, you’ll encounter several parking signs. The people there will claim that there is no parking at the entrance and insist you park on their property for a fee.They can be very persistent; I even witnessed one of them jumping in front of a tourist, nearly causing him to fall off his bike.

The Mua Cave Viewpoint appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Ninh Binh!

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Visiting Mua Cave Viewpoint

Hours:

Daily 6:00 AM -7:00 PM


Price:

100,000 VND per person ($4.2 USD)

Address: Viewpoint Đầm sen Hang múa, Ninh Xuân, Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình, Vietnam

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