Trang An River Tour

in Ninh Binh

Trang An
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Richard Mortel

Trang An Ninh Binh is a breathtaking eco-tourism destination, renowned for its natural landscapes, rich history, and cultural significance. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014, Trang An has been a site of human occupation and activity for more than 30,000 years.

Trang An Ninh Binh attracts a large number of visitors each year, drawn by its stunning natural beauty, featuring majestic mountains and tranquil waterways. This location has been featured in several blockbuster movies, such as “Blood Letter,” “Tam Cam: The Untold Story,” and “Kong: Skull Island,” making it a must-visit on your Vietnam travel itinerary.

1. Introduction to Trang An Ninh Binh

Trang An Eco-tourism Site is part of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, situated in Ninh Binh Province, 90 kilometers south of Hanoi. Covering over 2,000 hectares, the site comprises a network of waterways, limestone karsts, and caves.

Trang An features a 250-million-year-old geological system of limestone mountains with diverse ecosystems, including flooded forests, limestone mountains, and archaeological and cultural relics. Emperor Đinh Tiên Hoàng chose Trang An as the southern protective barrier for the imperial capital of Hoa Lu in the 10th century. During the resistance against the Yuan dynasty, the Trần Dynasty used it as the Vu Lam Palace. The site retains many historical relics from the Dinh and Tran dynasties.

It is renowned for its striking natural beauty, including towering limestone cliffs, verdant forests, and pristine rivers. Trang An caves enchant visitors with their magnificent stalactite formations. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, Trang An Eco-tourism Complex is significant for both its natural and cultural heritage.

Which Boat Tour Should I take?

Trang An Wharf is located approximately 7 km from Ninh Binh city and can be easily reached along well-maintained roads. Tickets are priced at around 250,000 VND for adults and 120,000 VND for children between 1 and 1.3 meters in height (free for children under 1 meter). Visitors have a choice of three different routes:

Tour 1 – Cave exploration (9 caves, 3 temples) : This is the longest of the three, taking 3 to 5 hours to explore all the attractions, including spiritual and exhilarating caverns. This route includes scenic travel through caves and temples. The itinerary is as follows:

  • Boat wharf
  • Trình Temple
  • Hang Tối (Dark Cave)
  • Hang Sáng (Morning Cave)
  • Nấu Rượu (Cooking Alcohol) Cave
  • Trần Temple
  • Ba Giọt Cave
  • Hang Seo (Seo Cave)
  • Hang Sơn Dương (Son Duong Cave)
  • Phủ Khống (Khong Temple)
  • Chùa Báo Hiếu (Bao Hieu Pagoda)
  • Hang Khống (Khong Cave)
  • Hang Trần (Tran Cave)
  • Hang Quy Hậu (Quy Hau Cave)
  • Return to the Boat wharf

Tour 2 – The shortest boat tour in Trang An (4 caves, 3 temples): This winds through Lam, Vang, Thanh Truot, and Dai caves, and Suoi Tien Temple. This route takes visitors back to the 13th century, highlighting sites and temples from the Tran Dynasty (1226-1400), known for their architectural brilliance. The final destination is the Hollywood filming site of “Kong: Skull Island.” The tour lasts around 2 hours, depending on how long you stay at each site. The itinerary is:

  • Boat wharf
  • Hang Lãm (Lam Cave)
  • Thanh Cao Son Temple
  • Hang Vàng (Golden Cave)
  • Hang Thánh Trượt (Thanh Truot Cave)
  • Đền Suối Tiên (Suoi Tien Temple)
  • Hang Dài (Dai Cave)
  • Hành Cung Vũ Lâm (Vu Lam Palace)
  • Return to Boat wharf

Tour 3 – Explore the longest cave (3 caves, 3 temples):This tour focuses on the geological and aquatic wonders of Trang An. The highlight is Hang Mây, a natural cave over 1000 meters long with crystals and stalactites. This tour typically takes 2 to 3.5 hours. The itinerary is:

  • Boat wharf
  • Trình Temple
  • Hang Mây (Cloud Cave)
  • Đền Suối Tiên (Suoi Tien Temple)
  • Hang Địa Linh (Dia Linh Cave)
  • Hang Đại (Dai Cave)
  • Hành Cung Vũ Lâm (Vu Lam Palace)
  • Kong film studio (aboriginal village)
  • Return to the Boat wharf

Trang An Caves

Light Cave and Dark Cave

Light Cave (Sang Cave) and Dark Cave (Toi Cave) are adjacent to each other. As their names suggest, Light Cave is naturally illuminated, showcasing magnificent karst formations inside. In contrast, Dark Cave is devoid of light, requiring a flashlight to observe its beautiful stalactites.

Wine Brewing Cave

The Wine Brewing Cave (Nau Ruou Cave) is an intriguing stop on the Trang An boat tour. Historically renowned for brewing exquisite wines for the Kings, this cave still houses old-fashioned wine jars, offering a glimpse into its storied past.

Sinh Cave, Si Cave, and Ba Giot Cave

These three caves are linked to a tragic love story. According to legend, a young man fell in love with a princess, but their romance ended in sorrow. The princess was sent to a neighboring country, leaving the young man heartbroken. He ended his life at Si Cave. Visitors can admire the stunning views inside these caves while reflecting on this poignant tale.

Trang An Temples & Sites

Trinh Temple

The ancient Den Trinh, also known as the Dot Temple, was built over a thousand years ago in the shape of the letter “Dinh”. Following several renovations, the temple now honors the “Four Pillars of the Court” of the Dinh dynasty. These four divine beings, along with King Dinh Tien Hoang, played a crucial role in quelling the rebellion of the 12 feudal lords, uniting the country, and establishing Dai Co Viet. In front of the temple, two large stone carp stand prominently. Below them, numerous carp are regularly fed by the temple caretakers.

Đền Suối Tiên (Suoi Tien Temple)

The Suoi Tien Temple, nestled amidst stunning natural landscapes and accessible only by boat, honors Saint Quy Minh Dai Vuong and his consort. Every spring, the festival of Saint Quy Minh Dai Vuong is celebrated with a grand river parade featuring a hundred boats. The procession passes through ten caves into the Fairy Stream. Participants pray for national peace, favorable weather, abundant harvests, and happiness for all.

Hanh Cung Vu Lam

Hanh Cung Vu Lam, also known as Hanh Cung Vu Lam, holds significant religious and historical importance in Vietnam. Once a military base during the Tran Dynasty, it also served as a venue for kings to engage in Buddhist practices. It played a crucial role for the early Tran kings in bolstering their forces during the second and third Mongol invasions. Additionally, this site is notable for its association with the Tran kings’ practice of Buddhism and the expansion of Buddhist teachings. The Hanh Cung area encompasses seven worship sites.

Kong: Skull Island Film Set

From the Vu Lam Citadel, you can walk to the movie set of “Kong: Skull Island.” This site, which will particularly interest fans of the film, offers the chance to explore an area of outstanding scenic beauty featured in the famous movie.

Tips for a Comfortable Tour

As all tours take several hours, guests are advised to wear loose clothing, bring a hat or umbrella, a waterproof bag for electronics, and refreshments. There are wonderful spots for a picnic during stops to explore temples and gardens. The sun reflecting off the clear stream can make it quite warm, so staying cool and hydrated is important. Swimming or bathing is not allowed as Trang An is a nature reserve.

To improve your experience, guides may present a survey. If you have any concerns or issues during your trip, please contact the management via social media or the hotline number provided on the boat.

The Trang An River Tour appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Ninh Binh!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Visiting Trang An River Tour

Hours:

7:00 am – 6:00 pm


Price:

250,000 VND/person

Address: Tràng An, Đông Thành, Ninh Bình, Vietnam
Official Website

Nearby Attractions

Similar Blogs