Bich Dong Pagoda, Ninh Binh

The period from January to March of the lunar calendar is considered the most ideal time to visit Bich Dong Pagoda. The climate in Ninh Binh at this time is very cool, comfortable and almost rain-free. You will have a chance to enjoy the lively, cheerful yet still poetic atmosphere of the ancient capital.

However, you can visit Bich Dong Pagoda in late May or early June. Greeting you with a full-blooming rice field overwhelming throughout your way. The green of the young rice or the bright yellow of rice paddy will make you think of the enchantingly beautiful nature picture.

If you depart from far, you should choose to travel by train or airplane. In Hanoi, the common schedules to Ninh Binh are SE1 (7.30 pm), SE3 (10.00 pm), SE5 (9.00 am), SE7 (6.00 am) and SE19 (8.05 pm). Meanwhile, in Ho Chi Minh City, there is the SE8 (6.00 am) train.

There is only one waterway to get to Tam Coc is passing Cac temple in Van Lam village, then to Ngo Dong river terminal. From Tam Coc, visitors can go to Bich Dong by renting bicycles, motorbikes, taxis or walking to enjoy the scenery.

Visiting Bich Dong Pagoda does not require an entrance fee, however, you need to buy a ticket to visit Tam Coc - Bich Dong with a ticket price of 120,000 VND for each adult and 60,000 VND for each child.

When visiting the Pagoda, visitors will cross a stone bridge leading to the Tam Quan gate. This area’s gate bears a strong impression of ancient architecture with three-tiered design and sophisticated curved brick roof. This is also the best check-in place to make a poetic village picture with lotus pond and surrounding rocks creating a dreamy scene.

The Lower Pagoda is designed with Dinh letter- style architecture. The roof has a total of 8 curved tiers and 2 levels. All 4m high columns of the pagoda are meticulously and elaborately cast from single solid stone. The stone bridge with jade stone is the only path to the pagoda.

Inside the pagoda, looking upward in the central area of the front hall, you will see a large inscription written in Chinese characters “A very spiritual pagoda” indicating that this pagoda is very scary. The upper hall is a place to worship Buddha, beside it are altars arranged from high to low, displaying several worship items like lamps, incense, etc.

The Upper Pagoda is located highest position near the peak of Bich Dong mountain, more than 60m from the yard of the Lower Pagoda. The Upper Pagod worships Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. On both sides of the pagoda, there are two temples worshipping mountain god and the god of the soil. Moreover, there is a water tank named “Cam Lo”, meaning “merciful water” of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva which is said to have the ability to revive the dead in Vietnamese legend.

Visitors are often excited when they come to the Upper Pagoda because from here they can see up to 5 other mountains called The Five Great Mountains. The 5 mountains, including Hang Dua Mountain, Con Lon Mountain, Dau Cau Mountain, Gia Dinh Mountain and Tam Sang Mountain, combine to make 5 petals of a lotus flower.

Dark Cave has a long space with lights inside to help visitors easily explore the scenery. You will be surprised and excited by the natural and majestic construction under warm light, including winding dragons, fairies, small statues, etc. All are meticulously carved on block stones, sophisticated, like a fairy world in reality.

You need to climb 21 stone steps to reach the Dark Cave. Coming to the front gate, you can see a big bronze bell, cast in 1707 by 2 monks, Tri The and Tri Kien Duc. To the right of the cave entrance stand 3 dignified, towering stone Buddha statues. In the center is Amitabha Buddha, with Longevity Lord to the left and Thi Kinh Quan Yin to the right.

Bich Dong Pagoda is the ideal destination for those who love nature and spiritual places. Justfly hope our share can help you to have a memorable tour on this attractive destination.