Bích Động Pagoda, Ninh Bình

During the reign of King Lê Thái Tổ, 2 monks traveled far and wide in search of a suitable place to practice Buddhism. They stopped at Ngũ Nhạc Sơn Mountain and founded a pagoda for the worship of the Buddha. From 1749 - 1986, the pagoda was expanded and rebuilt, and named Bích Động Pagoda. King Tự Đức recognized it as the second most beautiful place in southern Vietnam and bestowed upon it the 5-character title: Nam Thiên đệ Nhị động.

The name Bích Động means “green grotto.” Green can also describe the vast, verdant mountains and forests. The rocks surrounding the pagoda have a similar hue. One especially striking feature is an enormous green rock beside the steps leading to Trung Sơn.