Bich Dong Pagoda | Unique Pagoda inside the mountain - History

Bich Dong pagoda was built in the style of Tam in Han scripts, consisting of three detached buildings, based on the mountain position from low to high into three separate pagodas, hidden under the ancient green trees in the middle of the same Rocky Mountains. Let's find out more information with Go Viet Trip

1. History of Bich Dong pagoda and location.

Following Monk Thich Dam Tho said: "Bich Dong used to be a small pagoda at the top of the mountain. It is unknown when it was built. One of the ancient epitaphs in Chua Thuong records that, at the end of Dinh dynasty, early Tien dynasty (about the 10th century). The current scale was completed four hundred years ago".

In 1705, two monks, Tri Kien and Tri The from Nghia Hung district, Nam Dinh province, met as brothers. Coming here, seeing Bich Dong mountain has beautiful terrain and already has a small pagoda, so the two monks decided to stop, fix the old pagoda on their own, and rebuild it into three pagodas: Ha, Trung, and Thuong to lead a religious life. In 1707, two monks Tri Kien and Tri The, cast a giant bronze bell, still hang in Dark Cave.

 

ancient bronze bell in bich dong pagoda 

An ancient bronze bell still hanging on the cliff.

1.1 Location

It's located on Ngu Nhac Son mountain range, in Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, a cultural and historical relic belonging to Trang An - Tam Coc - Bich Dong scenic complex. About 2km from Tam Coc wharf.
 

2. Bich Dong pagoda opening hours

  • Opening from 07:00 am - 17:00 everyday

2.1. Bich Dong pagoda entrance fee

It is free for everyone. Please be careful because some people in front of the pagoda try to make you pay for the ticket!
 

3. What to see in Bich Dong pagoda Ninh Binh

Bich Dong means very green. The past named it because green trees surrounded the pagoda, and the scenery was peaceful to healing your soul.
The pagoda includes three different pagodas Chua Ha (lower), Chua Trung (Middle), Chua Thuong (Upper)

 

3.1. Chua Ha (Lower)

This is built on a high ground of the mountain, including eight roofs. The stone pillars at the lower pagoda are made of one block, unconnected, higher than 4m.
 

bich dong pagoda chua ha lower

Chua Ha 

3.2. Chua Trung (Middle)

From Chua Ha, visitors climb 120 stone steps up the S-shaped path to the middle of the Ngu Nhac mountain range is Chua Trung. Right in front is two words Bich Dong carved into the cliff. This is a unique pagoda, a half outside Limestone Mountain.

 bich dong pagoda chua trung middle

Chua Trung 

Dark cave
From Chua Trung, it is about 6 m high to reach Dark Cave. This is the main cave, deep, quiet, long, quite sloping. Dark Cave is on the 2nd floor with 8 meters high.

 

3.3. Chua Thuong (Upper)


Going to Thuong Pagoda, visitors have to step up to nearly 40 stone steps along the mountain. Chua Thuong is also known as Eastern Pagoda and worships Bodhisattva. This is a temple located at the highest position, near the Peak of Bich Dong Mountain. From the top overlooking the far side, five independent mountains are looking like five lotus petals.

 thuong pagoda

Way up to Chua Thuong

bich dong pagoda chua thuong upper

Chua Thuong

 3.4. Xuyen Thuy water cave

Xuyen Thuy water cave is a dark and flooded cave located along the length of Bich Dong, through the mountain under the Bich Dong Pagoda. It's about 350 m long, winding from the east to the west. The average width of Xuyen Thuy cave is 6m, the most comprehensive place is 15 m. The ceilings and walls of the cave are usually flat with various shapes.

The entrance is behind the mountain, facing the road to Bich Dong. At the end of the journey through the cave, visitors can climb up to Bich Dong Pagoda.

 

 bich dong pagoda ninh binh

In front of Bich Dong Pagoda

 

4. When is the best time to visit Bich Dong Pagoda Vietnam?

Visitors are not required to pick the right time because no matter the wet or sunny weather, the beauty is not much affected. However, May and June is the lotus bloom season. You can see the incredible scenery.
 

4.1. Tips for visitors


You should bring comfortable sneakers instead of high heels or doll shoes to protect your feet and move because you will have to climb mountains, pagodas quite a lot.
Should wear polite clothes when entering the temple, and comfortable clothes should not wear too short.
If you go by motorbike or bicycle, you need to pay the parking fee
Parking for bicycles is 5000/bike
Motorbike is 10.000/ motorbike.


>>> Read more Ninh Binh tours with the best prices, services, and itinerary

Go Viet Trip hope that this article will help you understand more about Ninh Binh if you need more help. Please feel free to contact us: Email: Goviettrip@gmail.com or hotline +84968667589. We are guarantee about quality and prices. Get a full refund if you do not feel happy with our services.

Author Hoan Nguyen
Photos: Go Viet Trip, Internet

He has over 10 years of experience working in the tourism sector and operator. He has traveled to many places in Vietnam and around the world.


 
 
 

author hoan
My name is Hoan and I come from Hanoi, with more than 10 years working in the tourism industry (both as a tour guide then tour operator). I am very proud to say that I can give you the best advice for your trip to beautiful Vietnam.
 

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