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.
The main gate of Bich Dong pagoda
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
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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.
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.
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.
Way up to Chua Thuong
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.
4. When is the best time to visit Bich Dong Pagoda Vietnam?
Visitors are not required to pick the right time because no matter whether it is wet or sunny weather, beauty is not affected much. 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 and pagodas quite a lot.
You should wear polite clothes when entering the temple, and comfortable clothes should not be 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.
5. Suggestion for Hoa Lu Tam Coc - Bich Dong Pagoda one day trip
7h30-8h00: Our tour guide from Govettrip will pick up you and your group from your hotel or at the confirmed meeting point in Hanoi Old Quarter.
10h00: Arrive Hoa Lu - the ancient capital of Vietnam from 986 to 1010. Visit Dinh and Le Temple Where you can learn more about the history of Vietnam and the war with the invaders.
Continues visist Bich Dong pagoda - uniqyue pagoda inside the moutain
12h10: Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, enjoy a buffet lunch with plenty of traditional foods such as spring rolls, goat meat, burned rice…etc.
13h00 - 13h05: After lunch continue going to visit Tam Coc wharf by taking the private sampan boat go along the Ngo Dong river to visit Tam Coc (three different caves). You can see a lot of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites in different colors along the way.
Our clients take photos from Tam Coc wharf
16h00: Get on the bus to return to Hanoi.
18h00 - 18h30: Arrive at Hanoi and drop off at your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quarter - Finish your unforgettable trip with Go Viet trip.
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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.
