Updated: 28 Jul 2023
Bich Dong Pagoda is an ancient temple with a quiet and mysterious beauty. Mountains, caves and pagodas harmonize to create a unique landscape. During a trip to Ninh Binh, if you miss Bich Dong Pagoda, it is a big pity. Let's join Local Tours Vietnam to discover what's so special about this sacred temple!
Where is Bich Dong Pagoda?
BIch Dong Pagoda is located in Dam Khe village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. This place is one of the famous scenic spots in the ancient capital, also known as "Nam Thien De Nhi Dong" (The second most beautiful place in the South sky after Huong Tich cave in Hanoi).
What does Bich Dong Pagoda have attract tourist?
The way to the pagoda
Bich Dong Pagoda was built according to a special structure, different from the triangle shape (Han characters) with 3 pagodas not adjacent to each other but located at different heights, respectively: Lower pagoda, Trung pagoda, Thuong pagoda, respectively.
The image of the pagoda hidden behind the rows of giant trees creates a more ancient and pure part, merging with nature in a spectacular way.
Ha Pagoda
There is a single stone path about 55m long that is the only place you can go to the temple.
Ha Pagoda consists of 5 compartments built in the high ground at the foot of the mountain, structured according to the word Dinh. It has 2 domes with all 8 roofs. The pillars of Ha Pagoda are made entirely of block stone over 4m high. In the olden days with such architecture it was a miracle.
In the temple in the middle, on the top of the Tien Duong, hangs a great picture in Chinese characters "Mao Co Than Thanh" which means that this ancient temple is very sacred. In the upper hall is a place to worship Buddha, next in order of steps from top to bottom are Buddha statues, worshiping objects such as lamps, incense peaks,...
Trung Pagoda
After visiting Ha Pagoda, you return to the yard, look to the North, there is a road about 80m long. This is the road that takes you halfway up the mountain, where Trung Pagoda is located. Unlike Ha Pagoda, Trung Pagoda is built according to the architecture of the semi-roof outside.
Trung Pagoda only has the veranda and the roof exposed, the rest of the inside of the temple is completely inside the mountain cave. There are 3 rooms to worship Buddha, on the left is the shrine to the mother. Above the roof of the pagoda is the Chinese inscription "Bich Dong" placed at the command of King Trinh Sam.
Dark Dynamic
After worshiping Buddha in Upper Palace, you go another 21 steps to Dark Cave. Outside the cave entrance, you can see a large bell cast by the monks Tri Kien and Tri The in 1707.
Dark Cave is a long cave, equipped with electric lights for visitors to easily visit. Here you will see the beauty of the cave under the electric light appearing in a shimmering, fanciful way. You will see the image of the fairy, the dragon gliding, ... meticulously carved, feats. Everything appears before your eyes like a petrified fairy world that nature brings.
Thuong Pagoda
To get to Thuong Pagoda, you have to go another 40 steps along the mountainside. Thuong Pagoda, about 60m higher than the yard, is the tall pagoda of Bich Dong Pagoda, located near the top of Bich Dong Mountain. There are two shrines on both sides of the pagoda to worship Tho Dia and Duc Son Than. There is a lake called "Cam Lo Water Tank" by Guan Yin Bodhisattva.
Here you can see 5 independent mountains adoring towards Bich Dong Pagoda like lotus flowers. It is called Ngu Hanh Son, including 5 mountains Hang Based, Dau Cau mountain, Con Lon mountain, Tam Sang mountain and Gia Dinh mountain.
How to get to Bich Dong Pagoda?
Because Bich Dong Pagoda is located in the tourist complex of Tam Coc - Bich Dong, you should combine visiting Tam Coc with Bich Dong Pagoda. You only have one way to reach Tam Coc, which is to go to the beginning of the villages in Van Lam, then to the Ngo Dong river wharf. In Tam Coc, if you want to go to Bich Dong Pagoda, you can rent bicycles, motorbikes, taxis or walk to enjoy the scenery.
Ticket price:
- Adults: 120,000VND/person
- Children: 60,000VND/person
Notes when visiting Bich Dong Pagoda:
- Please prepare food and water to make it more convenient to visit Bich Dong pagoda
- Since this is a spiritual site, please dress modestly
- You should wear climbing shoes to make it easier to move
If you are busy or unable to arrange a tour for yourself, Contact us to make your trip to Bich Dong pagoda better!