ℹ️ Bich Dong Pagoda
🛕 History of Bich Dong
🚍 How to go to Bich Dong
☀️ When to visit Bich Dong
🏡 Where to accommodate
❓ Questions + Answers
📸 Photos of Bich Dong
Bich Dong Pagoda – another historical site in Ninh Binh (Trang An).
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- Personally, I find the area in Ninh Binh very interesting both in terms of history and cultural and natural heritage. The city of Ninh Binh is easily accessible from Hanoi and getting around is very easy if you have a scooter / motorcycle or even a bicycle. Anyone going to northern Vietnam should visit this place. One of the very popular and visited places is the Bich Dong Pagoda + Dark Cave (Chùa Bích Động), which is right next to the pagoda (there are 2 other caves nearby). Bich Dong Pagoda is only about 3 km from Tam Coc boat wharf, it is a tourist center of Tam Coc.
- The whole area in Tam Coc is a very impressive karst area, interspersed with rivers, and even the Bich Dong Pagoda is part of the fascinating Trang An scenic complex. Well, it is there in Ninh Hai village, Hoa Lu district that this pagoda and cave is hidden among the hills and small mountains. Trang An is one of the most visited places in this area, but also in northern Vietnam. Especially on the New Lunar New Year celebrations, it is very popular by Vietnamese people. Boat tours in Tam Coc and Trang An are very popular. So you have to count on the fact that you will simply be in a top touristic and visited place, where many foreigners also come.
The history of Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Hai dates back to the 15th century.
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- If we look at the absolute beginning and the origin of Bich Dong Pagoda, it is the year 1428, when the pagoda was founded and built in the Ngu Nhac Mountains. In the 18th century, two monks (Tri Kien and Tri The) decided that repairs would be made to the original structure and it would also be expanded. To this end, they asked for donations from other devout followers of the Buddhist religion and began their work to build three temples in the area of the mountain known as Bich Dong. Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Hai village consists of 3 pagodas. The pagodas are called – Ha (Lower), Trung (Middle) and Thuong (Upper) which are connected by stone steps from the bottom up to a cave with shrines and a nice view of the surrounding area.
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- In the coming years of the 18th century, several prominent figures of Vietnam, such as Trịnh Sâm, came to Bich Dong Pagoda and decided to call the place „Bach Ngoc Thanh Son Dong“ because of the beautiful scenery in front of their eyes. It means something like „Temple of blue stone that has the beauty of white pearl“. The pagodas are mainly built with wood and stone, a material that was mainly used in that 18th century to build pagodas and palaces or temples. The pagodas are shaped like the Chinese word „Dinh“ (工), have a two-storey roof and eight other smaller roofs. The overall view of the three pagodas is reminiscent of the Chinese word „Tam“ (三), which means the number 3.
Bich Dong Pagoda (Chùa Bích Động) = 3 pagodas in total:
1. Ha Pagoda – lower pagoda at the foot of the mountain behind the entrance
2. Trung Pagoda – pagoda above the stairs, half in the cave
3. Thuong Pagoda – pagoda is a part of cave, 2 shrines
Bich Dong Pagoda is part of the popular Tam Coc (Tam Cốc – Bích Động).
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- Tam Coc is approximately 3 km away, a place of karst scenery and popular boat trips. Therefore, this place is also called as Tam Coc – Bich Dong and is part of various group tours that go from Tam Coc to Bich Dong Pagoda and Trang An. The entire Tam Coc area also offers other historical sites and palaces (for example Am Tien Pagoda) or even caves that are part of the Trang An complex.
- Bich Dong Pagoda also offers about 3 caves in the vicinity, one is part of the already mentioned pagoda, the other is a few hundred meters behind the pagoda in the valley, where you can go by a marked path. One more cave is supposed to be next to the valley, but I didn’t visit this cave and don’t know the exact route.
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- The cave, which is part of Trung Pagoda (Bich Dong Pagoda), is also called „Dark Cave“ (Hang Toi). Previously, during the French colonization, this cave was just a place where Vietnamese patriots made some weapons. There is also a copper bell in the cave, and it was said that the victim of some injustice who rings the 3 bells here will get justice and their pain will disappear. So you can also try it in this cave.
- The cave is not particularly large, but it is quite magical, there are stalactites and it is interestingly located in the mountain and from this cave you can go to the last small Thuong Pagoda. And a little bit from here, there are more stairs leading to a lookout over the valley behind this pagoda and cave. Then you can also go down into the valley and look into another small cave (but this cave was close during my visit.
Bich Dong Pagoda can be reached from Hanoi or Ninh Binh in various ways.
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- If you want to go to Bich Dong Pagoda (or Tam Coc), you have several options of transport. Travel distance from Hanoi to Bich Dong Pagoda is about 110 km via Ninh Binh city and Tam Coc. From Hanoi to Ninh Binh there are trains of Vietnam Railways, buses, private minivans or cars. Some minivans and buses from Hanoi also go straight to Tam Coc to the boat wharf and you can buy these tickets online. So, from Tam Coc it’s only 3km to Bich Dong Pagoda and you can get here either by scooter, motorbike or even by bike or taxi.
❱ How to go from Hanoi to Tam Coc? ❰
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- I recommend to get around Tam Coc and Trang An complex either by scooter / motorbike or by bicycle. If you are afraid of driving a motorbike, you can also use a motorbike transport with a driver, it is called mototaxi (or Grab). That being said, Ninh Binh is a lowland area, so it is easy to get around the whole Trang An area. Tam Coc is the biggest base for tourists in this area and you can stay in the area. There is no airport in Ninh Binh, so forget about air travel. Ninh Binh Railway Station is about 4 km from Tam Coc.
When is the best time to visit Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh?
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- The best time to visit Bich Dong Pagoda is September – October or spring months, which is the same as for the whole Ninh Binh area. In reality, however, you can of course come all year round. Officially, Bich Dong Pagoda is open all day, so just come during the day as you like. In the summer months, the Ninh Binh area can get heavier rains, it’s monsoon season and so there is a risk of very high temperatures. You can also come in winter, but you will miss the colours of nature a bit and the temperatures can be lower, so this is for those who can’t stand the extreme tropics. Read this article: Weather in Ninh Binh
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- There is no entrance fee to Bich Dong Pagoda (I don’t rule out that it may be changed in the future), entrance is still free for now, you can leave a voluntary entrance fee in the pagoda if you wish. Only the parking lot in front of the pagoda entrance, in front of the lake, is paid. You should also beware of some people who may offer tickets to tourists around the pagoda, definitely do not buy any tickets from these people, they are scammers.
1. If you can, skip the monsoon season (summer months)
2. September > October – a good time to visit Ninh Binh
3. Temperatures can be lower in the winter months.
Where to stay close to Bich Dong Pagoda and Tam Coc?
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- If you’d like to stay in the area around Bich Dong Pagoda, there are some very nice homestays or private bungalows. These are mostly bungalows, homestays or resorts and located in close proximity around the pagoda. This neighborhood is a bit quieter than the Tam Coc center by the boat harbor, so on the one hand it’s not bad to stay here and explore the whole Trang An scenic complex or Tam Coc from here. A couple of the tourist resorts are also very upmarket, otherwise they are standard bungalows / homestays of very decent quality at lower prices.
Accommodation in Ninh Hai (Bich Dong Pagoda):
▶️ Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow
▶️ Tam Coc Valley Homestay
▶️ An Ngoc Tam Coc Bungalow
▶️ Tam Coc La Montagne
❓ Practical Information — Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh:
1. Where is Bich Dong Pagoda located?
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- Bich Dong Pagoda is located about 110 km from Hanoi, approximately 10 km from the centre of Ninh Binh in Ninh Hai village. The pagoda is 3 km away from Tam Coc, which is a big tourist and popular place. The whole area is part of the Trang An scenic complex, which is the most visited place in Ninh Binh.
2. How old is Bich Dong Pagoda?
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- The origins of Bich Dong Pagoda date back to 1428. In the 18th century, the pagoda was repaired and expanded.
3. How to travel from Hanoi to Bich Dong Pagoda?
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- If you want to get as close to this pagoda as possible, you can use some private minivans, buses that run from Hanoi to Tam Coc. Another option is to take trains of Vietnam Railways, tourist buses or private cars to Ninh Binh town or minivans to another place of Trang An complex.
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- From Hanoi to Bich Dong Pagoda – private minivans, buses or cars to Tam Coc
- From Ninh Binh to Bich Dong Pagoda – private car, taxi, mototaxi, motorbike
- From Trang An Ecotourism Site to Bich Dong Pagoda – motorbike, private car/taxi
4. Is it necessary to have a tourist guide to Bich Dong Pagoda?
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- No, you don’t need a tourist guide to visit Bich Dong Pagoda, it is a small but very nice place, easily accessible.
5. What is the dresscode for Bich Dong Pagoda?
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- Reasonably, you’re going to a historical sacred place, so you’re probably not going to come here in a swimsuit. I mean, there’s no one guarding it, but respect is in order. Personally, I was in shorts and a T-shirt. Don’t take pictures anywhere naked.
6. Is it necessary to buy tickets to Bich Dong Pagoda?
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- No, entry to Bich Dong Pagoda is free, you don’t need any tickets. It can’t be ruled out that this will change in the future. Beware of some scammers in the area who may offer tourists tickets to this place, don’t buy anything like that. There is only a charge for motorbike/car parking outside the entrance to the pagoda area.
7. What you can see in Bich Dong Pagoda?
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- Bich Dong Pagoda is an important historical site, you can see small pagodas, temples, caves, shrines or prayer houses. There are also some preserved spiritual relics or Buddhist statues or even a copper bell.
8. When is the best time to visit Bich Dong Pagoda?
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- If you want to explore the Ninh Binh area for more days, I recommend choosing either the beginning of autumn (September, October) or the spring season (April, May). In winter it can be very cold, the surroundings are not very colourful and in summer there is a possibility of heavy rains and very hot weather.
9. What are the opening hours of Bich Dong Pagoda?
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- Officially, Bich Dong Pagoda is open all day. All day means just come sometime during the day.
10. Is it possible to stay at Bich Dong Pagoda?
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- Yes, if you would like to stay around the pagoda, which is not a bad idea compared to downtown Tam Coc, you can find some bungalows or homestays and resorts here as well. For example, these are very well rated: Tam Coc Valley Homestay and or Tam Coc Mountain Bungalow.
11. How big is Bich Dong Pagoda and how to pass it?
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- Bich Dong Pagoda is not a very big complex and you can just walk through it here, a few steps into the cave. You can then follow the marked path into the valley and past another small cave, the valley is behind the pagoda.
12. Is it possible to buy some food and refreshments here?
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- Immediately in front of the pagoda there are a couple of restaurants and you can buy small snacks and drinks.
13. Where can you go from Bich Dong Pagoda?
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- If you are already at this pagoda, you can continue further, for example to the Thung Nham Bird Park, located about 5 km west of Bich Dong Pagoda. You can go to the park by motorbike, bicycle or you can walk.
14. How to go to Ninh Binh from Hanoi Noi Bai Airport?
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- Traveling from Noi Bai Airport to Ninh Binh offers a range of transportation options to suit every traveler’s preferences. Whether you opt for the economical convenience of buses, the comfort of private taxis, or the adventurous combination of bus and train travel, your journey promises to be filled with excitement and memorable experiences awaiting you in the stunning landscapes of Ninh Binh.
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Map of the travel route from Hanoi to Bich Dong Pagoda:
(the most convenient way is of course to combine the trip with a visit to other places in Ninh Binh, e.g. Tam Coc).
Bich Dong Pagoda and surroundings in Ninh Binh — Photos:
| Interesting Facts about Bich Dong Pagoda: | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Ancient Religious Heritage: |
Bich Dong Pagoda is an ancient religious complex that has been a source of spiritual inspiration for centuries. It was built in the 15th century, during the Le Dynasty, and has been a site of veneration and pilgrimage ever since. The pagoda’s rich history connects visitors to Vietnam’s spiritual heritage. |
| 2. Three-Tiered Structure: |
What sets Bich Dong Pagoda apart is its distinctive three-tiered structure, which is nestled into the limestone karsts that dominate the landscape. The pagoda is divided into three levels, each with its own temple and unique religious significance. The climb to the upper levels rewards visitors with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. |
| 3. Natural Splendor: |
Bich Dong Pagoda is renowned for its awe-inspiring natural setting. Surrounded by limestone mountains, serene water bodies, and lush vegetation, the pagoda exemplifies the captivating beauty of Ninh Binh. The harmonious blend of spirituality and nature makes it a cherished destination for photographers and nature enthusiasts. |
| 4. Cave of Marvels: |
One of the highlights of Bich Dong Pagoda is the cave system that runs through the karst formations. The main cave, known as „Nam,“ or the lower cave, is adorned with intricate altars, ancient statues, and the soft glow of natural light filtering through the limestone. The cave’s mysterious ambiance adds to the spiritual experience of the pagoda. |
| 5. Scenic Boat Rides: |
To reach Bich Dong Pagoda, visitors can embark on a scenic boat ride along the Ngo Dong River. The journey passes through the stunning Tam Coc region, often referred to as „Halong Bay on Land.“ The tranquil waters and breathtaking karst formations set the stage for the spiritual pilgrimage that awaits. |
| 6. Preservation of History: |
Bich Dong Pagoda has undergone extensive preservation efforts to ensure that its historical and cultural treasures remain intact. Conservationists and authorities have worked tirelessly to protect the pagoda and its artifacts, ensuring that future generations can continue to explore its wonders. |
| 7. Cultural Significance: |
The pagoda is not only a place of worship but also a cultural hub. It is the site of various festivals and events, including the Trung Thu Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival), during which locals and visitors come together to celebrate with traditional performances, music, and lantern displays. Bich Dong is a living testament to Vietnamese culture. |
| 8. A Literary Connection: |
Bich Dong Pagoda has literary significance as well. The site is associated with Nguyen Du, one of Vietnam’s most celebrated poets. It is believed that he composed part of his epic poem „The Tale of Kieu“ (Truyen Kieu) while visiting the pagoda. The connection to this literary masterpiece adds another layer of cultural depth. |
| 9. Ethereal Sunsets: |
The pagoda offers mesmerizing sunsets that cast a warm, golden glow over the surrounding landscape. Watching the sun dip below the limestone peaks while at Bich Dong Pagoda is an enchanting experience that leaves an indelible memory for visitors. The transition from day to dusk adds to the pagoda’s mystical charm. |
| 10. Spiritual Retreat: |
Bich Dong Pagoda serves as a spiritual retreat, allowing visitors to connect with their inner selves in a tranquil and awe-inspiring environment. The pagoda’s unique combination of spirituality, history, and natural beauty provides a profound sense of serenity and contemplation, making it a destination that touches the heart and soul. |
🎫 Book and buy your tickets / car from Hanoi to Ninh Binh + Schedule:
Bai Dinh Complex｜Hoa Lu in Ninh Binh｜Muong Hoa Valley｜Dong Van town｜Van Long Reserve｜Vinh to Dong Hoi｜Hang Doi Cave｜Tam Son town