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Tam Coc-Bich Dong is known as "the second best cave in the south" for its serene beauty of the countryside and majestic limestone caves. It's an ideal destination to explore and admire the grandeur of nature. Join BDATrip to explore Tam Coc Bich Dong cave and enjoy every moment here!
Nestled within the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, the wonder of Tam Coc-Bich Dong in Ninh Binh is a precious gem of Hoa Lu district, about 100km south of the capital Hanoi. Spanning a fairly large area of 350.3 hectares, it harmoniously combines the awe-inspiring beauty of natural cave systems within limestone mountains and the scenery of traditional Vietnamese countryside, offering visitors a peaceful and relaxing experience. Notably, Tam Coc-Bich Dong is also marked by Bich Dong Pagoda, an architectural masterpiece with an ancient style, along with historical relics that witnessed significant events of the Vu Lam royal court during the Tran dynasty, making each visit meaningful and profound.
Based on valuable insights from BDATrip about independent travel in Ninh Binh, the ideal time to visit Tam Coc-Bich Dong is from January to March according to the lunar calendar. During this period, the weather in Ninh Binh is extremely pleasant with cool air and little rain, creating favorable conditions for tourists to fully explore and experience the majestic beauty of Tam Coc-Bich Dong.
Additionally, the early spring landscape of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex and Tam Coc-Bich Dong becomes even more vibrant with traditional festivals, notably the Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival. This is a great opportunity for tourists not only to explore cultural heritages but also to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere that is both lively and solemn.
And if you're lucky to visit Tam Coc-Bich Dong in late May or early June, you'll witness a stunning natural painting where the ripe rice fields shimmer golden under the sun, mixed with the lush green of young rice, creating a harmonious and picturesque scene. This is the moment when the beauty of Ninh Binh's land leaves an unforgettable impression.
Tam Coc-Bich Dong is only about 7km from the center of Ninh Binh, easily accessible by various means of transport. For those who love freedom and flexibility, choosing a motorcycle is an excellent option, allowing you to experience the journey from Hanoi along the old National Highway 1A towards Ninh Binh, and continue on the road leading to Thanh Hoa, avoiding getting lost on the Nam Dinh – Thai Binh route.
If you prefer a more leisurely trip, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way, trains are an unbeatable choice. From Hanoi, trains such as SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7, and SE19 are reliable companions. From the bustling life of Saigon, the SE8 train becomes a link bringing passengers to Ninh Binh, a land soaked in cultural identity and historical significance.
Tam Coc boasts a majestic beauty with three fascinating caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba. Each cave is a natural masterpiece, carved by the Ngo Dong river winding through limestone mountains, creating spectacular landscapes. As tourists gently float on a boat and explore these mysterious caves, they first visit Hang Ca - the first gate that opens to a magnificent world inside the earth.
Co Vien Lau houses a collection of ancient homes gathered from Ninh Binh and nearby regions of the Northern Delta. Each house is not only an architectural work but also a cultural treasure, displaying valuable artifacts like ancient beds, wooden panels, and cabinets, reflecting the art and traditional Vietnamese lifestyle. Built during the Nguyen Dynasty, these houses still preserve the pristine and sophisticated beauty of ancient architecture, vividly reflecting the development and cultural heritage conservation process of the Vietnamese people. Co Vien Lau is not just a tourist spot but also an educational space where people can learn about and deeply understand Vietnamese history and culture through each brick and ancient tile.
Situated on Dong Vo Mountain, Thien Huong Cave is one of Ninh Binh's famous natural heritages, attracting visitors with its mysterious and grand beauty. The cave stands out with an impressive height of nearly 60 meters, a length of 40 meters, and a width of 20 meters, resembling a majestic bell towering overhead.
With its wide-open top, Thien Huong Cave is also known as "Heaven's Cave," a symbol of the connection between the earthly world and the spiritual realm. Inside the cave, visitors can admire the shrine of Tran Thi Dung, a powerful and talented woman, wife of King Ly Hue Tong. Tran Thi Dung is not only historically significant but also passed on the traditional embroidery craft to the people of Ninh Hai. The local residents have built a shrine and maintain year-round rituals as a deep gratitude to her.
In the heroic pages of the nation's history, the Trang An – Tam Coc area was the backdrop for a strategic decision of the Tran dynasty. This location was chosen to build the Vu Lam Royal Court, a robust fortress to gather strength and prepare for the fierce confrontation against the Yuan-Mongol invaders during the second historical resistance.
Today, this land still bears the traces of a glorious past, where Thai Vi Temple proudly stands, serving as a spiritual anchor, a place to remember and honor wise kings such as Tran Thai Tong, Tran Thanh Tong, and notable generals like Tran Hung Dao, Tran Quang Khai, and the prototype of the national heroine - Queen Tran Thi Dung, who played a significant role in building and defending the country. Thai Vi Temple is not just a historical relic but also a place that preserves spiritual values, serving as a meeting point for patriotic souls, turning towards the roots of the nation.
Just 2km from the Tam Coc boat station, Bich Dong appears like a precious gem amidst the Ninh Binh mountains, with Xuyen Thuy Dong - a mystical water cave running through the limestone mountains. Named "the second best cave in the south" by Prime Minister Nguyen Khiem, father of Nguyen Du - one of Vietnam's great literary figures, in 1773, Bich Dong is not just a natural scenic spot but also a profound cultural heritage. The ancient Bich Dong Pagoda, built during the Later Le dynasty in 1428, rests peacefully on the Truong Yen limestone mountains. Within the pagoda precincts, an ancient bell from the time of Le Thai To still echoes, alongside the tombs of monks who played significant roles in building and preserving the pagoda. Under King Le Hien Tong, the pagoda was renovated and expanded to include three pagodas: Lower, Middle, and Upper, each with its own unique beauty, creating a unique architectural complex spread across three mountain levels, forming a picturesque and solemn landscape.
Fairy Cave is an important part of the Tam Coc-Bich Dong complex, featuring a three-level cave system with numerous stalactites in various shapes, creating a mysterious world underground. The fantastical formations resembling fairies, grain stalks, deities, and animals such as elephants, lions, tigers, monitor lizards, dragons, and eagles, along with multicolored clouds, create a vibrant and lively natural art space.
Linh Coc Pagoda, a mysterious relic nestled within the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, is believed to have existed since the time of King Tran Thanh Tong. Secluded among the mountains, facing west towards a large water field, Linh Coc Pagoda offers a tranquil and mystical scene. The three-room architecture of the pagoda is a place of worship for the saintly monk A Nam Da and the Western Patriarch, featuring distinctive statues with high noses, curly hair, and bearded moustaches. The rear hall of the pagoda honors the Three Mothers - Mother Thuong Ngan, Mother Thoai, and Mother Lieu Hanh, revered local deities. Linh Coc Pagoda is not only a sacred worship site but also a cultural destination, preserving the long-standing spiritual and traditional values of the Vietnamese people.
Tam Coc-Bich Dong invites visitors to explore the magnificent beauty of Ninh Binh. Are you ready to experience the allure of nature and history hidden in every corner here?
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