Bich Dong Pagoda - a temple with unique architecture

3 km east of Tam Coc boat station, Ninh Binh province, Bich Dong pagoda (Ngoc Dong pagoda) is located in the Truong Yen range, above a valley covered by fertile rice fields and crossed by the Truong Giang River. and lean over. on Bich Dong mountain of Ngu Nhac Son range. To enter the temple, there is only one path which is steep stone steps. However, what awaits you after the long way is really worth the climb.

The pagoda was built by two monks, Tri Kien and Tri The, in the early 18th century. Bich Dong pagoda complex consists of three small pagodas, each pagoda has traditional architectural features, built of wood and stone in style. between the late Le and early Nguyen dynasties. Each pagoda is named after its location on Bich Dong mountain. Ha Pagoda is located at the foot of the mountain. Trung Pagoda is located on the mountainside and Thuong Pagoda is located on the top of the mountain.

The unique feature of Bich Dong Pagoda is the perfect combination of ancient pagodas with diagonal roofs along with natural caves and majestic mountains, hidden in the green of the tropical forest. All create a panoramic view of the wonder called "Bich Son Bat Nguyet" (A place of wonder converging all eight beauties of the country).

Ha Pagoda

The pagoda was built according to the script style - "Ding" (工). It has 5 rooms with 2-storey roof including 8 smaller roofs while its wide porch is built of 6 stone steps. The fence and two gables of Ha Pagoda are made of stone. Its upper temple was built of stone pillars.

On the porch of Ha Pagoda, there is a Chinese couplet engraved "Gia Lam Thanh Hoang Bao Nam Thanh Palace" (this place worships the ancestors of the Vietnamese people). The pagoda also preserves 4 rows of ancient Buddha statues including Tam The (Past, Present and Future), Amitabha Tam Ton, Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara with thousand eyes and thousand hands, and the statue of Shakyamuni Infant (Baby Buddha). In addition, there are many other priceless statues and worship items such as candles, incense burners, and lamps to create a dignified space.

Trung Pagoda

Similar to Ha Pagoda, Trung Pagoda has the form of a floor with the letter Dinh (工). It has a two-story roof, a temple on three pavilions, and the forecourt all face west. What makes the pagoda unique is the blend of traditional Vietnamese temple architecture such as the tile roof or the walls surrounding the cliffs and the mysterious space inside the mountain cave.

In the courtyard in front of Trung Pagoda, the most splendid feature is the Chinese inscription "Third beauty of heaven in the South" carved by Lord Trinh Sam in the 18th century and Nguyen Nghiem (the father of the great poet Nguyen Du) obeyed. carved on the cliff in front of Trung Pagoda. In the temple, there are also three stone statues: Amitabha Buddha in the middle, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva on the left, and Vajra Thu Bodhisattva on the right.

Upper Temple

To get to Thuong Pagoda, visitors have to go through Green Cave or Dark Cave with 40 stone steps on the mountainside. This short journey offers visitors a breathtaking view of the dramatic limestone ridges scattered among peaceful villages and a refreshing atmosphere. Thuong Pagoda has 2 vertical pavilions with a front hall and a stone altar in the outer space and a special Bodhisattva statue in the inner space.

Thuong Pagoda has two small temples - the left one is for the earth god and the right one is for the mountain god. From the pagoda, visitors can see the Ngu Mon (Five Mon) fields and the amazing beauty of Tam Coc and Bich Dong.

Opening hours: 09:00 - 18:00

Ticket price: free

Dress code requirements: formal attire, sleeveless tops and knee-length pants.