Ninh Binh Pagodas & Temples: 7 Famous Sites to Explore

bai-dinh-pagoda-in-ninh-binh1 — Bai dinh pagoda in NInh Binh

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Top 7 Ninh Binh Pagodas & Temples – You Should Not Miss in Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh is well-known for its picturesque landscapes and abundance of popular religious destinations for both local and foreign travelers. When having the opportunity to visit this lovely province, many tourists are drawn to the beautiful pagodas and temples in addition to the stunning natural beauty. On your trip to Ninh Binh, it would be a pity if your travel schedule excluded this list of top ninh binh pagodas and temples there.

Have a look at:

Bai Dinh Pagoda

With a complex of several temples and over 500 Buddha statues, Bai Dinh Pagoda is not only the largest Buddhist temple complex in Ninh Binh but Southeast Asia as well. As a relatively new temple, built in 2003 and situated in a stunning setting surrounded by mountains and forests, the pagoda is a particularly well-known pilgrimage site for Vietnamese people. It will be great to stroll around this enormous complex and don’t forget to ascend to the summit of Bai Dinh Pagoda for a bird’s-eye perspective of the entire complex and the breathtaking scenery behind.

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Hoa Lu Temple

Situated in the Truong Yen commune of Hoa Lu district, surrounded by rice fields and limestone mountains, Hoa Lu was formerly the ancient capital of Vietnam during the 10th century. Not much of the ancient citadel is still standing, but there are several of the temples that you can visit.

They aren’t the most beautiful pagodas in Ninh Binh, nonetheless are still worth visiting because of their setting amidst the magnificent mountains and their rich history. Two of the most significant temples in Ninh Binh are King Dinh and King Le temples, which worship the former Vietnamese emperors.

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Bich Dong Pagoda

Tucked away in the mountains, Bich Dong Pagoda is a three-layer pagoda structure located approximately 3 kilometers from Tam Coc. It is one of Ninh Binh’s most iconic attractions, with an ornate entrance gate connected by a stone bridge that spans a sizable lotus pond that blooms brilliantly and flagrantly in the summer.

There are three separate pagodas that make up Bich Dong Pagoda: the Ha (lower), Trung (middle), and Thuong (upper) pagodas. Inside each cave pagoda are Buddha statues looming from the smoke of burning incense. Ha Pagoda, situated at the base of the mountain, is the first pagoda you will encounter.

thuong-temple-bich-dong-pagoda — Thuong Temple at Bich Dong Complex

After climbing up 120 steps more, you can reach Trung Pagoda. This is an impressive pagoda as half of the pagoda is located inside a cave and divided into 3 rooms. The Thuong Pagoda, on the top of the mountain, is reached after another 40-step ascent. To get to this pagoda, you have to go through Dark Cave. The breathtaking views of the landscape are to be seen from here, making the walk well worth it.

>>> More about: Bich Dong Pagoda? Are There Any Interesting Things There?

Thai Vi Temple

Thai Vi Pagoda in Ninh Binh is a jewel encircled by limestone rocks and situated in the Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area. It is said that after driving out the Chinese invaders, King Tran Thai Tong left everything to his son.

He came to Ngo Dong’s region and was enthralled with its beauty, then he built a small temple in Van Lam Cave at the foot of the mountain for worshiping Buddhism and three saints.

thai-vi-temple-in-ninh-binh — Thai vi temple in Ninh Binh

The king used the temple for spiritual practice, through which he helped the locals lead a prosperous life. Today, Thai Vi temple is dedicated to King Tran Thai Tong, his son, and his wife. The steeple is made of ironwood, and the temple is constructed with carved stone, giving it an amazing architectural appeal. If you accidentally visit the temple in March, you might get the chance to take part in the Thai Vi festival, which is held annually to commemorate the merits of the Tran kings.

Dich Long Pagoga

Dich Long Pagoda is a natural and cultural relic in Gia Thanh commune, Gia Vien district. It is a complex of pagodas and caves hidden among majestic limestone mountains. Several temples and pavilions may be seen in the area; some of them have structures that date back hundreds of years.

You have to ascend 105 steps to reach the pagoda, where three caves with innumerable striking stalactites await you. The first cave is the place of worship for Buddha, followed by the Dark and Bright caves.

Am Tien Temple

The Temple can be found in Am Tien Cave, Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. The temple is situated in the heart of a picturesque valley, which is surrounded by rocky mountains, with peaceful forests and a turquoise lake in the middle.

An-Tiem-Cave-Ninh-Binh — Am Tien Temple is located inside An Tiem Cave

After helping Kings Dinh and Le defeat Chinese invaders, Queen Duong Van Nga decided to spend the rest of her life practicing Buddhism at the pagoda. The pagoda is not just for worshiping Buddha but also Queen Duong Van Nga and significant figures who worked for the royal family during the Dinh Dynasty. Almost isolated from the outside world, this pagoda with its enchanting beauty fascinates visitors from all over the world.

Non Nuoc Pagoda

This is one of the main tourist attractions in Ninh Binh, is an ancient pagoda recognized as a national historical and cultural relic. Situated at the base of Non Nuoc Mountain, by the Day River, the pagoda is encircled by picturesque landscapes, offering visitors a tranquil and serene village experience.

Things to consider when visiting pagoda and temple in Ninh Binh

Since temples and pagodas are sacred places of worship, you should adhere to the dress code with strictness in order to show locals how much you respect the culture. This means clothing items such as dresses, shorts, and leggings should be avoided. Your clothing should cover your shoulders and knees.
Most of pagodas in Ninh Binh are located in large complexes or tucked away in natural surroundings. Bring comfortable clothing and walking shoes, as you will have to walk quietly. It’s also wise to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat or an umbrella.
It is not allowed to eat inside these temples and shrines, so make sure you eat before you visit.

Hopefully this article will provide you with useful information when visiting historical places and temples in Ninh Binh. If you’d like to learn more about Vietnam and consider visiting Ninh Binh, check out Hanoi Explore Travel. We are confident to offer many intriguing tours with our knowledgeable tour guide, who will also provide you with further information to explore this beautiful land.