Do you want to visit Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place!
In this article I have outlined everything you need to know about visiting this beautiful temple in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. Including where it is, how to get there, what to do once there, the best tours and more!
Bich Dong Pagoda is one of the most famous temples in Ninh Binh, and it’s easy to see why. The beautiful architecture, combined to the towering mountains and picturesque bridge leading up to it, create a picture-perfect temple.
But there is more to Bich Dong than just your next Instagram shot! So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in, and discover everything you need to know about visiting Bich Dong Pagoda!
Table of Contents
What is Bich Dong Pagoda
Making up part of the UNESCO-listed Tràng An Scenic Landscape, Bich Dong Pagoda is a super popular place for tourists in northern Vietnam, and a must-see spot in Ninh Binh.
Located in the north of Ninh Binh province, close to the village of Tam Coc, Bich Dong comprises a series of beautiful cave temples that have been built among the karst mountain landscape.
The pagoda complex is also a particularly attractive place to visit. The history of Bich Dong Pagoda goes back to its founding in 1428.
Today guides lead visitors to interesting historical parts of the group of three pagodas, and take you up to arguably Bich Dong’s crowning glory: the viewpoint.
Where is Bich Dong Pagoda
Bich Dong Pagoda is located just on the outskirts of Tam Coc in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. You can easily find it following the Google Maps position below.
How to Get to Bich Dong Pagoda
If you want to visit the Bich Dong Pagoda in Vietnam, then you have a couple of options. You can either travel there from Hanoi or base yourself in the nearby town of Ninh Bin.
Bich Dong Pagoda from Hanoi
By public transport: Take the train from Hanoi Station to Ninh Binh, which is connected to the capital by the Reunification Line.
The train journey takes around 2.5 to 3 hours and costs approximately 80,000 VND (around 3.30 USD). On arrival in Nihn Bihn, you then have to travel to Bich Dong via taxi.
Self-drive:Bich Dong Pagoda is located just over 100 kilometres from Hanoi and it takes around 2 hours to get there by road. Vehicle hire can be arranged from travel agents in Hanoi.
With a tour: Tours such as Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Caves Full-Day Trip from Hanoi make visiting Bich Dong Pagoda a breeze.
Not only do you get picked up from your accommodation in Hanoi (which is super convenient), but you also get to visit a string of other interesting sights in the area.
Click here to book your tour to Bich Dong Pagoda from Hanoi!
Bich Dong Pagoda from Ninh Binh
Taxi: Probably the quickest and easiest way to get to Bich Dong from Ninh Binh is by taking a taxi. The journey should only cost a couple of dollars and takes around 10 minutes.
Self-drive: The city of Ninh Binh is around a 10-minute drive away from Bich Dong.
A lot of travellers choose to hire a motorbike or bicycle in Ninh Binh and travel the 7-kilometre route between the two locations independently.
With a tour:Opt for a guided tour of Bich Dong — this Hoa Lu, Trang An, & Mua Cave full-day trip, for example — and you will be able to see a collection of the area’s famous attractions along with a knowledgeable guide.
Check out prices & availability for your Bich Dong tour from Ninh Binh here!
Best Time to Visit Bich Dong Pagoda
You can visit Bich Dong pagoda at any time throughout the year. But there are some times in the year when there are more tourist crowds.
The period over the new year in early January and Tet (Vietnamese New Year) in January or February can be particularly busy.
This is when local people travel to the region to see the sights and pray at the temples. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good time to visit, but it’s something to be aware of.
If you want to avoid crowds, regardless of the time of the year you visit, then it’s a good idea to arrive at the complex early in the day.
That way you’ll miss the tourist shuttle buses arriving in the mid-morning from Hanoi. Visiting early in the day also means you can avoid the particularly hot weather that strikes Vietnam during the middle hours of the day.
What is There to Do at Bich Dong Pagoda
Visit the three pagodas
Bich Dong Pagoda is actually a collection of three pagodas. They are named after their location situated across different levels of the karst landscape.
The first is Ha Pagoda (Low Pagoda) which is entered via a pretty bridge. The temple is made up of five rooms that are decorated with pillars and intricate statues of the Buddha.
The second is Trung Pagoda (Middle Pagoda), reached by a series of over 100 stone steps. Tucked away inside an atmospheric cave, walking through here will lead to the third pagoda.
The final pagoda is located at the top of the mountain. Thuong Pagoda (Upper Pagoda) offers epic views of the surrounding landscape.
All of the pagodas are beautifully situated, surrounded by green leaves and elegantly reflected in ponds filled with waterlilies, appearing on the mountainside as if out of a painting.
See inside Tam Cốc caves
Along with Bich Dong temple, the nearby cave complex is also a main attraction. Made up of three natural caves named Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba.
Visitors can be ferried to the area along a river in boats from Van Lam village. The route passes through rice fields, past jutting karst mountains and into the caves themselves.
The caves are so pretty that they have even been dubbed Halong Bay on land!
Bich Dong Pagoda Opening Hours & Entrance Fees
The Bich Dong Pagoda entrance fee is zero — it’s completely free to visit. However, there is a parking charge. For a bicycle, it’s 5,000 VND (approximately 0.20 USD) and for a motorbike it’s 10,000 VND (around 0.40 USD).
There are no opening hours for Bich Dong Pagoda which means you’re able to visit at any time throughout the day.
If you would like a guided tour of the area then you should expect to pay upwards of 300,000 VND (12 USD).
Is Visiting Bich Dong Pagoda Worth It?
Visiting Bich Dong Pagoda is really worth it if you’re already adventuring around Ninh Binh, exploring Tam Coc and Hang Mua Viewpoint.
It’s a very beautiful pagoda and temple, but compared to Bai Dinh or other temples, it isn’t a must-visit destination.
My advice is that I wouldn’t come to Vietnam and Ninh Binh just for Bich Dong Pagoda. If you’re coming from Hanoi to the Ninh Binh region, then it’s a really good idea to add in visits to some other sites in the area too.
There are plenty of amazing caves, viewpoints and temples scattered around the area that you can combine into a couple of days.
Where to stay to visit Bich Dong Pagoda
There are lots of great places to stay in Ninh Binh, from which you can easily reach Hang Mua Viewpoint. Tam Coc is the closest town, but you can also stay in Trang An, which is just a 15-minute scooter drive away.
Here are some great places to stay in both Tam Coc and Trang An for every budget.
Budget: Trang An Lamia Bungalow – If you’re looking for an affordable and unique stay, these bamboo bungalows are the perfect place for you!
Click here to book your stay at Trang An Lamia Bungalow!
Mid-range: Green Mountain Homestay– This is where we stayed and I can honestly say it’s a great place to stay in Ninh Binh. Affordable, nestled amongst the mountains and rice fields, with a pool and friendly staff.
Click here to book your stay at Green Mountain Homestay!
Luxury: Mua Caves Ecolodge– This ecolodge has a pool, bungalows with a view and offers a delicious breakfast buffet. Plus, you can visit Mua Caves viewpoint early in the morning before the crowds arrive!
Click here to book your stay at Mua Caves Ecolodge!
Final thoughts about Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh
There you have it, the ultimate guide to visiting Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh, Vietnam! Have you visited Bich Dong Pagoda before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!
While it might not be the most impressive temple in Vietnam, Bich Dong Pagoda is still a very picturesque spot, and definitely worthy of a visit if you’re already in Ninh Binh.
It might not hold the comparison to other stunning sights in Vietnam like Halong Bay, Sapa or Fansipan Peak, but it’s still very pretty and interesting.
I hope you found my Bich Dong Pagoda guide useful! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!
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