Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh is a famous landscape with the name “Nam Thien De Nhi Dong”, just behind Huong Tich Cave. This place possesses unspoiled beauty, unusually quiet.
About Bich Dong Pagoda Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh Bich Dong Pagoda is a spiritual architecture built on the mountainside of Dam Khe village, Ninh Hai X, Hoa Lu district. Originally, the first place was called “Bach Ngoc Thach Son Dong” which means a beautiful, pure, and pearl-like pagoda in the deep mountain with the same cup. In 1774, during a visit, Lord Trinh Sam changed its name to Bich Dong pagoda. This is one of the most famous landscapes in Ninh Binh known as “Nam Thien De Nhi Dong” which means the second most beautiful cave in the South, after Huong Tich Cave in the Capital. 
Ninh Binh Bich Dong Pagoda is hidden among the mountains (Photo: alexguain)
Small path leading to the temple
Having existed for nearly 600 years with many historical events, this place currently preserves many historical and cultural values. Today, Bich Dong Pagoda has been classified as a special national relic and has been recognized by UNESCO as a cultural and natural heritage of the world. This is one of the leading sacred temples in the North, attracting many visitors every year. 
The temple has existed for nearly 600 years (Photo: iamlouis.ho)
How to move to Bich Dong Pagoda?
Because it is located right in Tam Coc Bich Dong tourist area, visitors can completely combine visiting Tam Coc and Bich Dong pagoda in Ninh Binh into one. There is only one waterway to reach Tam Coc, which is to move to Cac communal house in Van Lam village and then go to Ngo Dong river wharf to take a boat. From Tam Coc Ninh Binh you can move to Bich Dong pagoda by bicycle, motorbike, taxi or on foot. 
Boat dock in Tam Coc
Architectural imprints at Bich Dong Pagoda Ninh Binh
Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh was built in the style of Vietnamese ancient pagoda architecture. The overall temple complex includes 3 pagodas, 3 caves, of which 2 are dry caves and 1 water cave. Dry Cave includes Dark Cave in the middle of the mountain, Bich Dong has a water cave called Xuyen Thuy Dong underground. 
(Photo: lehatruc)
The most prominent feature of the pagoda is the structure of the Chinese character Tam. Unlike the Xong-style pagoda, which has a connecting incense burning room, the three buildings in the temple are completely separated. Accordingly, the structure consists of 3 separate parts, namely the Lower Pagoda, the Middle Pagoda, and the Upper Pagoda, which are arranged along the mountainside in a position from high to low. 
The temple has a high spiritual value and scenery
What’s attractive about Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh?
Ha Pagoda
To enter the temple, you will have to follow the stone bridge made of green stones and then lead to the gate of Tam Quan pagoda. There is a road located right at the foot of the mountain, paved with bricks with a length of about 55m, this is also the only way to enter the Ha Pagoda. Ha Pagoda was built with a total of 5 compartments on a high platform at the foot of the mountain. The architecture of the pagoda is designed in the typeface Dinh. The roof has 2 curved floors, including all 8 roofs. The columns in Ha are made of monolithic solid stone, without joints with a height of about 4m. At the time the pagoda was built, it took a lot of effort and meticulousness to create such stone pillars.
Stepping inside the temple, on the high space in the middle of Tien Duong is hung a great picture written in Chinese characters as “Mao Co Than Thanh”. This sentence when translated means that this temple is very sacred. In the upper temple area, there will be a place to worship Buddha, followed by pedestals arranged in a hierarchy from high to low, with worshiping objects such as incense tops, lamps, etc. 
(Photo: erikavu199)
Trung Pagoda
After visiting Ha Pagoda, go back to the yard and go to the North, you will see a path of 80 stone steps around the mountainside. This is the way to the middle of the mountain, where Trung Pagoda is located. Unlike Ha Pagoda, Trung Pagoda has a semi-roof architecture on the outside.
This is a rather unique temple, only the roof and door are exposed and the rest of the architecture is hidden in the mountain cave. Trung Pagoda was built with three compartments to worship Buddha. On the roof, two Chinese characters “Bich Dong” are carved according to the orders of Lord Trinh Sam. To the left of the pagoda is the shrine to the Holy Mother.
(photo: rtrapilla)
Upper Temple
To get to Thuong Pagoda, visitors have to step through about 40 stone steps along the mountainside. This is a small pagoda located on the mountainside, at the highest position near the top of Bich Dong mountain. The pagoda is located about 60m higher than the brickyard on the ground. The pagoda was built in the Southeast direction and to worship Ba Quan Am Buddha. There are two shrines on either side of the temple, a shrine dedicated to Duc Son Than and a shrine to Tho Dia. Next to the temple, there is a water tank called “Cam Lo water tank” by Quan Am Bodhisattva.
From Thuong Pagoda, visitors will see 5 mountains standing independently towards Bich Dong mountain, which looks very similar to 5 crashes of lotus flowers. That is Ngu Nhac Son including Hang Based mountain, Con Lon mountain, Dau Cau mountain, Gia Dinh mountain, Tam Sang mountain.
(Photo: cloverhsc)
Dark Cave
An unforgettable point to visit when coming to Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh is Dark Cave. After making a pilgrimage to Buddha in Upper Palace, you should step up 21 stone steps to reach Dark Cave. Above the cave door is still hanging a large bronze bell cast by two monks Tri The and Tri Kien in 1707.
Dark Cave is a rather long space with electricity inside, so visitors can easily explore the cave. Inside is an extremely massive, monumental natural building under the golden light. You will see the image of the small bronze, the fairy, the dragon, etc., carved in very detailed and meticulous stone. All are displayed right in front of everyone’s eyes like a petrified fairy world. Near the door of the cave to the left of pahri, there are 3 statues of Buddha made of stone, majestic, symbolizing eternity. In the middle is Amitabha Buddha, on the left is the stone image of Old Tho and Quan Am Thi Kinh, on the right is Van Thu Bodhisattva. 
(photo: aliciaparcel)
Note when coming to Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh
To visit Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh , you need to buy tickets to visit Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area with the price of 60k/child, 120k/adult.
Compared to Tam Coc, Bich Dong pagoda has fewer visitors, and there are fewer shops outside serving tourists. So prepare the necessary materials.
According to Ninh Binh travel experience , the most ideal time to come here is in April, the weather is quite dry at this time, traveling by boat does not cause discomfort.
When going to the temple, you should choose discreet and polite clothes. In addition, visiting the temple will have to climb stairs and walk quite a lot. So choose a pair of sneakers or flat shoes to move comfortably!
(Photo: le_doan94)
It is not an exaggeration to assert that Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh is a unique temple architecture in Vietnam. During the trip to Ninh Binh, if you ignore this complex of works, it is really a pity.
Photo: Internet