Tam Coc - Bich Dong and The gift of nature

Nga Do
Tam Coc – Bich Dong is also called “A terrestrial Ha Long Bay”, or the “Vietnam’s second nicest grotto” (to Huong Tich) for its poetic and inspirational natural scenery. After launching film of Kong: Skull Island,  a lot of people are surprised with majestic natural images. In particular, many images are recognized as filmed in Ninh Binh as Van Long Natural Reserve, Tam Coc - Bich Dong, Trang An.

Located in the Ngu Nhac Son Mountains, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province, it is a grandiose complex of Bich Dong pagoda and Tam Coc grotto which is one among the 21 crucial tourism destinations of Vietnam. The zone is featured with a tropical climate, with 2 seasons. The cold and rainy season lasts from May to October, and the dry and hot season from Novermber to April. Its annual average temperature is 23.5oC. As situated at the base side of the Red River Delta Triangle, it is a half-mountain half-plain area, with a coastline of 18 kilometers.

Tam Coc - Bich Dong and The gift of nature
Photo by Hoang Giang Hai
In particular, in the journey to discover Tam Coc, tourists should not miss Bich Dong Pagoda. Far about 2 km from Tam Coc Wharf, Bich Dong Pagoda associates with limestones inspired Oriental architectural style. According to the history and epigraphies, the former name of the pagoda and grottoes is Bich Son (Green Grotto or Pearl Grotto). Thanks to the magnificent scenery, the grottoes have dubbed "South second nicest grottoes". Whole pagoda was built under the layout of "Tam Toa" style. Ha (Lower) Pagoda is situated in the foothills which is prominent in the architectural characteristics strongly inspired by Oriental style: the trusses, crossbeams, and spars were made from ironwood. The roof of the pagoda includes 2 curved storeys and 8-roofs. Up to about 120 other blue stone steps, tourists will meet Trung (Middle) Pagoda, a unique pagoda which its half is opencast and the other is attached the cave. 

Continue climbing 40 stone steps is Thuong (Upper) Pagoda in the highest position, worshiping Guan Yin Buddha Ba. The both sides of the main pagoda are 2 temples worshiping the God Earth on the right and Saint Son Tran on the left. Standing on the campus of Thuong Pagoda, tourists completely admire Ngu Mon field and cover the panoramic view of Bich Dong Pagoda. Not only owning the graceful beauty of the charming landscape, the cultural-art architecture, Tam Coc - Bich Dong is a historical relic of Ninh Binh. It can be said that the wonderful landscapes is the harmonious combination between exotic beauty of the cave, the rugged mountains, the romantic waters and the brilliance of the humans forming an inseparable unity.

Tam Coc - Bich Dong and The gift of nature 1
Photo by harmony-hiro
In particular, the Trang An - Tam Coc - Bich Dong scenic complex has been ranked as special national monument thanks to its precious values on history, culture, science and aesthetics. Not only as a famous tourist complex, Tam Coc - Bich Dong is also one of 20 crucial tourism destinations of Vietnam which the government has invested in the construction and upgraded infrastructure. Tam Coc - Bich Dong has been a green - clean - beautiful tourist complex, a safe rendezvous for all tourists, contributing to promote Ninh Binh tourism to domestic and international tourists.

The ideal time to travel to Ninh Binh

You can travel Ninh Binh on all seasons of the year, but the best time to go is from January to March lunar calendar. In addition, at the end of May beginning of June is the time of ripen rice season in Tam Coc, very suitable for tourists who like to take pictures.

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