The magical beauty of Tam Coc Ninh Binh – a cave complex belonging to Trang An heritage will leave a deep impression in the hearts of every visitor.
Tam Coc tourist area belongs to the Trang An scenic complex, Ninh Binh, which is known as “Ha Long Bay on land”. Tam Coc leaves every visitor with a deep impression with its vast rice fields, winding blue river, and magical limestone cave system. All of these thousand-year-old landscapes have contributed to creating an enchanting ink painting.
Introduction of Tam Coc – Bich Dong
Located in the Trang An cultural relic complex, Tam Coc Bich Dong is located in Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. With a prime location only about 100 km south of Hanoi, Tam Coc is one of the destinations not to be missed when you have the opportunity to visit Trang An-Ninh Binh.
Tam Coc – Bich Dong cave and limestone mountain complex has a total area of 350.3 hectares, including many waterway and road sightseeing routes connecting with nearly 20 famous tourist destinations in Ninh Binh. Meeting points to welcome guests are located at the following locations: Tam Coc – Ngo Dong River, Tien Cave, Bich Dong Pagoda, Mua Cave, Thung Nang, Thung Nham, Co Vien Lau, and Thai Vi Temple.
Tam Coc – Bich Dong tourist area – Trang An scenic spot was officially recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 2014. This is also one of Vietnam’s special national monuments due to its possession of many historical relics related to Vu Lam Palace since the Tran Dynasty.
Tourist Destinations Tam Coc – Bich Dong Ninh Binh
1. “Three Caves” Complex – Tam Coc
Tam Coc in Chinese means “three caves”, including natural caves named by local people: Ca Cave, Hai Cave, and Ba Cave. The reason for that name is because this chain of caves is located next to each other like three brothers, and was built up by the Ngo Dong River to form cross-water caves.
The ferryman will take tourists down the peaceful river and tell ancient legends about Tam Coc. Start the journey at Ca Cave, the largest cave with a length of up to 127 meters and a cave entrance more than 20 meters wide. Inside the cave, you will feel the cool, refreshing air and admire the sparkling stalactite columns of various shapes hanging down from above. About 1 km away is Hai Cave with a length of about 60 meters. Finally, the boat will pass Ba Cave before opening up to the bright sky of the land outside Tam Coc. A small note is that the ceiling of Ba Cave is quite low and narrow, so visitors need to crouch low to avoid hitting dangerous sharp rocks.
2. Thien Huong Cave
Thien Huong Cave, also meaning “heavenly scented cave” is a dry cave located halfway up Dong Vo mountain. The cave is more than 40 meters long and has a hollow dome nearly 60 meters high like a giant bell.
Currently, inside the cave, there is a shrine worshiping Linh from National Mother Tran Thi Dung – the founder of the traditional embroidery craft in Ninh Hai commune. Visitors coming here seem to enter a magical spiritual world with reliefs, delicate dragon and phoenix carvings around the shrine, and sparkling rays of sunlight shining down from the top of the cave.
3. Bich Dong Pagoda
This is an ancient pagoda located about 2 km from Tam Coc Wharf and is the top tourist attraction check-in location at Trang An Relic complex. Bich Dong Pagoda is nestled in the Truong Yen limestone mountain range, like a “green pearl” amidst majestic nature.
Built in the 17th century during the Later Le Dynasty, the pagoda is a place to worship Buddha and the tomb towers of the monks who built the pagoda. Visiting Bich Dong Pagoda, visitors will gradually climb the stone steps and visit three separate pagoda floors: the Lower Pagoda, the Middle Pagoda, and the Upper Pagoda. On the way, you will be fascinated by the ancient moss-covered beauty of the stone statues and the historical stories about it.
4. Xuyen Thuy Cave
Xuyen Thuy Cave is a dark, murky water cave, straight through the Bich Dong limestone ravine. The entrance to Xuyen Thuy Dong is located behind the mountain, opposite the road to Bich Dong Pagoda. The cave is quite narrow, only about 6 – 15 meters wide, and stretches 350 meters long, winding from East to West. During the journey to explore the cave, visitors will see the magical and natural stream system of the rocky mountain.
