Bai Dinh Pagoda - Ninh Binh A to Z Travel Guide

Bai Dinh Pagoda is a spiritual destination located in Bai Dinh - Trang An eco-tourism complex with a history of more than 1000 years old which is associated with the Dinh dynasty, Tien Le dynasty, and Ly dynasty. In this article, let’s discover everything you need to know before going to Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the most well-known spiritual tourist attractions in Ninh Binh, Vietnam.

Where is Bai Dinh Pagoda?

Bai Dinh Pagoda is the largest Buddhist complex in Vietnam, featuring several temples. It is situated on Bai Dinh Mountain, 7 kilometers northwest of the Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel and 12 kilometers from Ninh Binh City. The complex spans 539 hectares, including 27 hectares of the original site and 80 hectares of newly constructed areas. Each year, Bai Dinh Pagoda attracts thousands of visitors. 

Best time to visit Bai Dinh – Trang An

While Bai Dinh Pagoda can be visited year-round, from February to April, spring brings warm and pleasant days, making it the ideal time for trips to Bai Dinh Pagoda. Visitors can enjoy a mix of springtime travel, sightseeing, and praying for good fortune at the temple, as well as taking part in major festivals in both Trang An and Bai Dinh. However, this period marks the peak tourist season, resulting in large crowds and congestion. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting Bai Dinh at a different time of the year or schedule your visit for early morning to avoid crowds.

Entrance fee and how to get around Bai Dinh Pagoda

The entrance to Ba Dinh Pagoda is free. However, as Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex encompasses a vast area, visitors may choose to utilize an electric car service to access the pagoda in the event of limited time. The fare for this service is 30,000 VND per person (approximately $1.30). Additionally, a boat tour of Trang An requires more than three hours to fully appreciate, with each boat accommodating approximately 4 to 5 individuals. The cost for this boat service is 200,000 VND (around $9) per person. It is important to note that during peak tourist seasons, there tends to be a significant influx of visitors, leading to potential congestion at ticket booths and boat stations. Therefore, it is advisable to remain vigilant and take precautions against pickpockets and thieves.

What to Visit inside Bai Dinh Pagoda

Bright Cave and Dark Cave

After ascending 300 stone steps to reach the Tam Quan Gate, you'll encounter a fork in the path leading to Bright Cave and Dark Cave just off the slope. The right path leads to the Bright Cave, dedicated to the worship of Buddhas and gods. On the left path, you will find the Dark Cave, which honors the Mother Goddess of the nation (Mâu) and the Fairy.

Saint Nguyen Temple

The Temple of Saint Nguyen is dedicated to honoring the contributions of the Zen Master, who is also a renowned physician under the Ly Dynasty, Nguyen Minh Khong, also widely known under the name Ly Quoc Su. This temple is situated on a steep fork halfway up a mountain, and it features a bronze statue of the saint inside. Saint Nguyen is worshipped in various locations throughout Ninh Binh.

Jade Well

It is said that the monk Nguyen Minh Khong used the water from the well to cook medicinal herbs for the king and the people. Around the stone railings form a large circle, standing down from the main palace overlooking Jade well, which stands out among the vast green-covered campus, the jade green water color is the highlight of Bai Dinh pagoda overall. This is also the pagoda's well recorded the largest record in Vietnam.

Records of Bai Dinh Pagoda

With the unique architecture and long history, Bai Dinh Pagoda has become a famous ecological and spiritual tourist destination in the North in general and Ninh Binh in particular. There have been 8 records of Vietnam as well as of Asia in Bai Dinh Pagoda such as the largest bronze bell in Vietnam, the highest and heaviest Buddha statue in Asia, the largest gold overlaid Tam The statues in Vietnam, The largest bronze Buddha statue in Southeast Asia, the pagoda has the largest Arhat corridor in Vietnam, the pagoda has the most Bodhi trees in Vietnam.

Notices when going to Bai Dinh Pagoda

1.You should bring comfortable sneakers instead of wearing high heels to protect your feet as well as being convenient for moving because you will have to climb pretty a lot.
2.You should choose the polite clothes when entering the temple, avoid shorts, tank top or short skirt to show your respect in holy places like temples or pagodas
3.At Bai Dinh Pagoda, there are many shops selling souvenirs and specialties. However, the price on the mountain is much higher than the outside. You should go to the foot of the mountain to have a cheaper price.

Above is all the experience of Bai Dinh Pagoda that Authentik Travel has synthesized. Wish you all have a meaningful pilgrimage here.

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