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Bich Dong - Tam Coc
Location: In the Ngu Nhac Son Mountains, in
Dam Khe Village, Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province.
Characteristics: King Le Canh Hung said that Bich Dong was the second
nicest grotto in Vietnam, after the Huong Tich Grotto in Ha Tay Province.
In 1773, Mr. Nguyen Nghiem (the father of the great writer Nguyen Du) visited
this cave. After viewing the whole scenery of the mountains, waterways, fields,
and sky covered in green mist, he gave the cave a very beautiful and romantic
name, Bich Dong (which literally means “Green Pearl Grotto”). Bich Grotto is
said to be the second most beautiful cave in Vietnam. The Bich Dong Pagoda was
built near the cave in the Le Dynasty.
Bich Dong Pagoda, built on Ngu Nhac Mountain, is divided into three levels: Ha
Pagoda (lower pagoda), Trung Pagoda (middle pagoda), and Thuong Pagoda (upper
pagoda). On the mountain peak stands the statue of a scholar Mandarin looking at
the horizon in hope of viewing the spectacular landscapes of Hoa Lu. From the
upper pagoda, one has the most magnificent view of Bich Dong, which is
romantically charming in terms of architecture and history. The location for
this pagoda was chosen in 1428 after two monks were charmed by the view of the
river and the mountains. Later, King Le Canh Hung wrote a poem in honor of the
beautiful pagoda and landscape. He was the one who said that Bich Dong Pagoda
was the second nicest pagoda in Vietnam, after the Huong Pagoda (also called
Perfume Pagoda) in Ha Tay Province.
One cannot visit Bich Dong Pagoda without visiting Tam Coc Grotto, located
approximately 2km from the pagoda. Tam Coc is 3km from Van Lam Wharf. Take a
boat from Van Lam Wharf to reach the Tam Coc Grotto, consisting of the Hang Ca,
Hang Hai and Hang Ba grottoes. These caves are adorned with beautiful
stalactites and stalagmites of different shapes and colors that sparkle like
gemstones.
Source: VNAT |
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