Trang An - Bai Dinh

Trang An - Bai Dinh

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is an integrated tourist site of world cultural and natural heritage recognized by UNESCO in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, which is 7 kilometers north west of Ninh Binh along Trang An Avenue and 96 kilometers south of Hanoi. Trang An features unique natural scenery from mountain rocks, ecosystems, forests, vegetation, rice fields, lagoons and river cruises as well as many beatutiful caves. Especially, Tam Coc-Bich Dong - a part of the Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex, is a popular tourist destination. Tam Coc, meaning "three caves", including Hang Ca (127 meters long, through a large mountain, the cave width of more than 20 meters. In the cool cave there are many stalactites hanging down with many kinds of images), Hang Hai and Hang Ba. Besides, Trang An also has two other renowned caves are known as Dia Linh cave, Ba Giot cave and Boi cave.

Dia Linh cave is the first point of departure from Sao Khe river boat pier. The cave is called the Treasure because when you come here, you will feel like the treasure of fossil stalactites. Out of the cave is a beautiful landscape of water clouds, mountains and rivers. The cave is 260 meters long with many stalactites curled down virtual. Ba Giot cave has many colorful stalactites appear. Especially the stalactites in Ba Giot cave are not dry as other caves but soaked and continue to transform, forming new shapes and nuances. It is said that anyone who goes through Ba Giot cave to receive three drops of water from small stalactites in the palm will be lucky in life and happiness in love. Boi cave is a valuable archaeological site of Trang An World Heritage Complex. Go deeply through the entrance to the cave,there are many species of trees grow densely, sunlight can not reach the land so the road is all covered by the moss and carpet leaves. All three caves are formed by the Ngo Dong River pierced through the mountains. To visit Tam Coc, visitors go by boat from the central station. Boats rided on the Ngo Dong River winding through the cliffs, caves, rice fields.                               

In 48 caves were discovered, a cave with the name of Hang Nau Ruou, according to the local, the predecessors have come here to get water to brew wine, offering to the king, when dredging the cave archaeologists have discovered a lot of pottery pots, jars and utensils for making wine.

Continuing the amazing journey is the 1000 year old tree called “Cay Thi”, but the most mysterious thing here is that in the flowering season, Cay Thi fruits two different fruits. On the same branch of a tree with both round and flat fruit, so far no one can explain this mystery. 

Under the tree there is a temple, because of the history which related to Dinh Dynasty, so the tree is sacred, attracts many visitors to visit and contemplate each year. About 1,000 years old, the root of the tree has been rooted firmly into the rock. If you do not look closely, you will not know that this stone is the root of the tree. The stem of the tree is rough, about 1 person hugging. From the main stem grows many branches spread in different directions. For hundreds of years, this tree has been a shelter for the villagers from all storms.

 

When you come to Trang An, you must stop by Bai Dinh Pagoda, it is located in the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, about 15 kilometers from Ninh Binh city, which is the largest temple in Vietnam, known as many records such as the biggest bronze Buddha statue in Southeast Asia (100 tonnes in weight, and three 50-tonne Buddha statues and two huge bronze bells). The first impression is Phap Chu Hall, the Hall is built according to the architecture of Tam The pagoda with two curved roofs. Each floor consists of four roofs that are roofed with brown enamel tile and a long corridor that creates a high level of air and light. The whole area of ​​electricity up to 1,945 square meters, 30,000 meters high. Hall consists of 5 compartments: one compartment  in the middle and two other compartments on the sides. Medium length of 13.50 meters. Two compartments on each side of the median, each with a length of 8.13 meters. 

Following the Phap Chu Hall is the three-portal entry gate, Tam Quan is the manifestation of the three views of Buddhism: Khong Quan, Gia Quan and Trung Quan. Khong Quan does look at things, see the laws of the natural universe, all the same species, from which to command themselves to go to Buddhism. Gia Quan looks at things to be considered unrealistic, ever-changing, do not exist eternally with time and finally is the Trung Quan, it is between, there is no right or wrong, the view of the path of Buddhism, is the true way to liberate all the suffering of life. 

Our next destination is the bell tower with 3 floors and 3 layers of curved roof of the dark brown Bat Trang tile. The architecture of the octagonal bell tower. The bell tower of Bai Dinh hung a 36-ton copper bell, this is also a bell tower with a large bell, a "unique" in Vietnam. The bell ring is gold, so the sound lasts very far away. 

One of the masterpieces and also the last destination of Bai Dinh which is call “Bao Thap” with a height of 100 meters, 13 floors - considered the highest tower in Southeast Asia, with elevator and 72 steps, Bao Thap at Bai Dinh Pagoda is the place to display Buddha relics ( called “ Xa loi”) from India. Bao Thap is built of reinforced concrete, outside with red brick tiles with ancient architecture. Surrounding the outside of the Bao Thap is the doorway, inside each box is a statue of Buddha, surrounded by red tiles are decorated sophisticatedly.