Bai Dinh Pagoda is one of the biggest temples in Southeast Asia with 9 world records, which attracts a huge number of visitors annually. It is also considered the sanctuary of Buddhists in Vietnam, bringing a unique religious beauty that you can not find anywhere.
In this blog, Vietnamtour.in will review all attractions of Bai Dinh Temple, as well as give a full guide for your journey here. Right now, let’s follow our entire blog below!
Brief information
- Location: Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province
- Opening Hours: 6 AM – 10 PM
- Entrance fee: Free
- Dress code: Polite dress (avoid short skirts, tank tops, shorts, or leggings)
A Long-Established History Of Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda was built during the early times when Buddhism was widespread in Vietnam. As told, the Bai Dinh Pagoda appeared in the Dinh Dynasty, when the Dinh Tien Hoang King erected a shrine as a wish for favorable weather.
There is another historical document considering that the pagoda was established in the Ly Dynasty to honor worship culture and Vietnamese religions. That’s why many people call Bai Dinh Pagoda the most famous Taoist, Mother Goddess, and Buddhist temple in Vietnam.
Discover An Impressive Structure Of The Pagoda
The new Bai Dinh Pagoda
The new Bai Dinh Pagoda spreads over 700 hectares, which is situated on Ba Rau Hill, and nearby Hoang Long River. Its main structure includes Tam The Hall, and huge gardens. Most building materials come from the local timbers and stones, and the tiles originate from Bat Trang Ceramic Village.
When coming here, visitors will surely be impressed with the curved finials of the pagoda, one of the typical features of Vietnamese architecture. Inside the Tam The Hall, there is a range of decoration details such as bronze sculptures, stone carvings, or woodwork.
The old Bai Dinh Pagoda
The old Bai Dinh Pagoda lies in the foothills, which is 800 meters away from the new complex. To reach the Bai Dinh Pagoda entrance, you need to walk more than 300 stone steps and pass through a small gate.
We believe that you will be amazed by the mysterious ambiance here. The old pagoda is nestled in many tiny caves, which are surrounded by a lot of trees. It is also a place to worship many mountain spirits and famous Buddhist deities.
Location
Bai Dinh Pagoda is located in Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province. This province is called the ancient capital of Vietnam, attached to various interesting historical stories of Vietnam.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex is from January to March. During this time, you will have a chance to join the Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival, where you can find a range of interesting traditional activities in Vietnam. Normally, the festival will be held on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.
How to get there
- From Ninh Binh: Bai Dinh Pagoda is around 25 kilometers from Ninh Binh. Thus, you can rent a motorbike or book a taxi to reach here in 15-20 minutes.
- From Hanoi: You should take a bus departing from Giap Bat, My Dinh, or Nuoc Ngam bus stations to reach the pagoda. Or else, you can also go on a tour for detailed instructions and time-saving (contact VietnamTour.in).
>> You can read: Top 10 Famous Temples in Vietnam for Indian Travelers
What outstanding to see in Bai Dinh Pagoda
Immerse the mysterious ambiance of Light Cave and Dark Cave
Both caves are at the turning point at the top of the slope towards Bai Dinh Pagoda. While the Light Cave is a place to worship Buddha and God, the Dark Cave expresses the locals’ respect for Mother and Fairy.
Discover the ancient beauty of the Ngoc Well
It is also called the Pearl Well, one of the oldest historical relics of 1,000 years old. The well has a moon shape, with a depth of 6 meters, and its total wellhead is built with stone handrails.
Experience the majestic appearance of The Tam Quan Gate
The gate has gained popularity with visitors as the “Three-entrance Gate”. Each time you step into the gate, you can get a calm and peaceful feeling from the surrounding space.
Explore the unique design of the Bell Tower
The Bell Tower is designed in an octagonal shape, with 3-story curved roofs and impressive decoration details. From far away, the tower features the appearance of a lotus.
Admire relics of Buddha in Bao Thap Tower
It is the sole place of the Bai Dinh Pagoda to display relics of Buddha from India. To reach here, you need to walk through 72 steps or use an elevator to move.
Witness the huge bronze Buddha statues in Tam The Hall
The hall is the largest structure here, with a height of 76 meters above sea level. Inside the Tam The hall, visitors can see 3 magnificent bronze statues of Tam The Buddha – weighing up to 50 tons.
Experience the longest Asian corridor with the Arhat corridor
It is built and decorated with 500 Arhat Statues along both sides of the corridor. Each statue here is made by the craftsmen of the Ninh Van Village, using all materials from monolithic stones.
Discover the special work of art at The Hall of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
The hall is built in ironwood, including 7 main compartments, and lengthens up to 40.4 meters. Inside this spot, there is a bronze figure of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, together with a lot of hands and eyes made of gold.
Immerse in the breathtaking feeling of Maitreya Statue
It is on the highest hill of Bai Dinh Pagoda, about 100 meters high compared to the sea level. The Statue demonstrates the appearance of the Maitreya as a mumping monk.
Other attractions nearby
- Hoa Lu: This land is known as “An Ancient Capital in Vietnam”, preserving the beauty of culture, traditions, and other sculptural values over time. When coming here, you will first witness the life of locals, as well as learn new things about Vietnamese history.
- Trang An complex: It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its stunning karst formations and a huge system of caves. You can discover the Trang An’s beauty and some ancient temples nestled inside on a rented boat from locals.
- Tam Coc: Visitors will surely be impressed with its breathtaking beauty, which features a range of limestone formations and rice paddies. This spot is called “Halong Bay on Land”.
>> Read more: Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Ninh Binh for Indian Tourists
Useful tips
- Pack polite clothing (eg. long pants or shirts)
- Do not touch the statues during the visit time.
- Check Bai Dinh Pagoda opening hours carefully to select the proper means of transport to here.
- Bring hiking shoes instead of high-heels to make it convenient for moving.
- Hire electric cars to get around the pagoda with a fee of 1.5$.
- Bring an umbrella in case there is a drizzle.
- Don’t throw away any littering around the pagoda complex
Conclusion
Our blog has just shown a full guide about your journey to Bai Dinh Pagoda. Although you don’t need to pay the Bai Dinh Pagoda entrance fee, let’s consider unexpected fees like parking, electric cars, or tickets to experience other activities. Let’s refer to Vietnam tour packages to discover more interesting sights in Vietnam.
