Bich Dong pagoda (means pagoda inside cave) was build in 1773 by Nguyen Nghiem (the father of the great poet Nguyen Du) when He visited the cave. Looking at the panoramic view of mountains, caves, rivers, fields, the sky here is covered with an overwhelming blue color. So he gave the cave a very beautiful and dreamy name “Bich Dong” (meaning Nephrite Jade  Cave). (read more article: The Beautiful Pagodas in around Ninh Binh )

Overview

• Bich Dong has been called “Nam Thien De Nhi Dong” (the second most beautiful cave in the South Heaven).
• Bich Dong Pagoda was formed in 1428, at the beginning of the Later Le Dynasty, as a small temple on the top of the mountain. (See the day trip to Tam Coc – Bich Dong from Hanoi)

In 1705, two monks Tri Kien and Tri The from Nghia Hung district, Nam Dinh province met and became brothers. The two monks were both devout and wanted to travel to many places to spread Buddhism and build temples.

Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. Thuong Pagoda (upper pagoda)

Coming here, seeing that Bich Dong Mountain has a beautiful terrain and already has a pagoda, the two monks decided to stop, repair the old pagoda themselves, and collect donations to rebuild it into 3 pagodas: Ha, Trung and Thuong to to lead a religious life. (Further more beautiful pagodas in Ninh Binh)

In 1707, two monks Tri Kien and Tri The cast a large bell, which is still hanging in Dark Cave.

How to travel to Bich Dong pagoda?

1. Independent traveler: If you stay in Ninh Binh, just take the taxi or motor-bike drive to Tam Coc then flow further way 1.5 Km to Thung Nang, over Thung Nang 500m, you can see Bich Dong along the left side.
2. Tour Operator: with Bich Dong pagoda, Ninh Binh Tour organize some day trip from Hanoi or Ninh Binh city to Tam Coc – Bich Dong or Thung Nang then visiting Bich Dong pagoda liked plus bike tour activities. Check it now