Bich Dong Pagoda (Tam Cốc Bích động) is a three-tiered ancient pagoda nestled into a mountainside in Tam Coc, northern Vietnam.
The cluster of cave temples is surrounded by a bed of water and impressive water lilies that will have you in awe when you arrive.
I have put together this complete guide to Tam Cốc Bích động including how to get there, how much it costs, and what to expect when you arrive.
WHERE IS TAM COC BICH DONG?
Bich Dong Pagoda is located 2km west of Tam Coc town in the Ninh Binh region.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
Getting around Tam Coc is really simple as it’s very easy to rent a bicycle or a scooter from your choice of half a dozen rental shops in the center of Ninh Binh town.
It’s approximately a 5-minute ride on a scooter from the town center to reach Bich Dong Pagoda. Scooter rental costs around 100,000 VND per day and a bicycle cost half the price.
Must Read → 4 Week Vietnam Itinerary
BICH DONG PAGODA ENTRANCE FEE
There is no entrance fee to visit, however, you may have to pay a small fee for parking at the jump-off point.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit is early in the morning around 6 am before the crowds arrive or you can visit in the late afternoon as it’s a great location to watch the sunset over the valley.
It can be visited year-round, although between the months of November to April it’s mostly dry and cool and when most travelers tend to visit.
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May to October sees plenty of rainfall and hot humid days in Tam Coc. The rainy season, in my opinion, is the best time to visit Tam Coc and the Ninh Binh region as there are fewer tourists and the landscapes are vividly green!
WHAT TO EXPECT
The entrance to Tam Cốc Bích động is absolutely beautiful and the most photogenic spot at this location. You will see an arched concrete walkway that stretches over the water lilies and makes its way through an impressive temple gateway and into the mountains.
Check out this post on the best camera gear for travel so you can capture some beautiful shots while traveling in Vietnam.
Once you have passed over the walkway, there are around 100 steps to reach the top of the mountain and this is where Bich Dong Pagoda can be found.
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The trail cuts through a large cave in the mountain where looming statues and small bats appear behind the haze of incense.
When you reach the top of the stairs, you’ll be welcomed with a stunning view out of the valley of the distant mountain peaks and vast rice fields.
You’ll only need around 1 hour to visit this tourist spot in Ninh Binh.
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WHERE TO STAY IN NINH BINH
Tam Coc and Ninh Binh have hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh
Mid Range: King Kong Homestay
Budget: Tam Coc Banana Bungalow
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR NINH BINH
When visiting Ninh Binh, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
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FINAL THOUGHTS – TAM COC BICH DONG
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about Bich Dong Pagoda, please drop me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can. For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
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THANKS FOR READING
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