Bich Dong Pagoda 2026: Ninh Binh Cave Pagoda Near Tam Coc

Bich Dong Pagoda (Chùa Bích Động, “Jade Grotto”) is a group of three pagodas built into a limestone mountain about 2 km from the Tam Coc boat wharf in Ninh Binh. Dating from the 15th century and part of the UNESCO-listed Trang An Landscape Complex, it is famous for its Lower, Middle and Upper pagodas linked by stone steps and caves. Entry is free.

Status (checked October 2026): open daily as normal and free to enter, roughly during daylight hours (about 7:30–16:30 for the pagoda halls). The stone steps can be slippery after rain; festival crowds peak in the first three lunar months (February–April).

Why Bich Dong Pagoda is worth seeing:

A pagoda inside a mountain: the Middle Pagoda is partly set in a cave, with an open front facing rice fields.
Three levels climbing a karst peak, ending at a viewpoint over Tam Coc.
Six centuries of history, from a 1428 hermitage to the classic 18th-century layout.
UNESCO setting: part of the Trang An Landscape Complex, a mixed World Heritage Site since 2014.
Free and quiet compared with the busy Tam Coc boat trip next door.

Bich Dong Pagoda at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Chùa Bích Động
Location	Dam Khe village, Tam Coc area (formerly Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu), Ninh Binh province
Distance	About 2 km from Tam Coc wharf, about 7 km from Ninh Binh city centre and about 100 km from Hanoi
Known for	Three cave pagodas on a karst mountain, stone steps, views over Tam Coc
Recognition	Part of the Trang An Landscape Complex (UNESCO World Heritage, 2014); special national relic area (2012)
Opening hours	Daily, about 7:30–16:30 (grounds accessible in daylight)
Entrance fee	Free
Time needed	45 minutes to 1.5 hours
Best time	Early morning or late afternoon; May–June for golden rice, October–April for cooler climbing
Nearby	Tam Coc, Thung Nham, Mua Cave, Trang An, Hoa Lu
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor · UNESCO · Wikipedia

Is Bich Dong Pagoda Worth Visiting?

Yes, it is one of the most atmospheric small pagodas in northern Vietnam, and it costs nothing. It takes about an hour, sits right beside Tam Coc, and rewards a short climb with cave shrines and views. It is not grand like Bai Dinh; its charm is age, setting and quiet.

Best for: travellers staying in Tam Coc, cyclists, photographers and anyone interested in traditional Vietnamese temples.
Skip if: you have trouble with steep, uneven steps; the Lower Pagoda alone is still worth a look.
Short on time: combine it with the Tam Coc boat trip or cycle here from Tam Coc town in 10–15 minutes.

History of Bich Dong Pagoda

According to local records, a small hermitage known as the Cave Pagoda (Chùa Động) was built here in 1428, at the start of the Le dynasty. In 1705 two monks from Nghe An, Tri Kien and Tri The, rebuilt the site and created the three-level layout seen today. The pagoda was expanded again in the 1740s.

In 1773–1774 the site received the name Bích Động (“Jade Grotto”), traditionally credited to Lord Trinh Sam during a visit, though some accounts attribute it to the scholar-official Nguyen Nghiem. It became known as “Nam thiên đệ nhị động”, the second most beautiful cave in the southern realm, after Huong Tich in the Perfume Pagoda area.

The Tam Coc–Bich Dong area was recognised as a special national relic in 2012 and, in 2014, became part of the Trang An Landscape Complex, Southeast Asia’s first mixed (cultural and natural) World Heritage Site. Since 1 July 2025 the area belongs to the enlarged Ninh Binh province, which now includes the former Ha Nam and Nam Dinh provinces.

What to See at Bich Dong Pagoda

1. The Lower Pagoda (Chùa Hạ)

At the foot of the mountain beside a small river and lotus pond, the Lower Pagoda has five bays and a simple layout with curved tiled roofs and stone columns. A stone bridge and gate lead to it from the road.

2. The stone steps

About 100–120 stone steps wind up the mountainside to the Middle Pagoda, shaded by trees. The climb takes 5–10 minutes.

3. The Middle Pagoda (Chùa Trung)

The highlight: a three-bay pagoda partly built into a cave, with its front open to views of rice fields and karst peaks. Inside are Buddha statues and altars.

Altar inside the cave of the Middle Pagoda at Bich Dong, Ninh Binh — The Middle Pagoda sits inside a cave in the mountain. Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

4. The dark cave

Next to the Middle Pagoda, a short passage leads into a dark cave with rock formations that locals compare to animals and figures. Steps are uneven; a phone torch helps.

5. The Upper Pagoda (Chùa Thượng)

About 40 more steps lead to the small Upper Pagoda near the summit, dedicated to Quan Am, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The terrace looks over the Ngo Dong River valley and Tam Coc’s rice fields.

6. Xuyen Thuy water cave

Behind the mountain, a water cave known as Xuyen Thuy runs beneath an arched roof of stone. Ask locally whether boats are running; access depends on water levels.

Bich Dong Pagoda Tickets and Opening Hours (2026)

Item	Details
Pagoda entry	Free
Opening hours	Daily, about 7:30–16:30 for the halls
Parking	Small fee for cars and motorbikes near the gate
Tam Coc boat trip (separate)	About 250,000 VND per adult including boat (2025 provincial price list)

Bich Dong itself has no ticket; Tam Coc boat prices are set by the Ninh Binh authorities and may change.

How to Visit Bich Dong Pagoda, Step by Step

Cycle, take a taxi or ride a motorbike about 2 km from Tam Coc town to the pagoda gate.
Cross the stone bridge to the Lower Pagoda.
Climb the steps to the Middle Pagoda and peek into the dark cave.
Continue to the Upper Pagoda for the view.
Return the same way and continue to Thung Nham, Mua Cave or Tam Coc wharf.

Etiquette at Bich Dong

Cover shoulders and knees; carry a scarf or sarong if needed.
Speak quietly; this is an active place of worship.
Do not touch altars or offerings, and ask before photographing monks or worshippers.
Wear shoes with grip; steps can be wet and mossy.

How to Get to Bich Dong Pagoda

From	How	Time
Tam Coc town / wharf	Bicycle, motorbike or taxi (about 2 km)	5–15 minutes
Ninh Binh city	Taxi, Grab or private car	About 20 minutes
Trang An wharf	Taxi or car	About 20 minutes
Hanoi	Private car, tour or limousine bus	About 2 hours
Hanoi by public transport	Train or bus to Ninh Binh, then taxi	About 2.5–3 hours

See all the ways to arrive in our Ninh Binh transportation guide.

Best Time to Visit Bich Dong Pagoda

When	What to expect
February–April (lunar 1st–3rd months)	Spring pilgrimage season; busy, especially around Tet.
Late May–early June	Golden rice around Tam Coc; lotus blooms near the Lower Pagoda; hot.
July–September	Hot and rainy; slippery steps.
October–January	Cool and dry; comfortable for the climb.
Time of day	Early morning for quiet and soft light; late afternoon for warm views from the top.

Local Expert Tips for Bich Dong Pagoda

These tips come from years of arranging Ninh Binh tours for international travellers.

Cycle here from Tam Coc through the rice fields; it is the most enjoyable approach.
Visit after your Tam Coc boat trip to spread out the day and avoid midday heat on the river.
Bring water and wear grippy shoes for the steps and the dark cave.
Continue to Thung Nham Bird Park in the late afternoon to see thousands of birds return to roost.
Go early during the spring festival season to avoid crowds.
Find homestays within cycling distance in our Ninh Binh hotel and homestay guide.

Bich Dong Pagoda vs Bai Dinh Pagoda

Feature	Bich Dong	Bai Dinh
Age	Founded 1428; layout from 1705	Old pagoda 1136; new complex 2003–2010
Size	Three small pagodas	Vietnam’s largest Buddhist complex
Atmosphere	Quiet, ancient, intimate	Monumental, busy
Cost	Free	Free entry; electric car about 100,000 VND
Time needed	About 1 hour	2–3 hours
Best combined with	Tam Coc, Thung Nham, Mua Cave	Trang An, Hoa Lu

Our view: if you prefer history and atmosphere, choose Bich Dong; for scale and spectacle, Bai Dinh. Both fit into two days in Ninh Binh.

Nearby Attractions

Tam Coc: rowing boats through three river caves and rice fields.
Thung Nham Bird Park: caves, gardens and a large bird colony.
Mua Cave: about 500 steps to Ninh Binh’s best viewpoint.
Thung Nang: a quiet valley boat trip close by.
Trang An: the core of the UNESCO landscape complex.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: 10th-century royal temples.

Sightseeing in Ninh Binh for First-Time Visitors: Where Bich Dong Fits

A perfect Tam Coc day: take an early Tam Coc boat trip, cycle to Bich Dong Pagoda mid-morning, have lunch in Tam Coc with ideas from our Ninh Binh food guide, and climb Hang Mua for sunset. On another day, see Trang An, Bai Dinh and the Hoa Lu temples. Check our Ninh Binh travel tips before you go.

Plan your trip with our Ninh Binh travel guide and Ninh Binh tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bich Dong Pagoda

1. What is Bich Dong Pagoda famous for?

Bich Dong Pagoda is famous for three pagodas built at different levels of a limestone mountain, including a Middle Pagoda set inside a cave, near Tam Coc in Ninh Binh.