1. Where is Bai Dinh Pagoda?
Bai Dinh Pagoda is located on Bai Dinh Mountain, Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province. The pagoda is about 20 km northwest of Ninh Binh City, about 96 km south of Hanoi capital and 122 km from Noi Bai International Airport.
2. Unique features of Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda is known as a large pagoda complex, holding the most records in Asia and Vietnam. The pagoda has the largest area in Vietnam, including: the ancient Bai Dinh pagoda area and the new Bai Dinh pagoda area. Bai Dinh Pagoda attracts tourists by its outstanding architecture with large, majestic blocks bearing the strong imprint of Vietnamese pagoda architecture.
The temple is notable for its many shrines and large and small Buddha statues. It’s one of the most unique tourist sport in Gia Vien. In particular, the temple has a corridor called the La Han corridor, spread throughout the temple grounds with 500 La Han statues arranged along the entire corridor.
With a very large campus, visitors to the pagoda can both visit and enjoy the scenery, and find a peaceful place to purify their souls. Bai Dinh Pagoda is a spiritual tourist destination where visitors from all over the world come to burn incense and worship Buddha every year.
3. Records of Bai Dinh Pagoda
3.1. The largest temple in Vietnam
Bai Dinh Pagoda covers an area of up to 539 hectares, including 27 hectares of the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda built in the 12th century and 80 hectares of the new Bai Dinh Pagoda built in 2003.
In addition, the pagoda also built many other items around the two old and new Bai Dinh pagodas. Because of its large area, Bai Dinh pagoda has become the largest pagoda in Vietnam.
3.2. The largest bronze Maitreya Buddha statue in Southeast Asia
Bai Dinh Pagoda has a Buddha statue recognized by the Vietnam Book of Records Center – Vietkings as the largest Maitreya Buddha statue in Southeast Asia. The statue is 10m high, weighs 80 tons, and is placed on a hill to the right of the Tam The Phat shrine.
The statue is carved in detail and meticulously, creating the image of a smiling Buddha who looks very kind and gentle. Visitors standing anywhere in the temple can see the statue and it has created a famous photo spot at Bai Dinh Pagoda.
3.3. The largest gilded bronze Buddha statue in Asia
In the main hall of the Dharma Master’s shrine of Bai Dinh Pagoda, there is a statue of Buddha Shakyamuni sitting on a lotus throne, which has been recognized by the Asia Record Center as the largest gilded bronze Buddha statue in Asia.
The statue is 10m high, weighs up to 100 tons, is cast from pure bronze and gilded on the outside. The statue is placed on a 1.5m high pedestal, giving it a majestic and solemn look. This statue is an impressive point in the hearts of tourists when visiting Bai Dinh Pagoda.
3.4. The largest bronze bell in Vietnam
The next record of Bai Dinh Pagoda is the Bronze Bell, also known as Dai Hong Chung. The bell is cast entirely from red copper produced in Vietnam, weighs 36 tons, is 5.5m high and has a diameter of 3.45m, making it the largest bronze bell in Vietnam today.
The bell body has many motifs imitating ancient bells and has Chinese characters embossed with Buddhist themes. It is placed in a tall tower, below which is a bronze drum. Visitors can easily climb the stairs to the tower to admire this huge bell.
3.5. The tallest stupa in Southeast Asia
The most prominent feature of the Bai Dinh pagoda complex is the Xa Loi stupa – the tallest stupa in Southeast Asia. The stupa consists of 13 floors with a hexagonal perimeter of 24 meters and a height of 99 meters. This is where visitors can admire the entire view of Bai Dinh pagoda.
3.6. The temple area has the largest jade well in Vietnam
The jade well is circular, 30m in diameter, 6m deep, the water in the well is always clear and never dries up. The jade well was built, restored and was honored by the Vietnam Record Book Center as the pagoda area with the largest jade well in Vietnam in 2007.
3.7. The longest Arhat corridor in Asia
The next record is the longest Arhat corridor in Asia at Bai Dinh pagoda. The corridor is built entirely of wood and is up to 3.4km long with 250 compartments, each compartment has 22 steps, each step is 1.35m high. Along the left and right corridors are 500 Arhat statues carved from monolithic stone.
3.8. The pagoda with the most Arhat statues in Vietnam
At the pagoda, there are up to 500 Arhat statues made of monolithic stone, 1.5m – 2m high and weighing 2 – 2.5 tons. Each statue is meticulously and delicately carved by artisans. More specifically, each statue represents a different shape and demeanor.
3.9. The temple area has the most Bodhi trees in Vietnam
In the large campus of Bai Dinh Pagoda, there are 100 Bodhi trees grafted from India and brought to Vietnam to be planted at the pagoda. The Bodhi trees were planted on the occasion of the United Nations Vesak Day in Vietnam on May 17, 2008. Each Bodhi tree was planted by a Party or State leader and a nameplate was attached to a stone stele.
4. When is the best time to travel to Bai Dinh Pagoda?
Bai Dinh Pagoda, Ninh Binh Province in Northern Vietnam, is located in a humid subtropical climate zone with four distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. According to travel experience, visitors can visit Bai Dinh Pagoda at any time of the year, each season brings its own beauty.
However, the best time to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda is in early spring from January to March (lunar calendar). At this time, the weather is cool, a little chilly, very suitable for coming here to burn incense and worship Buddha. In addition, at this time, the pagoda also organizes festivals so that all visitors can visit, sightsee and pray for good luck at the beginning of the year.
5. How to get to Bai Dinh Pagoda?
5.1. Travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh city
5.1.1. Travel by bus
Buses are the means of transportation to Ninh Binh chosen by many tourists from the North and North Central Vietnam. There are many bus companies from Hanoi to Ninh Binh every day with different schedules.
If departing from Hanoi, visitors can buy tickets at major bus stations: My Dinh bus station, Giap Bat bus station, Nuoc Ngam bus station to Ninh Binh bus station. Travel time between the two provinces is about more than 1 hour. Some reputable bus companies that visitors can refer to: Hai Thang, Anh Vu, Thuy Duong, Hoang Thin, Anh Dong…
5.1.2. Traveling by train
Ninh Binh is a province with the North-South railway running through it, so visitors can easily buy tickets and get here by train. The travel time is quite long due to having to go through many stations, but it can help visitors save money and experience a new feeling when taking the train.
For visitors departing from Hanoi, tickets can be purchased at Hanoi station with many trains at different times of the day. Trains from Hanoi passing through Ninh Binh: SE1, SE3, SE5, SE7 and SE19.
5.1.3. Travel by motorbike or personal car
Traveling by motorbike or private car is suitable for tourists who love to explore, this will definitely be the perfect choice. This form of transportation will help tourists be proactive about time, freely enjoy the beautiful scenery during the Ninh Binh travel journey.
For tourists traveling by motorbike, departing from Hanoi city center, go straight along Highway 1A to the South. It takes about 2 hours to reach the tourist destinations in Ninh Binh. Tourists traveling by motorbike should wear helmets and bring all necessary documents when participating in traffic.
For tourists traveling by private car, departing from Hanoi city center, follow Giai Phong street, pass Giap Bat bus station, turn and go straight on CT01 Hanoi – Ninh Binh highway. Travel time is about 1 hour 30 minutes to reach the tourist attractions in Ninh Binh.
5.1.4. Travel by plane
Ninh Binh is a province without an airport, so tourists from far away who want to travel here by air must buy tickets to Noi Bai International Airport – Hanoi.
Tourists buy tickets from their place of residence to Noi Bai airport by buying tickets online or at the ticket counter. Then, tourists choose means of transportation such as buses, motorbikes, cars to get to Ninh Binh.
5.2. Travel from Ninh Binh city to Bai Dinh pagoda
From Ninh Binh City to Bai Dinh Pagoda is only 20km so traveling is relatively easy via google map here.
5.2.1. Traveling by bus
Bus is the public transport to Bai Dinh pagoda chosen by many tourists. Tourists from Ninh Binh city can take bus number 08 to reach the pagoda.
The bus operates many trips a day so that visitors can go to Bai Dinh Pagoda at any time. The bus service increases the income of workers and provides convenience for visitors when they go sightseeing and worship Buddha at Bai Dinh Pagoda.
5.2.2. Travel by motorbike/taxi
Tourists from far away, traveling to Ninh Binh by bus or train can use the self-drive motorbike rental service to move freely or rent a taxi. Some reputable motorbike rental shops for tourists to refer to: Duc Anh, Duc Thang, Viet Dung… Then, tourists can go from Ninh Binh city to Bai Dinh pagoda by the following ways:
- Tourists depart from Ninh Binh city, follow Hai Thuong Lan Ong street for about 2.8km then turn right onto DT491 street. Then go about 3km then turn onto Trang An street. Continue about 8.5km then turn left onto QL38B and go about 5.5km more to reach Bai Dinh pagoda.
- From Ninh Binh city, follow QL1A to the North about 9km, then turn left, go straight for 5.4km to Truong Yen Bridge to reach QL38B. Then go along QL38B for 7km to reach Bai Dinh Pagoda.
6. Discover the beauty of Bai Dinh Pagoda
Join Origin Vietnam to check out the famous tourist attractions that visitors should not miss at Bai Dinh Pagoda below!
6.1. Discover the beauty of the ancient Bai Dinh pagoda
6.1.1. Buddhist worship cave
The Buddhist cave, also known as the Bright Cave or the Dark Cave, is about 25m long, 15m wide and has enough natural light inside the cave. In front of the cave are statues of Mr. Khuyen Thien and Mr. Trung Ac, inside the cave is a place to worship the Mother Goddess and the fairies.
The statues here are all cast from solid bronze, gilded, in the middle of the cave there is a natural well that keeps the air cool. Visitors coming here to worship Buddha will see the sacred, pure and serene space of the cave.
6.1.2. Saint Nguyen Temple
The Saint Nguyen Temple is located inside the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda, built in the architectural style of the front and back. This is the place to worship and commemorate Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong. The Zen Master was the one who discovered the cave and built the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda.
6.1.3. Cao Son Temple
Cao Son Temple is built with its back against the mountain, with a corridor separating it from the valley in front. Since ancient times, Cao Son, along with Thien Ton and Quy Minh, are the three gods guarding the three gates to the West, East and South of the ancient capital Hoa Lu. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, please stop by Cao Son to burn incense and commemorate his merits.
6.1.4. Jade Well
Jade Well is one of the most beautiful and attractive tourist attractions of the ancient Bai Dinh pagoda complex. Surrounding the well is a stone railing forming a large circle, the water in the well has a very beautiful jade green color.
The jade well stands out in the middle of a large campus and has rows of green trees creating a fresh, cool atmosphere for visitors to come here to visit and sightsee.
6.2. Discover the beauty of the new Bai Dinh pagoda area
6.2.1. Tam Quan Gate
The Tam Quan Gate is built entirely of wood, with a stacked-bed architecture. The gate is built in a majestic, imposing and tall manner. In front of the gate are two stone lions placed on both sides, symbolizing strength and intelligence.
Entering the Tam Quan, visitors will see two large statues of the god Khuyen Thien and the god Truong Ac. Above is the image of the wheel of reincarnation, carved with ventilation, in the middle is the word swastika symbolizing the wisdom, compassion and generosity of Buddha.
6.2.2. La Han Corridor
The La Han corridor has 500 La Han statues made of stone, placed along the corridor, so it is also called La Han Duong. In addition, visitors walking on the corridor can easily see many jackfruit trees planted on both sides of the corridor.
Jackfruit trees help the space here become cooler and fresher, but also symbolize enlightenment and liberation.
6.2.3. Bell tower
The bell tower has an octagonal architecture with 3 curved roofs and a height of 18.25m. The tower has the shape of a giant lotus and has separate entrances and exits for visitors to easily move around and admire the largest bronze bell in Vietnam.
6.2.4. Temple of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
The Quan The Am Bodhisattva Temple is a structure made entirely of wood, built tall and imposing, consisting of 7 compartments. Inside the temple, visitors will see the statue of Quan The Am Bodhisattva with a thousand eyes and a thousand hands standing out in the middle, 5.4m high, placed on a pedestal over 4m high and weighing about 100 tons.
On both sides are statues of Guanyin representing compassion and Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta representing wisdom. Both statues are made of wood, each 10m high and weighing 4 tons. Each statue in the temple has a beautiful and gentle demeanor.
6.2.5. Dharma Master
The Phap Chu Temple was built in traditional Vietnamese architecture with 2 floors and 8 roofs, including 5 compartments and a total area of 1945m2. Inside the temple, visitors can admire the 10m high, 100-ton statue of the Phap Chu, cast in gilded bronze and the largest gilded statue in Asia.
Visitors can come to the Dharma Master’s Temple to express their wishes and desires to the Buddha. In front of the temple is a spacious, airy area with a lake for releasing animals in the middle, covering an area of 5000m2.
6.2.6. Tam The Palace
Tam The Temple was built with a 3-storey roof architecture, including 7 compartments and 2 wings, with a total of 66 large and small concrete columns, covered with wood. The temple stands out with a stone relief right in front of the Tam The temple’s threshold, measuring 10m x 10m and delicately carved with the image of the four sacred animals.
In Tam The Temple, there are 3 large bronze statues, each 7.2m high and weighing 50 tons. The statues are placed on a 1.5m high stone pedestal. The statues are meticulously cast and carved, exuding a majestic and grandiose beauty.
6.2.7. Maitreya Buddha Statue
The 10m high, 80-ton Maitreya Buddha statue is located on a hill about 100m above the Tam Quan gate. The statue is cast in bronze in the posture of a monk begging and always smiling. This is also a place where many tourists come to burn incense and take pictures with this tall and beautiful Buddha statue.
6.2.8. Stupas
The 100m high stupa has 13 floors, an elevator and 72 steps. The stupa is where Buddha relics from India are displayed. Right in the center of the first floor is a golden bronze statue of Sakyamuni, placed on a green stone pedestal with elaborate carvings of dragons, lotus flowers and other sacred animals.
The six walls of the stupa are reliefs that realistically depict the life of Buddha. From the top floor of the stupa, visitors can fully admire the beautiful natural scenery of the Bai Dinh pagoda complex.
7. Enjoy specialties at Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda is not only famous for its beautiful landscapes but also for its extremely rich traditional cuisine. Let’s find out about the specialties here!
7.1. Ninh Binh goat spring rolls
Ninh Binh goat spring rolls always make diners fascinated and delighted by the unique delicious taste of this dish. The meat used to make spring rolls is the loin, thigh and goat skin. The meat is grilled with straw until the skin is golden, crispy and fragrant, then chopped.
Mix the meat, skin, rice bran and a little seasoning together for about an hour, then take it out and form it into small balls. Leave it for two days before eating. Goat spring rolls are eaten with fig leaves, guava leaves, star fruit, green bananas… and dipped in ginger sauce. When eating, you will feel the slightly sour sweetness of the meat along with the fragrant aroma spreading.
7.2. Eel salad
The eel salad is considered one of the best local specialties. After being cleaned, the fish is marinated with spices such as ginger, lemongrass, and dried onions. The fish salad is served with raw vegetables such as star fruit, figs, chili, herbs, and sweet and sour sauce.
When eating, the fish has a sweet taste, mixed with the sour taste of vinegar, the spicy taste of ginger and the rich taste of roasted sticky rice combined with the slightly astringent taste of vegetables, making the dish unique and leaving an impression on visitors.
7.3. Gia Vien shrimp paste
Coming to Gia Vien, tourists will see shrimp paste in every daily meal of the people here. This dish is prepared very simply, put a bowl of fish sauce, add dried onions, fried garlic, then put the fish sauce in to steam, add some ginger leaves for fragrance.
Steamed shrimp paste is often served with white rice, simple, rustic but still extremely delicious. Visitors can buy it to try to feel the delicious, typical flavor of shrimp paste here.
8. Accommodation when traveling to Bai Dinh Pagoda
8.1. Hotels and motels near Bai Dinh Pagoda
For the convenience of long-term trips to Bai Dinh Pagoda, we have compiled the most prestigious and quality hotels and motels for visitors to refer to:
- Ninh Binh Eco Garden Hotel. Address: Hamlet 4, Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Van Long Hotel. Address: Gia Van Commune, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Hoang Hai Hotel. Address: Hamlet 4, Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Van Long Garden. Address: Vo, Ngo Hill, Gia Hoa, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Viet Nghia Hotel. Address: Km 1 Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Ngo Dong Hotel. Address: DT477, Gia Phu, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Thanh Cong Hotel. Address: Gia Van, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Ha Phuong Guest House. Address: Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Cao Son Guesthouse. Address: Road 340, Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Bai Dinh Hotel. Address: Bai Dinh Pagoda grounds, Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Huong Tra Hotel. Address: Gian Khau Intersection, Gia Tran, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Ho Nui Dinh Hotel. Address: Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
8.2. Beautiful Homestays near Bai Dinh Pagoda
For tourists who love nature and plants, choosing a homestay is the most suitable choice. Origin Vietnam has compiled a list of Homestays with beautiful views, quality and amenities for tourists to refer to:
- Ninh Binh Mountain View Homestay. Address: Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Ninh Binh Friendly Homestay. Address: Hamlet 5, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Tam Family Homestay. Address: Hamlet 5 Bai Dinh Pagoda, Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Ninh Binh Bamboo Farmstay. Address: Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Garden Homestay. Address: Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- ACE Homestay. Address: Gia Xuan, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Bai Dinh Eco Homestay. Address: Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Ninh Binh Nature Homestay. Address: Gia Van, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
- Canh Tiep Homestay. Address: Hamlet 5, Gia Sinh, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
9. Some notes when traveling to Bai Dinh Pagoda
To have a complete, economical and wonderful tour Vietnam – Ninh Binh, visitors should note some useful travel experiences below:
- Visitors should prepare hats, sunscreen and other personal belongings to protect themselves.
- Check the weather forecast before departure to avoid going on rainy and stormy days, which may affect your trip.
- You should book hotels, motels, and homestays at least 2 weeks before your trip to have more options and avoid running out of rooms.
- Visitors should dress politely and discreetly to show respect and choose comfortable, suitable clothing for easy movement.
- Bring full identification documents for convenience when checking in for flights, checking into hotels, and renting cars.
- While traveling, you should pay attention to protecting public property and not littering.
With its spiritual value and many records that the pagoda has received, along with its spacious campus and beautiful natural scenery, Bai Dinh Pagoda has become a place that attracts not only Buddhists but also a large number of tourists to visit and worship every year. Hopefully, our article will provide visitors with information and inspiration to come to this place.
We are Origin Vietnam – the leading tour operator in Vietnam. With a team of enthusiastic and experienced consultants. We hope to soon accompany you and help you have a private tour Ninh Binh to explore Bai Dinh Pagoda in the most complete way.
