• Andrew's TravelsVietnamTraveler
    Hang Mua; "The Great Wall of Vietnam"
    The dragon at the start of the 500 steep step ascentTiger cave at the startView up to the tower1The towerView over to the lying stone Dragon of Hang Mua (Negra Long)View down from the ascent to the Dragon of Hang Mua to the tower and lotus pondsGuanyin, the female Buddha overlooked and protected by the dragonNgra Long, the lying dragonThe shrine at the end of the dragon's tailThe lotus ponds at the base of Hang MuaLotus flower and podThe lotus pondsBich Dong Pagoda; entranceBich Dong PagodaBich Dong Pagoda; Ha Pagoda (lower)Bich Dong Pagoda; Trung Pagoda (middle)Bich Dong Pagoda; Thurong Pagoda (upper)Buddha; Lower / Middle/ Upper

    Ninh Binh; Hang Mua and Bich Dong Pagoda

    November 24, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    This morning we drive to the Hang Mua (aka Dragon's Den Cave) and the associated Mua Mountain viewpoint (aka Lying Dragon Mountain), which is part of the Trang Am Complex in Ninh Binh province; the cave is at the foot of the mountain. It is a climb of 500 steep steps to the two peaks of Mua Mountain, the highlight being a Buddhist statue and a lying stone Dragon (Ngra Long) protecting it. There are excellent 360-degree views at the top. At the base of the mountain are large lotus ponds, which we walk around. See captions on photos for details.

    We return to our hotel, and after a break, I have a walk through our village, Dam Khe, to the local Pagoda. It turns out that this is an important site in Ninh Binh - the Bich Dong Pagoda and Cave. Located on a mountain, it is on three levels - Ha Pagoda, Trung Pagoda, and Thuong Pagoda (lower, middle, upper), with the upper two being partly in caves. Very interesting to see!    Read more