Tam Coc Bich Dong, also known for another famous name – “the Terrestrial Ha Long Bay”, is considered as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Ninh Binh. The entire area in Tam Coc Bich Dong consists of a system of limestone caves and a number of historical sites dating back from Tran Dynasty.
Tam Coc Bich Dong has the natural area of 350.3 hectares. It is about 2km from National Highway 1A, 7km from Ninh Binh City, 9km from Tam Diep City, and 110km from Hanoi City. This tourist area has many sightseeing routes including the main routes (Tam Coc – Thai Vi Temple – Thien Huong Cave, Bich Dong – Xuyen Thuy Cave, and Dong Tien – Linh Coc Pagoda) and other related routes (Thach Bich – Thung Nang, Ancient Vietnamese Village – Co Vien Lau, Thung Nham – Bird Garden, Ben Dang River – Thien Ha Cave, But Cave, and Mua Cave). With many tourist routes like this, Tam Coc Bich Dong is certainly worth a visit for any travelers once making a tour in the Northern part of Vietnam.
Tam Coc literally means Three Caves because it consists of three natural caves, namely ”Hang Cả” – the First Cave, “Hang Hai” – the Second Cave, and “Hang Ba” – the Third Cave. The First Cave is penetrating through a large mountain with the length of 127 meters and the entrance’s width of 20 meters. It has pretty cool climate inside the cave and multifaceted stalactites. About 1km from the First Cave, the Second Cave is smaller with 60 meters in length. Its ceiling has many pendulous stalactites in strange shapes. The Third Cave is only 50 meters from the Second one. It has 50 meters long. The cave celling looks like a stone arch and is lower than the First Cave and the Second Cave’s. All three caves were formed by Ngo Dong River piercing though a mountain.
Approximately 2km from Tam Coc wharf, Bich Dong is considered as the second most beautiful caves in Vietnam, right after Huong Tich Cave (in Huong Pagoda or Perfume Pagoda). Bich Dong literally means Green Cave. It consists of a dry cave located halfway up the mountain (where Bich Dong Pagoda is situated) and a wet cave penetrating through a mountain (called Xuyen Thuy Cave). The front of the cave is a tributary of Ngo Dong River winding around the mountainside. Crossing the river is a vast paddy field. Constructed in the post-Le Dynasty, Bich Dong Pagoda is imbued with the contemporary oriental style. The pagoda comprises three structures including Ha Pagoda, Trung Pagoda, and Thuong Pagoda in ascending order.
A sightseeing boat ride along Ngo Dong River will allow tourists to go further and explore many beautiful historical sites as well as scenic landscapes dominated by rice fields and karst towers.
Other attactions in Ninh Binh: Trang An Scenic landscape complex, Hoa Lu Ancient capital, Cuc Phuong National park, Phat Diem stone cathedral, Van Long Nature reserve – Kenh Ga Hot Spring
