Hanoi: Trang An UNESCO, Mua Cave, Hoa Lu or Dich Long Pagoda

Highlights

• Explore the Địch Lộng Pagoda, a Vietnamese national historical treasure
• Discover a unique sanctuary that blends spirituality, religion, and geology
• Enjoy a boat ride through caves and rivers in Trang An UNESCO COMPLEX
• Visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital from the 10th century
• Hike up Mua Cave for panoramic views of Ninh Binh’s landscape

Description

Option: Private Tour: Explore the Địch Lộng Pagoda, a stunning Vietnamese-Buddhist refuge

Explore the Địch Lộng Pagoda, a stunning Vietnamese-Buddhist refuge. Discover its pagodas, an ancient communal temple, a meditation garden, and both dry and wet caves. Learn why it is considered one of the three most beautiful pagodas in North Vietnam and a Vietnamese national historical treasure.

Admire the traditional architecture, which combines human construction with natural caverns imbued with spiritual significance. Discover the story of how a woodsman discovered a large cave hidden deep within an isolated forest area while looking for firewood, sometime around 1740.

Learn how the fame of this natural wonder spread and locals built a road, constructed the Buddhist pagoda, and added the village communal house to complete the complex.

See the impressive bell tower, carved in stone and wood in the Hoa Lu architectural style. Admire the sculptures of twisting dragons and lotus blossoms, the Buddhist symbols of purity, that adorn the roof of the bell tower.

Visit the old communal temple behind the bell tower, created by skilled artisans from Hoa Lu’s ancient capital. See the eight massive green stone pillars, each over 4 meters high, carved with images of dragons twisting in the sky.

Group Tour Itinerary

Option: Hanoi: Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu, Trang An, Mua Cave , ' GROUP TOUR '

07h15 – 8h00: Pick up from your hotel in the Old Quarter area and departure for Ninh Binh. Due to the ban on buses picking up passengers on some streets between 6:30 and 8:30 from 1 March 2025, we may need you to come to one of our meeting points depending on your location to wait for us. We appreciate your support.

09h15: Have a short break for relaxing & rest room at a stop-over about 15 - 20 minutes.

10h00- 10h30: Arrive at Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, visit the King temples. Under the introduction of our local guide, you will get to know more about the Vietnamese history.

Afternoon Activities

Relax before lunch:

• A short bike ride with tour guide : Get on a bike and start cycling to explore the beautiful scenery and limestone mountains with a unique route (optional and free of charge)
• If you don't wish to cycle, feel free to explore the village on foot or rest at a local restaurant.

12h00: Enjoy buffet lunch at a local restaurant – goat meat dishes is the local specialty ( Vegetarian foods are avaiable )

13h30: Arrive Trang An and spend about 1h40 - 2 hours exploring Trang An– the core of natural heritage in a Sampan boat (4 people per boat), rowed by a local people. Explore the amazing cave tunnel system and passing through sacred temples associated with legends in the history of Trang An.

Get back to limousine bus then leave for Mua Cave. Walk up almost 500 steps, you can reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain & have an amazing panoramic view of Tam Coc from here.

Leave Ninh Binh and drive back to Hanoi.

19:00 – 19:30 Arrive in Hanoi, drop you back to your hotel . Trip ends.

Includes

• Visit to Địch Lộng Pagoda
• Access to meditation garden
• Visit to ancient Vietnamese communal temple
• Exploration of dry and wet caves
• View of Buddhist sculptures
• Access to the bell tower
• Visit to the Ha pagoda
• Climb 105 stone steps to Địch Lộng Cave
• Cultural exploration of Vietnamese symbols
• Tour guide
• Pick up & drop off in Old Quater area
• Mineral water
• Buffet lunch with Vietnamese cuisine (Optional)
• All sightseeing tickets and boat fees
• Free using of hat/ rain-coat during the trip
• Transportation
• Boat trip to Trang An
• Entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Bike rental & Biking visit to villages and Tam Coc town (Optional)

Excludes

• Personal expenses and Optional Tips
• Surcharge for Lunar New Year ( 250.000 vnd / person)

Important Information

• The site is largely uncovered, so bring a hat and water. There are 105 stone steps to climb to reach the cave. The pagoda is a blend of human construction and natural caverns.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund