Bai Dinh Pagoda – Ninh Binh Attractions

Explore Bai Dinh Pagoda – Southeast Asia’s biggest Pagoda and one of the top 10 spiritual destinations is a must when visiting Vietnam. You will be absolutely blessed with its Buddha and a millennium of Buddhist architecture as well as immersed in a tranquil atmosphere.

Location of Bai Dinh Pagoda

The pagoda is situated in Ninh Binh province known as the ancient capital of Vietnam. It is located in the scenic Trang An complex admitted to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, 15km from the city of Ninh Binh.

Bai Dinh Pagoda Highlights

The Pagoda Architecture

The pagoda consists of both the ancient and the newly renovated one. The Old Bai Dinh located on the western slope of Dinh Mountain makes you feel likes to live in fairyland thanks to its fanciful scenery and quiet atmosphere. In the center of the pagoda is an ancestor-worshipping house, Bright Cave on the right side dedicates to Buddha & Genie Cao Son, the opposite side worships Saint Nguyen & Fairy in Dark Cave. Especially, you also have a chance to discover many other grottoes and caves like Fairy cave with seven smaller ones or cave of Ba Chua Thuong Ngan (the Goddess of forests).

On the other side of the mountain is new Bai Dinh Pagoda built since 2003. All materials are contributed from the local area and neighboring provinces such as greenstone of Ninh Bình, ceramic tiles of Bat Trang, etc. The Pagoda includes lots of parts like Tam The Temple, Phap Chu Temple, Quan Am temple (Bodhisattva Temple), Bao Thap, Bell Tower and dormitory area for Buddhist monks.

Worshipping Monuments

The most prominent point of the religion works you should not miss are Tam The Temple and Phap Chu Temple. Explore Phap Chu Temple, you will have a great opportunity to admire a bronze Buddha Sakyamuni statue with 10 meters high and 100 tons heavy which is recognized as the biggest statue in Asia. This statue is engraved by the pure bronze bought from Russian and installed by the famous artisans. In addition, the temple makes several national records such as the three largest horizontal lacquered boards and three biggest “Cua Vong” (a kind of door which is sophisticatedly sculpted and engraved). Continue going to Tam The Temple, it offers 3 Tam the statues with each 12m high and 100 tons weigh symbolizing the past, the present, and the future.

The bell tower in Bai Dinh Pagoda is situated on a high hill. The special feature of the bell tower in Bai Dinh which none of the temples in Vietnam carry is that on the floor of the bell tower are a 70-ton bronze drum with the largest size in Vietnam and a 36-ton bell tower – the largest bell in Vietnam. Remarkably, you can also enjoy the biggest Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue in Bodhisattva Temple. The statue looks so magnificent with a thousand hands and eyes to show the protection and universal salvation for common people. The Pagoda also hosts the record for Asia’s 3km longest corridor, providing 500 Arhat statues in Asia, Vietnam’s biggest Pearl Well, and the biggest bronze Buddha in Southeast Asia.

Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival

The spring festival of Bai Dinh Pagoda takes place from the 6th day of the first lunar month to the end of the third one. In addition to its stunning sightseeing and huge architecture, you can experience the festival’s unique cultural activities. Observe ceremonial rites through some activities such as offering incense to Buddha, dedicating to Saint Nguyen Minh Khong, attending Goddess Thuong Ngan’s audience, etc. Take part in lots of entertaining activities like playing traditional games, enjoying folk music performances, etc.

Bai Dinh Pagoda Ticket

• Electric-car service: 30.000VND/person/turn
• Bao Tower: 50.0000VND/person