Bai Dinh pagoda is situated on Trang An complex and the most reputable religious place in Vietnam. Traveling to Vietnam, you don't pass up this place for those who love Buddha culture. In this guide, we will find a lot of information about Bai Dinh Pagoda to serve your next trip. 

Bai Dinh Pagoda Overview

• Location: Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province
• Opening hours: 6:00 am - 10:00 pm from Monday to Sunday
• Entrance fee: Free

Bai Dinh Pagoda (Bai Dinh Temple Spiritual and Cultural Complex), located on Bai Dinh mountain, belongs to Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh, Vietnam. This is a Buddhist temple complex including an ancient pagoda and new and larger ones. Many pilgrims from all over the country come to Bai Dinh Pagoda annually, especially during Tet holiday.

Buddhism culture developed strongly during the region of Dinh, Early Le, Ly dynasties in Hoa Lu ( the old capital of Vietnam in feudalism) Ninh Binh.

Bai Dinh Pagoda in the evening

So, there are many pagodas that were built in Ninh Binh province. Bai Dinh pagoda was one of the famous pagoda, situated on the western side of Dinh Mountain by King Dinh Tien Hoang, during the Ly dynasty to ask for favorable weather. 

However, some history documents concerning Bai Dinh Pagoda say that it was constructed in the Ly Dynasty to treat disease, assist the locals and contemplate. 

Best time to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda

Bai Dinh Pagoda is the best destination to visit in Ninh Binh, attracting many local and foreign tourists to come here. So, when is the best time to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda? The best time to visit the pagoda is from the first to the third lunar month. 

Ninh Binh weather is cool and pleasant at this time. You can explore many beautiful places and join many outdoor activities. 

From the first to the third lunar month each year, there are a lot of rituals at Bai Dinh Pagoda. So, tourists can enjoy festivals at Bai Dinh Pagoda and Trang An Complex. 

The view of Bai Dinh Pagoda from Bao Thap

Besides, there are several local people who choose Bai Dinh Pagoda to visit, fortune for a new year because the first lunar month coincides with Tet holiday. 

If you don't like crowded places, and want peaceful ones, you should get Bai Dinh Pagoda another time. 

Unique architecture in Bai Dinh Pagoda

Three entrance gate - Tam Quan gate

Tam Quan gate is the main entrance to the Bai Dinh Pagoda. So, if you want to visit Bai Dinh temple, you need to enter this entrance gate. The gate was an impressive design with three layers of curved roofs. 

The tourists take a photo at Tam Quan gate

Arhat statues in the Corridor

Walk along the corridor, you will be surprised with the statues of Arhat. From Tam Quan Gate along the corridor, over 13km, there are 500 stone Arhat statues  and are made by skilled workers from the most famous handicraft villages such as Loc Wood Village, Ninh Van stone village... .  And this is the longest Arhat statue corridor not only in Vietnam but also in Asia. 

La Han Corridor

Bell tower

Located behind the Tam Quan gate, there is a big bell tower with an  octagonal shape and has three storeys. Inside the bell tower is a great bronze bell which weighs 36 tons. You can see below the bell that it is a bronze drum ( 70 tons weight, 4,7m high). 

Bell tower

Quan The Temple

Kuan Yin Hall is made 100% by precious wood. You can see the image of Bodhisattva with a thousand eyes and thousand arms in the middle hall. The statue weighs 80 tons. The statue is recognized as the biggest statue in Asia.

Quan The Temple

Maitreya Buddha Statue in Tam The Temple

Fairy Lake and Buddha Dharma Lord Temple

The temple of Buddha is behind the Kuan Yin Hall with majestic architecture. This place attracts many tourists coming here to worship and fortune.

You have the opportunity to see the statue of Thich Ca Buddha with a weight of 10 tons and a height of 10m. This is the heaviest and highest statue of the Buddha in Vietnam. 

The three periods temple

The three period temple is located on the highest position in the Bai Dinh temple. When travelling to Bai Dinh, you should visit this place. There are three identical statues of Buddha symbolized for past, present and future.

The three periods temple

Bai Dinh ancient pagoda

On the left of Dien Tam The, you will see the Bai Dinh ancient pagoda. Around the old pagoda, you can explore front template,  Buddha's cave and temples to worship mountain god, the kings and saints.

Bao Thap (stupa)

Bao Thap has a 13 storey stupa, located on the right of the main temple. Bao Thap preserves relics of Buddhas and is the tallest stupa in Southeast Asia. The price to reach Bao Thap is from 50.000 VND. After approaching the Bao Thap, you can zoom out as far as the eye can see the panoramic view of Bai Dinh Temple.  

13-storey Stupa

How to get to Bai Dinh Pagoda? 

The distance from Hanoi to Bai Dinh Pagoda is about 95 km. You can transfer to the pagoda by bus, private car, motobike.... It takes about 2 hours to transfer by car from Hanoi to Bai Dinh Pagoda.

If you come with a large group, you should book a private car to get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi. Our driver will pick you up on time and ensure a safe and comfortable journey. 

Book a private tour 1 day from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, you will have an interesting experience with many highlight attractions such as Trang An Complex, Hoa Lu Citadel, Mua cave.. and enjoy local dishes. 

Bai Dinh Pagoda is the most famous pagoda complex in Ninh Binh, Vietnam that you should come here at least once in your life. The trip brings many interesting places on the Vietnam cultural tour. If you need to book a private car or have any questions about the Ninh Binh tour, contact us through WhatsApp +84.934.189.301. 

See more:

Van Long Nature Reserve

Mua cave, Ninh Binh