Information
Landmark: Bai Dinh PagodaCity: Ninh Binh
Country: Vietnam
Continent: Asia
Bai Dinh Pagoda, Ninh Binh, Vietnam, Asia
Overview
Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest Buddhist complex in Vietnam, rises across the hills of Ninh Binh Province, its bronze statues gleaming in the sun.Spanning more than 700 hectares, it’s the largest Buddhist pagoda in Southeast Asia, known for soaring statues, intricate golden roofs, and deep spiritual meaning.Pilgrims and tourists alike come to the complex for its blend of sacred tradition, rich history, and views that stretch across sunlit hills.Bai Dinh Pagoda’s standout features begin with its first highlight-a towering bronze Buddha that catches the light at dawn.Bai Dinh Pagoda blends the old and the new, with two main sections: the Old Bai Dinh Pagoda, built more than a thousand years ago, hidden in a cool limestone cave on the mountainside, where weathered altars and ancient Buddhist relics rest in the dim light.Built in 2003, the New Bai Dinh Pagoda spreads across a vast complex of towering temples, echoing halls, and gleaming statues, drawing pilgrims from far and wide.Number two.Bai Dinh Pagoda boasts several records in Vietnam and across Southeast Asia, including the country’s largest bronze Buddha statue-a 100-ton giant that gleams in the afternoon sun.Asia’s longest corridor of Arhat statues stretches ahead-more than 500 figures, each about two meters tall, their stone robes catching the light.Rising 13 stories into the sky, the tallest Buddhist stupa in Southeast Asia offers sweeping views that stretch past temple roofs and winding streets.Vietnam’s largest bell, a massive 36-ton giant, hangs silent and cold to the touch.Number three.One of the pagoda’s most captivating sights is the Arhat Corridor, where 500 stone Arhats-each with a distinct face and folded robes-stand in a silent row.Every statue wears its own expression-one might smile faintly, another gaze deep in thought-capturing a range of emotions and quiet wisdom.Number four.Inside the Great Buddha Hall, the main temple holds a 100-ton bronze Buddha, its dark metal gleaming under soft light, encircled by smaller golden statues of Buddhist deities.The hall glows with golden trim, its walls lined with delicate wood carvings and vivid murals that bring Buddhist teachings to life.Five.At the 13-Story Bao Thap Stupa, a 99-meter tower holding sacred relics of the Buddha, visitors can climb all the way to the top and feel the wind sweep past their faces.From the top, you can take in sweeping views of Ninh Binh’s lush valleys, with the winding rivers of Trang An and the golden rice fields of Tam Coc stretching into the distance.Number six.Tucked into the limestone hills, the old Bai Dinh Pagoda holds a quiet Buddhist cave temple, where cool stone drips from stalactites above weathered, timeworn altars.A small shrine honors Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, the gentle goddess of mercy, its incense curling in the still air.Quiet courtyards where sunlight warms the stone, and peaceful nooks made for meditation.The best time to visit is from October to April, when the air’s cooler and wandering the vast complex feels pleasant instead of sweltering.From January to March, the Lunar New Year and Bai Dinh Spring Festival fill the air with the scent of incense, lively cultural performances, and vibrant Buddhist rituals-making it the perfect time to join the celebrations.Bai Dinh Pagoda lies about 100 kilometers south of Hanoi, roughly a two-hour ride by car or bus, with rice fields flicking past the window along the way.Ninh Binh City sits about 15 kilometers away, just a half-hour’s drive past green rice fields.You can rent an electric buggy right at the entrance and zip off to explore the vast complex, its paths stretching out like sunlit ribbons.Entrance fees and facilities: You can enter the pagoda for free, and the cool shade inside makes it a welcome stop.An electric buggy ride costs about 60,000 VND-roughly three US dollars-per person.Entrance to the stupa for the panoramic view costs about 50,000 VND-roughly two dollars-the equivalent of a small cup of iced coffee.Inside the complex, you’ll find restaurants serving hot meals and small shops stocked with souvenirs.Just 10 km away, the Trang An Scenic Complex- a UNESCO World Heritage site-offers boat rides that drift through cool, echoing caves and past towering karst peaks.Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, just 12 kilometers away, is a historic site where stone temples honor Vietnam’s first kings.Tam Coc – Bich Dong (15 km) offers a stunning boat ride, drifting past golden rice fields and slipping quietly through cool limestone caves.Final thoughts: Bai Dinh Pagoda isn’t just a temple-it’s a vast spiritual and cultural landmark where Buddhist chants echo through towering halls framed by mountains and lush greenery.Whether you’re here to pray, trace centuries of history, or take in the sight of limestone cliffs glowing in the late sun, this iconic Ninh Binh landmark leaves a lasting impression.
