Indistinct colors of Trang An in spring

May be jasmine without aroma

May be Trang An people without elegance.

When it comes to Trang An, one could not fail to mention the poetic scenes with majestic mountain ranges, charming limestone caves and murmuring streams that make up a picturesque whole, enchanting quite a few travelers. In spring, when the air is fresh and cool, or a little cold as in the northern part of the country, Trang An is a very ideal destination for travel enthusiasts to start a new year. Once in Trang An, visitors will experience the different levels of emotions before the magnificent vastness of heaven and earth.

Listen to history at the temple of King Dinh

On a small boat down the Sao Khe, which connects the rivers of Hoang Long and Day, you can visit a greater number of scenic spots along this route: the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, the long-standing village of Truong Yen and the landscape complex of Trang An.

As the boat glides along the river in silence, the clear blue water makes the lush green moss in the riverbed visible, which looks just like a garden winding along the giant paddle. With the romantic natural scenery in the spring breeze and the cold mist opening up before your eyes, you may feel as if this land is a giant watercolor painting that leaves visitors overwhelmed and fascinated.

The ancient capital of Hoa Lu soon comes into sight, and your journey begins with a visit to the temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang. As you offer an increase stick in this sanctuary space, you may imagine the King, who was originally a cowhand, playing a war-game with his friends before rising to eminence. He defeated 12 rebellions warlords, reunified the country and ascended the throne, giving the country the proud name of Dai Co Viet.

According to local people, many cultural or archaeological researchers visit Hoa Lu-Trang An every year as the residents here often discover antiquities dating back thousands of years along the river banks and at the foot of the mountains. In particular, around Ma Yen Mountain, artifacts are often found. Then, the one who dig them up must perform a ritual to ask for the Heaven’s “blessing” so as to be able to live in peace. If there are only material values in their mind, mishaps will soon rush in.

A moment in Truong Yen Village

Due to the special terrain of limestone mountains, most of the people in Truong Yen practice the well-known craft of stone carving. In addition, since this land is adjacent to the valleys where rivers flow, Truong Yen people also grow rice. In this village, you can catch sight of houses with signature stone walls. A senior villager said stone carving has been practiced here for hundreds of years, but they have yet to figure out who their forefather was. At present, there are about 1,000 skillful stone carvers in Truong Yen. Besides, the scenery remains intact with captivating relic sites that have however been worn out by the time and are now in need of joint efforts for preservation.

Visit Trang An, visit the record pagoda

With Truong Yen left behind, your journey along the river continues with the scenic spot Trang An-Bai Dinh to explore. In early spring, this land is densely crowded with tourists. Viewed from above, the river of Sao Khe looks like a silk ribbon bending around the forests, while the drifting boats give an image of leaves gently floating in the dreamlike water.

Trang An is home to 48 caves, including Sinh, Dia Linh, Ba Giot, Nau Ruou and Quy Hau... The most prominent of them is probably Luon, a cave where a major requiem has recently been held. This is also the reason why Bai Dinh Pagoda was built for Buddhist monks to help the wandering spirits to soon find their way to the other world. Trang An is recognized as the only scenic area in Vietnam with lots of active caves, with ones up to two kilometers long. The most intriguing thing is that the caves in this system connect to one another, forming a circle. When taking a boat, visitors may sometimes be asked to duck so that their heads do not get hit. And when you raise you heads again, a breathtaking dimension will certainly catch you off guard. The more you explore Trang An, the more you will find those poets who have paid a visit to this land admirable. The enchanting mountains and waters of Trang An have been depicted in numerous literary works. In 2014, the scenic landscape complex of Trang An (Ninh Binh) was recognized by UNESCO as a cultural and natural heritage of the world.

Besides, do not forget to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, pay homage to Buddha and pray for the good things for your family. The solemn pagoda lying on the sacred land where “mountains pillow on rivers, clouds play with summits” is always one of the famous pilgrimage sites, attracting a large number of visitors every spring. Bai Dinh Pagoda is holding many records: the largest bronze statue of Buddha in Asia, the most Arhat statues in Vietnam and the longest corridor of Arhat statues in Asia (nearly three kilometers), the largest bronze statue of Maitreya in Southeast Asia...

Stock: TST tourist

 

Stock: TST tourist

 

Stock: TST tourist

 

Stock: TST tourist

 

Stock: TST tourist

Duong Thuy