Amethyst Cave – Final Meditation Retreat of the 'dual dynasty queen' Dương Vân Nga

Amethyst Cave is a scenic marvel within the ancient capital relic complex of Hoa Lư. It's affectionately known with a touch of martial arts flair as the 'Peerless Tranquility Grotto,' and served as the meditation retreat of Queen Dương Vân Nga.

Amethyst Cave – Final Meditation Retreat of the 'dual dynasty queen' Dương Vân Nga

Amethyst Cave situated in Trường Yên commune, Hoa Lư district, Ninh Bình province, rests upon a mountain ridge standing over 500m above sea level. Also known as the Dragon Cave, its distant appearance resembles the mouth of a dragon. Following his coronation, King Đinh Tiên Hoàng entrusted the martial artist Trương Ma Ni and his son Trương Ma Sơn to transform it into a judicial monastery.

The majority of the cave is a water-filled valley, enveloped by rocky cliffs. Previously, to access Amethyst Cave, visitors had to climb 205 stone steps up the mountainside. However, a tunnel has been constructed through the mountain, facilitating convenient travel for sightseeing purposes.

Upon traversing the sturdy tunnel, a large, crystal-clear pond greets visitors. Within this sprawling pond, spanning several acres, resides a vibrant school of golden fish. Particularly noteworthy are the small boats dedicated to ferrying sightseers. Historically, this area served as King Đinh's place of punishment, where wrongdoers were thrown into the pond to be devoured by the legendary soft-shelled turtle.

Ascending to the temple – Amethyst Cave, continuing to climb the stone steps, both sides of the path adorned with ancient green banyan trees. Before the cave entrance, several old stone steles remain, including one inscribed with the names of those who contributed to the construction of the temple. Above the cave gate stands a stone stele, its content and age yet to be determined. Flanking the cave entrance, the temple houses statues of two gold-plated guardian deities and military generals from the Đinh – Lê era.

Inside the cave, the main hall houses stone Buddha statues, while above are stalactites in various forms. According to legend, beneath these statues lie the bones of ancient prisoners. At the end of the cave is a small pond named 'Justice Resolving Spring.' Adjacent to the altar are shrines to the Three Mothers and the Five Ancestral Deities.

Amethyst Cave, also known as the temple – Amethyst Cave, was once a place where tigers were kept to punish wrongdoers during King Đinh's reign. However, from the late Đinh period through the Lê dynasty, the practice ceased. During the Lý dynasty, while passing by the cave and sensing its heavy atmosphere, the meditation master Minh Không spent days and nights chanting scriptures to pacify the spirits of wild beasts and the lost souls of criminals.

Mentioning Amethyst Cave inevitably brings up Queen Dương Vân Nga, the queen consort of two kings, Đinh Tiên Hoàng and Lê Đại Hành. She played a crucial role in the transition of power from the Đinh dynasty to the Early Lê dynasty.

In her later years, she entered monastic life and practiced meditation at Amethyst Cave. Standing at Amethyst Cave and looking down, visitors can overlook the vast expanse of majestic landscapes, with towering mountains and clear blue lakes, sensing the sacred atmosphere of the early days of the Đinh dynasty.

According to Mytour

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour