Embark on an adventure to Tràng An Ninh Bình, a cinematic gem known for its majestic landscapes featured in blockbuster films like The Heroic Trio, Tam Cam: The Untold Story, and Kong: Skull Island. Discover firsthand the awe-inspiring beauty of this natural wonderland, a magnet for travelers from far and wide.
Discover the best time to visit Tràng An and immerse yourself in its splendor
From January to March in the lunar calendar is the best time to visit Tràng An. During this period, the weather is not too cold, the sky is clear, and there is little rain, making it quite convenient for boat rides and sightseeing. This season also hosts many festivals here, which can be combined with sightseeing or visiting temples for blessings.
If you go from July to September, it's the ripe rice season in Tràng An. For those who enjoy admiring golden ripe rice fields from the boat, this is an unmissable time. In June, the weather is a bit hot but the sky is clear and there is little rain. Moreover, this is the time when lotus blooms, which is also great for sightseeing. Avoid traveling to Tràng An in November and December as the weather is bad with heavy rain.
How to get to Tràng An, Ninh Bình?
Located about 100km south of Hanoi, you can reach Ninh Bình by various means of transportation such as train, bus, or personal vehicles like cars and motorcycles. The road to Tràng An from Ninh Bình city is not difficult to navigate. Furthermore, when traveling to Tràng An, you have the opportunity to experience one of the following two travel routes:
Land Route Exploration
Embarking on a journey through the historical Trang An landscape promises an enthralling experience. As you traverse each path, immerse yourself in the ancient, pristine sites brimming with grandeur and serenity. Starting from the Willow Pier, travelers will traverse three consecutive mountain passes.
From admiring the beauty of the Willow Pass, you will ascend the Vai Pass before pausing at the Tran Temple Pass. Today, this route has been reconstructed into wide stone steps, featuring prominent octagonal wooden resting pavilions, ideal for mountain hikers.
Aquatic Path and Mountain Ascent Combo
Travel enthusiasts seeking river and mountain adventures will relish the sensation of gliding on gentle waves through Tràng An. Explore 12 caves and 3 spiritual sites over a three-hour excursion. Departing from the central pier, you'll capture stunning photos at Địa Linh, Tối, Sáng, and Nấu Rượu caves. After disembarking, climb 500 steps to Trần Temple, then continue the journey to Sính, Si, Ba Giọt, Seo, Sơn Dương caves... Visit Khống Palace, Báo Hiếu Pagoda, and explore Khống, Trần, Quy Hậu caves before returning to the starting point.
Discover the wonders of Tràng An with a captivating boat journey through its enchanting landscapes. Glide through 12 caves and 3 spiritual sites for three hours of exploration. Starting from the central pier, you'll capture mesmerizing moments at Địa Linh, Tối, Sáng, and Nấu Rượu caves. Upon disembarking, ascend nearly 500 steps to Trần Temple, then resume the voyage to Sính, Si, Ba Giọt, Seo, Sơn Dương caves... Explore Khống Palace, Báo Hiếu Pagoda, and delve into Khống, Trần, Quy Hậu caves before returning to the starting point.
Places to Visit in Tràng An
The admission fee for visiting Trang An is $200 for adults and $100 for children under 1.4 meters tall. This ticket price includes a boat tour of Trang An along the Sao Khe River. Each boat can accommodate about 4-5 people, and the tour takes approximately 3-4 hours.
Trinh Temple
Trinh Temple is the place of worship for 2 royal mandarins of the Dinh dynasty, Ta Thanh Tru and Huu Thanh Tru. During their reign, they were responsible for supervising the royal treasury under the king. Legend has it that when King Dinh Tien Hoang passed away, they hid the infant king Dinh Toan here to avoid capture by Le Hoan. Despite Queen Duong Van Nga surrendering the throne to General Le Hoan, they refused to submit and remained steadfast in this area. Out of respect, locals built a temple on the mountainside to honor them.
Tran Shrine
This is where the revered Quy Minh deity, the guardian deity of the southern gate of Hoa Lu Quadrangle, is worshipped. The Tran Ninh Binh festival takes place on the 18th of March every lunar year, alongside the festivities of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and the Bai Dinh Pagoda festival, making them major events in Ninh Binh. If you happen to visit Trang An around this time, you'll experience the vibrant atmosphere of this sacred shrine's festival.
Khong Palace
Situated on a narrow strip of land, backed by Khong Cave, flanked by towering rocky mountains, and facing a vast valley of water, Khong Palace is the site where the 7 high-ranking officials of the Dinh dynasty are revered, connected to legends of King Dinh Tien Hoang's reign. The locals have built shrines and planted trees in front of the palace's entrance to honor these officials. The stunning scenery of Khong Palace leaves Trang An visitors in awe, marveling at its beauty.
Mystical Marvel: Explore the Wonders of Dia Linh Cave
Embark on an Adventure: Discover the Mysterious Hang Nau Ruou
Unraveling Secrets: Journey into the Depths of Hang Nau Ruou
Hang Nau Ruou, with its underground water vein over 10 meters deep, holds a mystical allure as it was once frequented by ancient predecessors who sourced water here for brewing royal wine. One can gaze upon their reflection amidst the serene, azure waters, a sight of ethereal beauty.
Droplet Cave boasts an array of magnificent stalactites, each adorned with vibrant hues. Unlike its predecessors, these stalactites remain moist, constantly evolving with novel, unique shades. Droplet Cave, alongside Silk Cave and Three-Drop Cave, is steeped in a melancholic love legend. It tells of a passionate nobleman yearning for a princess. Carrying his dowry to Silk Cave for a proposal, he finds his beloved already betrothed to a neighboring lord. Seeking solace, he bathes in Droplet Cave before retreating to Silk Cave to immerse himself in his unrequited love. Legend has it that anyone who catches three droplets of water from the small stalactites in their palms within Droplet Cave will be blessed with lifelong fortune and love.
Droplet Cave, entwined with a poignant love tale (image by st)
Some tips for exploring Trang An
- If you're visiting during summer, consider bringing a conical hat and sunscreen; for rainy seasons, pack a lightweight raincoat to ensure your tour isn't affected.
- The water at Trang An can be deep, as most tours are done by boat, remember to rent a life jacket. Also, don't forget to bring enough drinking water for your journey.
- Before making any purchases, inquire about prices thoroughly to avoid being overcharged.
While exploring Tràng An, if you wish to pause for some photos, simply communicate with the boat driver, and they will gladly halt for your snapshots.
Here are some travel insights about Tràng An that Vntrip.vn has compiled. Wishing you an enjoyable journey filled with fascinating experiences in this beautiful land.
Feel free to delve into more information about Tràng An Ninh Bình tourism on the disantrangan.vn website – an informative platform under the Tràng An Ecotourism Zone, Ninh Bình.
