ninh binh3/4 vietnam

After your boat tour in Tam Coc, you have the chance to visit the 15th century Bich Dong Pagoda complex. On a limestone mountain three pagodas were built, the Lower, the Middle and the Upper pagoda. Bich Dong Pagoda is located 11 km from Ninh Binh in Ninh Binh province and can be reached by either boat or car. Bich Dong Pagoda, built on Ngu Nhac Mountain, is divided into three levels: Ha Pagoda (lower pagoda), Trung Pagoda (middle pagoda), and Thuong Pagoda (upper pagoda). On the mountain peak stands the statue of a scholar Mandarin looking at the horizon in hope of viewing the spectacular landscapes of Hoa Lu.From the upper pagoda, one has the most magnificent view of Bich Dong, which is romantically charming in terms of architecture and history. The location for this pagoda was chosen in 1428 after two monks were charmed by the view of the river and the mountains. Later, King Le Canh Hung wrote a poem in honour of the beautiful pagoda and landscape. He was the one who said that Bich Dong Pagoda was the second nicest pagoda in Vietnam, after the Huong Pagoda, also called Perfume Pagoda, in Ha Tay province. The area is very popular among French tourists since the filming of the movie "Indochine" here.