Bai Dinh Pagoda is a famous structure in Vietnam and Asia, and it is visited each year by millions of tourists worldwide. It has built its reputation as a well-known spiritual and eco-tourism destination. Bai Dinh Pagoda is one of the most unique religious monuments, with several records to its name. This largest Buddhist complex in Southeast Asia has the tallest stupa in Asia. The bronze bell in the pagoda complex is seen as one of the largest. It also holds the record of having the highest number of Bodhi trees in its complex. Make sure to add this to your itinerary while visiting Vietnam.
History Of Bai Dinh Pagoda
Since 2003, the Bai Dinh Pagoda complex has consisted of two pagodas – one, the ancient and the second, a new pagoda. The ancient pagoda is about over 1000 years old and has an architecture that has a unique ancient style. Get ready to climb about 300 stone stairs to reach the pagoda’s entrance. The key attractions of the ancient pagoda are – Jade Well, Hang Sang cave dedicated to Lord Buddha, Three Treasures Hall, the shrine of Cao Son Deity, medicinal garden sprawling over 4 hectares, Shrine of Saint Nguyen Minh Khong, Shrine of the mother goddess and fairy pond.
The new pagoda complex includes key attractions – the three-gate Entrance, Bell Tower, Arhat Corridor, Bodhisattva Quan The Am Temple, Tam The Temple, Phap Chu Temple, and Phat Di Lac Statue.
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What’s Inside Bai Dinh Pagoda
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Once you enter the Bai Dinh Pagoda, it’s surreal aura and unique architecture will win your heart. The complex includes many temples, home to 500 intricately carved statues of Lord Buddha. The complex also contains Asia’s tallest and heaviest Shakyamuni Buddha statue and a large bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha.
A stroll along the vast corridor lined with about 500 golden arhat statues will give you a good idea of the temple. The pagoda boasts the longest Arhat corridor in Asia. You will find several gardens full of trees, especially Bodhi trees from Lord Buddha’s homeland, India.
Here are some must-see features of Bai Dinh Pagoda –
- Tam Quan Gate is the only way for you to enter the pagoda. Though the pagoda looks serene and peaceful, Tam Quan Gate has a majestic and imposing personality.
- The Bell Tower is about three floors high and reaches about 22 meters. Some stairs lead to the peak of the tower, which offers panoramic views of the countryside and the sky.
- The statue of Thich Ca Buddha (Lord Buddha) holds a record in Vietnam for being the heaviest and biggest Buddha statue, weighing about 100 tons and measuring about 10 meters in height.
- Gieng Ngoc’s well was built in the shape of a moon. It has a diameter of about 30 meters and is 6 meters deep. The interesting part is that the wall is said to receive a never-ending supply of water. It is the largest well in the pagoda complex.
- To reach Dien Tam The, the tallest and largest building in the Bai Dinh Pagoda complex, one must climb more than 200 stone steps.
The Legend Of Bai Dinh Pagoda
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The region’s history tells us that Bai Dinh Pagoda was built by the esteemed master of Zen, Nguyen Minh Khong of the Ly Dynasty. For millennia, the pagoda has been worshipping God Cao Son, Nguyen Minh Khong, the Zen master and Lord Buddha. To understand the significance of the place, one must know that the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh has been the capital of the Dinh, Tien Le, and Ly dynasties. These dynasties enforced Buddhism as the religion of the land. The pagoda is built in cave pagoda architectural style, popular with other Ninh Binh pagodas.
There is a popular anecdote about Nguyen Minh Khong, the famous Zen master of the Ly Dynasty, who kept the foundation stone to build Bai Dinh Pagoda and opened this land to Buddhism. It is said that while on his way to find a cure for the long-term illness of Duong Hoan, the emperor of the Ly Dynasty, Zen master Khong discovered two mystic caves hidden in the mountains. After curing the emperor, the Zen master later requested him to thank heaven and earth by building a temple to worship Lord Buddha in that unique area.
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Best Time To Visit
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The Bai Dinh Pagoda faces a tropical climate. It gets most tourists in the dry season, from November to April. This is the most suitable time to tour the pagoda when you can expect clear blue skies, pleasant weather and rare rainfall. The walk around the pagoda is more enjoyable in this weather. However, visiting the pagoda during the shoulder seasons, running from October to May, will help you avoid crowds and enjoy peace and tranquillity.
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Tips For Visitors
Opening Hours: Bai Dinh Pagoda opens daily at 6:00 am and closes at 6:00 pm.
Access: To reach the pagoda, walk or take an electric car. The frequency of the electric car is fair and its tickets are sold at the bus station. There is convenient car parking in the pagoda complex.
Ideal For: Couples, solo trips, family
Entrance Fee: Free
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Visit Ba Dinh Pagoda in Hanoi, Vietnam for its historical significance, cultural heritage, spiritual experience and natural splendour. The largest Buddhist Pagoda complex in Southeast Asia has a vast complex, where several temples and prayer rooms are built, providing its visitors ample opportunities to have moments of spiritual immersion. Do you feel like visiting Bai Dinh Pagoda already? Book your trip to Vietnam today!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bai Dinh Pagoda
Why visit Bai Dinh Pagoda?
Bai Dinh is a stunning and remarkable Buddhist complex in Ninh Binh province, near the ancient capital Hua Lu and the city of Hanoi. The pagoda is one of the most revered places for Buddhist believers. We recommend visiting the pagoda which stands as a testimony to the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam.
What do men and women need to do to enter Bai Dinh Pagoda?
As per the cultural characteristics of the place, the visitors are expected to wear appropriate clothing. It is advisable for men to wear long pants with a shirt or T-shirt; for women, full clothing is suggested. One should wear comfortable sneakers and carry an umbrella or wide-brimmed hat.
What is the history of Bai Dinh pagoda?
Bai Dinh Pagoda was built by the respected master of Zen, the Ly Dynasty's Nguyen Minh Khong. The original pagoda was built a millennium ago and was reconstructed in the late 20th century till the 21st century.
Where is Bai Dinh Pagoda Situated?
This Buddhist structure is situated on Bai Dinh Mountain in Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province, Vietnam.
How to reach Bai Ding Pagoda?
From Ninh Binh rent an electric taxi or bike to reach Bai Dinh Pagoda.
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