Ninh Binh is known by tourists near and far as a famous spiritual tourist destination. This place has a beautiful Trang An scenic complex and many sacred ancient temples. This is also the land of "human spirits" because it has given birth to many outstanding heroes of the nation and used to be the capital of the Ding, Tien Le and Ly dynasties.
Bai Dinh Pagoda located on Bai Dinh mountain in Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province, only 6km from Hoa Lu ancient capital, 15km from Ninh Binh city and 100km from Hanoi capital. Located in the middle of a vast valley, surrounded by limestone mountains, Bai Dinh Pagoda is one of the most important attractions of Trang An ecotourism complex.
According to the ancients, "Bai" means to worship heaven and earth, Fairy Buddha; "Sticky" is the top, at the top. The name "Bai Dinh" means to worship heaven and earth, expressing the respect of people to heaven and earth. With a majestic landscape blessed with nature and a history of more than 1000 years, Bai Dinh Pagoda annually welcomes tens of thousands of Buddhists on pilgrimage as well as visitors.
Bai Dinh Pagoda has an area of 539 hectares, including 27 hectares of the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda and 80 hectares of the new Bai Dinh Pagoda. The pagoda was built through many different stages, bearing the imprint of Vietnamese architecture.
The ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda was built by Zen master Nguyen Minh Khong in 1136. The pagoda for nearly 1000 years still has sacred relics such as the Jade Well, the Patriarch Cave, the Buddha Cave, the Mother Cave, the Altar of Cao Son ... Located on a 187m high mountain, the ancient pagoda is about 800m southeast of the new pagoda. The entrance to the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda is 300 flat stone steps.
The new temple was built in 2003 on an 80-hectare campus that includes various highlights such as the Jade Well, bell tower, main hall and corridor with 500 Arhat statues.
With a length of 1,700m, the Luohan corridor of Bai Dinh Pagoda is the longest corridor in Southeast Asia. The corridor consists of two routes starting from Tam Quan Noi gate to Ta Vu and Huu Vu houses. 500 statues of Luo Han are carved in monolithic blue stone, elaborately carved by artisans in Ninh Van stone village, Hoa Lu. Each statue averages 2.5 m tall, weighing from 2 to 4 tons. 500 statues are 500 distinct versions. The front pedestal of 500 La Han statues is engraved with the names of each Luohan in both Vietnamese and Chinese below.
The new Bai Dinh Pagoda includes many large-scale and unique architectural works such as the Three Quan Gate, Bell Steeple, Quan The Yin Temple, Buddhist Temple.
With many values in history, culture and architecture, Bai Dinh Pagoda is the pagoda with the most records in Vietnam. Up to now, there have been 8 records recorded: The largest gilded Shakyamuni Buddha statue in Asia: The 100-ton statue of Shakyamuni Buddha at the Dharma Master Pagoda; The largest bronze Buddha statue in Southeast Asia: Maitreya Bodhisattva weighing 100 tons; The largest bronze bell in Vietnam: a 36-ton bronze bell in the steeple; The largest pagoda in Vietnam: 539 ha; The longest corridor with 500 Arhat statues: two wooden corridors with a total length of 3,400 m; The largest number of La Han statues in Vietnam: 500 blue stone La Han statues; The largest pearl well in Vietnam: Diameter 30m, depth 6m; The largest number of bodhi trees in Vietnam: 100 theme trees
The Bai Dinh pagoda complex has two main areas: the ancient pagoda with ancient relics and the new pagoda area.
Bai Dinh Pagoda is shaded with green trees all year round. The grounds are covered with paths with greenery. The most numerous are linden trees. These bodhi trees are extracted from temples in India.
From the 1st to 3rd lunar month is the most suitable time to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda because the weather is spring, cool and not too sunny. This is also the festive season at Bai Dinh Pagoda.