Introduction
Ninh Binh’s terrain is mainly mountainous, so it is no wonder that there are many famous mountains in Ninh Binh. There are mountains associated with historical stories, and there are also mountains associated with tourist destinations. We will learn more about the Ninh Binh Mountains and what myths are associated with them. In addition to mysterious stories, the mountains in Ninh Binh hide ancient temples, pagodas, and magnificent caves. Let’s discover all about it with the Ninh Binh Private Car.
Top 6 Mountains In Ninh Binh
Mua Mountain – Ngoa Long Mountain
First on the list is Mua Mountain, also known as Ngoa Long Mountain. This famous mountain is associated with the Mua Cave site and is considered a miniature version of the “Great Wall.” The road to the top of the mountain is extremely steep, as visitors have to pass 486 stone steps to reach the top.
Visitors will see stone stairs winding like a dragon surrounding the mountain from below. Although climbing to the mountain peak will be very strenuous, standing on top of it will be worth it. The scenery you see when standing on the mountain is the entire Trang An and Ninh Binh.
Especially in the sunny season between May and June, this is the time when rice is grown in Trang An, making the surrounding scenery seem colorful. And there is no more beautiful location to see that entire scene than Mua Mountain.
It will split at the top of the mountain into two paths, one leading to the large dragon statue and the other to the stupa worshiping Guan Yin. Visitors will get beautiful photos here, especially at sunset or sunrise.
Tuong Mountain – Explore Thien Thanh Cave
Next on the journey to explore the Ninh Binh Mountains will be Tuong Mountain, where the most beautiful Thien Ha cave of Ninh Binh is located. Tuong Mountain is located in the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in Son Ha commune, Nho Quan district.
This place is about 25km from the center of Ninh Binh City, so it retains its peaceful and wild look without much human impact. The Tuong mountain range, about 200m high, is a strong natural wall protecting the southwest of Hoa Lu’s capital in the 10th century.
When visiting Tuong Mountain, you cannot miss Thien Ha Cave, which is said to be the most beautiful in Ninh Binh. The cave is divided into two parts: a wet cave and a dry cave. Inside the cave are many stalactites with unique shapes that are still growing.
Bai Dinh Mountain – Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda
If we mention the Ninh Binh Mountains, we cannot ignore Bai Dinh Mountain, where Bai Dinh Pagoda is located. Bai Dinh Pagoda is the temple with the most records in Asia in terms of its architecture and large area. The mountain is 15km from Ninh Binh city center and nearly 200m high, so to reach the top, visitors will have to climb about 300 steps.
At Bai Dinh Pagoda, visitors can visit many famous works related to Buddhism. One such example is the Arhat Stature Corridor, which displays hundreds of stone statues of Buddhas. Or Buddha Dharma Lord Temple, where there is a bronze Buddha statue 10 meters high, weighing 100 tons, and is “the largest bronze Buddha statue in Vietnam.”
In addition, there are many other buildings, caves, and temples for tourists to visit. Especially if you have the opportunity, you should try to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda at night, when this place is lit up with yellow lights.
Ky Lan Mountain
Located near the city center and one of the “Four Great Mountains of Ninh Binh,” when mentioning mountains in Ninh Binh, it is impossible not to mention Ky Lan Mountain. In the eyes of the ancients, this mountain looked like a qilin, so it was called Ky Lan Mountain.
In addition, this mountain is also associated with the story of Ba Quan Chua, who sacrificed herself to be Qilin’s wife so that all people could be safe. So, there is still a temple on the mountain, Ba Quan Chua, to commemorate her gratitude.
The mountain also has a pagoda, Ky Lan Pagoda, and a Nghenh Phong Cac (Wind Embracing Pavilion). After walking to the top of the mountain, visitors can stop at the Wind Embracing Pavilion to rest and enjoy the cool breeze.
Non Nuoc Mountain
Like Ky Lan Mountain, Non Nuoc Mountain is one of the “Four Great Mountains of Ninh Binh.” On the mountain, there are many poems by famous poets from Vietnam, so this can also be considered a natural poetry museum.
This is also a very famous mountain in the Ninh Binh Mountains; on the mountain, there is also a Non-Nuoc pagoda, the temple of Truong Han Sieu. In addition, at the top of the mountain, there is also Nghinh Phong Cac (Wind Embracing Pavilion) and Thuy Than Cave. All form a complex of pagodas, temples, and caves, making the mountain a famous tourist destination.
Canh Dieu Mountain
Same as the two mountains mentioned earlier, Canh Dieu Mountain in the Ninh Binh Mountains is also one of the “Four Great Mountains of Ninh Binh.” Although there are only two buildings left on the mountain, Thanh Ca Temple and Tien Son Temple, these still have interesting stories.
Legend states that Cao Bien was a Chinese general and witch who invaded Vietnam to destroy the Dragon Veins. He often rode a paper kite, but when passing through Ninh Binh, he was seriously injured by the god Thien Ton using a bow and arrow. The kite fell onto the mountain, so the people call it Canh Dieu Mountain.
There is also another story about another name, Ngoc My Nhan Mountain. A fairy cherished the beauty of this land so much that she chose to stay instead of returning to fairyland. She lay down on the ground and turned into a mountain. The mountain looked like a girl with her hair down from a distance.
Best Time To Visit The Ninh Binh Mountains
Every season in Ninh Binh is beautiful, such as spring with blooming flowers and many festivals. Summer is the season of ripe rice in Ninh Binh, and it is also the season when lotus flowers bloom. You can go to Ngoa Long Lotus Pond to see lotus flowers. In autumn, the weather is cool, and the climate is mild; in winter, the air turns cold.
So, what is the best time to visit the Ninh Binh Mountains? The most suitable time will be the dry season, which lasts from November to April each year. Because there will be less rain during the dry season, the climbing path will be easier and less slippery.
Some Notes When Visiting the Ninh Binh Mountains
- The dry season is the most suitable time to visit the Ninh Binh mountain. Even though the weather is hot, the road will be much less dangerous. Do not visit Thien Ha Cave in the rainy season in Ninh Binh, as it will cause slipping and easy falls.
- You should apply lots of sunscreen to your face and body, and bring a hat and umbrella to block the sun.
- Wear comfortable clothes for walking and shoes to easily navigate the mountain roads.
- You should bring some extra food and water because the path up the mountain is not too difficult, but quite far. Take time to rest along the way and recharge to continue the journey.
Conclusion
If you don’t know which mountains to visit in Ninh Binh, the article has pointed out the famous mountains here. Each mountain has different beauty and interesting things visitors can consider visiting. If you love adventure, the Ninh Binh Mountains will be the destination you should visit. Not only are there majestic high mountains, but there are also mysterious caves and temples. Ninh Binh Private Car hopes you have an enjoyable and safe experience when visiting the Ninh Binh Mountains.