Introduction
Ninh Binh is a famous spiritual land with many ancient pagodas dating back a long time. Among them, Non Nuoc Pagoda is located on Non Nuoc Mountain. Unlike other pagodas in Ninh Binh, such as Bai Dinh or Bich Dong, Non Nuoc Pagoda is quiet and solemn. Because very few tourists visit this pagoda, only local people often visit. So, this is the correct choice for those who want to feel tranquility and peace of mind. Today, let’s explore the sacred ancient pagoda of Non Nuoc with Ninh Binh Private Car.
Non Nuoc Pagoda Location
Many people also know Non Nuoc Pagoda by its ancient name, Duc Thuy Son Pagoda. The specific location of the pagoda is at the foot of Non Nuoc Mountain, on the banks of the Day River and the mouth of the Van Chua River, in Thanh Binh ward, Ninh Binh city.
Visitors to the pagoda can travel conveniently as it is only about 7km from Mua Cave and about 9km from Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. Non Nuoc Pagoda in Ninh Binh has an area of about 2000 m² with a clear view. Travelers can see large limestone mountains in the distance from the pagoda, and nearby are the people’s houses.
With beautiful scenery, staying at the pagoda gives people peace and relaxation. Thanks to that, there are still several visitors to this pagoda every year. So, this is a destination worth noting after tourists visit Trang An and Ninh Binh.
Non Nuoc Pagoda History
National Preceptor Nguyen Minh Khong built the pagoda during the reign of King Ly Nhan Tong. In the 13th century under the Tran dynasty, it was restored by monk Tri Nhu and given another name by famous scholar Truong Han Sieu, “Duc Thuy Son”.
In the past, this was the place that witnessed the historical transition between the Dinh and Le dynasties, at the foot of Non Nuoc Mountain, where Queen Duong Van Nga handed over the Royal Coat to Le Hoan before he went to battle. During the resistance war against the French, the intersection of the Day River, Van River, and Highway 10 was also important.
After hundreds of years, Non Nuoc Pagoda no longer retains its original appearance. In 2006, the pagoda was renovated, becoming new and more spacious.
How to Get to Non Nuoc Pagoda?
Non Nuoc Pagoda is not too far from the center of Hanoi, only 1.5 to 2 hours by car, which is very convenient for you to travel. According to our instructions, you can go by motorbike, car, or bus to the pagoda.
- Motorbike or self-driving car: From Hanoi, go towards Giai Phong street, then turn to Phap Van – Cau Gie. Continue moving to Phu Ly city, followed by Ninh Binh city. The pagoda is located right in the city, from Ninh Binh bus station along Le Dai Hanh street, and after only about 1km, you will arrive.
- Passenger bus: You can also take a bus from Giap Bat bus station or book tickets from bus companies running the Ninh Binh-Hanoi route. Bus tickets are also quite cheap at just under 100,000 VND. And from Ninh Binh city, you can rent a motorbike or a taxi to visit Non Nuoc Pagoda.
You can also try to experience the private car service of Ninh Binh Private Car. Contact us for the best price for the Hanoi to Ninh Binh Private Car trip. Or if you want to move from Ninh Binh to other provinces, we also have some services as follows:
- Ninh Binh To Dong Hoi Private Car – From 208 USD Per Car
- Ninh Binh To Sapa Private Car – From 192 USD Per Car
- Private Car From Ninh Binh To Moc Chau – From 100 USD Per Car
In addition, we also have a luxury car limousine service if you need a better car for your journey.
- Ninh Binh To Halong Bay Luxury Car – From 112 USD Per Car
- Ninh Binh To Mai Chau Luxury Car – From 105 USD Per Car
- Limousine From Ninh Binh To Moc Chau – From 145 USD Per Car
Best Time To Visit Non Nuoc Pagoda
Non Nuoc Pagoda is open all year round, so visitors can come here anytime. Visitors can visit the pagoda anytime, but they should also check the weather before visiting it.
The best time to visit Ninh Binh and Non Nuoc Pagoda will be in the spring, when the weather is warm and chilly. At this time, there is little rain, which is very convenient for outdoor sightseeing. Especially during these times of the year, many festivals will be held in Non Nuoc Pagoda and in many other locations. Some famous festivals include the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival and the Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival.
Architecture Of Non Nuoc Pagoda
History of Pagoda Construction
The pagoda was built during the Ly Dynasty under the reign of King Ly Nhan Tong, and the person who built it was the national monk Nguyen Minh Khong. Initially, the tower inside the pagoda was built to worship Buddha and some additional statues. However, in the 13th century, it split into two structures: pagoda and tower.
During the Tran Dynasty, the Linh Te Tower was broken, and in 1337, during the reign of King Tran Hien Tong, he started rebuilding the tower. At the Later Le Dynasty’s end, the tower collapsed again and was finally rebuilt in 2006.
Over a long period, the original features of the pagoda no longer exist. But after renovation, the pagoda still retains its original pristine and quiet features. The pagoda has an area of 2000 m²; the entire pagoda is built of stone.
Main Hall
The most prominent is the main hall located in the center. The main hall impresses visitors with its eye-catching double roof system and red, blue, and green tiles. The pagoda’s roof is designed in a traditional style with an upward-curved end and carved dragons and phoenixes.
Inside the main hall is a large gold-plated Buddha statue in the middle and smaller statues beside it. This is also a place to welcome tourists to pilgrimage, worship, and pray daily, so the space is always filled with incense smoke, bringing a sacred and mysterious feeling.
Tam Quan Gate
The pagoda has two main gates located in the North and Southeast. The gate in the Southeast direction has a direct view of the Day River, so this is everyone’s favorite place to release animals. The main gate of the pagoda is also designed as the Tam Quan gate, with three directions to enter the pagoda.
Pagoda Campus
Stepping through the pagoda gate, visitors will immediately come to the main campus of the pagoda. There will be a large white statue of Guan Yin here and many other statues in the pagoda. The campus is clean and tiled with many trees and shade. Among them are both bonsai trees and giant trees that are hundreds of years old.
Places to Visit Near Non Nuoc Pagoda
Non Nuoc Mountain Peak
If you visit the pagoda, you will miss the journey to climb to the top of Non Nuoc Mountain. On the way to the top of the mountain, visitors will see many poems carved on the cliffs from ancient times. It can be said that this mountain is a natural museum of poetry. Many famous poets left their autographs on the cliffs for a long time.
Visitors can easily encounter poems by famous authors such as Truong Han Sieu, Pham Su Manh, Nguyen Trai, and Le Thanh Tong. Most used Chinese to engrave, but some new poems later used the national language.
Pagoda of Truong Han Sieu
Truong Han Sieu was the person who discovered the beauty of Non Nuoc Mountain and brought it to light. So people built his pagoda right on this mountain to commemorate his merits. The pagoda has ancient architecture of the Tran period, with dragon and phoenix carvings.
Nghinh Phong Cac
Climbing to the top of the mountain, visitors will come to Nghinh Phong Cac (Wind Embracing Pavilion), the highest place with the most beautiful view of the mountain. In the past, famous writers and poets sat here looking for inspiration to compose poetry to carve into the mountains.
After a long journey climbing the mountain, you must feel tired, so you can sit, rest, and enjoy the cool breeze here.
Some Notes When Visiting Non Nuoc Pagoda
- Wear polite clothes when entering the pagoda. It’s best not to wear short skirts, shorts, or revealing shirts to avoid damaging the sacred place.
- Move in flat shoes and soft sandals for easy movement when climbing. If possible, choose shoes that are easy to take off, because you must remove them often when walking around the pagoda.
- Keep quiet when visiting the pagoda. Please try to walk and talk softly, without making noise, when going to the pagoda.
- You should prepare a jacket, a hat, mineral water, and a mini fan if you intend to visit many places in Non Nuoc Mountain because traveling will be difficult. Rather lose strength.
- Do not arbitrarily film or take photos without permission from the pagoda management. However, if you need documents, you can ask permission from the pagoda management in advance.
Conclusion
Non Nuoc Pagoda stands as a testament to Vietnam’s rich Buddhist heritage, offering both spiritual tranquility and breathtaking scenery. Nestled in the heart of Ninh Binh, this sacred site continues to attract visitors seeking peace and cultural insight. Whether you’re drawn by its historical significance or its serene ambiance, Non Nuoc Pagoda remains a must-visit destination, leaving a lasting impression on all who set foot within its grounds. Ninh Binh Private Car wishes you all the best when visiting Ninh Binh.