Introduction to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Ancient beauty

In 968, after overthrowing the twelve warlords, unified the country Dinh Bo Linh was crowned Emperor, named the country Dai Co Viet, and established the capital in Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh. Hoa Lu was the capital of Dai Co Viet country for a short time (42 years), but it has taken place many important events for the destiny of our nation associated with the cause of three consecutive dynasties. Dinh, Tien Le and Ly dynasties with historical imprints of reunifying the Giang Son, defeating the Song army and clearing Chiem and discovering the process of establishing the capital of Hanoi.

The old Hoa Lu citadel consisted of two citadel located next to each other and an adjacent mountain area. The three rings form a figure like the number 80 facing east. According to the layout of Dinh Le period, the researchers divided it into 3 rounds: the East citadel, the West citadel and the South citadel. However, because the South citadel is located in a dangerous military base area, defending the back, it is often given a separate name by the world, Trang An. The other two citadel is the place where the palace is located, so it is also known as Hoa Lu.. Surely we all know the event in 1010 when King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long, Hoa Lu was only known as the ancient capital. was an important military base of Dai Viet army and people under the Ly – Tran – Le – Mac – Tay Son dynasties.

The image of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital today is not intact, but instead is a temple to worship King Dinh King Le built on the basis of dishes of the ancient Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. These two temples are not far from each other. Built a long time ago, King Dinh King Le Temple has its own distinct ancient beauty.

This place is an architectural complex, each architecture has a distinct feature, all making the ancient and heroic look of the ancient historical site. The vestiges of history are still preserved in the diverse and rich relic complex including the citadel walls, caves, temples, tombs and many other architectural works of high cultural value. .

Where is Hoa Lu ancient capital?

Hoa Lu ancient cultural and historical relic area includes the special protection zone of the buffer zone and the relics of Thien Ton cave, Bai Dinh pagoda are located in the limestone mountain system in Ninh Binh province under Truong commune. Yen, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, bordered by two districts, Gia Vien and Hoa Lu. It is about 100 km south of Hanoi capital.

Coming to Hoa Lu ancient capital, do not forget to visit places such as Bai Dinh pagoda, Trang An, Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Mua cave, …. and many tourist attractions in Ninh Binh.

The best time to visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Ninh Binh, which is famous for being the land of the ancient capital, especially in Hoa Lu area, annually still takes place a series of special festivals to commemorate the kings who have built the country, according to the ancient capital tourism experience. Hoa Lu. Then everyone should choose the beginning of the year as the best time to travel to Ninh Binh Ancient Capital

Traveling to Hoa Lu ancient capital in early spring: after the Lunar New Year is the season of festivals, you can visit Ninh Binh on this occasion to have the opportunity to experience the unique festivals of Ninh Binh.

In addition, Ninh Binh in May: the time from March to May is when the Northern provinces are in the dry season with beautiful weather to travel before entering the rainy season. Traveling at this time is the ripe rice season in Ninh Binh, so it is advisable to go to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital in combination with other places such as Hang Mua, Tam Coc – Bich Dong to discover the enchanting beauty of the lakes. The rice fields are in the golden season or the lotus ponds are competing for color. 

For young people who love the noise of the festival, come to Hoa Lu in March, the time of Truong Yen festival, or Co Lau festival, this is a traditional festival in the ancient capital. from 8 to 10 of the 3rd lunar month every year.

Means of transportation to Hoa Lu Ninh Binh

Hoa Lu is about 15 km from the center of Ninh Binh city, you have many ways to move here, if you do not have a personal vehicle available, you can travel by public transport to Ninh Binh and then you rent it. motorbike, it’s also a suitable option for you

Motorcycles, personal vehicles: you go from Hanoi in the direction of Phap Van – Cau Gie – Ninh Binh about 90 km, you will come to Ninh Binh city. From Ninh Binh city to Hoa Lu, it only takes about 15 km.

Public transport: you can catch a bus from Giap Bat bus station and end at Ninh Binh bus station. When coming to Ninh Binh, you can rent a taxi or motorbike taxi, with a group of 4 people, you can rent a taxi for a distance of 15 km, it is not too expensive. If you want to travel to the ancient capital in combination with other places such as Tam Coc Bich Dong, Trang An, Bai Dinh, you should rent a blood car for your convenience!

Ticket price to visit Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh

• Ticket price to visit Hoa Lu ancient capital is 20,000 VND/person.

Coming to Hoa Lu Ancient capital you will admire the beauty of ancient citadel architecture, hear about the heroic history of our nation from ancient times.

Discover Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Tourist Area

Ninh Binh is a place associated with feudal dynasties and always attracts many tourists. That is also the reason why many young people choose Ninh Binh as a destination for their travel. After more than 1000 years of history, the relics in Hoa Lu ancient capital seem to be no longer intact, some of the important relics are still preserved to this day. Coming to Hoa Lu, the two most prominent monuments are the temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh.

1. Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang 

Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang was built in the 17th century, located in the east center of the ancient capital Hoa Lu, now in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. Temple of King Dinh is classified as a special relic and is also the place where the king established the capital in the past.

The temple of King Dinh was built according to the “foreign internal and external” architecture, which is a type of pagoda with two corridors connecting the front house in the front with the rear street house in the back to form a rectangle, this is also a popular architecture. In the 17th century, the temple was built on the main palace of the ancient capital Hoa Lu, the tomb of King Dinh was built on the mountain. Visitors can tour the grounds around the temple and feel the intact vestiges of an old relic.

King Dinh Temple is also known as a place to keep a very unique artistic mark. The temple was built with a very unique architecture. King Dinh Temple consists of 3 main buildings: worshiping road, burning incense and main palace. In front of the pavilion of the temple right on the dragon yard is a dragon sieve with beautiful shapes, delicately carved on green stone blocks created by the hands of famous people of the Dinh Dynasty. From Bai Duong, you will see the Thieu Huong court, pass the Thieu Huong court and you will see the Chinh Cung. In the middle is a statue of King Dinh Tien Hoang painted with gold. The unique feature of the architecture of King Dinh Tien Hoang’s temple is also reflected in the wooden pillars and yin and yang bricks.

During our journeys to historical landmarks, visiting the temple of King Dinh is a great opportunity for us to hear the heroic historical stories of the nation’s wooden pillars. we are more proud than ourselves as “Dragon and Fairy”.

2. Temple of King Le Dai Hanh

Temple of King Le Dai Hanh is about 500 m from King Dinh Tien Hoang Temple, although it is a small temple, it has been built for a long time and has been dyed with ancient moss. But thanks to its beautiful architecture and historical significance, this place has attracted many tourists to visit.

The architecture of King Le Dai Hanh’s temple is similar to that of King Dinh’s temple, including 3 buildings: Bai Duong, Thieu Huong and Chinh Cung, the temple has many statues painted gilded, creating a magical and magnificent feeling. The most noticeable highlight here is probably the clean brick road leading to the temple, which leads the way through the foreign temple on the left, which is a 3m high mountain. Carving the image of a phoenix looks very majestic, on the right is a pre-faith house with a rockery. It can be said that the temple of King Le is the typical representative of the carved art architecture in the 17th century

3. Temple of the Golden Buddha

Located in a rather narrow campus near the north gate to the center of Hoa Lu ancient capital, one eye borders the road of Yen Thanh ancient village. The temple consists of 3 buildings arranged in rotund letters looking at the main courtyard. Legend has it that this location is located on the floor of Vong Nguyet Palace, where Princess Phat Kim was very close to Nhat Tru Pagoda. In front of the courtyard is a large, prismatic well that is considered the place where the princess committed suicide

4. Hoa Lu Tu Tran

If Hanoi has Tu Tran, there is also Tu Tran in Hoa Lu, it was built in 4 directions, each direction has a royal town between 3 citadel and people with meritorious services. Tran Dong is the god Thien Ton in Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province, Tran Tay: God Cao Son in Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province, this god has contributed to helping people make a living and at the same time protecting from the forces of evil. vandalism so people built temples; Tran Nam: God Quy Minh; Tran Bac: Giant God.

5. Ancient pagodas in Hoa Lu

After making the capital, Hoa Lu became the center of Buddhism. The traces left in the 10th century, there are many pagodas and towers such as Ba Ngo pagoda, Co Am key, Duyen Ninh pagoda, Am Tien pagoda, etc. According to courtesy, King Dinh Tien Hoang was the first person to place the position of Buddhist monk in history. The unique thing here is that there are many pagodas built in the limestone mountains, typically some cave pagodas: Hoa Son, Thien Ton, Bich Dong, Dich Long, Bai Dinh, Linh Coc…

Nhat Tru Pagoda: The temple is known as the oldest stone scripture in Vietnam, Nhat Tru Pagoda, also known as the one-pillar pagoda, was built during the reign of King Le Dai Hanh. Up to now, it seems to still preserve the Buddhist Column with many cultural and artistic values ​​and historical significance.

Bai Dinh Pagoda :is a point that is not too strange for tourists who love Ninh Binh land, Bai Dinh pagoda is until now one of the temples that keep the most things in Vietnam, if you have the opportunity, please visit this place. Come in the evening to enjoy the magnificent scenery under the bright yellow lights, and during the day you will have the opportunity to visit the ancient temple complex over 1000 years old where there are still many temple relics related to the ancient temples. historical dynasty.

Am Tien Cave: Am Tien cave pagoda is like a separate world, where there is an ancient stele from the Ly dynasty that has faded and cannot be read. Steles were erected during the reign of King Dong Khanh, this is where King Dinh Tien Hoang raised tigers and leopards to punish criminals. In the Ly dynasty, monk Nguyen Minh Khong chose this place as a place to chant sutras, build a Buddhist altar in a cave, only later to open a temple scene for visitors from all over the world to come for pilgrimage.

Some notes when visiting Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu is a famous spiritual tourist destination. Therefore, you need to dress modestly. When visiting the temples of King Dinh and King Le, you need to be gentle and orderly to maintain the dignity of paying respects to the crabs who have contributed to the country.

No littering.

It is necessary to comply with the regulations of the monument management board.

If you come to Ninh Binh on your own, you need to preview the map to facilitate your journey.

If you want to know more about the culture and history of this land of Hoa Lu, please take the initiative to ask the relic management board for more information about this ancient capital!

During this time when the epidemic is complicated, you go to the ancient capital, remember to fully comply with the government’s 5K regulations to protect your health, choose you and those around you.