Bai Dinh Pagoda- Buddhist Pagoda in Ninh Binh Province

Bai Dinh Pagoda is Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist complex. It consists of several temples and over 500 intricately carved statues of Buddha, including one that’s made of bronze and is 10 metres in height. Set within the Gia Sinh Commune, it attracts a huge crowd of local devotees and travellers looking to pay their respects and have their fortunes told by the resident monks.

There are two main pagodas of the same name, one of which is located on the slopes of Dinh Mountain. Accessible via a 300-step stairway, this quiet shrine houses a main prayer hall and natural caves, where locals pray to Buddha and mountain spirits such as Saint Nguyen and Genie Cao Son.

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Bai Dinh Pagoda Highlights

The second Bai Dinh Pagoda is about 800 metres away, covering a total of 7 million square metres. Built in 2003, it’s made with materials that are sourced from local handicraft villages within the Ninh Binh Province, including Bat Trang ceramic tiles, Y Yen bronze casts, and embroidery from Ninh Hai Village.

Not only does the temple offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, you can also enjoy a variety of events and activities during your visit. On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year the temple hosts a vibrant festival during springtime, usually between February and March. There are ritual processions, blessing ceremonies, traditional music, and dance performances. You can also watch or even take part in interesting folk games, including tug-of-war and wrestling, as well as sample authentic local snacks at food stalls throughout the festival. After visiting Ba Dinh Pagoda, many travellers often explore nearby limestone grottoes and hike through the Ba Chua Thuong Ngan forest.

Recommended Hotel Nearby

Bai Dinh Hotel

With a stay at Bai Dinh Hotel in Gia Vien, you’ll be just steps from Bai Dinh Pagoda and Bai Dinh Temple.Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a business center, and dry cleaning/laundry services.Event facilities at this hotel consist of a conference center and a meeting room.Free self parking is available onsite.