Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Ninh Binh

1. Introduction to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu ancient capital is a unique architectural complex in Ninh Binh province, recognized by UNESCO as one of the four core areas of the Trang An World Heritage complex. This place is also ranked by the state as an architectural complex, a national historical relic of special importance, which should be very well preserved.

With a history of more than 1000 years, this place has experienced many ups and downs of the nation, is a place to keep historical relics through the ages as well as become historical evidence for our country. thousands of generations. However, despite going through many ups and downs of time, Hoa Lu still retains its historical traces. Those are solid walls, two temples worshiping King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh majestically built to simulate the ancient capital of Hoa Lu.

2. When is the right time to travel to Hoa Lu Ninh Binh?

You can come to Hoa Lu at any time of the year. However, spring is the most beautiful time and many festivals are held, so this is the right time for you if you want to participate and experience the bustling and crowded atmosphere of these festivals. If you are a quiet person, want to enjoy the peaceful space of this place, you can choose to go on the remaining days.

3. Means of transportation to Hoa Lu

From Hanoi to Ninh Binh, you can choose one of the following ways of transportation:

• Train: Train fares from Hanoi to Ninh Binh range from 90,000 to more than 200,000 VND depending on train and seat type. Note that when buying train tickets, you should not choose too late, which may affect your schedule.
• Bus: You can catch a bus from Giap Bat or My Dinh bus station to Ninh Binh with prices ranging from 50,000 VND to 60,000 VND/person. Average time is about 1 hour 30 minutes. Remember to tell the driver in advance, they will show you.
• Motorbike: If you like the feeling of traveling by motorbike, you can start at Phap Van – Cau Gie highway and then continue in the direction of Cau Gie – Phu Ly – Ninh Binh with a travel time of about 1 hour – 1:30 .

4. Architecture of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Complex

From the past, Hoa Lu was a magnificent imperial capital. The mountains and hills sprang up around the ring of the capital like a solid wall. The meandering Hoang Long river and the vast Nho Quan and Gia Vien fields are extremely favorable natural deep moats.

The entire historical and cultural relic site of Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, including the special protection zone, buffer zone and relics such as Thien Ton cave, Bai Dinh pagoda, is located in the limestone mountain system in the area. Ninh Binh province, belongs to Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, bordering Gia Vien and Hoa Lu districts. This place is about 100km south of Hanoi capital.

The ancient capital of Hoa Lu is an architectural complex, and each architecture has its own characteristics, all making the ancient and heroic look of the ancient historical relic. The historical vestiges still remain in the complex of relics are very diverse and rich, including architectures of walls, imperial citadel, caves, temples, tombs and many other types of valuable architectural works. history and high culture.

5. Explore the relics of King Dinh and King Le temples

Most especially, there are still two monuments here: King Dinh temple and King Le temple. These are two monuments built around the 17th century with extremely elaborate and unique stone carving art. The road to the temple of King Dinh leads visitors to go under the canopy of phoenix trees along the roadside.

People call Hoa Lu the stone citadel and the temple of King Dinh and King Le also used many materials from stone. For example, when entering the temple courtyard, visitors will see a stone floor and two clams carved with monolithic green stone. Entering the harem, visitors will see a bronze statue of King Dinh cast on a green rock.

The temple of King Le, located 50 meters from the temple of King Dinh, shares the same structure. 200 m from King Le temple, is Nhat Tru pagoda, built during the reign of King Le Dai Hanh, in front of the temple door there is a stone pillar, 4.16 m high with octagonal shape, engraved with the Surangama Sutra made by the king to offer to the Buddha. . Right next to it is a relic area associated with the story of the third princess of King Dinh Tien Hoang who jumped into the well to commit suicide, not following her husband’s treason against her father. This temple worships that princess.

> Come to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, do not miss the opportunity to discover  Am Tien – Absolutely love Ninh Binh  , a place that is making young people excited to check-in!

6. Traditional festival in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Every year, March 8 – March 10 is the time of the traditional festival of Hoa Lu ancient capital to honor the kings and national heroes who built and developed Hoa Lu capital, founded the Hoa Lu ancient capital. Dai Co Viet country in the 10th century. Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival consists of 2 parts: the ceremony part and the festival part. Besides the ceremony, the festival with bold traditional games such as boat racing, wrestling, cheo singing… was held in an extremely jubilant and bustling atmosphere.

7. What to eat when coming to Hoa Lu?

Besides the historical relics and unique landscapes, delicious restaurants and restaurants with rustic cuisine style of the North are one of the attractions for tourists when coming to Hoa Lu Ninh Binh. . Let’s take a look at the dishes that you must try when coming here:

• Burnt rice is a famous specialty of Ninh Binh. Rice grains are even, crispy, bright yellow, served with a special sauce that makes visitors eat forever without feeling bored.
• Mountain goat meat: Mountain goats in Ninh Binh are processed to make many attractive dishes such as rare lemon goat, steamed goat, goat’s spring rolls, goat blood soup, plum sap… not only delicious but also extremely nutritious and good for health. .
• Mountain snail: Crispy, sweet snail meat is processed in a variety of ways: steamed with ginger, fried with lemongrass and chili, mixed with salad…
• In addition, there are still many other delicious dishes that you can try such as: Yen Mac spring rolls, eel vermicelli, Kim Son wine, Gia Vien shrimp paste…

8. Some notes when visiting

• Hoa Lu Ninh Binh is a spiritual tourist destination, so when coming here you need to dress politely and discreetly. Visiting the temple of King Dinh and King Le, you need to be gentle and orderly to maintain the sanctity as well as burn incense to pay respects to the kings who have contributed to the country.
• It is necessary to follow the instructions of the management board of the monument or the tour guide if traveling in groups.
• Garbage must be thrown in the right place, not indiscriminately littered.
• If you go by yourself, you should preview the map to make it more convenient for your discovery journey.
• You can directly chat with the elders in the management board of the temple relic to learn more about the history, cultural values, architecture… of the relic.

If you want to see and admire the works of great historical and architectural value, quickly come to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu Ninh Binh – a work of great historical significance. that his father’s generation has worked hard to preserve and preserve until now. Let’s come back here to revisit the ancient capital, relive the heroic moments of the nation’s history.