Am Tien Pagoda and Cave are located in Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu City, only 400 meters from the East Gate of King Dinh Tien Hoang Temple, adjacent to the East Citadel of the ancient Hoa Lu capital. With a location almost isolated from outside life, this pagoda is so beautiful that it fascinates visitors. Am Tien Pagoda and Cave is nestled in a valley, surrounded by rocky cliffs, with the temple roof reflected on the water surface, creating a facscinating scenery.
Legend has it that This was the location where King Dinh Tien Hoang (who reigned from 968 to 979) raised tigers and built execution grounds. It was also where the dowager empress Duong Van Nga (reign 979-980) led a religious life in her old age. Am Tien cave is located halfway up the mountain, most of the cave is surrounded by high erect mountains. You must climb through 205 stone steps through the cliff in order to reach the cave. To the right of Am Tien Cave is a pagoda dating back more than 1,000 years. Dowager Empress Duong Van Nga chose the pagoda as a place to lead a religious life after she had helped the Dinh and Le kings fight against Chinese invaders.
Afterwards, Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong went over this place and he felt a lot of dark and negative energy, he decided to build a small shrine in the cave as a place for chanting and preaching Buddhist sermon. Over time the Buddhist chanting and the chimes of the bell in the pagoda had won over the predatory animals and made the evil spirits in the cave go to a peaceful place. Later on this place found its peace.
At the moment, Am Tien cave is a stone pagoda worshipping the Buddhas, Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong and notable people in the Dinh dynasty such as Truong Ma Ni, Truong Quan Son, princess Phu Dung and Queen Duong Van Nga. Am Tien cave is associated with the love story of Truong Quan Son and princess Phu Dung, that’s why since 2011 it has been called “Tuyet Tinh Coc” by youngsters. After buying tickets, visitors have to go through a dark tunnel which is 100m long. As soon as visitors get to the other end of the tunnel they will be stunned by the phenomenal landscape surrounded by mountains, evergreen trees and Am Tien ancient pagoda.
After getting though the gate, visitors follow a path on the left along a large pond full of lotuses, water lilies and Tong Truong perch. The name of the pond is Ao Giai. Following that tourist will visit Am Tien cave half way up to the mountain, about 200 steps. The cave looks like the mouth of a dragon that’s why it is also called dragon cave. The courtyard of the pagoda in Am Tien cave overlook the limestone mountain ranges and the green pond.
The pond is crystal clear, breezes make the water surface tremble, on sunny days we can see through the bottom of the pond and witness little fish hiding themselves in the green weeds.
Cloudless days of summer are ideal times for photographers in Tuyet Tinh Coc. This is also a popular place for wedding photos. Am Tien cave is a popular tourism destination among youngsters at the moment. The Trang An eco-tourism site is also on the route to the cave, which makes it convenient for tourists to arrange their tourism schedule. Even though Am Tien Cave has only been opening for a few years it has become an interesting destination for domestic tourists and foreigners.
Am Tien Pagoda and Cave:
Address: Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu City, Ninh Binh Province
Phone: 0987807965
Entrance fee:
Children under 1.3m: 20,000 VND
Adults: 50,000 VND/person