What's up Hivers and fellow travelers! Welcome back to my Vietnam series.
Today, I'm thrilled to take you on an exploration of the captivating temples and grottoes of Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this post, I'll be your guide through the wonders I uncovered during a mesmerizing 3-hour boating tour along the river, revealing hidden treasures such as underground caves, breathtaking river views, and awe-inspiring temples.
Just in case you missed it, check out my recent blogs in this series:
Trang An Landscape Complex, with its UNESCO accolade, stands as a testament to its exceptional natural beauty and cultural significance. Join me as I unveil some of the incredible sites I discovered in this magical place, where limestone cliffs meet underground caves, offering outstanding views of the winding river, adorned by timeless temples that echo the rich history of Trang An.
Trang An Ecotourisim Complex
This journey begins at the Trang An Ecotourism Complex, also known as Trang An Wharf, serving as the primary departure point for boats destined to explore the heritage sites of Trang An.
Within the complex, you'll find cozy coffee shops and restaurants offering a taste of local dishes and delicacies.
As we passed through the boarding gates, we were welcomed by these boaters wearing their vividly colored uniforms and traditional cone straw hats as lined up as they waited for their passengers.
Each boat can accommodate four passengers, each equipped with life vests and a lifebuoy. If you're concerned about direct sunlight, worry less – the driver will provide umbrellas as we cruise along the river.
The boater presented us with three route options, each taking a 3-hour trip but encompassing different sets of destinations. We took the first option which would take us to 9 caves, 3 spiritual temples, and the Cooking Wine Cave.
The Temples of Trang An
Four Pillars Temple
The Four Pillars Temple in Trang An worships the four pillars of the Đinh Dynasty. From the outside, the temple appears simple, resembling an old wooden house with traditional doors and tiled roofs. The interior is adorned with Chinese scripts on the walls, pillars, and weapons. As we are a group who can read Chinese characters, we had the opportunity to decipher some of these writings, providing us with a deeper understanding of what the temple represents.
One of the scriptures talks about Dinh Dien. He was a loyal Mandarin during the Dinh Dynasty and played a crucial role in defeating warlords and establishing the Dai Co Viet state. Dinh Dien is hailed as a symbol of chivalry, righteousness, and loyalty, along with Nguyen Bac.
Being able to decipher some of the scriptures amazed us and gave me an impression of how language plays an important role in understanding history and values.
Đền Trần Temple
Đền Trần Temple is like a hidden temple and it is quite challenging to reach as we had to cross a hill with about 200 steps going up and another 200 going down to the other side where the hidden temple is located.
This temple has a special stone structure with carvings and engravings on the pillars. It sits under a mountain cliff, surrounded by trees, with a peaceful lake in front.
Being here is very quiet and peaceful; all we hear are the sounds of nature, birds, and our own movements.
The Caves of Trang An
Hang Dot Cave
One of the notable grottoes we visited in Trang An is Hang Dot Cave. This cave stretches for 1 kilometer and is considered the longest cave in Trang An.
Grottoes in Trang An, although situated in one place, exhibit distinct characteristics. Some are long, featuring a winding river, while others are narrow with very low headspace.
But unlike other caves that I have been to, I rarely see cave formations such as stalactite in these caves.
Nau Ruou Wine Cave
At first sight, I was intrigued by these mysterious ceramic jars sealed with red silks hidden in a cave river. I initially thought these were relics of an old civilization in Trang An, but I was mistaken. Our boater explained to us that these are liquors or wines.
These beverages are brewed from fresh water, once reserved as a special beverage for the king in the feudal period but now crafted as a delicacy sold to travelers.
River Cruising
The final part of the exploration is a tranquil river cruise. Despite the cold season in northern Vietnam, even with the sun directly overhead in the afternoon, we still enjoyed the cruise, embraced by the cold, subtle breeze.
It was more than half an hour of cruising along the river. While it might be boring for some, my friends and I enjoyed it by assisting our boater in rowing the boat.
As we all met each other in a dragon boat team, we had so much fun rowing the boat to full speed.
Here is 4K short video for you to enjoy the scenic view of the Trang An river.
Final Thoughts
It was the same day as my short trip to Hang Mua and we enjoyed the rest of our day in Trang An with a boat exploration through the grottoes and temples. I was truly astonished by the nature that surrounded us during the trip; it was indeed another day of witnessing a view that I don't experience every day. I felt very happy on my first day in Vietnam, yet more adventures are waiting for us for the next 8 days. Stay tuned for my next blog, as I will take you on my grand adventure in Ha Giang, a 4-day motorcycling trip around the mountains of Ha Giang. 🏍️🏔️
Thanks for reading through! Much love! ❤️
~krios
Other blogs
My gears
- Canon D200 II
- Insta360 One x2
- DJI Mini 4 Pro
- Xiaomi 11 Lite
All photos are mine unless otherwise stated and/or referenced