Updated: 13 Oct 2020
Mua Cave is the best place to visit in Ninh Binh, believe me !
The cave brings you one of the best panoramic view of one of the nicest sceneries in Viet Nam- that’s Ninh Binh- which is known as a wonder of the world, the Telegraph from UK said “It’s an area known locally as Vietnam’s ‘Inland Halong Bay’” or Mua Cave – The Vietnamese “Great Wall of China”. This can’t be denied since more and more foreigners choose Mua Cave( Hang Mua – Vietnamese name) for their short holidays while being in the north of Viet Nam. Today, i will highlight the key information about Mua Cave for who are planning to visit.
- Why is Mua Cave, the best place to see?
- When you should visit this amazing cave?
- What things to do in Mua Cave?
- Nearby attractions to Mua Cave.
- How to plan a PERFECT trip?
Why is Mua Cave - The best place to see in Ninh Binh?
Location: Mua Cave is near Hanoi city, far from it about 90 km. It belongs to a cultural land of Ninh Binh. Together with Trang An ecological tourism complex, Mua cave looks majestic with rolling mountains surrounding a whole large delta like a rampart is protecting the country inside. The name was originated from an old time story. When the King Tran came to Hoa Lu captital, he often stopped at this cave. So there were dancing performances by emperial maids, so people call the cave is “Mua” ( dancing). Top view with romatic panorama view. Until now, it is still attractive to all the people. To enter this amazing cave, you must buy the entrance ticket with only 100,000 VND/ person ( USD 4). And then, you climb 486 stone steps to enjoy beautiful sceneries on the mua cave peak. Some people call Mua Cave as Great Wall of Vietnam. From the peak, you can overlook to the rice field on Ngo Dong river.
Come and hike up the top of Mua Cave to take the picture.
When should you visit Mua Cave ?
Each season, you can see the different beauty of the cave.
- In the summer it’s ideally to visit Mua cave for you to catch a panoramic view of ripe rice fields. But don’t worry at any time you totally admire peacefully imposing and stunning beauty of Ninh Binh.
- As you can see the best time to see Mua caves is when Vietnamese farmers are planting rice then even green or yellow rice paddies all attract you immediately.
- This period of time will start from May to July of a year. If at that time it’s on a sunny day you will have memorable day trip in Mua cave.
- But sometimes it’s far too hot and you may get tired that influences on your mood. A cool day is a good choice to visit Ninh Binh with watching sunset or the flow of dawn as should-do activities.
- Another tip is that you should avoid rainny seasons because of disadvantages of moving. Moreover the gray sky prevents us from taking nice photos.
- Above of all, your schedule or hobby is most important to decide when you should visit Mua cave
What things to do in Mua Cave ?
Take photos at the virtual tower
(this tower, everyone usually take photo to upload on social network- the virtual world.)
After we had climbed mountain, you will see a highest tower in Mua cave with Vietnamese traditional architecture. The view is so beautiful from up above with a clear blue sky and majestic mountains
Explore Dragon Peak sunset + The Goddess of Mercy’s shrine
At the top of the highest mountain there are two roads: One path to the right signed one of The Goddess of Mercy’s shrines and the other to the right signed a dragon with beautiful stonework creates a specific for it – you can witness the one of masterpiece in Ninh Binh.
Although Mua cave is closed at 5pm and sunset down around 6:30 pm. However, you still can enjoy the sky had begun to turn orange when the sun set behind the mountain top.
The most amazing view
Mua cave is known as one of the muses of Tam Coc, because at the top of Mua Cave you can have a most realistic and vivid panoramic view of Tam Coc with fields, blue rivers running slow and lazy, and majestic limestone mountains, the combination makes a wonderful picture. The scene of Mua cave will surely captivate your heart and you will have an unforgettable impression on your travels. Nature lovers and photo lovers should not miss this place on their journey
Tiger Cave + Flower Garden
Tiger Cave is located on the left of the entrance. Walk through the artificial lakes, through the small paths and an ancient large, mossy green artificial lake is the entrance to the cave. This cave don’t have a large surface area. There is an underground stream deep inside cave. However, it only appears during the summer. Located on the right hand side of the entrance is the valley of colorful flowers. A large lotus lake. However, if you come here in the summer, you will have the opportunity to take photos and enjoy the lotus
Nearby Attraction and Activities
Mua Cave is one of the most popular attractions that you can select for your trip to Ninh Binh.
Besides, there are other destinations nearby, so you can expand your schedule.
Such as Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Tam Coc, Bich Dong Pagoda, Thung Nham Bird Park, Thien Ha Galaxy, Trang An landscape complex, Bai Dinh pagoda complex, Phat Diem Church, Cuc Phuong National Park. All of them has their own appeal.
Among them, you can consider Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Thung Nham Bird Park, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Trang An Grottoes. They are the most popular tourist destinations and are near Mua Cave.
Tam Coc Bich Dong
Bich Dong is a temple surrounded by a lake with blooming lotus flowers. The path to the top of Bich Dong goes through a cave decorated with impressive statues.
And on the top of Bich Dong, you will have a grandstand view. This is also a great place to have beautiful memories for your trip
The best thing is the entrance fee to Tam Coc – Bich Dong to be free!
Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Temple is a large temple complex with many Asian and Vietnamese records established as the temple has the largest gold-plated Buddha image in Asia, the temple has the longest Arhat corridor in Asia, and the Maitreya statue.
Southeast Asia’s largest bronze … You will be impressed by the religious and fascinating beauty of the Bai Dinh Temple complex. ! If you love ancient Asian architecture, you should mark this place on your map.
Trang An Grottoes
Trang An complex is a breathtaking landscape of almost vertical limestone populations surrounding valleys and rivers. Also known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trang An will surprise you with the beauty of nature
You will take 2.5 hours by boat to visit famous caves such as Light cave, Dark cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou, Sinh cave , Si Si cave, etc. Don’t forget to bring your camera as you will be taking great photos here.
Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
The former capital of Vietnam is located 90 km south of Hanoi, protected by high limestone mountains and earthen walls. Hoa Lu is a beautiful old city, the economic and political center of Dai Con Viet, a kingdom extending from northern Vietnam to the center during the 10th and 11th centuries.
How to Make a Perfect Trip to Mua Cave from Hanoi? Should I take a tour in Mua cave or I go by myself ?
Well, this question never gives you a correct answer. If buying a tour you don’t have to be worried about anything. Everything is well-organized by suppliers with a fixed schedule, restaurant, hotel, knowledge tourguide, transportation 2 ways…
It’s an example for a typical tour even including 3 places to visit in 1 day in Ninh Binh. Pick up 1 suitable itinerary for you:
>>> Bai Dinh- Trang An - Mua Cave ( Full Day Tour) <<<
It is one of the most satisfying boat tour in Ninh Binh with a combination of visiting picturesque Trang An Tour at Ecotourism Landscape and exploring a spectacular Mua caves. It will make your day become memorable because of a fixed convenient schedule for climbing to the top of the Mua cave seeing how a panoramic view of Ninh Binh is, slowly moving on a rowing boat in Ecotourism Trang An Tour to discover mysterious caves. “
On the other hand, you like travelling by yourself or with your travel mates, here is some calculations for your trip:
- Transportation: From US $6- $15.
- Food: US $10- $20.
- Bike/motorbike renting if you wan to go around Mua Cave: US $2- $5.
- Mua cave ticket : ~ US $4/ticket.
- Tea/coffee/drink: US $2- $5.
What to eat?
Traditonal cuisine is a key to make your trip memorable. Find these dishes in Ninh Binh such as medium-rare goat meat with lemon, goat meat cooked on oil pan, baked goat meat, crisp rice dipped with sauce…to taste and learn more about cuisine in Ninh Binh
How to get to Mua Caves Ninh Binh?
From Hanoi to Mua cave
If you depart from Hanoi to Mua Caves, you can go by train, motorbike and bus. It takes you about 2 hours. Mua cave is only 6km away from the center of Ninh Binh city, so it’s easy for you to catch a taxi get to the hotel/homestay.
For the shuttle bus, there are two options: the buses will pick you up at the fore-arranged address or you can go catch the bus at the bus stations. If you want to catch the bus yourself, you can go to:
- Giap Bat bus station at 6 Giai Phong street, Hoang Mai district.
- Yen Nghia bus station at Highway 6, Ha Dong district.
- Nuoc Ngam bus station at 1 Ngoc Hoi road, Hoang Mai district.
- My Dinh bus station at 20 Pham Hung.
Tips for each sort of transportation from Hanoi: ( applied for 1 day trip)
- You should take a train departing from 6:00 am to save your 1 day if you have only 1 day in Ninh Binh. A train ticket costs from 80.000 VND
- Go by bus is the most popular form of transportation for foreigners. Price is from 150.000 VND/way but they will pick you up from your hotel/airbnb if you stay in the Hanoi center. Sometimes, some people feel more comfortable to hire a private car, which seems to be more suitable for families.
- Ride a motobike sounds interesting for any one who loves exploring. Viet Nam is a “world of motorbike” here you never find it difficult to hire a motorbike for 1 day. However to find a good renter in Hanoi can make you confused, don’t hesitate to contact Hanoi Explore Travel, our local colleague in Hanoi is willing to help you to hire a motorbike will the best price.