Ninh Binh-Vietnam
Ninh Binh
Introduction
The province of Ninh Binh is well-known for its stunning scenery of imposing limestone outcrops and tranquil meandering rivers. The countryside surrounding the town makes for an ideal escape from the capital city Hanoi, a little over 100kms to the north.
To discover more about the scenery for which Ninh Binh is famous a ride on a traditional sampan or rowboat is highly recommended. These small vessels snake their way through a dramatic landscape of grey-green cliffs which tower over the water below. High above on the almost-sheer slopes mountain goats balance precariously feeding on the vegetation. The boats weave their way through the reeds and the only sound one hears is the occasional kingfisher chirping and the soothing rhythmic splash of the paddles. The skilled oarswomen also navigate visitors through a series of limestone caves and tunnels, each one of which opens out on to another stretch of calm water.
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Places of interest
Tam Coc means three caves, which takes about two hours driving from Hanoi (110 km) to the South, and visitors may say that distance is not a matter after seating in a boat rowed by one or two local persons in Hoang Long river and see the first limestone mountains, which will run along their riverway for several kilometers.
The boat will be rowed, through three caves on the river, all created by wind and water from a legend time, while the sea had occupied this area. The tide-mark is still on the rock about 2m above the water, and in higher mountainwall the erosion have carved some strange shapes that now filled of green grass, delicious foods of the goats that local people breed everywhere. If you are lucky, sometimes you can see mischievous monkeys. The river trip is wonderful for photo hunters, especially when local people come to harvest the water rice planted along the river, or when they transplant some seedling for the next crops. The tourists often compare the place with Guilin – China, or more closely, to the limestone islets of Halong Bay in the Tonkin Gulf for their similar geological structures and shapes. Thus Tam Coc is also called Halong-Bay-On-
Hoa Lu is very near to Tam Coc, is the relics of the ancient capital Hoa Lu – the remains are the temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, the two heroes who lived in 10th century and chose Hoa Lu to build the citadel of the capital city. From time to time, archaeologists have excavated buried parts of this citadel with rusty weapons and ceramics. The temples are said to be built on the old foundation of their original palaces in 11-12th centuries and restored in 17th century. Though the temples are not maintained entirely some precious antiques are still preserved well like the whole-stone dragon thrones, wooden bas-relieves and lacquered statues of King Dinh, Kinh Le, Queen Duong Van Nga who in turn got married both of the kings, and the princes of the two dynasties.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
