SHINING HERITAGE OF TRANG AN

With stunning natural beauty and nationally-significant cultural and historic sites, the Trang An Natural Complex is drawing more and more visitors to Ninh Binh Province

THE TRANG AN NATURAL COMPLEX OFFERS UNIQUE GEOLOGY RUGGED NATURAL BEAUTY, AND SITES OF CULTURAL AND HISTORIC RUGGED NATURAL BEAUTY, AND SITES OF CULTURAL AND HISTORIC IMPORTANCE

Vituated in Ninh Binh Province in the South­ern Downstream Basin of the Red River Delta some 90km from Hanoi, the Trang An Natural Site spans a total of 12,440 ha throughout 20 com­munes and wards. The Trang An Natural Complex comprises three main areas: Trang An eco-tourism site; the Hoa Lu former capital complex; and the Tam Coc – Marble Grottos and parts of the Hoa Lu special-use forest. The historical, cultural and architectural complex of Hoa Lu and the Tam Coc – Marble Grot­tos were honored as national sites of spe­cial significance. The sites offer superior cultural and natural values coupled with globally significant value for their geology and landscape. Local authorities re­cently completed a mixed heritage file to apply for UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site acknowledgement.

THE ANCIENT CAPITAL OF HOA LU

The former capital ofHoa Lu is encir­cled by the limestone mounts of Hoa Lu and demarcated by the Chanh River to the east, the Hoang Long River to the north and the Ben Dang River to the southwest. The site is home to various relics from different dynasties spanning a turbulent millennium. Hoa Lu was the first capital of the first feudal states of Vietnam: Dinh, Pre- Le and Ly. It offers historical evidence of national reunifica­tion, defeats of the Song – Chiem in­

vaders and the relocation to Thang Long – Hanoi. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Hanoi.

Although it was no longer the capi­tal, successive dynasties of the Ly, Tran, and Le Nguyen ordered massive restora­tions and extensions of the pagodas, mausoleums, temples and pavilions in Hoa Lu. Hoa Lu is home to temples of Dinh and Pre- Le rulers featuring unique and sophisticated architecture resem­bling former splendid palaces mixed with folk elements. Wooden and stone engravings are exceptionally diverse and brilliant. Apart from above-ground remnants, archeologists also discovered and -excavated Dinh and Pre- Le temples that were the foundations of palaces built over 1,000 years ago and a variety of precious artifacts demonstrating the architectural, artistic, economic, social and cultural aspects of the Vietnamese nation at that time.

Visitors can explore natural grottos, ancient pagodas and serene waterways winding through limestone mounts

TRANG AN ECO-TOURISM SITE

Some 48 caves with a total length of 12,226 m have been found in the Trang An eco-tourism complex. Among the most notable are long water caves such as Dia Linh Cave (1500 m), Sinh Duoc Cave (1300 m) and Cloud Cave (1200 m). The caves, grottos, mountains, val­leys, lakes and fountains of Trang An

form a rich world of above-ground and underground wonders, with high peaks, deep pools and colorful stalactites. The site is also home to Tran Temple (also known as Noi Lam Temple), and the temples of Quy Minh the Great General and his wife, the royal consort Quy Nuong. Tran Temple is an ancient tem­

pIe where pilgrims pray for peace and at­tend the annual Phat Lat Festival. Visi­tors marvel at the unique architectural relics and the artistic statues exquisitely chiseled onto stone pillars and rafters by ancient artisans.

TAM COC – MARBLE GROTTOS COMPOUND

The Tam Coc – Marble Grottos are situated in Ninh Hai Commune, Hoa Lu. The site was once dubbed “The second finest grotto of the South” and boasts pris­tine beauty and famous cultural and his­torical attractions such as Thai Vi Temple, Marble Grotto Pagoda and a bird garden. The Marble Grottos are home to many breathtaking grottos such as the Fairy Cave and Thien Huong Grotto. Tam Coc means “Three Caves”, which are called Lofty, Second and Third. A single water­way leads into Tam Coc and a tour takes around two hours. The Tam Coc Wharf epitomizes the rustic charm of the Viet­namese countryside. Visitors can watch the emerald waters of the Ngo Dong River meander around embracing moun­tains. Adventurous visitors can drive 2 km further along the Ngo Dong River to the Fairy Fountain and make the steep climb to Noi Lam Temple.

This complex boasts some of the finest geological, natural and cultural sites in Ninh Binh Province and the en­tire country. The Trang An Natural Complex is drawing growing numbers of domestic and foreign visitors. With globally significant geological and cul­tural values, and support from provin­cial and local authorities and domestic and foreign experts, the Trang An Nat­ural Complex may soon become the eight UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first Mixed Heritage Site in Vietnam. This site is a must for both Vietnamese and international visitor.

SHINING HERITAGE OF TRANG AN
First post at: Vietnam Culture