Địch Lộng Cave and Pagoda

Wind Flute Cave

Useful Information

photography — Địch Lộng Cave and Pagoda, Ninh Bình, Vietnam. Public Domain.

Location:	Kenh Ga, Gia Thành, Gia Viễn, Ninh Bình. From Ninh Bình City follow QL1A north 14 km to the bridge across River Day, before Đoan Vĩ Bridge turn left 1km. (20.367823, 105.914185)
Open:	All year daily. [2024]
Fee:	free. [2024]
Classification:	Cave Church Karst Cave
Light:	Incandescent bring torch
Dimension:	St=105
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Địch Lộng Cave and Pagoda, Gia Thành, Gia Viễn, Ninh Bình.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1739	cave discovered and named Địch Lộng by a woodcutter.
1740	Dich Long Pagoda constructed.
1990	declared a National Historic Monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

Description

Địch Lộng Cave and Pagoda is a famous tourist destination of Ninh Binh Province. It is a temple district perched at the foot of a karst tower which is named Địch Lộng. There are three caves beneath the temples in the plain, which are located 80 m up in the karst tower and are reached on a long stone staircase with 105 steps. Chùa Địch Lộng (Wind Flute Temple) is built into the cave to the right, a chamber with stalactites, stalagmites, and Buddha statues which is used for prayers. To the left is a cave called Toi or Dark Grotto. It is famous for a huge stalagmite resembling a woman’s breast, the locals call it (Nature’s Breast). Behind this cave is the Sang or Light Grotto which has a wide opening so the light and the wind can enter the cave. When a breeze plays on the conical stalagmites, they sound like flutes. This explains the name Địch Lộng, which translates literally Wind Flute.

The place was called the "third most beautiful standing grottos" in entire Vietnam. We have no idea what standing grottos are, but this recognition was given by King Minh Mang of the Nguyen Dynasty (1791-1841). So who are we to criticize? Undoubtedly, the beauty of this site is often praised in songs and poems, and the site definitely fascinates all the visitors that come by.

The cave was discovered in 1739 by a woodcutter. He was climbing a mountain in search for juicy trees to lop when he reached the cave entrance. A strong breeze blew through the caves and created a gentle, beautiful sound resembling that of a flute. So he called the place Địch Lộng (Wind Flute). He saw many beautiful stalagmites inside the cave, some appearing to resemble the Buddha. As a symbol of reverence, he built a Buddhist altar.

In the plain in front of the cave temple lies a communal house said to have been built to honor Ly Quoc Su, a Buddhist monk during the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225). He was quite famous, as he was a renowned healer. He cured local villagers as well as King Ly Thanh Tong himself. The building has 16 stone pillars, eight of them are four metres high and are decorated with images of mighty dragons hovering above the clouds and carp swimming peacefully in the water. The other eight pillars are three meters high and wonderfully inscribed with Han scriptures. On the left side of the community house is a garden with several Buddhist sculptures, including Amida, Maitreya, Arhat, and the infant Buddha Shakyamuni.

From here a long staircase with 105 steps leads up the cave temple with a three parted gate built into the cave entrance. Such Triple Gates are typical for Vietnamese Buddhism. Under the ceiling a large and impressive bell is hanging, which is said to originate from the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). The cave has many stalactites and stalagmites. The precious gold-plated Buddha statues inside are called Tam The Phat, the three Buddha of the Past, Present, and Future. There are also stone statues of Guan Yin, the bodhisattva of compassion, and Amitabha Buddha.

Every year there is a great festival at the temple, on the sixth and seventh of March. There are religious elements like worshipping Buddha and thurification (the act of burning incense), and there is entertainment, like performing kylin dances, dragon dances, a chess tournament, a competition in writing Han scripts, and more. We suggest staying away as far as possible on this date to avoid the crowds. Enjoy the beauty of the site on any other day of the year.