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    Ninh Binh in 48 hours - photo gallery

    / Last updated 30 Nov 2011

    Introduction

    The best things to do with 48 hours in Ninh Binh - cycling through limestone karst lanscapes, classic villages, a 10th century capital at Hoa Lu, a boat ride at Tam Coc, climb Hang Mua and visit the Catholic enclave with its remarkable cathedral at Phat Diem.
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer
    • ©Photo: Mark Bowyer

    • Ninh Binh, around 90 kms south of Hanoi is a perfect place for relaxed cycling.

    • There are lovely safe country lanes running through villages and dramatic karts limestone mountain scenery.


    • Cycling Ninh Binh
    • Ninh Binh
    • Party propaganda Ninh Binh
    • Ninh Binh
    • Cycling Ninh Binh
    • Cycling Ninh Binh
    • Cycling the Ninh Binh countryside.

    • Hoa Lu was the 10th century capital of Vietnam's Dinh and Le dynasties. Ly Thai To moved the capital to Hanoi in 1010. two 17th century temples mark out the location of the former capital. There are few other remains and information at the site is virtually non-existent.


    • Dinh Tien Hoang's Temple, Hoa Lu

    • The setting for the temple is stunning.

    • Hoa Lu temple

    • Boating at Tam Coc. There are now 3 boat options - Tam Coc, Trang An and the less popular but still very nice Thung Nang.

    • Thung Nang boat trip, near Tam Coc.
    • Helping out the boat ladies.
    • Ms Tuyen - Tour guide from Handspan Travel.
    • Boat lady at Trang An.
    • Trang An boat trip

    • The Trang An boat trip features many longer and more impressive caves - the surrounding countryside is perhaps less impressive and Trang An is fast attracting the coach tours from Hanoi.


    • Trang An boat trip, Ninh Binh

    • Mountain goat meat is the local specialty.


    • New building at Bich Dong Pagoda

    • Bich Dong Pagoda is steeped in legend. Unfortunately ongoing renovations and reconstruction have drained it of much of its atmosphere.


    • Don't forget this!
    • Old village, Ninh Binh
    • Hang Mua is the place to go for the best views of NInh Binh's karst landscape.

    • It's quite a climb but the views are well worth it.


    • Hang Mua , Ninh Binh
    • Phat Diem Cathedral is Vietnam's most impressive Catholic place of worship. Unlike its counterparts in Saigon and Hanoi, this one is distinctly Vietnamese in character.

    • The timber interior is like a huge Buddhist pagoda colliding with a Catholic church.

    • Father Six - the man behind the building of Phat Diem Cathedral.
    • In the early 1950s Graham Greene looked down on raging battles between French and Viet Minh forces from here. The cathedral was severely damaged by US bombs in 1972.
    • Phat Diem is located in Kim Son town. Make sure you take a walk through the classic northern streets.
    • Kim Son town.
    • Kim Son town.
    • Friendly smiles from the ladies of Kim Son town.
    Quicklink - Introduction - Ninh Binh