Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Trang An Landscape Complex
Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is undoubtedly one of my favorite places not just in Ninh Binh, but throughout Vietnam. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Trang An is renowned for taking visitors on tranquil boat tours through emerald waters alongside limestone karst landscapes and ancient pagodas. Here is Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Trang An Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh:
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- Reasons To Visit
- Trang An Boat Tickets + Arrival Tips
- Trang An Boat Routes
- Trang An: A Route Two Guide
Reasons To Visit
The Rich History
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014, Trang An has been a site of human occupation and activity for more than 30,000 years.
Trang An’s limestone cave system not only contains archaeological evidence of prehistoric human activity, but it also served as natural shelters and strategic hideouts during conflicts as recent as the Vietnam War.
Beyond its natural wonders, historic pagodas are scattered throughout the site, showing how important of a cultural and religious center it was during Vietnam’s Dinh and early Le dynasties in the 10th and 11th centuries.
The Otherworldly Views
Of all the places I visited in Vietnam, Trang An is one that took my breath away more than a few times. A scenic landscape complex known for its fantasy-like vistas, Trang An offers a new view of towering limestone peaks and tranquil emerald waters at every turn. Whether bathed in the golden hues of sunrise or the warm glow of sunset, this UNESCO World Heritage Site promises an unforgettable adventure.
The Movie Appearance
The Trang An Landscape Complex has also played a major role in Kong: Skull Island (2017).
- After the chaos from their first Kong encounter, the surviving members of the team seek refuge. It is during their trek that they encounter one of Ninh Binh’s soaring limestone karsts stamped with a large, bloody paw print.
- The Iwi Tribe provide shelter to Monarch and Landsat expedition for the night after their helicopters are destroyed. Their village, now an empty film set in Trang An**, is made up of 40 rattan tents and decorative objects.
Trang An Tickets and Arrival Information
Best Time To Visit Trang An
While the Trang An boat tour is available throughout the year, I recommend visiting from December – March. The weather is not as hot or humid, meaning the sunny Trang An boat ride is much more comfortable.
Opening Hours
Trang An’s ticketing box office is open daily from 7AM – 4PM. With no set embarkment times, it’s easy to buy tickets upon arrival and be assigned a boat.
Trang An was at the top of my list in Ninh Binh, so I arrived exactly at the 7AM opening time! There was still a short line when I got there, but I heard it was nowhere near what it’s like in the afternoons! If you’re hoping to maximize your time in Ninh Binh, I’d arrive at Trang An before 8AM or after 3:00PM.
Hours: Open 7 AM – 4PM
Location
Trang An is located in the Hoa Lư District of Ninh Binh, Vietnam.
Trang An Address: 7W39+7G5, Ninh Xuân, Hoa Lư, Ninh Bình, Vietnam
How To Get To Ninh Binh
Getting to Ninh Binh is relatively straightforward, located just 90km south of Hanoi. While there are no airports, you can easily reach Ninh Binh by train, by private driver or tour, by rental car or motorbike and by bus.
By Train
For travelers looking for a scenic, cost-effective option, Vietnam Railways offers train routes Hanoi to Ninh Binh. The route typically takes around 2.5 to 3 hours from Hanoi and trains depart regularly from Hanoi Railway Station. Tickets can be booked online, directly at the train station and sometimes via hotel or tour operator.
By Tour or Private Driver
How I visited Ninh Binh! This mode of transportation makes getting to Ninh Binh extremely easy and hassle-free. For day trippers, I recommend booking a private or group tour from Hanoi that can take you to all the main sights from your hotel. For overnighters, I recommend first booking a private driver for door-to-door hotel service, and then getting a local guide or renting a bicycle for crusing around Ninh Binh.
By Rental Car or Motorbike
Renting a car or motorbike is the optimal choice if you’re looking for maximum flexibility, but requires a license, an International Driver’s Permit and confidence navigating Vietnam’s busy roads! The journey from Hanoi typically takes 2-3 hours, with rental options and prices varying from vehicle type and rental duration.
Based in the U.S.? Apply for an International Driver’s Permit before your trip via AAA. Applications and other required materials can be submitted in person and by mail for a $20* fee.
By Bus
A good option for budget-conscious travelers. Buses can be searched for and booked in advance online through multiple operators. While I didn’t travel this way, as buses can often be a hit or miss experience, Bus service is so inexpensive, costs generally start around $5* per person. Just make sure to read reviews before booking with any company!
Getting Around Ninh Binh
Once you arrive in Ninh Binh, there are several local transportation options available:
By Taxi or Rideshare
While pricier, taxis and the Grab app provide comfort, ideal for combating the heat.
Trang An Parking Cost: N/A, but fares vary based on pick-up location.*
By Rental Car or Motorbike
If you’ve already rented a car or motorbike to get to Ninh Binh, using the same method of transportation to get around town is a no brainer. Vehicle and motorbike parking is available in Trang An’s parking lot.
Trang An Parking Cost: 15,000 VND/motorbike*
By Tour or By Private Driver
How I visited Trang An and what I recommend for a worry-free experience! It was wonderful to be able to experience each step of my journey in Ninh Binh with an expert tour guide who provided personal insights and stories – and not just of Trang An itself, but of the greater Ninh Binh area as a whole.
A private tour or driver, in particular, does come with a higher price tag, but in my opinion, it’s absolutely worth it if you prefer to have a flexible and worry-free journey!
Trang An Parking Cost: Typically included in the overall tour/driver cost. Operator costs vary by group size and itinerary.*
By Bicycle
Perfect if you enjoy exercise and are staying nearby, but may not be ideal for covering other sights in the area. Bicycle parking is available in Trang An’s parking lot at the address above.
Trang An Parking Cost: 10,000 VND/bicycle*
Tickets
Tickets for the Trang An Boat Tours are sold at the ticketing box office building, located on your left side when entering Trang An’s parking lot (address).
Tickets cost 250,000 VND / person* and boats can hold up to four people at a time, not including the guide rowing the boat. So even if no one is behind you in line, the guide for your boat will typically wait until there are enough guests to occupy all four seats in their boat before taking off on the tour.
If you want to avoid the wait or just have a whole boat to yourself, you’ll want to purchase the remaining seats as well, bringing you to a total of 1,000,000 VND / boat*.
Secret Tips:
- Tickets must be paid for in cash. If you’re running low, there is an easy-to-find ATM located in the middle of the Trang An parking area.
Trang An Boat Routes
After purchasing tickets, you’ll cross an the underground bridge that takes you from the box office to the boat departure area. There, you’ll find a coffee shop, bathrooms and a queue to hop aboard a traditional sampan boat with one of Trang An’s local guides.
When you reach the start of the queue, you’ll hand the guide at the front your ticket and tell them which of Trang An’s three available routes you’d like to explore:
Route One
Length: 3 Hours
Number of Temples: 4 Temples
Number of Caves: 9 Caves
Details: Trang An Pier – Trinh Temple -Dark Cave- Bright Cave – Nau Ruou Cave- Tran Temple – Ba Giot Cave – Seo Cave – Son Duong Cave – Phu Khong Temple – Khong Cave – Bao Hieu Pagoda – Tran Cave – Quy Hau Cave – Trang An Pier.
Route Two
Length: 2.5 Hours
Number of Temples: 2 Temples, 1 Palace, 1 Film Set
Number of Caves: 4 Caves
Details: Trang An Pier – Lam Cave – Cao Son Temple – Hang Cave – Thanh Truot Cave – Suoi Tien Temple – Dai Cave – Vu Lam Palace – King Kong: Skull Island Village Film Set** – Trang An Pier
Route Three
Length: 3 Hours
Number of Temples: 2 Temples, 1 Palace, 1 Film Set
Number of Caves: 3 Caves
Details: Trang An Pier – Trinh Temple – May Cave – Dot Cave – Suoi Tien Temple – Dai Cave – Vu Lam Palace – King Kong: Skull Island Village Film Set** – Trang An Pier
An Otherworldly Adventure In Trang An: My Route Two Guide
Take a look at my Route Two experience for a glimpse of what to expect during a boat tour of Trang An:
Trang An Pier – Embark from the Trang An Boat Departures Area and through the expansive lake area before reaching your first cave along the route – This is the best area to see the expansiveness of Trang An lake and watch local fisherman at work, especially in the early mornings!
Lam Cave – The First Cave (60M) – Lam cave is the most open of those I encountered on Route Two. It doesn’t need or have any man-made lighting to assist boats on the way through, however, there is a point where the ceiling gets a bit low and I had to duck down to the floor of my boat!
Cao Son Temple – 18th Century Temple worshiping Cao Son, or the god of the mountain – This was a small temple located on a strip of land in between the first natural “arena” that the limestone karsts created around us on Route Two. It can be visited during a short boat stop, if desired.
Vang Cave – The Second Cave (250M) – Probably the most impressive cave entrance along Route Two! Rowing-into the entrance feels very real-life Pirates of the Caribbean-esque! As this cave is 250M long, there are man-made string lights dotting the ceiling to allow boats through easily. The end of the cave opens up one of the most breathtaking views of limestone karsts along Route Two.
Thanh Truot Cave – The Third Cave (320M) – The longest cave on Route Two has lots of colorful, rainbow style lights inside, making it feel and giving the limestone karsts some depth and drama. This is a great cave to grab some quick photos inside, if your local guide allows you to quickly stop to do so. The exit for this cave also has a very low roof, so you will need to duck down to the floor of your boat to avoid bumping your head.
Suoi Tien Temple – “Heaven Stream” Temple worshiping Quy Minh Dai Vuong – This was my favorite temple to see along Route Two! It’s incredibly picturesque, and if you’re visiting in the early morning, you’ll encounter locals arriving in boats with offerings for the temple. Nearby, you’ll also find the first of the two small water pagodas you’ll glide by along Route Two.
Dai Cave – The Fourth Cave (150M) – I found this cave to be much smaller, but no less exciting cave than the ones before, as it opens out onto the picturesque Vu Lam Palace!
Vu Lam Palace – Former Palace and Military base during the Tran Dynasty – Although you don’t stop here, the buildings making up the Palace are easy to see as you float by, with steps leading right down to the water. It’s the location of Thai Vi Temple and also has a small pagoda built into the water that you can get closer to. This is one of the best places to grab a photo on Route Two, if you desire one.
Iwi Village Film Set** – King Kong: Skull Island Movie Set – While the Village is currently closed for visitor walking tours, Route 2 still takes you alongside the former film set. I was able to see the tops of the traditional tents from my boat!
Trang An Pier – Arrive back to the Trang An Boat Departure Area and Pier – Upon return, I crossed back over to the parking area via a beautiful bridge that was adorned with colorful lanterns. Another picturesque spot with the Trang An mountains behind!
*At time of writing.
**The Iwi Village film set from King Kong: Skull Island is currently closed to tourists, but Trang An visitors can see the tops of the tents from the former film set on Routes 2 and 3.
Trang An
Ninh Binh, Vietnam
UNESCO World Heritage Site / Scenic Landscape Complex
Price: $-$$
