Ninh Binh Trang An Boat Route 1: Insider Tips and Detailed Exploration Guide

Overview of Trang An Boat Routes

Trang An Highlights and Tickets

Trang An in Ninh Binh stands as one of the most famous attractions, offering multiple activities for visitors, including the beautiful landscape and outdoor activities. 

It's located in Northern Vietnam, approximately 7 kilometres west of Ninh Binh City. If you travel from Hanoi, the distance is roughly 100 kilometres. Trang An has wonderful limestone mountains and a complex cave network. Given its aquatic setting, exploring Trang An by boat emerges as the optimal means of discovery. Each boat is typically for 4-5 people, if your group is smaller than 4, you have to share your boat with others.

Furthermore, Trang An is home to numerous temples and pagodas, visitors will pause during their boat journey and explore each historical site.

Regarding entrance, currently, the fee for Trang An includes both entrance and boat ticket are as follows:

• Trang An admission ticket: 250,000 VND per adult.
• For children with heights between 1m and 1.3m: 120,000 VND per child.
• Admission is free for children under 1m in height.
• Parking fees vary, approximately 10,000 VND per vehicle.

Opening hour: 

• Monday to Friday: 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Saturdays and Sundays: 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Please note: The ticket price remains the same for all boat routes.

Three boat routes in Trang An

Trang An offers three awesome routes in total, each packed with natural wonders like caves and ancient temples. You can soak in the serene scenery and vibe with nature, but there are some differences. 

Trang An boat route map

• Route 1: Get ready for cave exploration with 9 caves and 3 temples to check out.
• Route 2: Hop on the shortest boat tour in Trang An, hitting up 4 caves and 3 temples along the ride.
• Route 3: Dive into the longest cave adventure, exploring 3 caves and 3 temples in total. 

Route 3 in Trang An Ninh Binh: A Comprehensive Review and Guide
Trang An Boat Trip 2: Details itinerary and highlights of route 2

Why Boat Trip 1 Trang An? 

Route 1 offers the most extensive cave exploration experience with 9 caves to discover, providing a deeper insight into the geological formations and hidden wonders of the region. If Trang An is a hidden gem of Ninh Binh, boat Route 1 will be the great gateway to see the magic of this gem. It’s ideal for adventure seekers and those fascinated by underground landscapes.

With three temples to visit along the route, Route 1 offers a rich cultural and historical experience. As the route with the most caves and temples to explore, Route 1 offers a longer and more immersive excursion, allowing you to fully appreciate the beauty and diversity of Trang An.

Route 1 Trang An Boat Schedule

• Length: Approximately 3-3.5 hours
• Distance: Around 12-15 kilometers
• Number of attractions: 9 caves, 3 temples

The boat brings you to admire 3 sacred sites and 9 caves in a closed circle. You will have a chance to watch strange rocks and learn about the history of the first dynasty of Vietnam through antiques and legends of Wine Cooking Cave, Trinh Temple, Phu Khong… specifically Tran Temple, the heart of Cultural Heritage and World nature.

Detailed itinerary: Boat Wharf – Trinh Temple – Dark Cave – Morning Cave – Nau Ruou Cave – Tran Temple – Ba Giot Cave – Seo Cave – Son Duong Cave – Phu Khong – Bao Hieu Pagoda – Khong Cave – Tran Cave – Quy Hau Cave – return to Boat wharf (about 3.5 hours – depending on how much time you spend on each site).

See Trang An Route 1 highlights

Some of the notable caves include:

• Toi Cave (meaning Dark Cave) - This is a short cave, but it offers a glimpse into the karst formations of the area.
• Sang Cave (meaning Bright Cave) - In contrast to Toi Cave, Sang Cave is light-filled and opens up to a beautiful lagoon.
• Nau Ruou Cave (meaning Wine Cooking Cave) - Legend says that King Dinh Tien Hoang used this cave to distill rice wine.

• Ba Giot Cave (meaning Three Drips Cave) - This cave is named for the three stalactites that constantly drip water, creating a small pool inside.
• Seo Cave (meaning Dry Cave) - This high and dry cave offers scenic views of the surrounding karst landscape.
• Son Duong Cave (meaning Mountain Spirit Cave) - This is one of the longest caves on Route 1.

Temples (3 in total):

• Tran Temple - This temple is dedicated to the Tran Dynasty and is considered to be the heart of Trang An's cultural and natural heritage.

• Kong Minh Temple (also known as Phu Khong) - This temple is dedicated to the Chinese military strategist Zhuge Liang, also known as Kongming.
• Trinh Temple - This temple is dedicated to the Trinh Lords, who ruled Vietnam in the 17th and 18th centuries

Top Tips for a Smooth and Enjoyable Trang An Boat Trip

• Don't miss a shot! Let your boat operator know if you see something spectacular - they'll be happy to pause for you to capture the memory.
• Life jackets are provided for a reason - wear them! They're quick to take off for photos but prioritize safety by keeping them on most of the time.
• Note your boat number before setting off. This will help you locate it quickly after exploring caves or temples.
• Early mornings offer the coolest temperatures and beautiful soft light for stunning photos, minus the harsh afternoon sun.
• Be prepared for anything! Pack a hat, sunglasses, and an umbrella to shield yourself from the sun or unexpected rain.
• As you'll encounter temples along the route, dress modestly to show respect for these sacred places.
• Before buying souvenirs, ask about the price to avoid any surprises.

A Comparison of 3 Boat Tours in Trang An Ninh Binh

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