Discovering Natural Wonders: Mua Cave in Ninh Binh’s Majestic Mountains

Located in the Trang An scenic complex, Mua Cave is one of the enchanting and beautiful destinations that you should not miss when exploring Ninh Binh. Possessing majestic scenery of rolling mountains and a super-clear view, Mua Cave will make your trip memorable. Let’s follow Deluxe Group Tours to explore this unique Mua Cave.

The legend has it that in the past, Mua Cave was a place where the Tran dynasty kings, specifically King Tran Thai Tong, would visit when he returned to Hoa Lu to establish the Thai Vi Temple. He often came to watch the singing and dancing performances of the royal court from ancient times. Therefore, people named the cave “Hang Mua” (Dancing Cave), and the name has persisted to this day.

During the brave struggles of their forefathers in safeguarding the nation, the foot of Mua Mountain was likened to a mobile hospital, becoming a place for treating and sheltering many wounded soldiers during their participation in battles. Thus, not only being one of the destinations with the most picturesque and charming scenery in the ancient Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh, Mua Cave is also like a ‘historical witness’ that has followed the ups and downs, the fluctuations of the nation’s history throughout the journey of building and defending the country.

Where is Mua Cave

• Address: Khe Dau Ha Village, Ninh Xuan Commune, Hoa Lu District, Ninh Binh Province.
• Entrance fee: 100.000 VND/ person

Located less than 100km from the center of Hanoi, so during your exploration journey in Ninh Binh, you can easily travel to Mua Cave by various means of transportation, such as buses, trains, or motorcycles.

• Motorcycle: If you want to travel and explore Mua Cave in Ninh Binh, a motorcycle will be the perfect choice. From the center of Hanoi, you move in the direction of National Highway 1A through Ha Nam, then towards Ninh Binh Thanh Hoa. After reaching the city of Ninh Binh, you will see signs pointing to Trang An and turn left. Continue moving along road 491C, and you will reach Khe Dau Ha village. From here, just go straight, and you will see Mua Cave. The road is smooth and easy.
• Bus: If you are not confident in your driving skills or prefer a more relaxed option, you can choose to take a bus. Currently, there are trips to Ninh Binh from My Dinh Bus Station and Giap Bat Bus Station. The ticket price is around 150,000 VND, and the travel time is approximately 2 hours. Once you arrive at Ninh Binh Bus Station, you can take a motorbike taxi or a regular taxi to get to Mua Cave.
• Train: If you want a unique experience, try taking the train. Currently, many train journeys are passing through Ninh Binh, which takes only approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, or 2 hours. The train will stop at Ninh Binh station.

Discover the Allure of Tam Coc – Bich Dong: A Renowned Destination

Mua Cave highlight

1. Explore the Mua Cave Architecture

Resting peacefully at the foot of the mountain, Mua Cave possesses a picturesque and romantic landscape that undoubtedly captivates you when you come here, making you reluctant to leave. Mua Cave is a large bell-shaped cave, approximately 800 m2 in size. From the mountain’s base, you can see the white stone steps leading to the summit, consisting of 486 consecutive steps resembling a miniature version of the Great Wall of China. When visiting Mua Cave, you can test your flexibility as you embark on a journey to conquer nearly 500 steps to reach the top and admire the panoramic beauty of Tam Coc Bich Dong, with distant, lush rice fields approaching the blossoming season.

Mua Cave is usually compared to a celestial paradise in the lower realm, and indeed, this is not an exaggeration. When you visit Mua Cave, you will have the opportunity to admire the intricately carved steps with a unique and fascinating dragon mountain, showcasing the versatile talents of ancient artists.

If you feel tired, you can take a break at the pavilions and stone benches scattered along the journey. At this moment, cast your gaze into the distance, and you will be able to fully appreciate the breathtaking scenery amidst the Ninh Binh sky and inhale the fresh, airy atmosphere that prevails in this tranquil place.

2. Admire Mua Cave’s poetic scenery.

There is something special that no matter when you visit Mua Cave throughout the year, you will have the opportunity to fully admire the breathtaking beauty of the majestic mountains, intricately intertwined with rows of lush and interestingly grown trees that captivate the heart and soul.

Furthermore, at the top of the mountain, there is also a statue of Guanyin looking down upon the land. If you have the opportunity to set foot here, the peaceful and panoramic view of the ancient imperial land below will undoubtedly evoke emotions that are hard to put into words.

More especially, when you climb to the top of Mua Cave, you can easily look over the scenic Tam Coc Bich Dong with its tranquil, poetic, and incredibly romantic mountain and Ngo Dong River landscapes. At this moment, the vast fields seem even more vivid and impressive. It is revealed that if you visit Mua Cave during the ripe rice season (June), you will have the opportunity to admire the complete picture of the golden season spreading far below the mountain when standing at the highest point of Mua Cave.

In addition, if you have the opportunity to visit Mua Cave, you must visit the area of the tower located at the highest position on the top of Mua Mountain. Although you have to go through a relatively challenging journey with over 500 steps, the majestic and romantic natural scenery of Mua Cave will compensate you. The journey to conquer the peak of Mua Mountain will create more memorable experiences for you on the return journey to the poetic, romantic, and pristine land of Ninh Binh.

3. Take Stunning Photos

Although Mua Mountain’s peak can provide picturesque check-in points for stunning photos, because along the main roads are pristine and vibrant natural landscapes, no matter where you stand, you will instantly capture awesome check-in photos of Ninh Binh.

You should not miss capturing the captivating photos of the scenes under Mua Cave, such as waterfalls, bridges adorned with lanterns similar to Hoi An, or serene ponds.

You can choose flowing boho dresses or exquisite traditional costumes. You can also rent these glamorous outfits for as low as 50,000 VND per set at the costume rental points listed below.

• Tiệm Đàm at the People’s Committee of Ninh Tien Duong Commune, Nguyen Huu An.
• She Vintage at Hanh Cung Hamlet, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.
• Chi Chi at Khe Ha – Ninh Xuan – Hoa Lu – Ninh Binh.
• Tiệm An Nam (Thuy Dinh) at Khe Ha, Ninh Xuan, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh (200m from Mua Cave).

Best Time to Visit Mua Cave

Mua Cave is beautiful in any season of the year; therefore, you can visit Mua Cave whenever you like. However, it is recommended to come here in the spring and summer because, during these times, the temperature is neither too low nor too high, providing perfect conditions for comfortable exploration and discovery.

• At the beginning of the year, Mua Cave becomes tranquil. Especially in the early months (around January), there are many attractive festivals with the traditional colors of the ethnic people in the ancient land of Hoa Lu.
• Around the period from May to June, when the rice has ripened and turned golden, the weather in these months in Ninh Binh is more stable, with plenty of sunshine but not too intense, making it suitable for climbing the mountain to admire the scenery without worrying about fatigue.
• In June and July, Mua Cave is the season when lotus flowers are in full bloom. You can admire the vibrant fields of lotus flowers in shades of pink and white. Particularly if you want to enjoy or take photos with the lotus flowers, you should note that the lotus blossoms here usually peak in the morning and fade in the late afternoon.

Mua Cave Travel Tips

• You should climb mountains and move quite a distance, so choose comfortable clothing and agile sports shoes for convenient movement.
• Limit carrying heavy items, as it will make you more tired.
• Remember to carry a water bottle to avoid dehydration and feel less tired.
• You should also limit taking photos in unsafe locations.
• Plan your schedule to visit Mua Cave in the morning, as it will be less sunny for climbing.