EndHalong Bay tour 2 days 1 night, visiting many famous tourist spots in Halong Bay such as Bai Chay, Sun World Park Halong, Halong Bay… but what left the most impression on Cuong was the spiritual temple Cai Bau Halong. Although this temple is a bit far from Halong, Cuong had heard about the sacredness and unique architecture of the temple, so in the recent Halong trip, Cuong visited it. For a long time, this tourist spot near Halong has been referred to as “a fairyland scene” with its back leaning against the mountain and facing the sea, resembling a picturesque landscape. And indeed, Cuong had the opportunity to set foot in Cai Bau Quang Ninh temple and witness the beauty as well as immerse in the spiritual space that is both peaceful and romantic, which is hard to find in any other temple.After his Halong exploration, Cuong also gained quite a lot of interesting travel experiences. Below, Cuong would like to share with you the experiences he drew from visiting Cai Bau Quang Ninh temple.
Where is Cai Bau Quang Ninh Temple?
This Halong Bay tour is known as Cai Bau Temple and also known as Truc Lam Giac Tam Zen Monastery, located in Hamlet 1, Halong Commune, Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province, about 65 km from the center of Halong City.Although it was established in 2009, this temple has now attracted many visitors from all over the country to come and experience tourism here. With its unique geographical advantage, facing the vast Bai Tu Long Bay in front, and the massive mountain behind, it stands tall.One thing that Cuong really likes and wants to share with those who intend to travel to Halong is that the atmosphere at this near Halong tourist spot is truly peaceful. Because it is a temple, the solemn and ancient atmosphere is naturally there, but the atmosphere at Cai Bau Halong Temple is not too quiet, so those who are excited on their Halong trip won’t feel anxious. Due to the blend of solemnity and the vastness of nature, Cuong standing at this near Halong tourist spot can even hear the sound of the sea waves echoing back, believe it or not. For spiritual devotees, Cuong is sure that this is a place not to be missed when visiting Halong Bay.
History of Cai Bau Temple
Chùa Cái Bầu Quảng Ninh was built on the foundation of Phuc Linh Tu, worshiping the generals of the Tran dynasty in the 13th-century battle against the invading Mongol army. In the area of Chua Cai Bau, a battle took place that set the stage for the victory on the Bach Dang River in 1288. To commemorate the heroic deeds of the Tran dynasty heroes who sacrificed to protect the nation, recalling the old temple, Truc Lam Giac Tam Zen Monastery built a shrine within the spiritual area of the temple, a precedent never seen before. Throughout the ups and downs of history, the temple suffered severe damage. In 2007, recognizing the significant historical importance of the country, Chua Cai Bau Quang Ninh, also known as Truc Lam Giac Tam Zen Monastery, began construction on a total area of 20 hectares in Ha Long commune, Van Don district, Quang Ninh. After 2 years, in 2009, Chua Cai Bau Van Don – Truc Lam Giac Tam Zen Monastery was inaugurated magnificently, worthy of the historical and cultural values of Quang Ninh in general and the nation as a whole.
When is the best time to visit Chua Cai Bau?
Foreign tourists visiting Cai Bau Pagoda not only explore various architectural structures, historical and cultural relics, or enjoy sightseeing to admire the poetic beauty of natural landscapes, but also are attracted by the richness of major festivals throughout the year such as Buddha’s Birthday, Vu Lan Festival…
The best time to experience and immerse yourself in the festival atmosphere at Ha Long tourism Cai Bau Pagoda is around the 1st to the 3rd lunar month. During this time, Cai Bau Pagoda will organize vibrant festival activities, attracting a large number of foreign tourists to participate. Oh, speaking of festivals, Cuong must immediately share with everyone about the Vu Lan Festival at Cai Bau Pagoda. If you have the opportunity, you should experience this festival once in your life. This is a major festival of the year and is organized quite grandly at Cai Bau Pagoda. Every year, in the 7th lunar month, people in Quang Ninh can enjoy the spectacular lantern festival with beautiful colors at this pagoda. This is a festival that carries the meaning of praying for the deceased. At the festival, hundreds of lanterns are lit up brightly, sparkling under the water, carrying wishes, praying for peace, safety, and the sincere respect of the living for the deceased.
How to get to Cai Bau Pagoda?
Usually, Cuong finds that there are few Ha Long tours that include a visit to Cai Bau Pagoda, maybe because it’s a bit far from the city center, and most tourists prefer 3 days 2 nights Ha Long tour the most, with limited time to visit all the Ha Long tourist spots on their itinerary, so if you’re traveling to Ha Long and want to visit Cai Bau Pagoda, either choose a custom-designed Ha Long tour package or go on an independent Ha Long trip, then you can enjoy the beautiful Ha Long scenery while exploring.In this trip, Cuong chose to travel independently, and here are some tips Cuong has summarized after this trip on how to get to Cai Bau Pagoda:
– For locals:
For the people of Ha Long, transportation is quite fast and convenient. There are two options you can choose to depart from Ha Long city to Cai Bau Pagoda: motorbike and bus. For those who love adventure and exploration, motorbikes are a great choice to travel to Ha Long tourism and visit Cai Bau Pagoda. Because the distance from the city center of Ha Long to Cai Bau Pagoda is quite close, it takes less than an hour to drive to the sightseeing spot, and the roads have been widened and easy to travel on, so you can rest assured in this aspect.
In addition to motorbikes, buses are also a useful option for visiting Cai Bau Pagoda. Specifically, from the center of Ha Long city, you can move to Bai Chay bus station. Here, take the Bai Chay – Van Don bus with a ticket price of 15k/trip. This bus runs from 5:30 am to 7:00 pm, and there is a trip every 15 minutes, so you don’t have to worry about running out of buses.However, Cuong also wants to note that the bus will only stop at Van Don. So if you want to go to Cai Bau Pagoda, you will need to take a taxi or motorbike taxi for about 50-100k/person. You can confidently ask the locals for advice on suitable transportation options without being overcharged.
That’s the transportation if you are traveling from Quang Ninh, so how about if you are coming from another province? Cuong will share with you right here, so keep following along.
– For Ha Long tourists:
From the center of Hanoi, you can choose to go to Cai Bau Pagoda by passenger car or personal vehicles like motorbikes, private cars. The distance from Hanoi to Van Don is 250km, and the average travel time varies depending on the vehicle, from 3.5 to 5 hours.
1. Travel by motorbike and private car
In this journey to explore Cai Bau Pagoda, Cuong chose to travel by motorbike.Specifically, Cuong’s route was as follows: We started from Hanoi, followed National Highway 5 to Hai Duong city. From Nam Sach town (Hai Duong), you go straight on National Highway 183 to Sao Do town (Chi Linh, Hai Duong), then to Dong Trieu – Uong Bi – Ha Long – Cam Pha – Cua Ong – Van Don. Then cross Van Don bridge and go straight to Cai Bau Pagoda.
Another alternative route that you can consider: From Hanoi, take National Highway 5 to Sai Dong intersection. Here, continue on Road 1 to Bac Ninh. From Bac Ninh, take Road 18 through Pha Lai – Chi Linh – Dong Trieu – Uong Bi – Ha Long – Cam Pha – Cua Ong – Van Don. Then cross the Van Don bridge and head straight to Cai Bau Pagoda.
One interesting point that Cuong noticed when traveling on a motorbike tour of Ha Long is that you have the freedom to manage your time, deciding when to continue or take a break on your own. Additionally, you can stop at any beautiful spot you desire and capture them through amazing photos and videos. However, there are still some small notes to consider when traveling by this means of transportation: First, before the Ha Long tour, visit Cai Bau Pagoda, you should have your bike serviced to detect any issues or malfunctions in order to ensure your vehicle operates at its best on the road. Second, during the journey, as you will be traveling on many highways, pay attention to controlling your driving speed to ensure safety and avoid speeding tickets, as there are many police checkpoints along the Hai Duong section. Also, don’t forget to bring all necessary vehicle documents for a smooth trip.
2. Traveling by bus
The tourist bus service is increasingly developing, but along with that, there are also irresponsible or untrustworthy bus companies that may negatively impact your trip if you happen to choose one of these buses. Therefore, choosing a reputable bus company is crucial. Currently, with the completion of the expressway from Hanoi to Ha Long to Quang Ninh, traveling by bus from Hanoi to Quang Ninh has become much safer, faster, and more convenient. The travel time from Hanoi to Van Don is 4 hours. With this travel time, you can choose to travel by sleeper bus or Limousine bus. Below are some detailed information about bus companies from Hanoi to Van Don that you can choose from:
1. Ha Thanh Limousine
- -Ticket price: 240,000 VND/way
- -Departure time: 5:00-15:30
- -Pick-up location: This bus picks up and drops off passengers for free in 8 inner districts of Hanoi (Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Dong Da, Tay Ho, My Dinh, Cau Giay, Hai Ba Trung, Long Bien)
- -Contact phone number: 0243 9900 333 / 090 225 2200
2. Sleeper bus of Hung Duc bus company
- Ticket price: 170,000 VND/ride
- Departure time: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
- Bus pickup location: My Dinh bus station
- Contact phone number: 02485898333/ 0899233288
What to see at Cái Bầu Pagoda?
I must honestly say that Cuồng was immediately drawn to the beautiful and spiritual charm of Cái Bầu Pagoda the moment I stepped foot at this tourist destination near Ha Long. There’s no argument that Cái Bầu Pagoda is known as one of the two most beautiful Buddhist monasteries in Quang Ninh and is ranked as having the most beautiful pagoda architecture in Vietnam.
I visited Cái Bầu Pagoda on a weekday, so the number of visitors was not too high, and the weather was perfect for sightseeing with clear skies. After parking my vehicle at the parking lot near the pagoda for 10k/vehicle, I walked along the coastal road to reach the main hall of the pagoda. On both sides of the road were neatly trimmed trees shaped like dragons and phoenixes, very picturesque. Passing through the massive gate, I continued up the stairs to reach the main hall. The main hall of the pagoda houses the statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni on a bronze relief. On the left and right are statues of Manjushri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas, representing wisdom and compassion. In addition, Cái Bầu Pagoda also has a three-arched gate, the abbot’s house, the bell tower, the monk and nun guest houses, the meditation hall, the display area, and a 50-meter tall Buddha statue on the peak behind the monastery, standing majestically. Standing from above, looking down at the vast Bai Tu Long Bay, I felt as though I was in tune with the peaceful sound of the temple bells, and all my worries and fatigue seemed to melt away. I can confidently say that the natural beauty of the Cái Bầu Pagoda makes it famous for its scenic views, and pilgrims who come here will undoubtedly experience a sense of peace and tranquility in their hearts.
See more: Affordable Ha Long Travel with the 10 Most Beautiful Ha Long Tourist Spots
What to eat when visiting Cái Bầu Pagoda?
There is no food sold at Cái Bầu Pagoda. Therefore, if you are visiting Ha Long and touring Cái Bầu Pagoda for the day, it’s more convenient to bring along light snacks like bread, rice balls, or fast food and drinks. You can also ask the pagoda for vegetarian food and drinks, everything is free of charge. If you’re traveling in a large group, you can visit some affordable restaurants in Van Don that serve a variety of seafood such as squid, tu hai, and grilled oysters…
Below are some affordable and tasty restaurants that you can check out:
– Gió Biển 2 Restaurant
- Address: Dong Son, Zone 8, Van Don, near Van Don District People’s Committee.
- Phone: 098 121 21 18
- The restaurant has good service, friendly staff, and offers affordable and delicious dishes even on holidays.
– Tuyên Tuyết Restaurant
- Address: Cai Rong, Van Don
- Phone: 033 3874 256
- Fresh and large seafood. The food quality is excellent, especially the large, rich clams. The restaurant is spacious and airy with attentive and friendly service.
– Đại Dương Restaurant
- Address: Zone 8, Cai Rong Town, Van Don.
- Phone: 090 481 48 65
- Offering great seafood with a variety of fish and shellfish dishes, this restaurant is loved by many customers for its good food and enthusiastic staff. The restaurant is clean and spacious, making it ideal for group meals.
Besides these places, if you want to enjoy a unique flavor of Van Don, you should not miss the famous Tuan Anh noodle shop, which serves Van Don noodle soup (Bánh Canh Van Don) – a dish with a unique flavor that has become a specialty of the local area.
Where to stay when traveling to Cái Bầu Pagoda?
When traveling to Cái Bầu Pagoda, you can choose to stay in the town of Van Don or in the Ha Long area. In Van Don, you will find a variety of mid-range and luxury hotels that offer good service with prices ranging from 300,000 VND to 1 million VND/night. You can also find homestays for a more affordable option, ranging from 100,000 VND to 300,000 VND/night.
Conclusion
Cái Bầu Pagoda is truly a beautiful and spiritual destination that offers a peaceful retreat. With stunning architecture, a rich history, and breathtaking views of Bai Tu Long Bay, it’s definitely worth visiting. The area surrounding the pagoda also offers delicious seafood and various places to stay for an unforgettable trip!
– Hon Gai Seafood Market: is also a seafood paradise in Quang Ninh that many tourists visit. Hon Gai Seafood Market only opens from early morning until 9 a.m. The market is located very close to the sea, so many fishing boats will stop by here to trade after returning from their fishing trips, ensuring that the seafood is always fresh and delicious.
– Seafood Market Cai Dam – Bai Chay: located at Vuon Dao Street, Bai Chay, about 1 km away from the Ha Long tourism pier. There are over 300 seafood businesses here offering a wide variety of products at reasonable prices.
– Some tips for choosing fresh seafood when traveling to Quang Ninh:
Visitors to Ha Long travel may be overwhelmed and confused when stepping into the Quang Ninh seafood market, so learn a few tips below for the best selection.
– How to choose fresh shrimp: the first criterion for choosing shrimp should be live ones, even lively and able to “jump around”. However, if the shrimp no longer swims, pay attention to choosing ones with intact legs, clustered legs, tightly attached meat and shell, soft and elastic body, straight position, not curled in a C shape. These are the freshest and best shrimp.
– How to choose delicious crabs: there are many types of crabs such as flower crabs, red crabs, spotted crabs… but the green crabs are the sweetest and firmest. When choosing crabs, hold them in your hand to feel the weight, which should be equal to the palm of your hand. Gently press on the crab’s belly, if it doesn’t sink, it’s a good crab, firm body. Usually, male crabs have more meat and taste better. According to tradition, it is best to buy crabs according to the lunar calendar, at the beginning or end of the month when crabs are firm and delicious. Avoid buying crabs in the middle of the month, especially from the 10th to the 15th of the lunar month, as the crabs are shedding their shells, the meat will be bland and the crabs will have less meat.
– How to choose fresh squid: there are 2 types of squid, the cuttlefish and the tube squid, and the selection methods are different:
+ Tube squid: choose the type with a light pinkish meat layer, hard tentacles firmly attached to the body, and intact squid pouch.
+ Cuttlefish: choose a large, slender, opaque white body with a brown membrane around it, not torn. When touching the squid, it should feel firm, press it firmly, the tentacles should be intact, not broken or damaged.
– How to choose blood cockles: a nutritious dish rich in iron and calcium, blood cockles are loved by many. To choose good blood cockles, look for live ones that can still retract and protrude their tongues when touched. Avoid choosing overly large blood cockles, opt for medium-sized ones for better cooking results and avoid choosing overly large ones as they can be tough. If a blood cockle is closed, you can smell it to test, if it has a foul odor, it’s dead and should not be purchased.
After choosing the seafood you want to buy, the next step is how to transport it? Cuong will share with you how to carry seafood back while keeping it fresh. After buying seafood at the market, ask the seller to put it in a foam box with ice to prevent spoilage and pack it securely to ensure the quantity. Additionally, if you prefer a less cumbersome transportation process, you can choose to buy dried foods such as sun-dried squid, squid sausage as gifts, which are also delicious to eat.
See more: 11 Must-Visit Places in Ha Long You Can’t Miss
Places to visit near Cai Bau Pagoda
1. Ba Vang Pagoda
About 50 km from Cai Bau Pagoda, Ba Vang Pagoda is also considered a famous Halong Bay tourist destination that tourists should not miss when visiting Halong. Ba Vang Pagoda is also known by another name, Bao Quang Tu. The pagoda is located on the back of Thanh Dang Mountain, at an altitude of 340m in a beautiful location to the west of Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh. The pagoda’s feng shui originates from Dong Yen Tu Pagoda, with a feng shui location that has a river in front, a mountain behind, and two pine forests on both sides. Therefore, the trips of tourists to Ba Vang Pagoda are often associated with the term “spiritual tourism”. Visitors to Ba Vang Pagoda nowadays believe that they not only come to pray for wealth, peace, and luck, but also to admire the scenery.
2. Cua Ong Temple
Cuong finds this Halong Bay travel destination almost always on the itinerary Halong Bay tours have it all, from 3 days 2 nights Halong Bay all-inclusive tours, to 4 days 3 nights Halong Bay all-inclusive tours, and even 1-day Halong Bay tours. If you don’t like group tours, you can opt to invite friends or family to visit Halong Bay independently and still explore this Halong Bay travel destination.This travel destination near Halong Bay is not far from Cai Bau Pagoda, only about 20 km away and takes about 1 hour by car to reach. Cua Ong Temple is located on a hill in Cua Ong ward, Cam Pha city, Quang Ninh province, more than 40 km northeast of Halong. This place bears many historical and cultural features of the past and attracts a lot of attention from tourists.
3. Quan Lan Island
Another destination near Chua Cai Bau for Ha Long tourism, only about 50km away, Quan Lan Island is also a tourist destination that offers great experiences for visitors visiting Ha Long. Quan Lan is an island located in Bai Tu Long Bay in northern Vietnam. The island has 2 communes belonging to Van Don district, Quang Ninh province, which are Quan Lan commune and Minh Chau commune. Quan Lan Island is located in Bai Tu Long National Park, part of the Van Hai island chain, embracing the eastern edge of Bai Tu Long Bay, with the Van Don port located on this island. On the island, there is Quan Lan Pagoda (in Chinese characters, the pagoda is written as Quang Lan) where King Ly Cao Tong made the decision to establish the Van Don port.
These are the travel experiences shared by Cuong about the Chua Cai Bau Quang Ninh tourist destination. Hopefully, with the information provided by Cuong, you will no longer have to worry about this travel destination. Wishing you a fun and rewarding trip with many exciting experiences.
