Hang Mua Mountain aka Mua Cave, Ninh Binh

At first, I always got confused with Hang Mua Mountain and Mua Cave. My initial plan is to climb the mountain and all the information I got in the internet is to direct me Mua Cave. After few readings, I finally understand that "Hang" means cave in Vietnamese. So Hang Mua Mountain and Mua Cave is the same place.

If you are riding a bike to get here, there are many scam trying to stop you earlier for you to park your motorbike at their place with charges. Don't stop. Just go straight until the end and park inside. It is free parking as of today. I am not sure if they will change it later. The entrance fee is 100,000vnd per person. It is quite expensive for just hiking.

There is a reason to this. They decorated the entire way from the entrance to the foot of the hill. There are many photoshooting spots where you can enjoy before you start your hiking. I would suggest you to take photos first because after the hike, you will probably too tired to do anything anymore.

This is where it all begins your 486 steps. Please make sure you have a good hiking shoes and have lots of water especially when you are here in the afternoon. It is super hot!

In spite of not being as well-known as Trang An or Tam Coc-Bich Dong, Hang Mua does capture the hearts of visitors. Recently, the spot has emerged as one of the top destination choices by foreign visitors because of its remarkable unspoiled natural beauty.

Hang Mua is located at the foot of the Mua Mountains, which look like a large overturned bell with about 800m wide. There are hundreds of white stone steps leading to the peak of the mountain which is often said is a miniature version of the Chinese Great Wall.

Both edges of the stairs are lined by stones that are elaborately decorated with the carved symbols of the dragon and phoenix inspired by the artistic style of the Tran dynasty. There are two peaks. The right side is shorter than the left side. Some people can only make to one peak but not the other one. If you really only able to make to one peak, pick the left side. The view is much more breathtaking.

This is the view from the left peak which you will see the paddy field. There will be two seasons that you will enjoy golden color which is on the month of April and September.

Do not do what I did here. It is at the edge of the peak and once you have been here you know it is very dangerous to stand here.

Just do this. It looks like you are sitting at the edge but there is a ground below your legs which is just 30cm away. Photo angle will always deceive the way you see things.

Basically, that's all you see from the left peak. It is like a Halong Bay on the land.

Hang Mua has its meaning as “dancing cave” because this site was previously considered as the place where Tran king used to come to enjoy dancing & singing shows performed in this cave.

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue on dragon mountain. That's what you will see from the right peak to the left peak.

As you can see, the right peak is just half of the height of the left peak. However, what you get is way more fruitful. This is why the harder you work the better you get.

You start to see amazing views even before you get to the dragon peak.

This is the dragon peak which is really amazing to be. There are so many people queueing up to get a picture with the head of the dragon. It is not easy to get a picture of it without any people on the background.

This is the view of the Tam Coc boat tour route. Breathtaking isn't it? No reason why you should not be here.

Now taking photo with the dragon head and the river. This is an achievement!

The view from left peak to the right peak is so much scenic than other way round.

No matter what, we still need to get down. However, please watch your step as you might get distracted by the scenery around you.

Overall, this is a MUST visit place if you are at Ninh Binh. I don't get it why people do day trip to Ninh Binh when Ninh Binh got so much to offer. You should stay at least 2 nights to enjoy the best of Ninh Binh!

Total Damage: 100,000vnd per person
Ambiance: 5/5
Freakout Level: 3/5
Price: 3/5
Service: 2/5
Recommended?: Absolutely
Opening Hours: 6.00am - 7.00pm (daily)