If you're already familiar with the bustling scenery of Tam Coc or the vibrant skies of Thung Nham, then Thung Nang is an interesting stop that tourists shouldn't miss when visiting Ninh Binh .
Getting to Thung Nang Valley isn't difficult at all. From Tam Coc boat dock, follow the main road towards Dam Khe village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district for about 5 km and you'll reach this interesting destination.
For travelers with ample time and a love for nature, cycling along the Dam Khe village road is an unforgettable experience. It's a route uncrowded with traffic, as peaceful as a landscape painting. On both sides, vast rice fields wind around lush green limestone mountains. Therefore, it's no coincidence that the travel community considers this one of the most beautiful roads in Ninh Binh.
Upon arriving at Thach Bich pier, visitors park their vehicles and begin their exciting journey to explore Thung Nang Valley. On boat number 83, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien, from Dam Khe Trong village, gracefully paddles and slowly hums to the passengers:
"Mountains surrounding, water in all four seasons."
The small boat gently stirs the water with its oars.
The waves rippled around the cave.
Thick clouds billowed over the temple grounds...
These four simple verses encapsulate the entire beauty of Thung Nang Valley, filling everyone with anticipation. As the boat gently glides through the waves, slowly moving forward, the scenery of Thung Nang Valley gradually unfolds before our eyes, shimmering and enchanting.
The first impression is a river "dyed" in the purple hues of water lilies. These flowers are planted along both banks of the river, stretching for over 3 kilometers. When the air is still misty, thousands of blossoms burst into full bloom, awakening the space with the vibrant color of this simple, humble yet enchanting and poetic flower.
Ms. Hien said: "Water lilies here bloom all year round. They are most beautiful from late autumn to early summer. At this time, the sun is not too harsh, so the water lilies are always a deep red, with abundant blooms, and they last longer each day."
According to Ms. Hien, water lilies are naturally dormant, meaning they "sleep during the day and wake up at night," so to fully appreciate the beauty of the flower-filled river, visitors should go early in the morning or late in the afternoon. At these times, the flowers are in full bloom, vibrant and fragrant, creating a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere.
Not only is it unique because of its river ablaze with purple flowers, but at this time of year, visitors to Thung Nang can also admire the reeds turning a vibrant emerald green, and immerse themselves in the pristine landscape with ancient trees casting their shadows on the lake, surrounded by towering rocky mountains.
The mountains here come in countless shapes and sizes, giving visitors free rein to their imaginations. There's Turtle Mountain, with a rock formation resembling a turtle carrying a giant mountain on its back. There's Lamp Mountain, as if nature had skillfully sculpted an oil lamp in the distance at its summit. Further on is Woodcutter Mountain, with two rocks leaning against each other like a married couple, reminding the people of Dam Khe of the moral principles of life: "Woodcutters chop wood in the mountains. They toil and struggle together year after year…"
The cave system here is also very beautiful, including Thung Nang Cave and Thung Ram Cave. While not as long as the caves in Trang An or Tam Coc, the stalactites here are no less dazzling and fascinating. The cave ceiling is particularly low; in some sections, visitors have to bend over to squeeze through. Sitting on a boat, with the sparkling droplets of water cascading down the stalactites, and breathing in the cool breeze inside the cave, everyone feels their fatigue melt away.
One of the things that particularly delights visitors to Thung Nang is its diverse ecosystem. As the boat glides across the lake, visitors can easily spot schools of fish swimming among the lush green algae, and a few white ducks leisurely searching for snails on the water's surface. Furthermore, if you visit in late autumn or early winter, you'll see hundreds of cranes coming here to forage for shrimp, perching on the trees. Even luckier, you might encounter a troop of monkeys coming down to drink water in the morning…
Thung Nang Valley captivates visitors not only with its pristine natural beauty but also with the tranquility of its spiritual setting amidst the mountains. An ancient temple dedicated to the Mountain God and the Mother Goddess, worshipped by the villagers, still stands here. From here, visitors can explore the rocky mountain range on foot or find stunning spots for taking photos bathed in sunlight.
Thung Nang – a simple, rustic name that encapsulates the shimmering, mystical beauty of this land of many wonders. It deserves to be an ideal weekend getaway for those who love nature and seek out pristine, unspoiled beauty.
Minh Hai - Hoang Hiep
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