Fairytale Ninh Binh with its sampans and temples

Ninh Binh remains fairytale-like, although now more travellers come to enjoy the river spectacle of the bay in which the steep limestone mountains rise above its rice fields. At the jetties of Tam Coc and Trang An, sampans guided by boatmen paddling with their feet instead of their hands ascend the rivulets of water, allowing close-up views of the impressive karst formations and penetrating inside dripping-ceilinged caves. While with patience and willpower, one can climb the five hundred steps leading to the summit of Hang Mua, the vertiginous rocky pancake from which one can enjoy a dreamlike view of the river meandering lazily between rice paddies and limestone outcrops and the humanity that lives and trades in Ninh Binh. Not far away are the temples of Hoa Lu dedicated to the sovereigns of the Dinh and Le dynasties: their architecture responds to the cardinal principle of 'Tien thuy hau son', according to which the location required the presence of a river in front and mountains behind, symbolising the harmony between nature and man-made constructions made of wooden beams and fine carvings. Inside, the statues of the kings are honoured with offerings throughout the year.