The hike to Hang Mua Viewpoint, also known as Hang Mua Peak, was by far the highlight of my trip to Ninh Binh.
At the top, you can witness a breathtaking 360-degree view of Ninh Binh province, where rivers meander through rice fields and limestone karsts.
In this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Mua Caves Viewpoint, including how to get there, updated entrance fees, the best time to visit, what to expect during the hike, and scams to watch out for.
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How to get to Hang Mua Viewpoint?
Hang Mua Viewpoint and Caves are situated in the Ninh Binh province, which is approximately 100 km from Hanoi. You can click here for the entrance location.
You can easily get to Ninh Binh from Hanoi by bus, train, or private taxi and the total journey should take about 1.5-2 hours (check price for a transfer from Hanoi to Ninh Binh here).
If you’re short on time, you can opt for a guided day tour from Hanoi, which includes visits to Hang Mua Viewpoint, Trang An Complex, and Bai Dinh Pagoda, as well as hotel transfers, boat tour tickets, lunch, and water.
If you’re staying in Ninh Binh for a few days, I recommend booking a hotel in Tam Coc or Trang An so you’re closer to the main tourist attractions in Ninh Binh.
From there, you can then get to Mua Caves on foot, bicycle (usually provided for free by most hotels), motorbike (about 150k VND per day), or private taxi.
I personally stayed at Cherry Homestay in Trang An and it took me about 30 minutes to get there on foot.
Parking Scam at Hang Mua Viewpoint
One important thing to be aware of when visiting Hang Mua Viewpoint is the parking scams.
A few hundred meters before the entrance, you’ll come across several parking signs. The people there will tell you that there’s no parking at the entrance but that you can park on their property for a fee.
They can be very persistent, and I even saw one of them jumping in front of a tourist and almost making him fall off his bike.
I don’t recommend parking there as it will be more expensive than the official parking at the entrance, which should cost only about 10k VND (it used to be free but is no longer the case).
If your hotel is located nearby, it’s best to walk to Mua Caves to avoid any trouble. I recommend staying at Cherry Homestay since it’s only about a 30-minute walk away. Don’t worry as the road is very scenic and flat.
Hang Mua Caves Entrance Fee and Opening Hours
The entrance fee to Mua Caves and Viewpoint is 100k VND (USD 4) for adults and children over 1m and free for children under 1m.
If you’re staying at Mua Caves Ecolodge, you can visit the viewpoint for free.
Mua Caves are open daily from 6 a.m to 7 p.m.
Hiking to Hang Mua Caves Viewpoints
After paying for the entrance ticket, make your way toward the turnstile where you’ll have to show your ticket.
Inside, you’ll find a beautiful garden filled with colorful flowers, lanterns, man-made waterfalls, and several photo props for taking some Instagram-worthy photos.
About 5 minutes later, you’ll finally reach the stone staircase leading to Hang Mua Viewpoint.
There are over 500 steps, and it should take around 30-45 minutes to reach the top, depending on your fitness level.
Keep in mind that some steps are uneven and steep, particularly near the summit.
About halfway through, the path splits into two. The one on the right leads to the Pagoda Viewpoint while the other leads to the Dragon Viewpoint.
Along the way are several viewing platforms with benches where you can rest and enjoy the view as well as a little shop selling water and snacks.
Although the trail to Hang Mua Caves Viewpoint isn’t too strenuous, it’s completely exposed to the sun, so I highly recommend visiting in the morning or evening.
Dragon Viewpoint
The highest viewpoint at Hang Mua Caves is commonly referred to as the Dragon Viewpoint. To get there, you’ll need to turn left at the halfway point and walk about a hundred more steps.
At the top, you’ll find a huge dragon statue that stretches along the entire length of the cliff.
On one side you can see the boats gliding along the Ngo Dong River, surrounded by rice fields and numerous layers of limestone karts. On the other side, you can see the Pagoda Viewpoint below and all the way to Ninh Binh City.
Keep in mind that the final section leading to the dragon statue is extremely narrow, with sharp rocks and a sheer drop on both sides.
If you’re afraid of heights, I don’t recommend walking along the edge of the dragon statue. You can instead end your hike at the Guan Yin statue where you’ll get a similar view.
Tip: There’s also another viewpoint a few steps below the Guan Yin statue where you can get a view of Ngo Dong River. Here, you’ll find a covered resting area with some benches.
Pagoda Viewpoint
To reach the Pagoda Viewpoint, you’ll need to turn right at the halfway point and then walk across another set of stairs.
While it sits slightly lower than the Dragon Viewpoint, the view from here is still stunning. and you can see the lotus pond and rice fields surrounded by limestone hills.
Hang Mua Caves
Although it’s called the Hang Mua Caves Viewpoints, most people don’t actually take the time to explore the caves.
To be honest, I didn’t find them to be that impressive as they are quite small.
The first cave, called Dong Hoang Ho or Tiger Cave, is located at the foot of the staircase. Inside, you’ll find a tiger statue and a small pond.
Tip: Be careful to not fall into the pond as it’s dark inside!
To get to the second cave, take the path on the left side of the staircase. You’ll find a man-made waterfall and a concrete bridge leading to the cave entrance.
It’s slightly bigger than the first one, and at the end, you’ll find a few tables and benches where you can sit and enjoy a view of the limestone mountains.
Lotus Pond
The lotus pond can be found on the right-hand side near the entrance. This area is very photogenic, particularly when the lotus flowers are in full bloom.
I visited the lotus pond at around 8 a.m and there were only about three people there.
However, at 10:30 a.m, it was already packed with tourists, so if you want to take photos without crowds, it’s better to visit early in the morning.
Where to Stay Nearby?
I recommend staying in Trang An or Tam Coc instead of Ninh Binh City if you want easy access to the viewpoint.
During my visit, I stayed at Cherry Homestay, which is located only a 5-minute drive or 30-minute walk from Mua Caves.
The king room I stayed in had a fantastic view of the mountains and rice fields and I could even see the dragon statue from my bed.
Breakfast is included in the room rate while lunch and dinner cost extra. The homestay provides free bicycles or you can rent a motorbike for a fee.
Alternatively, if you want to be even closer to the viewpoint, you can book a stay at Mua Caves Ecolodge which is located within the Mua Caves complex. The best part is that you’ll get free entrance to Hang Mua Viewpoint when staying there.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN NINH BINH
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Hang Mua Viewpoint and Caves is between February and May, October and November. During these months, the weather is mostly dry and not too hot or cold.
If you want to admire the verdant rice fields from the viewpoint, you should plan your visit between March and May.
The owner of the homestay I was staying at told me that the absolute best time to visit is in May right before the harvest season when the rice fields turn a beautiful gold color.
Keep in mind that if you’re visiting in winter (December and January), it can be a bit foggy so you won’t have a clear view of the surroundings.
Additionally, I recommend starting your hike early in the morning to avoid the heat as the path is completely exposed to the sun.
Note: In the morning, the mountains from the dragon viewpoint will be in the shade. For the best photos, plan your visit after 10 a.m. Alternatively, you can visit at sunset but be prepared to share the view with hundreds of other tourists.
Tips for Visiting
- I highly recommend wearing closed toe shoes, especially if you plan on walking along the edge of the dragon statue as the rocks are very sharp.
- Be sure to bring enough water as it can be very hot.
- Be careful if you’re visiting on a rainy day as the steps can be slippery.
- There’s a toilet near the staircase as well as a small restaurant/shop nearby.
I hope you found this guide to Hang Mua Viewpoint & Caves helpful. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.
2 comments
Thanks for all the info. This will help us with our upcoming trip.
You’re welcome!