The Than Dinh Mountain range in the western Quang Binh central province. It bears an imposing beauty of a landscape painting.

Tourists to Quang Binh should call at the Than Dinh (Dinh God) Mountain which is famous for “numerous fairies and Buddha”.

The mountain range has served as a screen to shield the hard-working people in western Quang Binh for ages.

From Dong Hoi, capital of the province, tourists travel to Long Dai ferry in Quang Ninh district; then tourists go by boat to view the imposing beauty of the Than Dinh mountain range.

The locals said the Than Dinh is also called Chua Non (Non Pagoda) because there was a pagoda named Chua Non in the mountain in the past.

When tourists arrive at Chua ferry, travelling for a few more hundreds of metres, tourists come to the foot of the mountain. Tourists follow rock steps to climb up the mountain.

On the way to the top of the mountain, tourists see the Hang (Cave) pagoda which is naturally formed with rock. There are two small caves in front of the Hang pagoda, called Bell and Drum caves. When beating on the rock cliff, there is a drum and bells-like sound which reverberates.

Entering the Hang pagoda, tourists discover the natural beauty of stalactites that look like images of elephants and horses flanking.

Leaving the Hang pagoda for the top of the mountain, tourists have an overview of villages of Van Kieu ethnic minority group. Then, tourists can visit Rao Tru cave, a military base of Vietnamese soldiers in the US resistance war and anti-French colonialist war.

In the evening, tourists call at Van Kieu ethnic families. By the camp fire, tourists have a chance to enjoy Truong Xuan fried peanuts, Rao Da baked maize, Vo Xa wine, and Than Dinh mountain goat meat and beef.

Source: Nhandan Online/Saigontourist