Hoa Lu cave, also known as Thung Lau (belonging to Gia Hung commune, Ninh Binh province) is a valley of more than 5ha with an arc shape. This place is surrounded by imposing limestone mountains that are extremely solid like a solid citadel wall separating the cave from the outside.
Seen from afar, this place looks like a dragon lying guarding and sheltering the cave. In the past, there was only one unique road, which was to climb through a small crevice about 30m high with a jagged rocky slope to enter the cave. Because of such dangerous terrain, Dinh Bo Linh chose this as his first military base to recruit troops and build forces to suppress the rebellion of 12 warlords to unify the country in the 10th century.
Ms. Vu Thanh Lich - Deputy Director of Ninh Binh Department of Culture and Sports said that according to historical records, because his father died early, Dinh Bo Linh and his mother returned to their maternal hometown in Gia Thuy commune, Nho Quan district (old), to live. In his youth, Dinh Bo Linh went to herd buffaloes with his friends and took reeds to practice simulated battles in the Thung Lau area.
Today, visitors cross 240 stone steps winding into 9 sections (symbolizing the dragon's image) to enter the cave, followed by a flat stone-paved road to the Tam Quan gate covered with tiles. Through the Tam Quan gate is a stone screen in the middle engraved with a tiger descending from the mountain, showing the majesty of King Dinh.
In the center is a 5-compartment temple inside with an ancient horizontal lacquered board recording the Chinese character "Hoa Lu Dong". Inside the temple is an incense altar with a statue of King Dinh Tien Hoang sitting in a majestic throne lacquered in gold, wearing a bình thiên hat, wearing a long bào (dragon robe). Behind the temple of King Dinh is the temple of Saint Nguyen Minh Khong. Both temples were built on the foundation of the ancient mansion when Dinh Bo Linh recruited troops and established a base.
Mr. Le Dinh Quang (the caretaker of Hoa Lu Cave relic), said that in the past, to enter the cave, people and tourists had to climb cliffs and go down from the mountain. Since 2009, the relic has been restored and embellished, rebuilding the temple to King Dinh and Saint Nguyen Minh Khong as well as building a road into the valley.
Hoa Lu Cave is an open cave, meaning a large piece of land. According to historical collectors, this place is associated with the military exercise flag of King Dinh in his childhood, as well as the place where the king started his career from this land (the first base of Dinh Bo Linh - PV), then slaughtered buffaloes to treat the army and then led troops to suppress the rebellion of 12 warlords" - Mr. Quang said.
Visiting Hoa Lu cave, visitors will hear about a childhood, Dinh Bo Linh's reed chess practice. Thung Lau is also associated with the event of Dinh Bo Linh defeating the attack of two Ngo kings, Xuong Van and Xuong Ngap.
Every year, on the 10th day of the first lunar month, the Thung Lau Temple or Hoa Lu cave festival takes place, attracting thousands of tourists from all over to visit and worship.
Hoa Lu Cave was recognized by the Ministry of Culture (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) as a national historical and cultural relic in 1996.
