Linh Phuoc Pagoda is not only a renowned spiritual destination in Dalat, but also boasts a distinctive architectural beauty and numerous impressive records, intriguing many visiting tourists.
Discover the exceptional and novel architecture of Linh Phuoc Pagoda.
Linh Phuoc Pagoda, also known as the “Ve Chai Pagoda”, is located at 120 Tự Phước Street, Trại Mát Ward, Ward 11, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province. Ve Chai Pagoda in Dalat was inaugurated in 1949 and completed in 1951. By 1990, the pagoda underwent redesign and reconstruction under the construction supervision of Most Venerable Thich Tam Vi – the fifth abbot, with enthusiastic contributions from devoted Buddhists from various provinces across the country.
Here, visitors will marvel at a new world, where there is sophistication in architecture, beauty, and uniqueness in every piece of broken glass connected together.
Photo: @kahee0910
Photo: @louistran1412
Over the period from its construction until now, Linh Phuoc Pagoda has held numerous records in Vietnam such as: the tallest concrete Buddha statue in Vietnam; the largest star-shaped wooden counterbalance in Vietnam; the largest zodiac-themed wooden table and chairs in Vietnam; the largest star-shaped wooden statue of Kong Tzu Vuong in Vietnam; the Quan The Am Bodhisattva statue made from 600,000 immortal flowers; the tallest bell tower in Vietnam; the largest collection of Buddhist scriptures in a pine tree in Vietnam; the architectural work depicting the scene of Muc Lien finding his mother through 18 layers of hell, the largest in Vietnam; the “Hundred Trees Harmony” – an artistic masterpiece establishing a Vietnamese record; the tallest wooden statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara in Vietnam.
Photo: @flughafen_edward
The reason for the name 'Ve Chai Pagoda' originates from the fact that the temple is formed from millions of delicate pieces of broken ceramics and porcelain. Built on an area of 6,666.84 square meters, Ve Chai Pagoda consists of the main hall, the garden courtyard (or Dragon Flower Garden), the Quan The Am hall, the bell tower, the antique exhibition area, and the 18-story hell. Every interior design detail of the temple, from the solemn dragon head to the three-color lotus pedestal, is the creative achievement of monks and Buddhist followers from Thua Thien Hue Province, offering visitors a fresh perspective on this temple located in the land of thousand flowers.
Visitors should not miss exploring the Dragon Flower Garden here. Here, you will admire a 49-meter-long dragon sculpture gracefully leaning over the water pond and a statue of Maitreya Buddha always capturing the attention of visitors, especially the dragon's body crafted from 12,000 bottles. Across from the Dragon Flower Garden is a 36-meter-high spiritual tower, consisting of 7 meticulously designed and decorated floors with many captivating statues. In 2008, the tower was recognized by the Vietnam Record Center as the tallest bell tower in Vietnam.
Spiritual tower
From the spiritual tower, you can stroll to the main hall, where 324 statues of Quan The Am Bodhisattva and the Quan The Am Bodhisattva statue made of reinforced concrete are worshipped, the largest indoor ones in Vietnam (acknowledged in 2024 by the Vietnam Record Organization).
At Ve Chai Pagoda, visitors can also admire a 17-meter-high masterpiece weighing 3 tons, which is the Quan Am Bodhisattva statue entirely made of 650,000 immortal flowers with the contribution of 600 Buddhists and 30 skilled artisans, completed in just 36 days.
A distinctive feature at Ve Chai Pagoda is the 18-story hell tour inside the temple. This area stretches up to 300 meters. Following a narrow path, visitors will see the entrance to the first floor where antiques, feng shui stones, and the record-breaking table and chairs of Vietnam are displayed. Next is the entrance to the 18-story hell on the second floor. Stepping in, you will feel scared by many terrifying figures, learning about karmic retribution to guide you towards goodness in life and help you live better.
Some tips when visiting Linh Phuoc Pagoda:- Visitors should maintain order and general hygiene, refrain from littering, overcrowding, pushing, and should not sit on the temple's structures.
- Despite being visited by many tourists from both domestic and international locations, Linh Phuoc Pagoda remains a place of worship. Please dress modestly.
- The temple welcomes many visitors from all directions and is completely free of charge, but will stop admitting guests at 5:00 PM daily.
Posted by: Lương Hòa
Keyword: Exploring the unique and innovative architecture of Linh Phuoc Pagoda