Buzz
It would be a great miss if you overlook Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery on your trip to the land of thousands of flowers. It's a wonderful opportunity to admire the unique Buddhist architecture and immerse yourself in the enchanting natural scenery.
When mentioning Da Lat city, perhaps you've heard of Truc Lam Monastery, closely associated with Tuyen Lam Lake, which is already famous in the land of thousands of flowers.
Truc Lam Monastery belongs to the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect and is currently one of the largest monasteries in Vietnam. Not only possessing landscapes harmonizing with nature, attracting many visitors, Truc Lam Monastery is also a favorite destination for pilgrims, scholars coming to learn about Buddhism, the spirit of Vietnamese Zen Buddhism in the Tran dynasty, and the path of cultivation.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of life and pressure from work, everyone wants to find places of tranquility to seek some peace for themselves. That's also one of the reasons why Truc Lam Monastery is always on the itinerary of Da Lat tourism. And what else? Let's find out with Klook!
Introducing Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery
Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery is a magnificent architectural masterpiece situated on the majestic Phoenix Mountain overlooking Tuyen Lam Lake, about 7km from the city center of Da Lat. Surrounded by endless pine forests, lush green hills, and the tranquil lake blending with the solemn temple bells, it helps you shed all worries and regain a sense of lightness and tranquility.
Covering an expansive area of 24 hectares, Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery becomes the largest monastery in Lam Dong province and is also among the top three largest Truc Lam monasteries in Vietnam. Additionally, the monastery is a continuously popular spiritual tourism destination when visiting Da Lat, thanks to the cable car system directly connecting from the foot of Prenn Pass to the monastery, and the precious flower garden featuring unique flower species.
Another interesting aspect is that Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery is ready to welcome guests who want to stay at the monastery for a few days to meditate and rediscover themselves after the stresses of urban life. They will be accommodated in the guesthouses nestled on the hillside and live, eat, and practice like monks in the temple.
Address of Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery
- Truc Lam Monastery is located on Truc Lam Yen Tu Street, Ward 3, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province.
With its stunning location and serene atmosphere, Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery always ranks among the most beloved tourist attractions in Da Lat.
How to Get to Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery
From the city center of Da Lat, you can easily reach Truc Lam Monastery by car, motorbike, taxi, or experience the unique cable car route from Robin Hill to the Monastery.
Heading towards Da Lat market, you cross Ong Dao Bridge, then turn left onto Tran Quoc Toan Street. Continue straight to 3 Thang 4 Street through Prenn Pass. Along the way, you will see signs leading to Phoenix Mountain. At the intersection, turn right onto Truc Lam Yen Tu Street, then continue for about 2km until you reach the entrance of Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery.
If traveling with family or a group of friends, why not book a private driver to be comfortably and safely taken to and from the destination!
Additionally, opting for the cable car transportation will provide you with more fascinating experiences. After reaching Robin Hill at the Cable Car Tourism Area of Da Lat, Ward 3, hop on the cable car straight to Truc Lam Monastery. The over 2km journey offers you the opportunity to admire the panoramic view of Da Lat from above, with endless lush pine forests.
The Da Lat cable car station operates from 9am to 4pm every day of the week, with ticket prices as follows:
- Round-trip ticket price: 100,000 VND/adult; 70,000 VND/child under 1.2m
- One-way ticket price: 80,000 VND/adult; 60,000 VND/child under 1.2m
However, with a premium voucher from Klook, you can confidently book cable car tickets without worrying about the prices.
Opening Hours of Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery
- Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery welcomes visitors from 5am to 9pm daily.
If you wish to stay here, it's advisable to contact the Guest Relations Department of Truc Lam Monastery to consult the abbot for arrangements.
History of Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery
The story behind Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery's formation is quite fascinating!
In 1986, while meditating, Zen Master Thich Thanh Tu dreamed of embracing a phoenix soaring into the sky. Upon awakening, he sensed that Dalat might be a suitable place for monks to cultivate their practice due to its fresh climate, beautiful nature, and tranquil atmosphere.
A few days later, Zen Master Thich Thanh Tu conducted a survey of Phuong Hoang Mountain and conceived the idea of building Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery atop the mountain.
In 1993, construction of Truc Lam Monastery began and was completed in just one year. Based on the vision of Zen Master Thich Thanh Tu, the monastery's design was realized through the creativity of architects Vu Xuan Hung and Tran Duc Loc, in collaboration with the renowned architect Ngo Viet Thu, who designed Independence Palace in Saigon.
Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery is not only a pilgrimage site but also the largest center for the study and practice of Zen Buddhism in Vietnam today. It aims to revive Vietnamese Zen Buddhism from the Tran Dynasty era. At times, Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery attracts thousands of people for spiritual retreats.
Architecture of Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery
Unlike traditional mountain monasteries, Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery not only sits amidst lush forests but also overlooks the serene Tuyen Lam Lake all year round.
Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery comprises four main areas: the Abbot's Residence, the Monks' Quarters, the Nuns' Quarters, and the Outskirts. Additionally, the monastery features beautiful auxiliary structures and gardens. Most buildings here are constructed using wood and earthy tones, exuding classical and traditional architectural vibes.
From Tuyen Lam Lake, you'll ascend a steep path with 140 stone steps, flanked by towering pine trees, leading through three entrance gates into the main hall. This is an ideal opportunity to stretch your legs and deeply contemplate the 'path to enlightenment' with each step.
The main hall spans approximately 192m2 and houses a majestic 2m-tall statue of Shakyamuni Buddha holding a lotus flower, symbolizing the 'offering of the flower sermon' in Zen Buddhism. Flanking the statue are exquisite murals depicting Bodhisattva Manjusri riding a lion and Bodhisattva Samantabhadra riding a six-tusked white elephant. Above the main hall, intricate bas-reliefs depict the eight great events in the life of Shakyamuni Buddha.
The bell tower, located to the right of the main hall, is intricately adorned with a large 1.1-ton bronze bell and delicate carvings, exuding profound Buddhist symbolism. Adjacent to it is a bas-relief with deep Buddhist meanings. If you're fortunate enough to visit during bell-ringing hours, you'll feel the tranquil and soothing resonance of the bell echoing deep within your soul.
Photography inside the hall is generally prohibited; however, you're free to strike a pose in the monastery's flower garden. A visit to Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery wouldn't be complete without exploring this special garden. It's a labor of love by monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers, featuring a wide variety of exotic flowers imported from abroad, meticulously nurtured and cultivated to create impressive floral displays.
Passing through the flower garden area, you can descend to Tranquil Heart Lake, where various fish and turtles are bred. Take a moment to rest on the stone benches or in the pavilions to admire the scenery, enjoy the fresh air, and nourish your soul.
Visiting Truc Lam Monastery on a beautiful day, when viewed from above, you'll see Tuyen Lam Lake sparkling in the golden sunlight, with five streams flowing into the lake in the distance, resembling the hand of nature sheltering this entire area. If time permits, you can rent a small boat to paddle around the lake and fully immerse yourself in the peaceful scenery, distancing yourself from the hustle and bustle of the world.
Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery Meditation Retreat
People seek the serenity to cleanse their worries. Besides short-term accommodations, Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery also organizes meditation retreats and short-term meditation courses for those seeking a peaceful place to reduce stress and heal.
To participate in these retreats, practitioners must have a minimum education level of high school, obtain consent from their parents or legal guardians, or have completed courses at local Buddhist schools and provide a referral letter from a Buddhist monk.
Additionally, participants need to bring all necessary personal documents and items and adhere strictly to the monastery's schedule.
Travel Tips for Visiting Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery
- When visiting Truc Lam Monastery, remember to dress modestly, remove your shoes outside, and maintain proper decorum.
- Photography inside the main hall is prohibited.
- Visitors are not allowed to enter the monks' and nuns' quarters.
- Only incense offerings are permitted, along with silent meditation.
- You can enjoy light meals at the vegetarian restaurant outside the monastery or purchase souvenirs at the gift shop. Additionally, there are many restaurants, cafes near the monastery area offering delicious dishes and Dalat specialties.
- Here's another exciting tidbit for #teamKlook: at Tuyen Lam Lake, there are various tourist services waiting for you to explore, from mountain climbing and kayaking to camping and luxury resort stays. Don't miss out on this experience!
Nearby Tourist Attractions around Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery
After visiting Truc Lam Monastery, you can also explore prominent tourist destinations nearby such as kayaking on Tuyen Lam Lake, Fresh Garden Tourist Area, Puppy Farm,...
Additionally, #teamKlook has a plethora of other exciting entertainment venues in Dalat to add to your travel itinerary.
Hotels Near Truc Lam Da Lat Monastery
If you're in the Tuyen Lam Lake area, accommodation is the least of your worries because this is the hub of numerous luxurious resorts in Dalat and the most upscale hotels in Dalat. For those who prefer Dalat homestays, there are plenty of excellent options available. Remember to book hotels online through Klook and apply Klook discount codes to secure the best accommodation at the most favorable rates.
1. Binh An Village Da Lat Resort
- Address: Tuyen Lam Lake Tourist Area, Ward 4, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province
- Price range: 4,047,000 VND/night
2. Cereja Hotel & Resort
- Address: Hoa Phuong Tim Street, Ward 4, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province
- Price range: 1,447,000 VND/night
3. Dalat Wonder Resort
- Address: 19 Hoa Hong Street, Ward 4, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province
- Price range: 1,587,000 VND/night
4. Chai Nho Homestay & Villa
- Address: Alley 2C, Hai Ba Trung, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province
- Price range: from 630,000 VND/night
5. Cam Ly Hotel Da Lat
- Address: 2 Truc Lam Yen Tu Street, Ward 3, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province
- Price range: from 288,000 VND/night
Why wait any longer to visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Da Lat on your upcoming trip! This truly is the ideal tourist destination for you and your family, offering both spiritual tranquility and the opportunity to admire the beauty of nature while engaging in various recreational activities.
If you're new to solo traveling to Da Lat, check out Klook Vietnam's Blog. There's a wealth of useful information such as 3-day-2-night Da Lat itinerary, 4-day-3-night Da Lat travel tips, a list of best eateries in Da Lat, must-try Da Lat dishes, travel hacks for Madagui, Datanla waterfall, cloud hunting guide in Da Lat, visiting Cau Dat tea hill and much more.
See you at Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Da Lat on a day not too far away!
