Dalat attracts travelers who intend to get new impressions and see another, unusual Vietnam. This charming city reveals the French part of the history of the state, it is often called "Little Paris", and the surrounding area - "The Alps in Vietnam". What are the attractions in the city of Dalat that make it so unusual for Vietnam?

Dalat city

The French built Dalat at the beginning of the 20th century, and French influence is evident in the layout of city streets, in the presence of some symbolic objects. For example, in the central square there is an exact, albeit reduced in size, copy of the Eiffel Tower - it can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Not far from the tower is the Moulin Rouge restaurant. There is in Dalat and the Catholic Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, built by the French, and the Park of Flowers laid by them. All these objects create a French atmosphere, they also serve as an explanation of why the Vietnamese city of Dalat is called the Vietnamese Paris.

What is worth seeing in "Little Paris"? The most interesting sights of Dalat are located outside the city, but there are many interesting sights, a visit to which can be included in the itinerary of one day.

Xuan Huong Lake

Lake Xuan Huong, located in the very center of the city, is artificial, it appeared in 1919 as a result of the construction of a dam.

You can walk around the lake in a few hours, and during a walk you can see exhibitions of sculptures made of raw or partially processed minerals, bonsai collections, you can go to a restaurant or cafe - there are a lot of them here.

The walk to Xuan Huong Lake will appeal to children, because here you can ride on swan catamarans and look at Dalat from the water. Renting such a catamaran will cost 60,000 VND per hour.

In summer, lake water can have a somewhat unpleasant, stagnant odor. But this is unlikely to spoil the overall impression of a walk on Lake Dalat.

Dalat Flower Park

It will not be difficult to find the Flower Park in Dalat: it is located near Lake Xuan Huong, and the entrance to it is marked with huge green arches.

On the territory of Flower Park, there are several ponds, a lot of flower beds with amazingly beautiful flowers, there are installations from bonsai, a greenhouse with roses and orchids.

When you want to relax, you can sit on a comfortable bench or sit in a cozy gazebo - there are a lot of them in the park. There is also a playground for children with a variety of swings. On the territory of the park complex you can always buy ice cream, tea and coffee.

The Flower Park in Dalat acquired its modern look in 1985 - then it was successfully reconstructed. And it was founded by the French colonialists in 1966.

Amateur gardeners, attention! Here you can buy seeds of various exotic plants. And remember: bargaining is a must!

• Dalat Flower Park is open daily from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.
• For adults, entrance costs 30,000 dong ($ 1.5), for children - 15,000 dong ($ 0.75). But you can go in for free - you just need to go not through the main entrance, but a little to the left, through the car parking.

Crazy House

Dalat has another unique attraction: Crazy House. From the city lake you can walk to it in just half an hour, and from the center you can take a taxi, which will cost up to 30,000 dongs.

Biet thự Hang Nga, Crazy House or Dalat Lunatic Asylum was conceived by Ms. Nga as a hotel for lovers.

Ms. Dang Viet Nga is such an extraordinary person that it is necessary to tell about her separately. She, the daughter of the Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam, lived for 14 years in Russia, where she studied and successfully graduated from Moscow Architectural Institute. When she returned to Vietnam, she worked for a long time in a public office and developed projects for the most common buildings. But one day, Dang Viet Nga left this job and began to engage in creativity - this is how the construction of Crazy House began in the early 1990s.

This building in Dalat is truly unique, with a completely extraordinary architectural solution. The bizarre structure looks like a huge tree with intertwined roots and branches, overgrown with mushrooms and wrapped in cobwebs. There are many labyrinths and stairs, and some passages are very dangerous due to the fact that they are located at a height of up to 15 m above the ground and do not even have railings. The views of Dalat from the open upper areas are magnificent!

Construction work continues now: old buildings are being altered all the time, new guest rooms are being completed, and a restaurant building is being erected.

• Currently, the Mad House Hotel in Dalat has 9 rooms, and the Honey Moon House, which stands separately in the courtyard, has a room for a honeymoon. The cost of a room in Madame Nga's hotel is up to $ 100. There is a very tiny number "Termit No. 6" on the ground floor (its area is only 10 m², but it has everything you need to stay). The cost of living in a room is $ 35 per day. The hotel has free wi-fi, although it works intermittently. For $ 5, you can order a continental breakfast in the Crazy Asylum, which will be served in your room at a specified time.
• A huge inconvenience for the guests of Crazy House is created by tourists who are allowed into the hotel from 8:00 and, trying to see absolutely everything, knock on all the rooms in a row. An entrance ticket to view the building costs 40,000 VND ($ 2).

Find out the PRICES or book any accommodation using this form

Domaine de marie church

There is one very unusual sight for Vietnam in Dalat - this is the active Catholic monastery of the Virgin Mary. It is located on the outskirts of the city, on Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street.

The monastery complex includes a church, 2 cell buildings and several auxiliary rooms. The building is interesting because it organically combines elements of folk architecture of Vietnam and French architecture of the 17th century. The sky-high roof and lancet windows give the monastery a special elegance. The walls are very ornate - they are painted bright pink. In the evening, the building is illuminated, making it look even more attractive.

A special decoration of the Landmark is a well-groomed courtyard, which is immersed in luxurious flowers.

• On weekdays, services are held at 5:15 and 17:15, and on Sunday at 5:15, 7:00, 8:30, 16:00, 18:00.
• The church is quite crowded on Sundays as many people attend services.

Market in Dalat (Da Lat market)

The Central City Market is a must-see in Dalat! Vietnamese markets best show the culture and life of local people, and the market in Dalat is one of the most colorful. And even if no purchases are planned, it makes sense to look into its territory in order to fully immerse in the atmosphere of Dalat. Many sellers speak Russian, and you can, and even need to bargain with them, although you can just chat.

By the way, it is better to visit the market on your own, without a tour. As a rule, with an excursion you will not be able to see anything "alive", "real", as tourists are usually taken simply to the shops.

In the Dalat market, you can buy a lot of interesting things, for example, macadam nut - here it is perhaps the cheapest in Vietnam - only 300,000 dong per 1 kg. A variety of fresh exotic fruits and vegetables are on sale. Dalat is also famous for its strawberries, greenhouses with which occupy vast areas. It is not so easy to find strawberries in Asia, so the opportunity to feast on ripe juicy berries in the middle of winter is a fairly good reason to come to Dalat.

There is a huge selection of seafood, and at a completely monotonous prices of 70,000 dong. Here you can also enjoy the delicacies of Vietnam: boiled snails and mussels, fresh pastries.

In the evening, Dalat's central market transforms beyond recognition. Several adjacent streets are closed to cars and lined with food and souvenir vendors. Walking in the evening along the Dalat market square, you will have to try to abstract from the noise emanating from the street cafes of aromas, rather intrusive sellers. But if you treat this pastime as just another entertainment, you can have a pretty interesting time.

Chuk Lam Monastery (Thien Vien Truc Lam)

Thien Vien Truc Lam monastery is located at a distance of 5 km from Dalat. You can get to it by using the cable car or by taking a taxi.

The starting point of the cable car (Cable car) is located not far from the central bus station. Its length is 2.3 km and it is one of the longest cable cars in Asia.

The road operates from 7:00 to 17:00 (lunch from 11:30 to 13:30), the cost of one way (in dong) is 50,000 ($ 2.3), in two directions - 70,000 ($ 3 ). The booth is designed for 4 people. The way to the monastery takes up to 20 minutes, and during this time from a height you can admire the "Vietnamese Paris", pine forests, numerous flower greenhouses in Dalat, and simply cultivated plots of land. And you can also make colorful photos of the sights of Dalat (Vietnam).

If you go to Chuk Lam by taxi from the center, it will take about 5 minutes. It is best to take small yellow cars, since they are the cheapest - only 5,000 Vietnamese money for landing, and then the prices are on the counter and they are the most affordable.

Thien Vien Truc Lam was built in Dalat in 1994. The entire territory of 24 hectares is divided into 2 parts: open for tourists and closed, in which monks live. The complex includes a functioning Buddhist monastery, a tower with a bell, several pagodas, a library, a school of Buddhism, a statue of Buddha is installed in the pagoda holding a lotus flower in his hand. You need to go inside the temple without shoes, so it is advisable to take socks with you. You can take a walk through the complex, which is a garden immersed in marvelous flowers.

There is no need to pay to enter the territory of the monastery.

On the path that runs from the monastery down the opposite side of the mountain from the cable car, you can go down to the large Tuyen Lam Lake, surrounded by mountains and coniferous forest. The lake is artificial, quite deep, the water in it is very clean and cold. There is a small cafe by the lake, as well as a station where they offer to rent a catamaran or a boat (1 hour of riding a catamaran for two people costs 60,000 VND ($ 3)). By the way, the path to the monastery closes with a gate at 16:00, so you need to get back in time!

Datanla Falls

There are waterfalls in Dalat that are worth seeing! One of them is Datanla waterfall, located 5.5 km from the city center. You can walk to it right from Tuyen Lam Lake, you will have to walk almost 3 km along the road through the mountains. If you get from the center of Dalat, then this can be done in several ways:

• on foot all along the same road (5.5 km);
• by taxi - payment by the meter will be from 55 to 70 thousand dongs;
• on a bike (bike rental about 120 thousand per day).

Further, from the parking lot of tourist buses and bikes, directly to the Datanla Falls you can get free on foot or in a civilized and comfortable way. Datanla waterfall is three-stage, respectively, and the path will be three-stage:

• You can drive down to the observation deck of the first cascade in small cars along the railroad laid through the forest - it looks like a funny roller coaster. It is desirable that the passengers in the previous car were younger, they will go faster. For adults, a one-way trip will cost VND 40,000, for two - VND 50,000, for children VND 15,000 and VND 20,000, respectively. The ticket office is located to the right of the entrance, not far from the souvenir shops.
• A cable car is laid to the second platform of the waterfall, and it is from it that you can observe the most powerful cascade, which is not visible from the walking route. A ticket to the cable car is sold in both directions, for children it costs 15,000 VND, for adults - 40,000. The ticket office is located on the first platform of the waterfall, on the left.
• To the third waterfall there is an elevator equipped right in the rocks. It's free.
• Yes, you still have to pay for the entrance to the park, but this is not much: 20,000 VND for adults and 10,000 for children. The park is open from 7:00 to 17:00.

It is interesting to see Datanla Falls after the rain. The water will be colored red-brown - this is due to the peculiarity of the soil in the highlands of Vietnam, but this fact does not detract from the effect of the spectacle!

Elephant atterfalls

At a distance of 40 km from Dalat, not far from the airport and from the village of Nam Ha, there is another waterfall - "Elephant" or "Falling elephant". You can go to him by bike, or you can take a taxi - it will cost about 300,000 dong. For the entrance to the waterfall, you will need to pay 20,000 dongs.

Elephant Falls is the strongest waterfall in the local area of ​​Vietnam, it can be viewed both from below and from above. But the path to the bottom is rather difficult, especially in rainy weather: it is not very well equipped and runs over boulders, which makes it quite slippery. In any case, you have to jump on stones, so you need to take comfortable shoes!

To the right of the observation deck, there is a staircase that leads to the Chua Linh An Pagoda. You can climb there, walk around the beautiful cozy territory of the pagoda, see the statues of the goddess Skanda and the huge sculpture of the blue Buddha.

Compare accommodation prices using this form

Linh Phuoc Pagoda

There is a completely unique place in Vietnam - this is Linh Phuoc Pagoda.

The construction of the Lin Phuoc Pagoda lasted from 1949 to 1952, and construction work on the territory of the complex is ongoing. This building is not only a religious shrine, but also an amazing architectural experiment. The uniqueness of this building is that it is completely lined with fragments of broken glass bottles and ceramic dishes - that is why the shrine was named "Temple of Broken Tableware".

All premises of this complex are open to the public. When entering the temple, you must take off your shoes, you also need to make sure that your knees and shoulders are covered. The prayer hall looks luxurious (dimensions 33 x 22 m): its ceiling is supported by 12 dragons. In the vestibule, which precedes this hall, there is a 5 meter high statue of Buddha sitting on a lotus flower.

The central building of the complex is the bell tower, which rises into the sky to a height of 27 meters (7 floors). Statues of different deities are installed on each floor of the bell tower, and all staircases are decorated with beautiful mosaics of the same glass and ceramic fragments. In 1999, a bell was installed on the second floor of the landmark: its height is 4.3 m, diameter is 2.2 m, and it weighs more than 10 tons. You can stick notes with written wishes on the bell, and then you need to hit it three times - since it is rather difficult to beat a 10-ton bell, everyone is sure that the wish will definitely come true.

The monks living here earn their own living. They make furniture, various handicrafts from stone, ebony and mahogany. These products are sold here, and quite successfully: many tourists buy them as souvenirs reminiscent of the city of Dalat and the sights seen on its territory.

• • The pagoda is located 8 km from the center of Da Lat, at the end of Trai Mat Street. The best way to get to this attraction is by an old and very slow wooden train that departs from Dalat railway station - Ga Trai Mat stop, next from Dalat.
  • Admission is free, the complex is open daily from 8:00 to 16:00, and the time for inspection is at least 2 hours.

Sights of Dalat are marked on the map (in Russian).

Video of interesting guys from the city of Dalat.

Related entries:

Attractions of the city of Dalat and its surroundings

Dalat is a city that deserves special attention from tourists and travelers. It was built by the French at the beginning of the last century and does not yet have a rich history. Once it was a resort where French officials went to rest, tired of the hot Saigon sun. The architecture retains European features. Dalat! Romantic, relaxed, very Vietnamese ... and European. A favorite vacation spot for the creative intelligentsia of Vietnam and European tourists. Many travelers ask what to see in Dalat. There are many interesting things in the city and its surroundings - temples, parks, waterfalls. But first things first.

One day is enough to see the sights of Dalat within the city. The main points of interest are located outside the city. You need to walk in the center of Dalat. There is a place that attracts both locals and visitors - Xuan Huong Lake. This is a romantic place where lovers come to be together, ride on the lake and watch the sunset.

Flower park

Not far from the lake there is a huge Park of Flowers, a famous landmark of the city. The territory of the park amazes with the splendor of landscape design. Here you can not only admire the flowers, but also buy cut bouquets or planting material. Here, every year from the end of December to the first days of January, international flower festivals are held.

Railroad station

The railway station is also a tourist attraction in the city of Dalat. The building itself is attractive, once it was the most beautiful station in Indochina. And, of course, a miracle of technology - a railway in the mountains. Today, tourists are offered a ride on the train along the only active section of the route from Dalat to the village of Trai Mat, with a stop at the Lin Phuoc Pagoda.

Coffee shop

"Valley of Love"

On the outskirts of Dalat, there is a picturesque park called "The Valley of Love". Here the opinions of tourists differ. Someone considers it a vulgar tourist destination, while others admire its beauty and well-groomed site. If you are thinking about what to see in Dalat, feel free to go there.

In fact, it doesn't matter how visitors feel about the park. For the Vietnamese, this is a place where lovers and newlyweds must come. Here you can rent costumes and take part in a motley costume procession. You can just relax and have fun walking along the alleys and watching what is happening.

Neighborhoods of Dalat

You can travel endlessly around Dalat and discover something new every time. Even an ordinary walk through the highlands will take you from sunny and hot Vietnam to the harsh ─ alpine landscape. The lush emerald jungle of the pass is replaced by pine trees, the air is crystal clear, the mountain freshness is felt - the temperature is no higher than 25 ° C.

Coffee plantations

The first thing that meets you at the entrance to Dalat is coffee plantations. These Dalat attractions allow you to stroll around, pick and taste the coffee berry. Rows of coffee trees are punctuated by even pineapple plantations. The climate of this mountainous region is ideal for growing coffee, the main variety is Robusta.

Prenn park and waterfall

Dalat waterfalls are another attraction of these places. There are many large and small waterfalls in the vicinity of Dalat. One of them is Prenn. The Vietnamese are brilliant landscape designers. Around the waterfall, there is a charming park decorated with flowers and floral sculptures, fairy-tale characters walk along many alleys, in the depths of the park there is a small zoo and a place where you can ride elephants and ostriches.

The waterfall falls in a wide fan over a huge boulder hanging over the path. For those who like to be photographed, the Dalat waterfalls provide a wonderful backdrop. You can walk under it and take impressive photos against the backdrop of this landmark.

Another entertainment in the park for women is to change into ao dai national costume and organize a photo session, since there are plenty of places for this in the park.

In contrast to Prenn, Datanla is a stormy waterfall, rapidly running along huge rapids, over which a humpbacked bridge is thrown. You need to go down to it in a gorge with a depth of about 100 meters. There is a long staircase, but almost no one uses it, because it can be done on an electric sled along a track that resembles a roller coaster ride.

There are paths around the waterfall, you can walk along them, look at it from above, or you can watch the full power of this attraction from the observation deck or from the veranda of the cafe.

Zen Buddhist Monastery Chuk Lam and Cable Car

This is the place where you will want to spend the rest of your life. The monastery is small; several dozen monks live there - men and women. To get into it, you need to climb a little more in the mountains. Locals travel by cable car, tourists are more often taken by bus. The territory of this attraction is a blooming garden, carefully grown by the hands of the local inhabitants. It is full of flowers and flowering trees. Well-groomed alleys, benches and gazebos are conducive to relaxation and contemplation.

Huge bells, covered with small pagodas. At the entrances - "wind chime", whose gentle chime does not stop for a minute. If you are coming here from Da Lat on a group tour, take a break from what the guide is saying. Most likely, he will talk about the history of Buddhism. Stop and sit in one of the gazebos overlooking the lake and pine slopes. And you will feel how harmony comes in your inner world, how beautiful the surrounding world is, permeated with love and peace.

Built in 1994, the monastery today is one of the most beautiful temples in the vicinity of Dalat. This attraction is very fond of the locals, who come here to walk in the park, ride on catamarans on the lake and just relax.
Directly from the city to the monastery can be reached by funicular. You will be delighted with the most picturesque bird's-eye views. The cable car, which has been designated as a separate attraction by travel agencies, starts a few steps from the Dalat city bus station.

Dalat is popular with tourists due to its unique natural sites. But not only picturesque lakes, waterfalls, beautiful gardens deserve attention. There are also many interesting buildings in the city, which are worth seeing even if you have to spend only 1 day here.

The atmosphere of Dalat is markedly different from other cities in Vietnam. The city of love and eternal spring - that's what the locals call it. Here, the buildings are so in harmony with nature that it is sometimes difficult to understand what was created by the hands of a modern person, and what was inherited from ancestors.

Local travel agencies offer to purchase excursion vouchers to the most remarkable corners of Dalat and its environs. Most often, tours are designed for 1-3 days. If you want to know what you can see in Dalat on your own in 1-2 days, then this article and a map with marked points will be a useful guide.

The only inconvenience that single tourists may encounter is the remoteness of the main attractions from the city center. In order to get there, you will have to:

1. use the services of a local taxi;
2. use the services of a motorcycle taxi. The owner of the bike will also be the guide;
3. rent a car or bike.

We took a small green taxi. The smaller the car, the cheaper. In one day we managed to go around 7 places. The price came out - 1,100,000 dongs or $ 49. On the second day, 2 more places were visited. We ordered a taxi by phone using an SMS message in English. All the points that they wanted to bypass were entered in it. Indicated the hotel address and check-out time. Early in the morning the taxi driver arrived without delay.

Before leaving, we immediately discussed the amount of the trip. Agreed on VND 800,000. But the meter ran into 1,500,000 VND. The driver was caught very modest and could not ask for more than the agreed amount. We decided to pay him another 300,000 VND.

Here is a list of interesting places that we visited on our own in 2 days and we safely advise you to include them in your itinerary when traveling around Dalat. If you still don’t know what to visit in Dalat, our list will help you make the right choice.

• The points are placed in the order we visited them.

Pongur Falls -

We decided to see the sights from the farthest point. We drove to the waterfall without stopping, and on the way back we stopped in other places.

Many people call Pongur Falls the largest in Vietnam. It is difficult to judge whether it is true or not. After all, its height is only 30 m. But the waterfall cascades along wide steps. The spectacle is mesmerizing. It reveals itself in all its glory during the rainy season, i.e. in the middle of summer. At this time, all rivers are overflowing due to excess rainfall.

Even if you came to Dalat for only 1 day, feel free to include this place in your program. This is the best waterfall in the area.

Entrance - 10,000 VND (0.5 $)

View of the waterfall from the observation deck

Territory

The road to the waterfall

Elephant Waterfall is very powerful. The water here with a deafening roar rushes down to spray everyone who has come to admire the delights of the water element.

But before enjoying this view, you will need to go down a rather dangerous slope. My children and I did not dare to go there. Only my husband was sent.

Entrance - 20,000 VND (1 $)

Vietnam is famous for its coffee production no less than Brazil. Traveling around the suburbs of Dalat, every vacationer can stop and inspect the huge coffee plantations. It is not often in life that there is a chance to see how fragrant grains grow. It will be especially lucky for those travelers who come to Vietnam during the flowering period of coffee trees. It is a real miracle to see delicate white flowers with a magical scent reminiscent of the scent of jasmine. On almost every farm, you can taste a freshly brewed drink and buy takeaway coffee beans.

Entry - free.

Prenn waterfall -

This is not the largest waterfall in the vicinity of Dalat. Nevertheless, when traveling in Vietnam, you should definitely visit the most beautiful corner ten kilometers from the city. Water falls from a stone cliff into a lake. This is one of the favorite places for photography enthusiasts. Walking along the bamboo bridge, you can capture a lot of interesting shots.

Around the waterfall, there is a magnificent park full of exotic plants. At every step there are flower beds with amazing flowers, many gazebos, galleries, cafes. To feel the unity with nature and enjoy the sounds of water, birdsong, it is better to come here early in the morning. At this time, there is still no such influx of people as by noon. At this time, enterprising Vietnamese are already luring guests with might and main with an offer to ride an ostrich or an elephant.

"Elephant" business in Dalat is not uncommon. Currently, animals are used only in tourism. Although not so long ago, they performed work on the transportation of goods or logging.

Walks in the park are available to tourists every day until 17:00.

Datanla Park -

Datanla Park and Waterfall are popular with tourists, as it is located near the city. The waterfall is relatively small. Its length is just over 300 meters. However, a walk through picturesque groves with outlandish plants will give you a lot of pleasure.

Many tourists come here just to ride the famous attraction. Directly from the beginning of the park to the foot of the waterfall, you can get to the "Vietnamese hills". The electric sled ticket is sold at the ticket office at the entrance. The price for a sleigh is $ 2.3 (or 50 thousand Vietnamese dong) round trip.

Adult ticket - 30,000 VND ($ 1.5)

Child ticket - 15,000 VND ($ 0.75)

Chuk Lam Buddhist complex -

Chuk Lam is a functioning monastery located in the mountains south of Dalat at an altitude of 1.5 kilometers. The complex was founded in 1994 with the aim of reviving the religious school, which was founded by King Tran Nhan Tong.

You can get to the place by cable car, taxi or motorbike.

The architectural project belongs to the Vietnamese Ngo Viet Thu and Nyun Ngoc An. During the construction process, the building was supplemented with massive gates and a bell tower, which were missing in the original version.

Currently, there are two monasteries, a Buddhist school, and several temples. There is even a small hotel for pilgrims on site.

On the territory of the temple, we felt extraordinary harmony and peace.

Entry is free.

Crazy house -

Yes, there is a real madhouse in the very heart of the city. This is what the Vietnamese call a bizarre hotel. This is a tree-shaped building. Hang Nga, as it is also called, is full of architectural surprises. Crazy House's architect is Dang Viet Nga, the daughter of the country's party leader. In her work, the author tried to completely get away from the stereotypes inherent in classical buildings.

The hotel is designed in an abstract style. The buildings resemble the silhouettes of various animals, and the whole building seems to be located in a huge hollow. The exterior of the hotel is difficult to describe in words. To plunge into the fantastic atmosphere of "Crazy House" you need to see everything with your own eyes.

It is worth noting that this is not the only architect's work in Dalat. You can get acquainted with her work by visiting the Catholic Church or the Palace of Culture.

Adult ticket - 40,000 VND ($ 1.8)

Child ticket - 20,000 VND ($ 0.9)

Temple of the Golden Buddha - Thien Vien Van Hanh Da Lat

The majestic Buddha statue is visible from almost every corner of Dalat. It is 24 meters high and weighs over a ton. The statue was built in 2002 on one of the most elevated places in the city. Since then, not a single tourist leaves the city without admiring the majestic Buddha sitting on a huge lotus.

Shakyamuni holds another lotus in his hand. According to legend, once the Buddha, speaking to the people on the Sacred Mountain, showed a flower and watched the faces of the audience. Then only one of those present smiled sincerely, looking at the beautiful plant. It was this person who was honored that the Buddha passed on his knowledge to him. There is a Buddhist temple next to the statue. Here you can also buy souvenirs with local symbols and small copies of the sights made of bronze.

Free admission

Flower Garden - Dalat Flower Park

Dalat Flower Gardens were created in the late 60s of the last century. But during the Vietnam War, they came to such a deplorable state that their reconstruction had to be carried out practically from scratch. Today, about a thousand of the most diverse flowers grow on a huge territory. Roses, gerberas, hydrangeas of a wide variety of colors are planted in the form of bizarre patterns and paths. The garden gate is made in the form of several arches, each of which is decorated with thousands of flowers. Throughout the territory, flower sculptures have been made in the form of animals, various objects and fairy-tale characters.

The collection of orchids deserves special attention. There are a lot of them here. In addition to the usual unpretentious varieties, in Dalat Park you can find rare species that are very difficult to grow in artificial conditions. For such capricious species, special pavilions have been built, where gardeners recreate familiar natural conditions for plants.

The Flower Park is a favorite place for Vietnamese needlewomen. Women of different ages come here not only for another portion of inspiration, but also put up their work for sale. Tourists have a wonderful chance to return home with a handmade memorable souvenir.

Adult ticket - 30,000 VND ($ 1.5)

Child ticket - 15,000 VND ($ 0.75)

Xuan Huong Lake

The famous artificial lake in the city center. It was formed after the construction of the dam in 1919.

Not only tourists but also locals like to walk around the lake. Along the lake you can ride in a horse-drawn carriage and swim on swans.

The visit is free.

Square near Big C

Often at night, local musicians perform on the square, and children and young people enjoy rollerblading, gyro scooters, segways and other devices.

The visit is free.

Additionally, you can buy a snack from local merchants, rent a segway or a hoverboard.

Attractions on the map

All of the above places are marked on a google map.

How I Save On Hotels When Traveling

I choose a suitable option through a search aggregator. I really like this one - Hotellook. He searches for hotels on several sites at once (including booking.com and agoda.ru). As a result, I choose the best offer.

- one of the oldest cities in Vietnam, which has accumulated during its existence within itself and in the vicinity of quite a lot of attractions that travelers from all over the world come to see especially.

The question of how long it will take you to see Dalat and its attractions in the vicinity cannot be answered unequivocally. Of course, the main attractions of this region can be seen in 1-3 days, but for a more detailed study, you will have to stay here longer.

Attractions within the city

1. Xuan Huong Lake

Xuan Huong appeared in the very center of this city in 1919. The area around the lake is very picturesque. The shores of the lake are the most favorite pastime among locals, and tourists only come to stroll along the shore or relax on a bench. Among the entertainment on the lake, the opportunity to ride on catamarans in the form of swans stands out. Renting such a catamaran costs 60,000 VND per hour. This time is quite enough to rest, relax, and then continue the journey.

1. Lam Dong Museum

Lam Dong has collected within its walls exhibits belonging to different historical eras. So, tourists can find here ancient musical instruments, clothes, pottery and much more. The museum has a hall dedicated to the history of not all Vietnam, but Dalat in particular. The entrance to the museum is paid - 6,000 dongs. The museum is open to visitors from 07.30 am to 4.30 pm with a two-hour break (11.30 am to 1.30 pm) every day. The best way to get to Lam Dong is by taxi or a rented bike, since it's quite a long walk here.

1. Crazy House

Crazy House or the Crazy House is a currently operating hotel of rather unusual architecture. Almost every tourist who comes to Vietnam and ends up in Dalat comes to see it. Crazy House is listed as one of the strangest buildings in the world and is considered one of the main attractions of Vietnam, which is included in almost all excursion tours organized in the direction of Dalat. Here you can see the architecture, the interior decoration of available rooms (rooms are decorated in the theme of a tiger, kangaroo, eagle, ant, etc.), as well as book a room and spend the night within its walls. The cost of daily rent is from $ 25, the hotel category is 3 stars. To visit the inside of the building, you have to pay an entrance fee - 40,000 dongs.

hotel "Crazy House"

1. Summer Palace of Emperor Bao Dai

Bao Dai is the name of the last emperor of Vietnam. His residence was rebuilt in the early 30s of the last century. Until now, nothing has changed, either inside or outside the building. Today, the Bao Dai Palace is a museum illustrating the life of the emperor. The entrance to the territory is paid - 8,000 VND. Photo and video filming is paid separately. The palace is open to visitors from 07.00 to 16.00 hours with a break from 11.00 to 13.30 hours.

1. Flower gardens

Not only women come to see the gardens, but also men, because this is one of the most striking and memorable sights of the city. The flower gardens are a kind of park, on the vast territory of which a huge variety of exotic plants grow. Here you can walk around the pavilions, take pictures and even buy some sprouts you like to go home.

The cost of an admission ticket for an adult is 20,000 dongs, for a child it is twice as cheap. The garden is open to visitors from 07.30 am to 4 pm daily.

1. Kam Li waterfall

Kam Li often refers to both attractions in the city and its surroundings. The fact is that it is located just 2 kilometers from the city. The waterfall has several cascades, with a total height of about 15 meters. A beautiful exotic park is laid out around the waterfall. Tourists in Kam Li Park offer the opportunity to feel like a real cowboy: for an additional fee, they change you into cowboy clothes, after which you can ride horses and take some interesting photos. Kam Li is not the place where you should go when you have only a few days for all of Dalat and its surroundings. So, it is better to visit more beautiful and memorable waterfalls: Elephant, Prenn, Pongur, Datanla.

Attractions in the vicinity of the city

1. Pongur

Pongur Falls is undoubtedly the place that everyone should visit, because Pongur is one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam. The Pongur waterfall is especially good during the heavy rainy season, when it is at its fullest. But, even in spite of the fact that in dry weather the waterfall looks like thousands of streams flowing down the stones, it is still unforgettably beautiful. Pongur Falls consists of seven main cascades with many rapids on each. Sometimes the rapids are located so close to each other that you can easily move from one to the other. The main drawback of this attraction is its distance from Dalat (about 50 kilometers), but even this distance will turn out to be a trifle when you see Pongur in all its glory. The entrance to the waterfall is paid - 10,000 dongs (about 30 rubles).

1. Prenn park and waterfall

Prenn is a whole park that is popular with tourists and at the same time the waterfall of the same name located on its territory. Prenn is located about 10 kilometers from the city. Vacationers from all over Vietnam come to see it, especially those who come here from the CIS countries are frequent guests. Despite the fact that the maps do not indicate the Prenn park itself, but only the Prenn waterfall - it is the last thing that tourists come to see. Most, of course, everyone is attracted by the park itself, as well as the opportunity to ride on ostriches, look into the orchid garden and visit a small but interesting zoo on the territory of Prenn. The entrance to Prenn Park is paid - 30,000 VND. If you are interested in any entertainment, then you will have to pay extra for them. Prenn Park is located about 10 kilometers from the center of Dalat.

1. Datanla

Datanla Falls is not as beautiful as Pongur, but still has its own flavor. Its length is about 350 meters. Datanla waterfall consists of several cascades, along which a kind of cable car with cabins is stretched, moving tourists who came to see the Datanla waterfall. The speed with which the cabin will move along the cable car, you independently regulate from the inside. The cost of visiting the waterfall is 10,000 VND. The descent by the cable car is paid separately - 40,000 dong.

1. Lin Phuoc

Linh Phuoc Pagoda is a must-see, since it was rebuilt in the middle of the 20th century, it is a historically significant place for Vietnam, has retained its original appearance and has a very beautiful architecture. Lin Phuoc Pagoda is not a separate building, but a whole complex, which includes the Lin Phuoc pagoda itself, the statue of Avalokiteshvara, the garden area around the buildings, where the huge statue of the eastern dragon is located, the temple with the Buddha statue inside, as well as the building with the Bodhisattva. The territory of the complex is huge; some restoration work is constantly being carried out here so that the buildings do not lose their interesting and historically significant external appearance. The pagoda is located in the neighboring town of Dalat called Trai Mit, about 10 kilometers from it. The entrance to the complex is free. You can get there either by rented transport, by train from the local railway station, or by purchasing an excursion tour.

1. Cable car

The cable car belongs to both city attractions and those that are located outside the city, as it connects Dalat with another local celebrity - Chuk Lak Thienwien Monastery, which is often confused with Lin Phuoc Pagoda. In 15 minutes of the way you will "fly" over the sites of the Dalatians, the pine forest, and you will also be able to see the surroundings. The cable car is the best way to get to the monastery. The cost of the cable car ride is VND 50,000 (if you are going one way only) or VND 70,000 (round trip).

1. Elephant falls

Elephant Falls is one of the strongest and largest not only in Dalat, but throughout Vietnam. It cannot be called the most beautiful, as the water in it has a dirty brown color, especially in the rainy season, but its power impresses everyone. Elephant Falls can be viewed both from above and at the foot. From top to bottom there is a trail for tourists. The distance from Elephant Falls to Dalat is about 45 kilometers. The entrance fee is VND 5,000. Parking is paid separately.

Dalat is one of the most interesting and unusual cities in Vietnam. Located high in the mountains, this beautiful little town attracts tourists with its gorgeous nature and numerous attractions.

There are a lot of attractions in Dalat, despite the small size of the city. All interesting places in the city itself can be seen in one day. But the main attractions are located in the vicinity of the city, so it is better to allocate at least 3 days for a trip to Dalat.

Arriving in Dalat and settling in a guest house, we rented a bike and went to explore the city. The closest to our hotel was the famous Hang Nga guest house, so we started our city tour there.

Hang Nga Hotel

This quaint hotel was built in 1990 by Vietnamese architect Dang Viet Nga and is currently undergoing renovation. The style of the hotel is reminiscent of the famous buildings of the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. The interior of this hotel is so unusual that the hotel is considered one of the most original in the world. The main body is made in the form of a huge tree.

The entrance to the hotel is paid: 40,000 VND per person. At the entrance, a girl meets tourists and tells about the hotel and the architect who built it.

Also on the stand you can read basic information and see numerous photographs of the architect Dang Viet Nga. Dang Viet Nga was born in Vietnam, but has lived in Moscow for many years. In 1983 she came to Dalat, which captivated her with its picturesque nature and pleasant climate.

Hang Nga is a working hotel, despite the huge number of tourists who come here for excursions. Tourists are brought in by whole buses, so you won't be able to enjoy the tranquility here. The cost of a hotel room is $ 30-50 per night. Each room is decorated in a different style. There is even a room in Russian style with a bear in the center of the room. I liked the room with a huge bird.

Double doors lead into the room: the first ones close the entrance for tourists, but allow you to see the interior; the latter already completely close the room from prying eyes.

In my opinion, the Hang Nga Hotel is a rather interesting place, but it did not make much of an impression. Firstly, construction was in full swing there, which spoiled the general view. I liked the fact that you can walk throughout the hotel, including the paths located high above the ground. From there, a stunning view of the entire city opens up.

The park next to the hotel is also noteworthy. It is decorated with numerous statues, flower beds and an artificial pond.

Flower Gardens in the center of Dalat

One of the main attractions of Dalat is the Dalat Flower Park. It is located in the city center, near the lake. The flower garden was created in 1966 and was reconstructed in 1985. The total area of ​​the park is 7000 square meters.

The flower garden is a large park in which a wide variety of flowers and shrubs grow: mimosas, fuchsias, violets, roses, chrysanthemums, gerberas, etc. There are so many flowers that there is a wonderful floral scent in the park. The traditional symbol of Vietnam, made of flowers, looks bright.

We were especially pleased with a variety of flower figurines. Lovely dogs and huge dragons from the bushes cheer up.

There are a lot of flower sculptures in the park: bears, bunnies, etc. But some of them look a little faded.

The house of flowers is insanely beautifully decorated, next to it you can play a Vietnamese musical instrument.

When walking in the park, you must definitely climb the stairs up the mountain. There are huge blue hydrangeas growing there. In addition, there are so many roses collected in a large greenhouse that their scent makes you dizzy.

The Flower Garden has a large collection of miniature bonsai trees. These small ornamental plants are formed by skilled craftsmen. They mimic the natural forms of mature trees.

After taking a walk in the park, you can relax on benches in the shade of trees, eat in a cafe or ride a swing.

Datanla waterfall

This place is one of my favorites in Vietnam. In addition to the beautiful waterfall, there are also my favorite electric sledges.

"Datanla" is located quite far outside the city, you can get here by taxi or bike. The road to Datanla Park is comfortable and picturesque, it runs along a pine forest. So riding a bike here is a pleasure.

Datanla is difficult to drive as there is a large sign almost in the middle of the road.

The entrance to the park is 10,000 VND per person. The park is open from 7:00 to 17:00. There is a free parking lot in front of the entrance, where we left the bike.

To the waterfalls, you can either walk on foot along the well-groomed paths, or go down on the Vietnamese attraction "Electric sleigh". The cost of the ride on the electric sled is 35,000 VND per person. It is more convenient to buy both the descent and the ascent at once - the cost is 45,000 dongs per person.

We decided to first walk around the territory and walked down the alley. The first waterfall is not very big, it did not make an impression.

But that was only the beginning. The lower you go down through the park, the more interesting it becomes.

The next waterfall turned out to be much larger and more beautiful. The equipped area offers a beautiful view of the waterfall and the surrounding forest.

But the most interesting thing is that you can go down to the waterfall by a special elevator. We saw the elevator in the middle of the forest for the first time!

From below, the waterfall looks more powerful.

Then we took the elevator back to the site. We learned that you can climb higher not only on foot, but also by cable car. The cable car is not high and short in length, but it passes over a small waterfall. The view is very beautiful: the forest and the seething streams of the waterfall.

Of course, we also rode the electric sleigh, even 2 times. The speed must be controlled independently, the sled is equipped with brake levers. We slowed down very rarely, rode with a breeze. The main thing is that people do not drive slowly in front of you and spoil the whole impression! The electric sled route in Datanla Park is shorter than in Nha Trang on Vinperl. But on the other hand, it lies in a real forest, which creates a special atmosphere.

In general, I don’t know what I liked more: a waterfall or the presence of an “electric sled” attraction in the park. Hungry, we had lunch in the park: the menu is mainly Vietnamese, prices are average.

Stunning nature, fresh mountain air, waterfalls, delicious food and electric sledges have made Datanla Park our favorite place in Dalat!

Waterfall "Kam Li"

The Kam Li waterfall is located at the exit from the city. You can spot it by the faded signboard.

It is difficult to call Kam Li waterfall, especially in comparison with Datanla waterfall. I recommend this place to visit only if you have already seen everything in Dalat, and you still have free time.

The territory of Kam Li Park is small and very unkempt. In a small lake near the waterfall, the water is very dirty, and the awful smell makes you want to leave this place faster.

Local children sit with rods and fish.

The waterfall itself is nothing remarkable. Half dry, it doesn't look impressive at all!

Lin Phuoc Pagoda

This place deserves special attention. We were very impressed by the beauty of this building.

The pagoda is located about 9 kilometers from Dalat. We rode the bike on our own as always and did not immediately find Lin Phuoc. The pagoda is located in the suburb of Dalat. We had to turn onto one of the streets, but we passed by.

After driving 500 meters from the required turn, we came across another beautiful temple.

A huge plus of this temple is the complete absence of tourists. We were the only visitors there. We walked around the territory, went inside, admired its beauty.

Here on the mountain is the second building of the temple. Probably inoperative, since the doors were locked.

From the mountain we saw Lin Phuoc Pagoda and drove back. The pagoda is very popular with tourists, so it is always crowded here. Tourists are brought in by whole buses, which spoils the impression of the stay a little.

But the beauty of the temple is worth it. During 8 months of living in Asia, we have seen enough of many temples made in various styles. But Lin Phuoc Pagoda made a huge impression on us.

Linh Phuok was built in the middle of the 20th century. The pagoda is made of millions of small pieces of pottery and glass. Buildings and sculptures are decorated with colorful mosaics. During the construction of the temple complex, various materials were used: broken ceramics, facing tiles, dishes, bottles, etc.

As a result, the pagoda looks just amazing: beautiful colors, bizarre shapes of decorative elements, various sculptures adorn its appearance.

The main tower of the complex is quite high and consists of 7 floors. You can climb to the very top of the tower. On one of the floors, you can see a large bell with glued leaflets. Anyone can take a piece of paper, write on it a secret desire, stick it on the bell. After that, you need to strike the bell 3 times, and the wish will definitely come true.

A sweet Vietnamese grandmother helps tourists in this simple process.

You can walk around the temple complex for a long time, on one of the floors there is a huge statue of Buddha, made in gold color.

On the right side of the temple complex, you will find a small shop selling Vietnamese-style furniture and statues. Carved tables, huge stone benches, various figures - everything is made of natural materials and looks solid.

Lin Sean Pagoda

This pagoda is located near the center of Dalat. Lin Sean Pagoda is quite modern, it was built in 1940. It is a very calm place: during our visit we were the only tourists. The pagoda is made in a classic Asian style, decorated with dragon statues. The area next to the pagoda is very well-groomed, you can walk along the alleys or sit on a bench. Lin Sean does not make much of an impression, especially in comparison with Lin Phuoc Pagoda.

In the courtyard next to Lin Seong Pagoda, you can see many colorful and interesting statues.

Park "Valley of Love". In the evening on the last day before leaving, we decided to go to one of the most romantic places in Dalat - the park "Valley of Love".

Park "Valley of Love" is located near the city (5 kilometers). You can get there either by taxi or by bike. The entrance to the park is paid - 20,000 VND per person.

Here you can rent a bicycle, the cost is 100,000 VND for 1 big cycle on a bicycle in the park. Many tourists and locals come to the park to ride bicycles.

The nature in Dalat is very picturesque: all kinds of flowers, trees, shrubs grow here. In the park "Valley of Love" you can enjoy the beauty of local nature and fresh mountain air. There are especially many pine trees in the park, so their aroma is in the air.

Therefore, if you come on vacation with your soul mate, I advise you to take a walk in this park. Many couples in love, both tourists and locals, spend their time here.

The park is conventionally divided into two zones: upper and lower. In the upper area, there are various themed statues, heart-shaped lanterns, and butterfly-shaped designs.

From above there is a view of the Dan Thien Lake, located in the middle of the lower part of the park. When we walked along the Valley of Love, a light fog fell on the lake, which added even more romance to this place.

It took us about two hours for a leisurely walk in the park. "Valley of Love" makes a pleasant impression, it is a wonderful place to relax. At the end of our walk we ended up at a children's school concert. The park often hosts mini-concerts for which locals gather.

Summing up, I would like to say that Dalat is a stunning city with its own unique atmosphere. The main attractions are located in the vicinity of the city. We especially liked Datanla Falls and Lin Phuoc Pagoda, which I recommend visiting first. Unfortunately, we did not have time to visit the famous Prenn waterfall, so we have a reason to come to Dalat again.

About how we went to Dalat on our own, read in my review .

Hotels in Da Lat

Hotels in Nha Trang

Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City