Visiting Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang, one pays respect to the towering Buddha, calming the heart amidst the hustle and bustle of life, finding oneself amidst the complexities and busyness of life. The White Buddha statue also instills faith that He will bring peace and harmony.
Touring Nha Trang is not just about beach bathing, island hopping, or enjoying Vinwonder Nha Trang, but also about spiritual indulgence. Buddhism has long influenced this place, adding to the beauty of the landscape and enriching the lives of the people here. Long Son Pagoda – a remarkable Buddhist site ranked at the top in Khanh Hoa, impresses not only with its natural beauty but also with its significant impact on Buddhist beliefs in the region throughout history.
Introduction to Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang.
Where is Long Son Pagoda located?
Long Son Pagoda is located at 22 23rd October Street, Phuong Son Ward, Nha Trang City, at the foot of Thuy Hill. The pagoda features a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. Although situated in the heart of the city, it still preserves the quiet beauty and spiritual simplicity of a Zen monastery.
The pagoda showcases traditional Far Eastern architecture with elegant and distinctive features. While not overly grand or luxurious, its unique design creates a special charm that attracts both local visitors and international tourists.
With a history spanning hundreds of years, Long Son Pagoda has become the largest remaining pagoda in Khanh Hoa Province and one of the most famous landmarks in Nha Trang City.
On the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month, many local residents and tourists visit the pagoda to worship, admire the scenery, and seek peace and tranquility in their hearts.
History of formation.
Long Son Pagoda was constructed in the 19th century, bearing unique and delicate architectural sculptures from ancient times. After undergoing several renovations over the centuries, Long Son Pagoda has now been recognized as one of the oldest and most enduring pagodas in Vietnam. From its highest position, visitors can admire the vibrant beauty of the charming city of Nha Trang. Therefore, this pagoda has become one of the appealing tourist destinations in Nha Trang, attracting numerous international travelers to visit.
Transportation To Long Son Pagoda:
To reach Long Son Pagoda, you can choose to rent a motorbike. With prices ranging from 220,000 VND to 300,000 VND per day per motorbike, tourists can conveniently travel and visit nearby attractive tourist spots on their own. Alternatively, for convenience and speed, you can opt for private tourist vehicles, and don’t forget to use the reliable transportation service provided by DanangPrivateCar.com’s.
With the private car service with drivers in Nha Trang provided by DanangPrivateCar.com, your journey to Long Son Pagoda will be the most comfortable. With a private car, you can visit many destinations without wasting time waiting or incurring additional fees. Our drivers will pick you up at your desired location, wait for you at the attractions, and help you save time. Additionally, our professional English-speaking drivers ensure a safe trip for you.
VISITING LONG SON PAGODA IN NHA TRANG.
The first impression upon entering the courtyard of Long Son Pagoda is the stone towers, pillar lanterns, and intricately carved reliefs that create a sense of sacredness, separating it from the outside world. The scenery of the pagoda is incredibly harmonious and refreshing due to the lush green trees surrounding it. The roofs of the buildings in the pagoda are adorned with typical Nguyen Dynasty dragon designs.
The main hall, though not grandiose in style, exudes a sense of reverence and spirituality. With a spacious design and solemn Buddha statues, the center of the main hall is dedicated to the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, flanked by the Bodhisattvas Quan The Am and Dai The Chi. All the statues are made of bronze, weighing 700kg and standing 1.6m tall. The site also displays two gigantic candles, which hold the Vietnamese record, weighing 900kg and measuring 3.4m in height, beautifully carved with dragons and lotus flowers.
A hundred-year-old ancient structure with distinct East Asian architecture.
Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang covers an area of over 3000m2 and features unique and impressively carved East Asian architectural elements. The harmony with this architectural complex is the presence of tall ancient trees with their sprawling canopies, creating a cool and refreshing atmosphere around the pagoda.
The first striking impression upon entering Long Son Pagoda is the stone towers, pillar lanterns, and intricately carved reliefs that harmoniously blend with the refined architectural style of each temple roof.
From the courtyard, moving towards the main sanctuary, you will encounter two three-level staircases with a porcelain mosaic painting featuring dragon faces and the word “Vạn” (meaning “ten thousand”). The main sanctuary of the pagoda, while not excessively grand, exudes an air of solemnity, with the Buddha statue seated in meditation placed at the center of the altar.
All the statues here are made of bronze, weighing over 700kg and reaching nearly 2m in height. In the central position of the main sanctuary, two gigantic candles, intricately carved with dragons and lotus flowers, weigh 900kg and stand 3.4m tall – these candles have set a Vietnamese record up to the present time.
Statue of Buddha Shakyamuni Entering Nirvana.
On the way up Thuy Hill, at the first stop on the 44th step, visitors can admire the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni entering Nirvana, made of granite on a finely carved relief. The statue is 17m long and 5m high, with 49 disciples depicted behind the Buddha.
Dai Hong Chung – Bell Tower.
After climbing about 10 more steps, visitors will reach the second stop at the Bell Tower of Long Son Pagoda. The Dai Hong Chung bell is 2.2 meters tall and weighs 1,500 kg. It was presented to the pagoda by Buddhist followers from Hue in 2002.
The sound of the bell echoes through the mountains, creating a peaceful and sacred atmosphere. Its gentle resonance brings a sense of calm, making the surroundings feel even quieter and more serene.
White Buddha Statue – Symbol of Long Son Pagoda.
After climbing 193 stone steps to the top of the hill, visitors can admire the magnificent White Buddha statue, one of the most famous symbols of Nha Trang. The statue sits peacefully in a meditation position on a large lotus pedestal, standing out in the serene surroundings of Long Son Pagoda.
From this high viewpoint, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Nha Trang City, including its mountains, forests, and coastline. The cool breeze and peaceful atmosphere create a strong sense of spiritual tranquility.
The White Buddha statue is 21 meters tall and stands on a 7-meter-high lotus pedestal. Around the base are portraits of seven monks and reverends who self-immolated in 1963 to protest the religious oppression policies of the Ngo Dinh Diem regime.
Viewing the panorama of Nha Trang from above the pagoda.
Standing atop the hill of Long Son Pagoda, visitors can behold the surrounding nature and the entire city of Nha Trang within sight. Embrace yourself in the beauty of nature, experience the pure air around the Buddha’s abode, and regain inner peace, as all worries quickly fade away.
From this ideal height, tourists can capture the serene beauty of the whole Nha Trang city. Don’t hesitate to take impressive photos and preserve memorable moments at the largest ancient pagoda in Nha Trang!
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Tourist attractions near Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang.
Oceanographic Institute, approximately 7km away.
- Address: No. 1, Cau Da, Tran Phu, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province.
The Oceanographic Institute is known as a museum that preserves and collects over 20,000 specimens of 4,000 different marine species. Don’t forget to check-in with the massive whale skeleton, measuring 28m in length, 3m in height, and with 48 vertebrae, all carefully restored and preserved here!
Visiting the Oceanographic Institute, tourists can explore laboratories, observe rare marine animals, and gain valuable knowledge about various marine creatures.
Tram Huong Tower, approximately 5.3km away.
- Address: Tran Phu, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province.
Nha Trang always captivates visitors with its beautiful beaches, cool atmosphere, and vibrant city life. One must-visit attraction in Nha Trang is Tram Huong Tower, located in the heart of the city.
Tram Huong Tower features an impressive six-story design inspired by a beautiful five-petal flower. Its unique architecture has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Nha Trang City.
The first floor connects to a spacious square where locals and tourists gather to relax, take photos, and enjoy the stunning sea view. At the base of the tower are five sculptures symbolizing the waves of Nha Trang Bay.
The upper floors display meaningful images that reflect the simple daily life and cultural beauty of local residents. In addition, the tower showcases many rare and valuable marine products, along with unique sea-related specimens that highlight the coastal identity of Nha Trang.
Po Nagar Cham Towers, approximately 4.4km away.
- Address: 2/4 Street, Vinh Phuoc, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province.
Nha Trang city impresses tourists with its unique ancient architectural structures. One of these cannot be missed is the Po Nagar Cham Towers, the largest Cham cultural architectural complex in the Central region.
Located on a hill over 50m above sea level, Po Nagar Cham Towers consist of three main areas: The Tower Gate, the Mandapa front hall, and the main tower area. However, due to the ups and downs of history, only five main structures in the Mandapa and tower area remain today.
An impressive feature of the Po Nagar Cham Towers is the tightly interlocked bricks, with each tower designed with four distinctive floors. Inside the towers, there are numerous granite statues of goddesses sitting on lotus thrones, emanating a sense of mystique and grandeur.
Stone Cathedral of Nha Trang, approximately 2.1km away.
- Address: No. 1 Thai Nguyen, Phuoc Tan Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province.
Another highly appealing tourist spot, only about 2.1km from Long Son Pagoda, is the Stone Cathedral of Nha Trang. It is not only a religious church but also a witness to a long-lasting historical heritage.
The Stone Cathedral of Nha Trang is constructed in Western architectural style entirely from stacked stones. Don’t miss this fascinating tourist destination on your trip to Nha Trang!
Please see our article about the top seafood restaurants in Nha Trang
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN VISITING LONG SON PAGODA.
When visiting Long Son Pagoda, please keep these important notes in mind:
- After passing through the Three Entrance Gate, enter from the right side and leave from the left side. Avoid using the central main gate.
- Dress modestly and respectfully. Visitors should wear long pants when entering the main hall to maintain the sacred atmosphere of the temple.
- Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to remove, especially when visiting the altars or climbing the temple steps.
- Speak softly and move gently around the temple grounds. You should pray silently instead of praying loudly.
- When making offerings to the Buddha, pray sincerely for peace, happiness, and good health.
- Do not touch or climb on the Buddha statues. Avoid ringing the temple bell without permission.
- Prepare simple vegetarian offerings such as incense, flowers, tea, candles, or fruit. Do not offer salty foods.
- Arrange offerings according to the temple’s instructions.
- Only burn incense in designated outdoor areas. Limit incense burning inside the temple to protect visitors’ health and preserve the Buddha statues.
- The pagoda has many beautiful photo spots. However, avoid inappropriate or disrespectful poses when taking pictures.
Conclusion
Long Son Pagoda is one of the most famous spiritual attractions in Nha Trang that visitors should not miss. Visiting the pagoda offers a peaceful atmosphere where you can relax your mind and find inner tranquility. Hopefully, this article has provided useful information to help you enjoy a more complete and memorable trip to Nha Trang.
