One of the most beautiful and curious pagodas you can see in Vietnam is Linh Phuoc pagoda.
Built in the 20th century — between 1949 and 1952, on the outskirts of Da Lat — from a mixture of glass bottles (mostly beer bottles), ceramic and porcelain. Today it stands as a fine example of sustainable art conceived entirely from recycled materials.
Its colorful mosaics and Buddha statues look like the work of a disciple of Gaudí himself. The front of the pagoda is clad in meticulous pillars sculpted into dragons, alongside a Buddha statue.
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The main hall of Linh Phuoc pagoda
The main hall holds two rows of mosaics and other bas-reliefs depicting different Buddhist stories. The entire interior decoration is filled with mythical creatures, pieced together by gradually inlaying many thousands of small fragments of broken terracotta, porcelain and glass.
The bell and the dragon of Linh Phuoc pagoda
The dragon’s head alone took no fewer than around 12,000 pieces of glass to make.
Adjoining the pagoda stands the Da Bao tower: 37 m tall across seven levels, considered the tallest in Da Lat. On either side of the tower sit its two signature elements, the drum and the bell — thought to be among the heaviest bells in the entire country at a staggering 8,500 kg.
How to get to Linh Phuoc pagoda
The ideal way to get here is aboard the Da Lat train, which stops right at this spot. It takes roughly 25 minutes from Da Lat railway station to the town of Trai Mat, where you get off and walk a short distance to reach it.
Train tickets cost 150,000 VND (~US$5.80) per person round trip in second class.
Linh Phuoc pagoda: opening hours and prices
- The railway station and Linh Phuoc pagoda are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- The pagoda is free.
- There are several trains a day at different times; the only condition is gathering at least 10 passengers for the train to depart — otherwise you’ll have to wait for the next one.
