Is Dalat worth visiting?
Dalat is not only famous for its imposing buildings but also known for its nature. You can have an exciting thrilling adventure with many outdoor activities here. Among those, walking to Datanla Waterfalls, trekking to Elephant Falls, and getting around the Pongour Falls is interesting.
1.Admire the Lake of Sighs
The Lake of Sighs is steeped in local legend in Da Lat as it is actually the place where several star-crossed lovers met but were unable to be together.
The legend is indeed a little sad, but the lake itself is beautiful and is actually paradoxically very popular with local couples.
Nowadays you can rent a paddle boat and go out on the water which allows you to take in all the sights in Da Lat from a different vantage point.
As if that wasn’t romantic enough, you can also take a dreamy horse and carriage ride around the edges of the lake.
2.Enjoy Linh Phuoc Pagoda
Linh Phuoc Pagoda is one of the most famous temples in the country, in part thanks to its bell tower which stands at a height of 37 meters.
This makes it the tallest bell tower of its kind in all of Vietnam and there is also a colorful central hall here which has a series of murals that tell the story of the life of Buddha.
If you want to learn more about the history of Buddhism then this is a great spot to visit and the pagoda is also set in the middle of a series of lush grounds and lakes.
3.Visit Dalat Flower Gardens
Da Lat has made a name for itself in Vietnam thanks to its pretty scenery and the flowers here are no exception.
If you want to witness these firsthand then head to the Dalat Flower Gardens which stretch for some 7,000 square meters and have more than 300 kinds of flowers on display.
One of the best things about the gardens is that the flowers all bloom at different times of the year so whenever you chogardens at the height of their beauty however, then try to visit in the summer months.
4.Browse in Dalat Market
Dalat Market is a great place to visit if you want to see a more traditional side of the city.
Here you will find some 1,000 shops which are located across several buildings and it appears as if there is nothing they don’t sell here.
You will find stalls piled high with colorful fresh produce, or there is also a rather gruesome fresh meat section.
As if that wasn’t enough, you can also find pretty flower shops as well as other stalls that sell bottles of the local wine.
This is also a good spot to pick up some local handicrafts like textiles and other souvenirs.
5.Go out on Xuan Huong Lake
Xuan Huong Lake is a manmade lake that is also one of the main landmarks of Da Lat.
The lake is surrounded by lush gardens that are filled with flowers and indigenous plants and you can go for a walk in the afternoon and take in all the sights.
Along the banks of the lake you will find graceful willow and peach trees and there are also some little cafes where you can have a drink and enjoy the calm atmosphere.
Other popular activities at the lake include horse and cart rides, and you can also take a pedal boat out on the lake itself if you are feeling active.
6.Visit Dalat Train Station
Da Lat Train Station was built in 1943 and although it is small, it offers you a great glimpse of how people would have traveled in the days of old.
The traditional ticket windows are still here and there is also a delightful steam train on show.
You can take the train, which is a wood burning locomotive, for around 5 kilometers up a mountain pass which ends in the idyllic village of Trai Mar.
One thing to note however is that you need four passengers in order for the train to run so you may have to hang around if no one else shows up.
7.Travel to Lam Ty Ni Pagoda
Lam Ty Ni Pagoda is also known as Mad Monk Temple and is made up of a small monastery set inside a traditional garden.
There is also an art gallery on the grounds here which is run by resident Zen Buddhist monk Vien Thuc.
As such, you can tour the monastery and also check out his paintings at the same time and even pick up a piece of monastic art work to take home with you.
If you opt to take a guided tour of Da Lat then you will almost certainly drop by here as this is one of the premium attractions in town.
8.Admire Linh Son Pagoda
If you want to visit one of the less well known pagodas in Da Lat then consider a trip to Linh Son Pagoda
This neighborhood pagoda is located on a hill that looks over Da Lat and lets you enjoy the pretty views over the city.
One of the most amazing things about the temple is that it also has its own tea and coffee plantations so you can also check out the monks harvesting the crops when they are in season.
9.Walk to the Pongour Falls
The Pongour Falls gush down from a height of 20 meters and jut out of the side of scenic mountains on the edge of Da Lat.
The mountains are 100 meters wide in the height of the rainy season which means that they are also the largest falls in Vietnam.
As you trek up to the falls you will be able to hear the sound of the water crashing onto the rocks below when you are still a long way off, and you can cool off in the mist from the cataract at the end of the hike.
10.Walk through the French Quarter
The French Quarter in Da Lat is the one of the prettiest parts of the city.
Here you can see how the French colonialists would have holidayed in the days of old and the quarter lies along the Tran Hung Dao Road.
Here you can take in the graceful French colonial villas, many of which date from the 1920s and 30s.
As you wander along the road, you can also check out the schools and churches that are also built in the same style.
