As the largest religious place in Nha Trang, Long Son Pagoda has an area of more than 3,000m2 with many attractive architectural works of classical style.
The temple was first built in 1886 on the top of Trai Thuy mountain. In 1900 due to damage by a big storm, the temple was moved to its current position halfway up the hill, built on a larger scale and more stable.
1. General information about Long Son Pagoda
- Address: No. 22, Road 23 October, Phuong Son Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam
- Opening time: 7: 00 am – 5:00 pm. Pay attention to the closing time of the main temple from 11 am.
- Estimated time to visit: 1 – 1.5 hours
- Sightseeing tickets: Free entrance fee
2. Highlights at the area of the pagoda
The temple has many beautiful architectural works and scenery. However, to save time for you who do not have much time to travel in Nha Trang, Vietnamdrive introduces the remarkable points below.
2.1. Reclining Buddha statue
When you go up the temple to the waiting area of the 44th step, turn to the left, at the back of the main shrine will lead you to a reclining Buddha statue.
The Buddha statue was elaborately built in 2003, with a length of 17m and a height of 5m. This is considered the peaceful place of the Buddha after entering nirvana.
2.2. Tall white Buddha statue
The tall statue was built right on the hill of Trai Thuy mountain, which was the old foundation of the first temple. In 1963, the statue of Kim Than Phat To was built, also known as the White Buddha because of its white color.
The statue has an overall height of 24m from the ground, from the base to 21m, the part of the statue only is up to 14m high, and the lotus base is 7m high with a diameter of 10m. To get to this statue, on the right side of the main temple, stairs go up 153 steps to reach the Buddha.
2.3. Steps to go up to the temple and Buddha
If you notice, many temples in Vietnam choose locations on the tops of mountains to build. On the one hand, based on feng shui, on the other hand, it is one of the ways to teach Buddhists the spirit of overcoming difficulties.
To get to the place where the Buddha dwells, it is necessary to pass many steps – a total of 193 steps from the hill’s bottom to the top. That means teaching Buddhist people and sentient beings that need to go through hardships and effort to achieve success. Success does not come easily. Therefore, visiting the temple is also a way to learn about yourself.
2.4. The two biggest candles in Vietnam
In the main hall of Long Son Nha Trang pagoda, you will see the two largest candles in Vietnam kept here. Each candle weighs up to 900kg and has a height of 3.4 meters, elaborately carved in the shape of a dragon. If you do not look closely, you will easily confuse these candles with the pillars of the shrine.
Two candles were cast at An Phu pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, donated by Pham Nhat Vu to the temple. These two candles are considered precious objects. If possible, approach them to feel the abundant energy radiating.
3. What to do in Long Son Temple
These are the popular activities that this temple attracts many pilgrims and tourists to visit.
3.1. Watching the panoramic view of Nha Trang city
The pagoda is located on a hill more than 30 meters high, 500 meters long, and just over 1km from the city center to the west. This temple has a great location to give visitors a panoramic view of the beautiful coastal city of Nha Trang.
3.2. Worshiping and enjoying the beautiful scenery
This temple has become one of the famous religious sites in Nha Trang. Along with Po Nagar Tower, Long Son daily welcomes many people to worship and serve beliefs, creating belief in peace and tranquility for the soul.
Besides worshiping activities, the pagoda also greets hundreds of visitors every day to enjoy the view around the temple. The space is neatly arranged, besides many cultural and historical works as mentioned above, being an attractive destination for visiting.
3.3. Explore ancient architecture
If you are an architecture lover, this is also an interesting place for you to explore the beauty of classical architecture. The style of Vietnamese ancient pagodas is very clearly present in Long Son pagoda. The use of wood, combined with modern materials, creates a solid but also full of charm for the shrines.
4. Notes when visiting the temple here
- Built on a high hill, so there are many steps, the pagoda is not suitable for the elderly, or people with bone and joint diseases, unable to move well.
- The main hall is open from morning to 11 am, then it will be closed. Therefore, if you want to visit the main hall, where there are 2 large candles, then choosing the morning visit time is appropriate. Outside of that period, you can visit the surrounding temple.
- Should dress neatly, pants longer than the knee, and a shirt with sleeves, not too thin, especially when entering the temple area.
- Most places are photographed, but you need to be careful in the main temple. Do not stand with your back directly to the shrine, as well as to the Buddha statues. Standing to one side when shooting or facing the statue is recommended.
Long Son Pagoda becomes a spiritual tourist destination not to be missed in Nha Trang. Please include this location in your program! You will surely find many interesting things here.