Attractions in Dalat - what to see

Attractions in Dalat

Attractions in Dalat and its surroundings abound. There is a lot to see in Dalat itself, but you can get around and see the main sights of the city in one day. If you do not want to walk, you can take one of the options for a sightseeing tour of the city, which is offered on the streets a huge number and which cost about $ 15.

The main time that you will spend in Dalat is best spent on sightseeing in the surrounding area. Mostly these are natural attractions and beauty, some of which are landscaped for tourists to visit, and some have preserved their pristine wild beauty. This includes a large number of waterfalls, parks or valleys, lakes, mountain trails and hills. And everything is worth a visit. The only bad thing is that the sights are scattered far from the city and from each other, and you will have to visit them either as part of an excursion, or on rented transport or taxi. Of course, it is easiest, and perhaps even cheaper, to purchase a group tour and run through all the sights without worries. But it is much more interesting to drive around the neighborhood on a rented motorcycle or car with a driver and see the sights for as long as you want.

Lam Dong Museum

Lam Dong museum entrance

In the museum you can see ancient pottery, costumes, musical instruments and other antiquities of local nationalities, preserved from ancient times. There is also an exhibition telling about the history of the city. The museum is housed in a villa popularly called the palace of Nguyen Huu Hao.

The museum has nine exhibition rooms on topics: archaeological finds confiscated by the police; historical periodization; traditional crafts; archaeological finds discovered in Daylang; archaeological finds discovered in Daidong and Daylao; agricultural and hunting supplies; nature, geography, people; finds of the war years, the period of resistance to the American colonists and the French; cultural life and traditional festivals; achievements of socialist society in the field of construction.

Learn more about the Lam Dong Museum and photos here...

Crazy House (Hang Nga Crazy House, Biệt thự Hằng Nga)

View from the yard / View photos in 3D

This is a hotel, cafe and Art Gallery at the same time, popularly called Crazy House, which means "Madhouse". This place is a real work of art, a product of the creative imagination of man. Since its opening in 1990, this extraordinary building without rectilinear forms has gained recognition for its unique architecture, making the lists of numerous guidebooks, and has become one of the ten most "strange" buildings in the world.

The creator of the house was the daughter of the second adviser to Uncle Ho Chi Minh, Mrs. Dang Viet nga (better known as Hang Nga), who once studied in Russia, and now sometimes personally meets guests in this "madhouse". She designed this building in The Shape of a tree with curved windows, tunnels with stairs. The exterior and exterior of the guest house are built with virtually no right angles. Inside there are many themed rooms: Tiger room, Eagle Room, Ant room, kangaroo room and so on, with decorations and handmade furniture matching the theme. Construction and reconstruction continues to this day, and the end and edge of this work is not visible.

If you want, you can rent a room here and stay, but make such a decision only after examining the rooms first. The cost of rooms from 25 to 130 dollars. The hotel is equated to the level of three stars.

Learn more about Crazy House and photos here...

Summer Palace of Bao Dai (Bo Dai summer palace)

This palace, also called the "second Palace of Dalat", one of Emperor Bao Dai's three residences in Dalat, was built in 1933 as the emperor's summer residence. A long time has passed since then, but everything in the palace is preserved as it was under the last emperor of Vietnam.

Since then, the palace has repeatedly changed hands with each change of power, and at one time was even the General Staff. Many underground tunnels for safe escape in the event of a coup connect the basement of the building to the surrounding area.

In principle, you will not see anything outstanding when viewing this attraction. Everything is very modest, without luxury and frills, and it can only be called a palace with a stretch, rather just a country villa. Nevertheless, it is one of the most important historical sights of the city, a visit to which is included in the program of many sightseeing tours of the city.

Main market (Da Lat market)

Fresh artichoke at Dalat market

This, of course, is not an attraction, but it is worth visiting the market at least once. Part of the market is covered, the other is under the open sky. Here you can find souvenirs, fresh exotic fruits, the famous Vietnamese coffee, green or artichoke tea, and more. Be sure to bargain. On the top floor of the market building is a large supermarket.

It is in the market and next to it that the whole evening tourist party in Dalat takes place. On the Square next to the market, brisk trade opens, local mini-cafes on plastic chairs and tables unfold right on the asphalt, creative workshops open. In general, the place is interesting and worthy for several evening walks.

Linh Son Pagoda (also Linh Son Pagoda, Linh Son Pagoda)

It is a fairly modern pagoda built between 1936 and 1940 with funds donated by Buddhists from around the world. Here is a bronze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, weighing 1250 kg. No interesting and historical events are associated with this place, and nothing special, except for the typical East Asian architecture, pleasant to the eye, this pagoda is not remarkable, although it is one of the main attractions of Dalat. If you are in these places, you can walk to the pagoda along the path passing in the shade of pine and rubber trees. The territory of the pagoda is decorated with miniature bonsai trees and a small pond with water lilies and Goldfish.

Xuan Huong Lake

Xuan Huong Lake

Artificial lake Xuan Huong in the center of Dalat appeared after the construction of the dam in 1919. The Lake plays about the same meaning for the townspeople as lake of the returned sword in Hanoi is a favorite place for evening walks of locals. Here you can not only walk, but also swim in a rented rowing boat or ride horses. Next to the lake is Hoabinh square (peace square) with many cafes and restaurants, shops, hotels, flower gardens. There is also a beautiful golf course, the area of which is 50 hectares.

In 2010, the lake was drained, but now it is again filled with water.

Dalat Flower Gardens

Flowers in the pavilion

Dalat's flower gardens are one of the city's most striking attractions. This is a fairly large park, broken up at the northeast end of the lake. This place is definitely worth a visit during a trip to Dalat. Here you can quietly spend more than one hour, strolling among the most beautiful flowers and bizarre bushes. In the center of the park there is a small lake on which you can ride swan boats. On weekends, the park is simply packed with visitors, because locals from all over Vietnam come to see the gardens. The park was originally laid out in 1966 by the Ministry of Agriculture of South Vietnam and reconstructed in 1985.Today there are hydrangeas, fuchsias, azaleas, mimosas, roses, gerberas, chrysanthemums, cacti and, of course, orchids. Most orchids are in special shaded greenhouses to the right of the entrance. The stems of the orchids grow in pieces of the trunks of Coke palms and in terracotta pots with plenty of holes for ventilation. Here you can buy Orchid sprouts and seeds.

Learn more about Dalat flower gardens and photos...

Kamli Falls (Thac Cam Ly)

Kamli Waterfall

The Waterfall consists of several Cascades fifteen meters high, which is why it is often called Kamli waterfalls. Around the waterfall formed a park, access to which is paid. The territory of the park is moderately well-groomed, horses walk along it, several flower beds are broken. To please tourists, anyone can change into cowboy clothes and take pictures, of course for a fee. Horse or carriage rides are also available.

Speaking objectively, if you have a shortage of time when visiting Dalat, you can without regret exclude Kamli from your route. It is better to visit one of the distant waterfalls, or at least the park and the Prenn waterfall. The Kamli River, which forms a waterfall, runs through the town and brings with it garbage thrown away by locals. After the rains, the water in the waterfall is dirty brown and does not look beautiful at all. And the territory of the park itself is not very surprising: so, the place of stopping for 10-15 minutes and no more.

Da Lat train station

Dalat railway station

There is nothing special about this station, except that it was considered the most beautiful railway station in Indochina. Here on a pedestal is a Soviet locomotive, which many are photographed. It originally served an 84-kilometer-long railway, but in 1964, due to damage to the road as a result of hostilities, it was closed. Only in 1991, the road was partially restored (only 7 kilometers), and now allows you to make a very interesting trip on the old train to the village of Chaimat (Trai Mat, Trai Mat), from where you can also visit the pagoda Linh Phuoc (Linh Phuoc pagoda). The train leaves five times a day and goes 30 minutes.

Du Sinh Roman Catholic Church

There are several churches in Dalat, this one is perhaps the most interesting and the largest. It was built in 1955 on the initiative of a priest from Hue, who has royal roots. In its architecture, in addition to the traditional Romanesque, oriental features are also manifested. There is a church on a hill, which offers a good panoramic view of the surroundings and the whole of Dalat.