Once visiting the central coast city of Nha Trang, aside from the beach and the Cham towers and Nha Trang Bay with its many splendid islands and islets for relaxing and discovering nature, tourists should stop at Long Son Pagoda in the west of the city.
Nha Trang is one of the most important tourist hubs of the country thanks to its beautiful beaches with fine, clean sand and clear ocean water with mild temperatures all year round.
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The pagoda makes an impression on visitors right at the entrance |
Lying off Nha Trang is Hon Tre Island (Bamboo Island) and Hon Tam Island and so on where tourists can see fascinating landscapes and raw Vietnamese culture in houses that are hundreds of years old. Island hopping, scuba diving, squid fishing, sail boating, yachting and other sporting activities can be enjoyed in or from the city. Good local cuisine is also on hand. |
Besides these dynamic places, there is a notable one where visitors can feel tranquil amidst this active city. The place is easily noticed with a very big Buddha statue on the top of Mount Trai Thuy. This is Long Son Pagoda which situated at the foot of Mount Trai Thuy at 22, 23/10 Street, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province.
The pagoda was first built here in 1886 and named Dang Long Pagoda. In 1900, the pagoda was damaged in a storm and was rebuilt down the mountain in its present location.
The Khanh Hoa Buddhist Studies Foundation originated here in 1936. The pagoda underwent further restorations in 1940, 1971, and 1975.
The pagoda makes an impression on visitors right at the entrance. The ceilings are decorated with mosaic dragons constructed of glass and bits of ceramic tile.
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The pagoda has two tiled roofs heaped up together with has relief depicting stories of Buddha.
The main sanctuary is an attractive hall adorned with modern interpretations of traditional motifs. Note the ferocious nose hairs on the colorful dragons wrapped around the wooden pillars on either side of the main altar. Parallel sentences and teachings Buddha are carved on the pillars. |
The pagoda keeps a quiet ambiance by a barrier of surrounding seasoned green trees. |
Even with the noise of the near-by bustling street, the pagoda keeps a quiet ambiance by a barrier of surrounding seasoned green trees.
To approach the pagoda from the street, the 150 stone steps up the hill to the Buddha begins to the right of the structure. Once trekking the mountain, tourists should visit Hai Duc Pagoda on the top and Buu Phong Pagoda on the south face of the mountain; both were built in Asian architectural style.
Following the stone steps, visitors will see pentagonal bells made in Chinese style of the Ming Dynasty with elegant and meticulous patterns.
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From here visitors can catch great views of Nha Trang and nearby areas
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At the top of the hill, behind the pagoda, is a huge white statue of Sakyamuni Buddha (Kim Than Phat To) seated on a lotus pedestal and visible from all over the city. Surrounding the lotus pedestal is images of seven superior Buddhist monks and middle-ranking bonzes that burnt themselves to death while opposing the anti-Buddhism policy of Diem government in 1963.
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Standing at the statue, visitors will catch great views of Nha Trang and nearby rural areas as a colorful painting depicting lively images of lines of vehicles on streets, multicolor houses and crowds bustling.