Linh Phước Temple (Chùa Linh Phước): Vietnam's Mosaic Masterpiece
Linh Phước Temple (Chùa Linh Phước) is a magnificent Buddhist structure located in the Trại Mát area, approximately 8 kilometers from Da Lat’s city center. The temple immediately impresses visitors with its extraordinary, intricate mosaic architecture. Locally, people affectionately refer to it as the “Ve Chai Pagoda” (Junk Pagoda) because monks and artisans constructed the entire complex using millions of fragments of broken pottery, porcelain, glass bottles, and ceramic shards.
Architecture and Unique Records
Built starting in 1949 and significantly renovated in 1990 by Venerable Thích Tâm Vị, Linh Phước Temple actively showcases Vietnamese ingenuity and devotion.
Mosaic Artistry: The meticulous mosaic work covers the walls, pillars, roofs, and all structures, depicting various Buddhist stories, legends, and mythical animals, most notably dragons. This extensive use of reclaimed materials makes the temple a unique fusion of environmental consciousness and spiritual art.
National Records: The temple proudly holds numerous Vietnamese records, including:
The tallest temple bell tower in Vietnam, reaching 36 meters high.
The heaviest bell in the Central and South regions (Đại Hồng Chung), weighing 8,500 kilograms.
A 49-meter-long dragon statue constructed from 12,000 beer bottles in the courtyard.
A colossal Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara statue made from thousands of dried, immortal flowers.
Must-See Sections: Visitors should explore the seven-tiered bell tower (Linh Tháp), the main ceremonial hall adorned with mosaic dragon columns, and the multi-level basement that dramatically illustrates the 18 Levels of Hell and scenes from Buddhist folklore.
Cultural and Spiritual Experience
Linh Phước Temple functions as a highly active place of worship and a major cultural landmark.
Worship and Devotion: The temple welcomes both worshippers and tourists throughout the year. Visitors often participate in the tradition of writing a wish on a small piece of paper and sticking it to the great bell before ringing it three times to send the wish to the Buddha.
Accessibility: The temple is the primary destination of the historic, short-haul train route departing from the Da Lat Railway Station, making a visit to both landmarks a popular and scenic day trip.
Practical Visitor Information
Address: 120 Tự Phước, Phường 11, Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam (Located in the Trại Mát area).
Entrance Fee: The temple welcomes visitors for free, as it remains an active place of worship.
Operating Hours: The temple is generally open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM (some sources indicate 8:00 AM start).
Transportation: You can reach the temple easily by taxi, rented motorbike, or the nostalgic tourist train from Da Lat Railway Station to Trại Mát Station (the pagoda is a short walk from the Trại Mát station).
