Linh Phuoc Pagoda sits about 8 km from the center of Dalat, in the Trai Mat area, and is known locally as Ve Chai Pagoda, or Broken Glass Pagoda. Its walls, columns and statues are covered in mosaics made from broken glass, porcelain and pottery, many of them set by hand. The site holds several Vietnamese records, including the tallest bell tower in the country, and a Guinness World Record for a 17-meter statue of Avalokitesvara made from everlasting flowers. Entry is free. Plan a slow walk through the grounds, the halls and the tower.
Built from broken pieces
Construction of the pagoda began in 1949 and was completed in 1952. The mosaics are made from broken glass, porcelain and pottery bowls, which gave the site its local names: Ve Chai Pagoda, or Broken Glass Pagoda, and Chua Ve Chai, the Junk Pagoda. The pieces are set into walls, columns and statues, so the surfaces catch the light and shift color as the sun moves across them.
The pagoda was rebuilt in 1990 under the direction of Venerable Thich Tam Vi, who was abbot at the time, with help from Buddhists across many provinces of Vietnam. Extra buildings and extensions have been added over the years, so the complex now covers several halls, a garden and a stupa.
The dragon, the bell and the tower
The dragon is 49 meters long and is built from about 12,000 beer bottles. It winds around the grounds and is one of the first things most people notice on arrival.
The bell tower has seven levels and stands about 36 to 37 meters tall, which makes it the tallest bell tower in Vietnam. Its Great Bell, known as Dai Hong Chung, weighs about 8.5 tons. You can climb the stairs, and each level features a different Buddha. From the top, the views over the grounds are the reason many visitors linger. Inside the tower, the monks will show you how to write a wish on paper and attach it to the center of the bell.
Inside the halls
The main hall holds colorful paintings that tell the story of the Buddha, from his birth to his attainment of Nirvana and his death. The Avalokitesvara Hall houses the 17-meter statue made from more than 650,000 everlasting flowers. The pagoda lists this statue among its Guinness World Records.
Other rooms hold large wooden sculptures, heavy marble and wood table sets, and dozens of Buddha statues. A museum and gallery section shows carved jade tea tables, some about 30 centimeters thick, along with porcelain Buddha sculptures and carved wooden figures. Some of the pieces are for sale, but the rooms also explain the Buddhist culture and the sacred art of the Central Highlands.
Beneath the pagoda, a replica of the 18 levels of hell shows the Buddhist teaching of cause and effect, and the garden of the complex, Hoa Long Vien, sits among the buildings.
Getting there from Dalat
Trai Mat is about 8 km from the center of Dalat, near Highway 20 on the way to Phan Rang. Taxis and ride apps can take you there, and the pagoda has on-site parking.
The train is an alternative. The first 7 km of the line were restored in the 1990s, and the ride to the village of Trai Mat takes about 30 minutes through mountain countryside. The art deco station in Dalat was built in 1938 and is worth a look before you board. The line also runs a steam train for photos.
The entrance and the restrooms are wheelchair accessible, and the pagoda has wheelchair spaces in its parking area.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee?
No. Entry to Linh Phuoc Pagoda is free.
How do you get to Linh Phuoc Pagoda from Dalat?
The pagoda is about 8 km from the city center, in Trai Mat. The train from Dalat station takes about 30 minutes, with at least two departures a day. Ticket sales can be tricky, so ask your hotel for the current process.
How long do you need at the pagoda?
Plan one to two hours. Allow more time if you want to climb the tower and look through the gallery rooms.
Can you climb the bell tower?
Yes. The stairs lead up the seven-level tower, and each level has a different Buddha. The top gives views over the grounds.
