Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa) is a famous spiritual tourist destination, attracting many visitors. In particular, when visiting the pagoda, you can admire the largest white Buddha statue in Vietnam, intricately and vividly carved. If you are a devout Buddhist, this is a place you must visit when you have the chance to come to Nha Trang.
Overview of Long Son Pagoda
- Address: No 22 Road 23 thang 10, Tay Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa.
- Entrance fee: Free
Long Son Pagoda was built in the 19th century and, after several renovations and upgrades, was officially completed in 1940. Besides the name Long Son, the pagoda is often known locally as the Phat Trang (White Buddha) or Dang Long Pagoda. On the hilltop of Long Son Pagoda stands the largest outdoor Gautama Buddha statue in Vietnam (as of 2011), built in 1963.
Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang
Beyond its captivating architecture, Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang features many large Buddha statues throughout the temple grounds. It is also a highly sacred destination, attracting many visitors from surrounding areas, especially on the 15th and 1st days of each lunar month.
Unique Architecture of Long Son Pagoda
The overall architecture of the pagoda is quite impressive. Every detail reflects sophistication and refinement, from the curved tiled roof to the interior design of the main hall. Everything evokes a familiar and intimate feeling, reminiscent of traditional Vietnamese village architecture.
Long Son Pagoda covers an area of over 3,000 square meters. The pagoda’s space is cool and serene, with fresh air and shade from many large trees. Walking around, you’ll see many stone towers, lamp posts, and reliefs with exquisitely carved and beautiful patterns. From the courtyard to the main hall, you’ll need to climb two steps, with a stunning mosaic of a dragon and the character (萬) in the center.
Inside the mainhall
The main hall of Long Son Pagoda houses many bronze Buddha statues weighing over 700 kg and nearly 2 meters tall. In the center of the hall, a seated Buddha preaches, incredibly solemn. There are also two giant candles, 3.4 meters tall and weighing 900 kg, intricately carved with details like dragons and lotus flowers; these candles currently hold the Vietnamese record.
If you go to the right of Long Son Pagoda, after climbing another 193 steps, you will reach the hilltop. The reclining Buddha statue (or the reclining Buddha statue), 17 meters long and 5 meters high, was placed at the 44th step in 2003; behind the statue is a bas-relief depicting the gathering of 49 disciples.
The reclining Buddha statue in Long Son Pagoda
Beyond the three steps is the bell tower, which houses a large bronze bell, 2.2 meters high and weighing 1,500 kilograms, donated by Buddhists in Hue in 2002.
Giant bell in the pagoda
On Trai Thuy hill, at the 193rd step, is the large white concrete statue of Gautama Buddha, built in 1963. It is 24 meters high, seated and preaching, with a base consisting of a 7-meter-high lotus pedestal and a chamber containing the remains of relatives sent by local Buddhists.
Gautama Buddha Statue – The Guinness Book of Records Vietnam once recognized this as the largest outdoor Buddha statue in Vietnam.
Each lotus petal of the pedestal is carved with the portraits of seven monks who self-immolated to protest repressive policies against Buddhism of Ngo Dinh Diem (the first president of the Republic of Vietnam) in 1963.
A portrait of Venerable Thích Quảng Đức, one of the seven monks who self-immolated to protest Diem’s suppression of Buddhism in 1963.
Behind the statue of the Buddha, there is an entrance, flanked by statues of two guardian deities.
The interior of the small lotus-shaped structure is surrounded by numerous Buddha statues. This structure was built after 1975, when the Golden Buddha statue was completed.
From the hilltop, visitors can also see a panoramic view of Nha Trang. The peaceful scenery, spiritual atmosphere, and ancient architecture make this an indispensable stop on any journey to explore the land of agarwood.
Source: collected by An
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