Da Nang city, Travel Guide
Explore Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula
Da Nang is a dynamic coastal city with brilliant bridges and blue beaches. Situated firmly on the majestic Son Tra peninsula, Linh Ung Pagoda is one of the sacred symbols, attracting millions of tourists every year. This is not only a spiritual place for Buddhists but also a spectacular tourist attraction that anyone coming to Da Nang cannot miss.
Location and name Linh Ung Pagoda
- Address: Son Tra Peninsula, Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang City
- Opening hours: 6:00 – 21:00
- Ticket price: Free
Linh Ung Pagoda is located at an altitude of about 693 meters above sea level, on the limestone mountainside of Son Tra peninsula. From the center of Da Nang city, it only takes about 20-30 minutes to drive, visitors will admire the beautiful scenery of the winding coastal road, through the cool green forest canopy. This location is considered extremely favorable in terms of Vietnamese feng shui, with its back leaning on a solid mountain and its face facing the vast East Sea.
With the meaning of “Linh Ung” – sacred fulfillment, the pagoda was built with the desire to bring peace and luck to the people and tourists. This is one of three pagodas with the same name Linh Ung in Da Nang, forming a solid spiritual triangle protecting the city, including Linh Ung Marble mountain pagoda and Linh Ung Ba Na Pagoda. However, Linh Ung Pagoda in Son Tra has the largest scale, the most majestic landscape and is also the most well-known destination.
Learn more: Top 9 things to do in Bana hills
Masterpiece of Buddhist Architecture and Art
As soon as you set foot in Linh Ung Pagoda, you will be overwhelmed by the majesty and splendor of the overall architecture. The temple grounds are large with many well-planned constructions in harmony with nature.
The most prominent highlight of the temple is the tallest statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in Vietnam, standing majestically at a height of 67 meters, equivalent to a 30-storey building. The statue of Buddha faces the sea, her compassionate eyes looking down to protect fishermen and tourists. This is a symbol of peace, compassion and the pride of the people of Da Nang.
The main hall of the temple is designed in a traditional style with curved tiled roofs, elaborately carved pillars and solemnly arranged Buddha statues. Entering the main hall, visitors will feel the pure, quiet atmosphere, helping their souls to calm down and find peace. In addition, the pagoda grounds also have many other auxiliary structures such as the Patriarch’s house, the lecture hall, Lumbini Garden – a recreation of the Buddha’s birthplace, and the Xá Lợi tower.
The architectural works at Linh Ung Pagoda all bear the strong imprint of Vietnamese Buddhism, harmoniously combining the ancient and modern. The elaborate carvings, the elaborately carved Buddha and Bodhisattva statues demonstrate the ingenuity and talent of the artisans.
Beautiful natural space
Not only a spiritual destination, Linh Ung Pagoda (Monkey mountain) is also a place for visitors to immerse themselves in the majestic natural space and enjoy the beautiful scenery. From the temple yard, visitors can see the entire city of Da Nang with long white sand beaches such as My Khe, Non Nuoc, the green Son Tra peninsula and small islands in the distance.
On clear days, the whole city appears like a watercolor painting with a harmonious combination of mountains, forests, sea and city. Especially at dawn or dusk, the scene here becomes more magical and romantic than ever, with brilliant yellow or purple sunlight covering the whole space.
The temple grounds are also surrounded by the primeval forest of Son Tra peninsula, home to many rare species of flora and fauna, especially the red-shanked douc langur. Occasionally, lucky visitors can catch sight of Douc Langurs swinging from branch to branch or foraging for food, providing an up-close experience with the wild.
How to get to Linh Ung Pagoda
To get to Linh Ung Pagoda (Monkey Mountain), there are many flexible transportation options, serving all visitors’ needs:
- Motorbike: If you are a freedom lover and want to explore every corner of the beautiful coastal road yourself, renting a motorbike is not a bad choice. The rental price ranges from 100,000 – 150,000 VND/day. However, the road to the temple is quite steep and has many sharp turns, requiring the driver to have experience and steady hands.
- Taxi/ private car: is a convenient and popular means of transport, especially if you travel in a small group. The fare will depend on the distance, and you can easily catch a taxi anywhere in the city center.
 From Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass and stopping at Linh Ung Pagoda is a great option. With a professional driver, you can stop anywhere to admire the beautiful scenery, take pictures and enjoy every moment. Our drivers are knowledgeable about the local area, willing to share interesting information and ensure your trip is smooth, safe and comfortable.
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Notes When Visiting Linh Ung Pagoda
To have a complete and meaningful visit to Linh Ung Pagoda, visitors should note the following:
- Dress: Wear polite, discreet clothing, avoid wearing clothes that are too short or revealing to show respect for the spiritual space.
- Keep order: Maintain order, avoid talking loudly, joking in the temple grounds to maintain the purity.
- Protect the environment: Do not litter, protect the landscape and the temple’s structures.
Places near Linh Ung Pagoda that you cannot miss
After exploring Linh Ung Pagoda, visitors can continue their journey to explore other interesting places on Son Tra Peninsula and neighboring areas:
- Hai Van Pass: This famous pass is not only a spectacular winding road with impressive curves but also a natural boundary between Da Nang and Hue. Standing on the top of the pass, you will admire the panoramic view of the blue Lang Co Bay, the majestic mountains and the long coastline. The ancient Hai Van Quan located on the top of the pass is also a historical destination worth exploring.
- Dragon Bridge: is a unique architectural symbol of Da Nang, spanning the Han River. This bridge stands out with its winding dragon architecture, symbolizing the prosperity and development of the city. The most special feature of the Dragon Bridge is its ability to spray fire and water on weekends, attracting many tourists to admire.
- Marble Mountains: is a complex of 5 limestone mountains named after the Five Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth. This place is famous for its majestic caves, ancient pagodas and the traditional Non Nuoc stone carving village. You can climb Thuy Son, the largest and most beautiful mountain, to explore Huyen Khong Cave, Am Phu Cave and admire the panoramic view of the peaceful countryside at the foot of the mountain.
- Hoi An ancient town: is a destination not to be missed when coming to Vietnam, Hoi An is about 30km from Da Nang. As a World Cultural Heritage recognized by UNESCO. Hoi An attracts visitors with its moss-covered tiled roof houses, small brick alleys and the poetic Hoai River.
Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula is not only an ancient pagoda, but also a symbol of the beauty and peace of Da Nang. The spiritual architecture perfectly combines with the majestic natural landscape, creating a destination not to be missed. Come here, feel the sacredness, peaceful beauty, and positive energy that the pagoda brings.