Thiền Viện Trúc Lâm

Found just outside of the popular Central Highlands town of Da Lat, the Truc Lam Temple is a young Zen Buddhism monastery built in 1994. It overlooks Tuyen Lam Lake and is accessible by climbing 222 stone steps. In the private areas of the temple, you’ll find an area that houses about 100 monks and nuns. The Truc Lam Temple follows the new Vietnamese zen practice of Truc Lam. It combines three sects of zen that have come from China. This fusion Vietnamese zen practice was started by Emperor Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308) who gave up his throne to travel throughout Vietnam as a Buddhist monk.

Travel tips for the Truc Lam Temple
The best traveling time to Da Lat to visit this temple is during Da Lat’s dry season, spanning from December to March to make sure you have a easy visit to the Truc Lam Temple. You can park your car or bike at the bottom of Robin Hill and take a cable car to Truc Lam Temple. A cable car ticket will cost about 70,000 VND roundtrip. A taxi back to Da Lat will set you back 100,000 VND. As with all temples, try to dress more modestly especially when in company of the monks.

Location: Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Da Lat.
Price: cable car 70,000 VND
Hours: 07:30-11.30 and 13.30-17:00, daily