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Da Lat
A cool highland city of pine forests, lakes, tea hills and flower seasons.
Overview
Set on the Lang Biang plateau at about 1,500 m, Da Lat is cool all year round, with pine forests, lakes and French-era architecture.
Where to go
- Walk around Xuan Huong Lake and Lam Vien Square
- Da Lat Market and the night market in the centre
- Da Lat Railway Station, the Cathedral and Bao Dai's Summer Palace
- Truc Lam Zen Monastery and Tuyen Lam Lake
- Datanla Waterfall and Lang Biang Mountain
What to eat
Banh can (mini rice pancakes), grilled rice paper, chicken hotpot with e leaves, hot soy milk, artichoke tea and candied fruit.
Best time to visit
The dry season (roughly November to April) is clear and sunny; wild sunflowers bloom in November and cherry blossoms around Lunar New Year. The rainy season (roughly May to October) brings afternoon showers.
📍 Places
- 🛕 Religious siteTruc Lam Zen MonasteryA Zen monastery on Phung Hoang hill overlooking Tuyen Lam Lake, with flower-filled grounds.
- 🌲 NatureTuyen Lam LakeA large lake among pine forests south of the city, good for picnics and boating.
- 🌲 NatureDatanla WaterfallA forest waterfall near Prenn Pass, reached by an alpine coaster.
- 🌲 NatureLang Biang MountainA mountain north of Da Lat, with a road up to Radar peak for views over the plateau.
- 🛕 Religious siteLinh Phuoc PagodaA pagoda famous for its mosaic work of broken ceramics, in the Trai Mat area.
- 🏛️ AttractionDa Lat Flower GardenA flower garden by Xuan Huong Lake showcasing Da Lat's signature blooms.