Two weeks in North Vietnam - 12/21 - 1/3/2023

Day 9- Linh Ung Pagoda, Da Nang -12/29/2023

 The Linh Ung Pagoda, which means “the pagoda of the miraculous retribution” is located on Son Tra Peninsula, 2,096 ft. above sea level and about 6 miles from the northeast of Da Nang City.  Linh Ung Pagoda is the largest and most famous and popular Pagoda in Da Nang, built on a hill that overlooks the sea and mountains, creating a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere.

According to the locals, the site of the pagoda was chosen by a divine intervention. One night, a local fisherman saw a strange light on the sea, and he decided to follow it. He found a piece of driftwood that had the shape of a Buddha. He brought it back to the shore, and the next day, he saw that the piece of wood had turned into a statue of Bodhisattva Guanyin, the goddess of mercy and compassion. The people took this as a sign that the goddess wanted to protect them and bless them with prosperity and happiness. They decided to build a pagoda on the spot where the statue was found, and named it Linh Ung, meaning “the miraculous retribution”.

Parking lot leading to the entrance to the Pagoda The pagoda has been a spiritual destination for both domestic and foreign Buddhist followers and visitors for years.

Xa Loi Stuppa in the background.

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 Xa Loi Tower is 98 ft. high and was built in 1997. The tower is home to nearly 200 statues of Buddha, Bodhisattva, and Arhat. The 7th floor worships Buddhist relics and seven Buddha in charge of consecration ceremonies. Currently, to better serve visitors, the authorities of Da Nang City have installed modern elevators.

Gate to the Pagoda.

Tam Quan Gate.

It was a rainy day but that did not stop to come and visit the pagoda.

Beautiful Butterfly tree with vibrant pink flowers.

Before reaching the main Hall we had to go through a large park with enormous trees.

The Main Hall

Garden inside the complex.

Bonsai trees in large stone pots.

Closer view of a Bonsai tree.

We are reaching the main hall.

We are headed to the main hall with curved roof and decorated with statues of dragons on the roof.  The main hall is also carried by many large solid pillars with delicate and sophisticated dragon patterns a traditional symbol of Vietnamese people for centuries.

Stairs leading the main hall.

The main Altar.

A large gold Buddha in the main altar.

Female monks walking in the hallway of the main altar.

Door from the pagoda overlooking But beach.

Right at the exit of the main altar is a large Arhat statue garden.

The main gate view from the Pagoda.

There are 18 statues of Arhats stone statues in the Arthat statue garden.  The statues are arranged in a circle around a pond, and they are surrounded by trees. 

 The main attraction and feature of this pagoda is the statue of Bodhisattva Guanyin, which is the tallest statue in Vietnam, and the fourth tallest statue in the world. The statue is 220 ft. high, which is equivalent to a 30-story building, and it stands on a lotus-shaped platform that is 115 ft. in diameter.

The statue faces the sea, and it has 17 floors inside, each with an altar and 21 Buddha statues.

The statue is made of white marble and is a symbol of the power and compassion of the goddess, and it can be seen from almost anywhere in Da Nang because of the height and elevation of the hill that the statue was placed.

Closer view of the statue.

Statue of Ong Dia (Spirit of the earth) on the left in front of the giant statue of Bodhisattva Guanyin

The ladies monks taking a picture in front of Bodhisattva Guanyin statue.

Linh Ung Pagoda is nestled on a prime, sacred and tranquil location at the height of nearly 1,500m from the sea level with an incredible view of View of But beach and the Son Tran Peninsula.

On the horizon are skyscrapers from the city of Danang.

Gorgeous view of But Beach

The garden facing But Beach.

The main gate of Linh Unh Pagoda.

At the gate, there stand two sentences: Sơn Trà Bãi Bụt thật hiển linh.” “Linh Ung” itself means: “wishes answered miraculously”. These two sentences means that if you pray sincerely inside the pagoda, all your wishes might come true.

At the bottom of the stairs a detail statue of a dragon guarding the entrance of the stair.

Overview of the dragon statue.

We are now leaving the pagoda.

NEXT... Son Tran Peninsula and the Deck House