Updated: 11/19/2019
Long Son (Chùa Long Sơn) is a famous pagoda that attracts many tourists in Nha Trang coastal city, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam (Việt Nam). Long Son Pagoda along with Kim Than Buddha (Kim Thân Phật Tổ) is the symbol of Nha Trang city’s beauty. This pagoda is located at No. 20, 23/10 Street, Phuong Son Ward. More specifically, it lies at the foot of Trai Thuy Hill (Đồi Trại Thủy) of the city.
An Overview about Long Son Pagoda
Long Son Pagoda is located on a high land covered by green trees and adjacent to crowded roads. However, it still retains the deep and tranquil beauty. The atmosphere in this pagoda is very fresh and pleasant. There are pots of plants with many postures and shapes that are carefully cared for in the pagoda. They bring the nature’s vitality to this pure land.
Source: youvivu
Long Son Pagoda is also known as Phat Trang Pagoda (Chùa Phật Trắng). Previously, it was called Dang Long Pagoda (Đằng Long Tự). When visiting Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang, tourists will be impressed by its pagoda gate. It is made of stone carved with many details to highlight the ancient beauty of this pagoda.
Source: vietnamtourism
This pagoda was built by Ngo Chi (Ngộ Chí) in 1886 at the peak of Thuy Thuy Hill. Initially, the pagoda was constructed from light materials. In the year of Canh Ty (Canh Tý) 1900, the pagoda was destroyed so the monk Ngo Chi moved it to the foot of the mountain – the current location. Then the pagoda was renovated and re-roofed with yin and yang tiles. Its name was also changed into Long Son Pagoda.
Source: Nha Trang Travel Photos By Hieu HD
In 1936, according to the wishes of Ngo Chi, the pagoda was donated to Hoi An Nam Buddhist University to become the headquarter of Khanh Hoa (Khánh Hòa) Buddhism. Up to now, Long Son Pagoda was the headquarters of Khanh Hoa Buddhist Church.
Source: thegioiuudai
In 1941 the pagoda was restored with the control of President Ton That Quyen (Tôn Thất Quyền) and the layman Vo Dinh Thuy (Võ Đình Thụy). In 1968, the tile roof of this pagoda was destroyed by the war. In 1971, Venerable Thich Thien Binh (Thích Thiện Bình) pioneered the restoration of Long Son Pagoda. Until 1975, the restoration was completed about 60% of the original design by the architect Vo Dinh Diep (Võ Đình Diệp).
Source: vi.wikipedia
The campus of this pagoda is over 3000 square meters. From its entrance to the right, there are Khanh Hoa Middle School and Khanh Hoa Buddhist Church headquarters.
The roof of the pagoda is designed in Vietnamese temples’ architectural style with sophisticated details.
What To See In Long Son Pagoda?
On the right of the pagoda, there is a stone dragon sculpture with soft lines characterizing the Ly dynasty (triều Lý). Over time, Long Son pagoda is still beautiful and symbolize for the beauty of time that cannot be ignored if you have a chance to travel to Nha Trang.
The main hall of the pagoda is 1,680m2 wide, which is enough for hundreds of Buddhist and pilgrims to hold ceremonies. In particular, this place has a bronze Buddha statue which is 1.6m high and weighs 700kg.
From the pagoda, to go to the top of Trai Thuy hill (đồi Trại Thủy), tourists have to go through many steps. Up to the 44th, visitors will be able to admire the famous statue of Buddha in the nirvana. The ancient architecture and vigorous stretch of the pagoda make it both fresh and majestic.
At this ideal height, you can easily see the panoramic view of beautiful Nha Trang city, large and small islands and the vast natural forest landscape.
The echo of bells in the vast mountains creates contemplative feelings in the heart of tourists. Scenes seem quieter in the space of majesty and peace of the pagoda.
Source: vietnammoi
At the top of the Trai Thuy Hill, you will see Kim Than Buddha statue (Tượng Kim Thân Phật Tổ) with a calm and relaxed smile in the clear blue sky.
On the way to Nha Trang, whether by car or train, visitors can see the white Buddha statue in the blue sky – a beautiful icon of Long Son Pagoda.
Below the Buddha, there is an entrance to the area containing the walls divided into separate compartments for the remains of the dead people sent by Buddhist families. Although only a narrow area, this place is also the stopping place of the souls every night looking forward to the Buddha land.
The harmony of the unique architecture and surrounding natural landscape of shady greenery and shady mountain ranges of Long Son Pagoda will make the visitors feel very comfortable.
On the 1st and 15th of the lunar monthly, many visitors come to Long Son Pagoda to worship, watch or “seek” the peace and quietness in their soul.
Over the hundreds of years, Long Son Pagoda has become the largest temple in the remaining temples in Khanh Hoa province to now, creating a famous landscape of the beautiful Nha Trang city.
Every day, the pagoda welcomes a large number of Buddhists and domestic and foreign tourists to visit and worship. People in Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa always proud of Long Son Pagoda as one of indispensable tourist attractions of travelers.
