Datanla Falls
Da Lat, Vietnam
Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Da Lat
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Photo: Diane Selwyn, Public domain, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free; cable car 150,000 VND
- Hours
- Monastery roughly 7:00–17:00 (unofficial); cable car Mon–Fri 7:30–12:00 and 13:00–17:00, Sat–Sun 7:30–17:00
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Monastery entry
- Free; donations optional
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Monastery hours
- Roughly 7:00–17:00; some guides say 5:00–21:00
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Cable car
- 150,000 VND adults, 120,000 VND children
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Cable car hours
- Mon–Fri 7:30–12:00 and 13:00–17:00, Sat–Sun 7:30–17:00 non-stop, last entry 16:45
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Dress code
- Shoulders and knees covered; quiet and shoes off in the hall
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Closed areas
- The monks' and nuns' quarters are off-limits to visitors
- Payment
- Cash in VND at the cable car
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Key facts
1993–1994the monastery was built, opening on 13 March 1994
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English and Vietnamese WikipediaTruc LamVietnam's Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen school; founded by master Thich Thanh Tu
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Vietnamese Wikipedia24 haof grounds, with buildings covering about 2 ha
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English Wikipedia2,267 mthe cable car from Robin Hill (1,517 m above sea level) to the monastery
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Dalattourist website (08.11.2026)150,000 VNDan adult cable car ticket; children 120,000 VND
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Dalattourist website≈ 1,300 mthe altitude of the monastery's plateau above Tuyen Lam Lake
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English Wikipedia≈ 50 + 50about 50 monks and 50 nuns live at the monastery
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English Wikipedia≈ 6 kmby road from Lam Vien Square to the monastery gate; 2.2 km to the lower cable car station
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OpenStreetMapOSRM routeEntrance fee, cable car price and opening hours
Entry to the monastery is free, with donations optional. There's no published visiting timetable: most guides say roughly 7:00–17:00, some 5:00–21:00. Come in the daytime — it's a working monastery, and evenings are for meditation.
The cable car, according to the operator Dalattourist, costs 150,000 VND for adults and 120,000 VND for children. It runs on weekdays 7:30–12:00 and 13:00–17:00, and at weekends 7:30–17:00 without a break, with last entry at 16:45. Guides still quote old prices of 80,000–100,000 VND, which no longer apply. Bring cash in dong.
What is Truc Lam Monastery?
Truc Lam is a Zen monastery of Vietnam's Truc Lam Yen Tu school and the largest in Lam Dong province. It was founded by master Thich Thanh Tu, built in 1993–1994 and opened on 13 March 1994. It sits among pines on Phung Hoang hill above Tuyen Lam Lake, at around 1,300 m.
The grounds cover about 24 ha, with buildings on about 2 ha. There's a public part — the main hall, courtyard, gardens and bell tower — and closed quarters where about 50 monks and 50 nuns live. The main hall is simply furnished, with a Buddha holding a lotus flower; around it are well-kept gardens and views of the lake and mountains.
What to see
- The cable car — 2,267 m over pine forest from Robin Hill; the ride is half the experience.
- The main hall, with a Buddha holding a lotus; shoes off, and quiet please.
- The bell tower — wooden, visible from afar as you approach.
- The gardens, with flowers and ponds between the halls.
- Views of Tuyen Lam Lake and the mountains from the terrace.
- The stone stairs down to the lake, through the triple gate to the water.
How to get to Truc Lam Monastery
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- By cable car — first 2.2 km from Lam Vien Square to the lower station on Robin Hill (5 minutes by Grab; search for "Cáp treo Đà Lạt"), then 2,267 m on the cable car to the monastery.
- By car to the gate — about 6 km from Lam Vien Square via the Prenn Pass and the turn towards Tuyen Lam Lake, 15 minutes by Grab. Search for "Thiền viện Trúc Lâm".
- On foot from Tuyen Lam Lake, up the stone stairs through the triple gate (sources say 140 or 222 steps).
- On to Datanla Falls — about 2.5 km by road, 5–10 minutes by car.
- Return by cable car to Robin Hill, or by Grab from the gate or the lake.
How long do you need, and when to go?
With the cable car both ways, allow 1.5–2 hours; walking down to Tuyen Lam Lake makes it half a day. Mornings are best — quieter, cooler and shorter cable-car queues. On weekdays, remember the cable car's 12:00–13:00 break.
The dry season, November to April, brings clear views of the lake and mountains; in the rainy season, May to October, afternoon showers are common and the cable car may pause in strong wind. Bring a sweater — it's cool up on the hill.
Is Truc Lam Monastery worth visiting?
Yes: the cable car over the pines, a peaceful monastery and the view of Tuyen Lam Lake make one of Da Lat's best combinations. Entry is free, and with Datanla and Prenn it makes a great morning.
The YesGo take: the monastery itself is modern and not huge — its value is in the atmosphere, the gardens and the views. At weekends and holidays it's busy with tour groups and far from serene, so come on a weekday morning. To save on the cable car, take a Grab to the gate — cheaper, but you miss the best view.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
A morning on the Prenn Pass
The cable car from Robin Hill to Truc Lam Monastery, then Datanla Falls with its coaster, and Prenn Falls along the same road. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Truc Lam Monasteryyou are here1 h 30 min · Free; cable car 150,000 VND
- 24 min walk from the previous stopDatanla Falls2 h · 80,000 VND; coaster extra
- 63 min walk from the previous stopPrenn Falls1 h · Combo about 110,000–250,000 VND
3 places · about 5 h 57 min with walks · 87 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- Face the monastery in the cabin to watch it appear among the pines.
- Walk down the stone stairs to Tuyen Lam Lake — it's quiet and lovely at the bottom.
- Come on a weekday morning: weekends bring cable-car queues and tour groups.
- Don't miss the bell tower and gardens — the most photogenic corners.
- From here it's 5–10 minutes to Datanla Falls and its coaster.
Questions
Is there an entrance fee at Truc Lam Monastery?
No — entry is free and donations are optional. Only the cable car is paid: 150,000 VND for adults, 120,000 VND for children.
How much is the Da Lat cable car?
According to the operator, Dalattourist, 150,000 VND for adults and 120,000 VND for children. It's 2,267 m long.
What are the cable car's hours?
Weekdays 7:30–12:00 and 13:00–17:00; weekends 7:30–17:00 without a break; last entry 16:45.
What are Truc Lam Monastery's opening hours?
There's no official schedule; it's usually open roughly 7:00–17:00.
How do I get to Truc Lam Monastery?
By cable car from Robin Hill (2.2 km from the centre), or by Grab to the gate — about 6 km from Lam Vien Square.
What should I wear?
Cover shoulders and knees, take your shoes off before the hall and keep out of the closed quarters.
How long do you need at Truc Lam?
1.5–2 hours with the cable car; half a day if you walk down to Tuyen Lam Lake.
When was Truc Lam Monastery built?
In 1993–1994; it opened on 13 March 1994.
Is Truc Lam Monastery worth visiting?
Yes, for the cable car over the pines, the calm and the view of Tuyen Lam Lake. Best on a weekday morning.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia — Trúc Lâm Monastery of Da Lat: location, area, altitude, monks and nuns, opening on 13.03.1994, steps
- Vietnamese Wikipedia — Thiền viện Trúc Lâm Đà Lạt: Truc Lam Yen Tu school, founder, construction years, main hall, 140 steps
- Dalattourist website (dalattourist.com.vn) — Da Lat cable car (08.11.2026): length, Robin Hill altitude, prices, hours, last entry
- VinWonders, Vinpearl, MyTour and Green SM guides — free entry and monastery hours
- OpenStreetMap — coordinates of the monastery, cable car station and Lam Vien Square; OSRM route — distances
- YesGo general facts for Vietnam — cash and Grab
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