Long Son Pagoda Nha Trang – an ancient, tranquil temple at the foot of Trai Thuy mountain
Amidst the vibrant pace of life in the coastal city of Nha Trang, Long Son Pagoda stands as a famous spiritual destination, deeply rooted in the cultural and religious life of the people of Khanh Hoa. The pagoda is also familiarly known as the White Buddha Pagoda or Dang Long Pagoda, located at 22 23/10 Street, Nha Trang. Older records indicate the pagoda belongs to Phuong Son Ward; in more recent administrative information, it is mentioned as being in the area of Western Nha Trang Ward.
The defining feature of Long Son Pagoda is its location at the foot of Trai Thuy mountain, where the majestic Kim Than Phat To statue sits on the summit. From a distance, visitors passing through the 23/10 Street area can easily see the white Buddha statue standing out against the Nha Trang sky. Khanh Hoa Newspaper describes this as one of the most famous pagodas in the city, attracting local residents and travelers alike for pilgrimages and sightseeing.
A historical legacy of over a century
Long Son Pagoda is a pagoda with a long history in Nha Trang. Khanh Hoa Newspaper refers to it as a century-old pagoda, associated with the image of the Kim Than Phat To statue on the peak of Trai Thuy mountain. Despite the passage of time, the pagoda continues to serve as an important center for local Buddhist activities, while remaining a familiar cultural and spiritual destination for visitors to Khanh Hoa.
The atmosphere of the pagoda is serene and quiet. From the entrance, visitors can sense the separation between the urban bustle outside and the peaceful air within the temple grounds. The temple roofs, rows of trees, steps, incense smoke, and the sound of bells create a contemplative space, suitable for worship, sightseeing, and learning about Buddhist culture.
The Kim Than Phat To statue – a prominent symbol of Long Son Pagoda
When mentioning Long Son Pagoda, one cannot ignore the white Buddha statue on Trai Thuy mountain. According to Khanh Hoa Newspaper, the white Buddha statue placed on the dais stands 24 m from the ground and 21 m from the base; the lotus pedestal is 10 m wide, and the Kim Than Phat To statue itself is 14 m high, in a majestic meditative posture amidst the sky. It is the statue's striking white color that has led the people of Nha Trang to commonly call this place the White Buddha Pagoda.
The path to the Buddha statue is a small journey within the pagoda visit. Visitors walk up the steps, admiring the scenery while feeling the tranquil space of Trai Thuy mountain. From the dais area, one can gaze out over the city of Nha Trang, feeling the harmony between the monastic grounds, the hills, and the coastal city.
A cultural and spiritual space in the heart of the city
Long Son Pagoda is not just a place of worship but also an important religious center for Buddhism in Khanh Hoa. Many major Buddhist events in the province are held here. The Great Vesak Celebration, Buddhist calendar year 2570, was held solemnly at Long Son Pagoda, with the attendance of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Khanh Hoa province, government representatives, and numerous monks, nuns, and Buddhists.
This shows that Long Son Pagoda has value beyond tourism; it is an active cultural and religious institution connected to the spiritual life of the community. Locals come to the pagoda to pray to the Buddha, seek peace, and participate in religious activities; visitors come to sightsee, learn about the architecture, admire the white Buddha statue, and experience a unique aspect of Nha Trang's culture.
Value for Nha Trang tourism
On the tourism map of Nha Trang, Long Son Pagoda is a destination that adds cultural depth to the exploration of the coastal city. If Nha Trang's beaches offer a free-spirited, vibrant beauty, then Long Son Pagoda provides a peaceful silence. This is a place where visitors can step away from the tourist streets, enter a spiritual space, admire Buddhist architecture, and look out over the city from Trai Thuy mountain.
Long Son Pagoda Nha Trang is an ancient temple rich in historical, cultural, and spiritual value. With its location at the foot of Trai Thuy mountain, the majestic Kim Than Phat To statue on the peak, and the serene pagoda space in the heart of the urban area, this place has become a familiar destination for the people of Khanh Hoa and travelers from all over.
Coming to Long Son Pagoda, visitors not only get to worship, sightsee, and view the famous white Buddha statue, but also have the opportunity to feel a deeper side of Nha Trang – a place where, alongside the blue sea and the city streets, there exist cultural and spiritual spaces that persistently preserve the serene beauty of the Land of Agarwood.
