Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a local architect - Mra Dang Viet Nga,
the daughter of Ho Chi Minh's
right-hand man who studied
architecture in Soviet Moscow. Not that
that's evident in her creation - a bizarre,
Gaudí-meets-Lord-of-the-Rings
construction of intertwining buildings
joined by seemingly organic, tangled
walkways and drowning in
bougainvillea, with the gingerbread
cottage in the little garden peeking from
behind giant cobwebs and oversized
mushrooms. It's a wonderful adventure
playground for adults and children
alike, though you have to watch your
step on the higher walkways, as there's
little to stop you from plummeting to
your doom. If you want to stay here and
don't mind crowds tramping past your
room every morning, there are ten
individually themed rooms ( T 063
3822070; from $35) that are cosy
bordering on bizarre; in the Bear Room,
a giant bear with blazing eyes stands
guard over the bed.
Dinh III
On a wooded hillock just off Le Hong
Phong sits the oddly shaped Dinh III
(daily 7am-5pm; 15,000VND),
erstwhile summer palace of Emperor
Bao Dai, erected between 1933 and
1938 to provide him with a bolt hole
between elephant-slaughtering sessions.
he palace has nautical portholes
punched into its walls and a mast-like
pole sprouting from its roof, giving it
the distinct look of a ship's bridge.
Inside, you have the chance to peek into
the emperor's working room, festivities
room and imperial bedrooms, which
are surprisingly modest and reminiscent
of a dated budget hotel. Photos above
the fireplace are those of the crown
prince, Bao Long, and his wife,
Empress Nam Phuong.
11
Lam Ty Ni Pagoda
Lam Ty Ni Pagoda , at the western edge of
town, north of Le Hong Phong on
hien My, is home to Vien huc, the
so-called “mad monk” of Da Lat, who is
also a poet, gardener, builder, sculptor,
artist and somewhat astute businessman.
His studio is stacked with more than
100,000 abstract watercolours and oils,
all for sale; Vien huc relishes visitors,
to whom he gives full conducted tours
in English. here's no fee, but there's
some pressure to purchase one of his
on-the-spot sketches for $1; opening
hours are irregular.
Lake Xuan Huong and Ga Da Lat
Cycling or walking the 7km path
around the banana-shaped, man-made
Lake Xuan Huong is a pleasant pastime
and takes in Da Lat's flower gardens
(daily 7.30am-5pm; 12,000VND) at
the northeastern corner. From there you
continue south down Ba Huyen hanh
Quan, with the option of striking east
up Nguyen Trai to Ga Da Lat , the city's
Art Deco train station at 1 Quang
Trung, built in 1938. Only one tourist
train runs along the restored section of
the cog railway (5 daily, according to
demand; 30min; 120,000VND return)
to the village of Trai Mat , 7km away. he
train idles for thirty minutes - time
enough to take a look at Linh Phuoc
Pagoda - before returning to Da Lat.
Back at the southwest corner of the lake
on Tran Phu, Da Lat's charming pink
Venetian-style cathedral , completed in
1942, is dedicated to St Nicholas,
protector of the poor; its seventy
stained-glass windows were mostly
crafted in Grenoble, though you're
unlikely to get a peek at them from the
inside unless there's a Mass going on.
Waterfalls
here are several waterfalls located
around Da Lat, most of which are modest
cascades but nevertheless make for a
pleasant stop. he closest one is Datanla
Falls (5000VND), 7km south of Da Lat,
off Highway 20, just past the turn-off
to Tuyen Lam Lake. he impressive
Elephant Falls , 30km west of Da Lat, are
best admired from below after you
scramble up the hazardous path to the
base of the falls.
Cuong Hoan Traditional Silk Centre
If you're interested in how silk is made or
want to purchase some, the family-run
Cuong Hoan Traditional Silk Centre (daily
 
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