Vietnam - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 258

( 063-382 2070; 3 Ð Huynh Thuc Khang; admission 40,000d; 7am-7pm) A free-wheeling archi-
tectural exploration of surrealism, Hang Nga Crazy House defies definition. Joyously de-
signed, outrageously artistic, this private home is a monument to the creative potential of
concrete, with sculptured rooms connected by super-slim bridges and an excess of cascad-
ing lava-flow-like shapes. Think Gaudí on acid.
Wander around as you please; getting lost is definitely part of the experience.
A note of caution for those with young kids: the Crazy House's maze of precarious tun-
nels, walkways and ladders are certainly not child safe. Be extra vigilant.

Bao Dai's Summer Palace
(Ð Trieu Viet Vuong; admission 15,000d; 7am-5pm) A faded art-deco-influenced villa, this was
one of three palaces Bao Dai (the last emperor of the Nguyen dynasty) kept in Dalat. The
building's design is striking, though it's in serious need of restoration and the once-mod-
ern interior is distinctly scruffy, with tatty net curtains and chipped furniture. Bao Dai's
imposing office, with its royal and military seals and flags, is still impressive.

HISTORIC BUILDING

Truc Lam Pagoda & Cable Car
(Ho Tuyen Lam; cable car (one-way/return adult 50,000/70,000d, child 30,000/40,000d; cable car
7.30-11.30am & 1.30-5pm) For a spiritual recharge, visit Truc Lam Pagoda, which enjoys a
hilltop setting and has splendid gardens. It's an active monastery (ask about meditation
sessions) and the grounds are expansive enough to escape the odd tour group. Be sure to
arrive by cable car (the terminus is 3km south of the centre), which soars over majestic
pine forests.
From the monastery it's a 15-minute walk down to the shore of Tuyen Lam Lake (actu-
ally a reservoir), where there are cafes and boats for hire. Both the pagoda and lake can
also be reached by road via turn-offs from Hwy 20.

BUDDHIST TEMPLE

Lam Dong Museum
( 063-382 0387; 4 Ð Hung Vuong; admission 10,000d; 7.30-11.30am & 1.30-4.30pm Mon-Sat)
Housed in a modern pink building, this hillside museum displays ancient artefacts and
pottery, costumes and musical instruments of local ethnic minorities, and propaganda
about the government support for their mountain neighbours. There are informative exhib-
its about Alexandre Yersin and the history of Dalat on the upper level.

MUSEUM

Xuan Huong Lake

LAKE