Stepping into Dalat is like stepping into a world of Asian fairy tales with a mix of French influence reflected in some architectural wonders and in the atmosphere. A mecca for honeymooners, Dalat has many notable attractions, usually with a rich history and interesting stories. Palace: there are three remarkable palaces in Dalat which are simply referred as Palace 1, Palace 2 and Palace 3, all built by the French. All palaces boast European architectural beauty. Linh Son Pagoda: is an impressive pagoda built in 1938 located on a hill about 700 metres from the city centre. The highlight of this pagoda is the 1,250 kg bronze statue of Sakyamuni Buddha dating back to the year 1952 placed in the main hall. You can also walk inside a room next to the pagoda which is used for publishing Buddhist pamphlets and books. Dalat Railway Station: (or the Cremaillere Station) is one of the main European landmarks in Vietnam. In the past, the station received three arrivals and departures daily but only tourist rides are offered now. It is interesting to see the zigzagging tracks which were planned and implemented by the Swedish. The coloured glass ceilings in the station are also very interesting. It is about a young woman who went looking in the forest for a chicken in order to be allowed to marry a man of a nearby village. She didn’t find any chickens and died in the forest. The chicken statue was built as a symbol of her true love. Xuan Huong Lake: known as the most beautiful lake in Dalat, the lake was created from a large dam built between 1934 and 1935. The lake was named after Ho Xuan Huong, a 17th century famous Vietnamese poet, and is now a famous destination for relaxation. Bring your camera with you as you will find many nice spots here. Ho Than Tho Lake: (or the Lake of Sorrow or the Lake of Sighs) is about 5 kms northeast of the city. It is a pretty spot despite its sad name. It is believed that a young couple met up here during the war between Vietnam and China. One day, the man was to take arms and then join the army of King Quang Trung-Nguyen Hue to help defend Vietnam. He went to the war but never came back. Truc Lam (Bamboo Forest) Zen Monastery: is different from other temples as it is a working temple where you can see monks at work. Wander (quietly) around meditation halls and classrooms to see the everyday temple life. | 
