Truc Lam Zen Monastery Dalat 2026: Cable Car & Hours

Truc Lam Zen Monastery (Thiền viện Trúc Lâm Đà Lạt) is a working Buddhist monastery on Phoenix Mountain (núi Phụng Hoàng), about 5 km south of central Da Lat, overlooking Tuyen Lam Lake. Built in 1993–1994 in the Truc Lam Zen tradition, it is famous for its flower gardens, bonsai and the 2.3 km cable car from Robin Hill. Entry is free; the cable car is paid.

Status (checked October 2026): open daily as normal; entry to the monastery is free. The Robin Hill cable car, run by Dalattourist, operates daily (Monday–Friday 7:30–12:00 and 13:00–17:00; weekends 7:30–17:00 without a break) at 120,000 VND one way or 150,000 VND return for adults; it may pause in storms or strong wind.

Why Truc Lam Zen Monastery is worth seeing:

The cable car ride: about 12 minutes gliding over pine forest from Robin Hill, one of Da Lat’s best views.
Calm Zen architecture: tiled roofs, wooden halls and courtyards in the Vietnamese Truc Lam style.
Beautiful gardens: hydrangeas, roses, pines and carefully shaped bonsai trees throughout the grounds.
Tuyen Lam Lake views: steps lead down from the monastery to the lake shore.
Free entry: a peaceful, budget-friendly half day when combined with the lake.

Truc Lam Zen Monastery at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Thiền viện Trúc Lâm Đà Lạt (Thiền viện Trúc Lâm Phượng Hoàng)
Location	Phoenix Mountain, off Trieu Viet Vuong road, above Tuyen Lam Lake, Xuan Huong – Da Lat Ward, Lam Dong province
Distance	About 5 km south of Xuan Huong Lake; cable car station on Robin Hill about 3 km from the centre
Built	1993–1994, conceived by Zen Master Thích Thanh Từ
Known for	Zen monastery, gardens and bonsai, Robin Hill cable car, Tuyen Lam Lake views
Opening hours	Daily in daytime (visitors generally from about 7:00 to 17:00)
Entrance fee	Free; cable car 120,000 VND one way / 150,000 VND return (adults)
Time needed	1–1.5 hours, plus the cable car
Best time	Morning (8:00–10:00), dry season December–April
Nearby	Tuyen Lam Lake, Datanla Waterfall, Robin Hill, Bao Dai Palace
Find it	Google Maps · Cable car station (map) · Tripadvisor

Is Truc Lam Zen Monastery Worth Visiting?

Yes, for most visitors. The combination of the cable car over the pine hills, the quiet monastery gardens and the walk down to Tuyen Lam Lake is one of the most rewarding half days in Da Lat, and it costs little. Remember that it is a working monastery where monks and nuns live and practise, so it is a place for quiet appreciation rather than entertainment.

Best for: first-time visitors, photographers, garden lovers, anyone interested in Vietnamese Buddhism.
Skip if: you are uneasy with heights and do not want to take a taxi instead, or you have already seen many pagodas.
Short on time: take the cable car one way, spend 45 minutes in the gardens and main hall, then continue by taxi to Datanla Waterfall.

History of Truc Lam Zen Monastery

Truc Lam Zen Monastery was conceived by the Venerable Thích Thanh Từ, the monk who revived the Trúc Lâm Yên Tử school of Zen in modern Vietnam. Construction on Phoenix Mountain began in 1993 and the monastery was completed and inaugurated in 1994. The Trúc Lâm school itself traces back to the 13th century, when King Trần Nhân Tông abdicated and became a monk on Yen Tu Mountain, founding a distinctly Vietnamese Zen tradition.

Today the monastery is one of the largest Zen centres in Vietnam. It is divided into an outer area open to visitors and inner areas reserved for monks and nuns, who follow a disciplined schedule of meditation and study.

What to See at Truc Lam Zen Monastery

1. The Robin Hill cable car

The Da Lat cable car runs about 2,267 m from Robin Hill (Đồi Robin) to the monastery in about 12 minutes. In operation since 2003, it passes over pine forest and hillside farms, with views towards the city and Tuyen Lam Lake.

2. The main hall (Chánh điện)

The main hall houses a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha holding a lotus, flanked by the bodhisattvas Manjushri on a lion and Samantabhadra on a white elephant. Visitors may enter quietly; shoes come off at the door.

3. The bell tower and courtyards

Next to the main hall, the bell tower and stone courtyards frame views over the forest. Mornings are the most peaceful time here.

Drum tower and gardens of Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Dalat — Flower gardens surround the monastery buildings. Photo: Prenn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

4. The flower gardens and bonsai

The grounds are planted with hydrangeas, roses, marigolds and other blooms, along with sculpted bonsai and pine trees. This is where most visitors spend their time photographing.

5. Tinh Tam Lake and the steps to Tuyen Lam

Below the monastery, a small pond and around 140 stone steps lead down to the shore of Tuyen Lam Lake, where boats leave for lakeside resorts and ecotourism sites.

Truc Lam Zen Monastery Tickets and Opening Hours (2026)

Item	Price / hours	Notes
Monastery entry	Free	Donations welcome in the box in the main hall
Cable car, one way	120,000 VND adult (about 4.60 USD); 100,000 VND child	Robin Hill to the monastery or the reverse
Cable car, return	150,000 VND adult (about 5.70 USD); 120,000 VND child	Book online or at the station
Cable car hours	Mon–Fri 7:30–12:00 and 13:00–17:00; Sat–Sun 7:30–17:00	May stop in bad weather
Visitor hours, monastery	About 7:00–17:00 daily	Inner areas closed to the public

Cable car fares are set by the operator, Lam Dong Tourism JSC (Dalattourist); check the official Dalattourist website before you go. The monastery itself has no ticket office.

Rules and Etiquette at Truc Lam Zen Monastery

Cover shoulders and knees; avoid short shorts, crop tops and sleeveless tops.
Speak softly and keep phones on silent; this is a place of meditation.
Do not enter areas marked for monks or nuns only.
Remove shoes before entering the main hall; do not point your feet at altars.
Ask before photographing monks or nuns, and do not use drones.

How to Get to Truc Lam Zen Monastery

From	How	Time
Central Da Lat to Robin Hill	Taxi or Grab to the cable car station (1 Dong Da Street)	About 10 minutes
Robin Hill	Cable car to the monastery	About 12 minutes
Central Da Lat (by road)	Taxi, Grab or motorbike via Trieu Viet Vuong road	About 15–20 minutes
Datanla Waterfall	Taxi via Prenn Pass and Tuyen Lam Lake	About 10 minutes
Lien Khuong Airport	Taxi or private car	About 35–40 minutes

More options are in our Dalat transport guide.

Best Time to Visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery

When	What to expect
December–April	Dry, sunny and clear views from the cable car; peak season
Late December–February	Cherry blossoms and Tet flowers in the gardens; busiest weekends
May–November	Green and quiet; afternoon rain may pause the cable car
Early morning	Mist over the lake, calm atmosphere, fewer tour groups
Weekends and holidays	Queues at the cable car; go early

Local Expert Tips for Truc Lam Zen Monastery

These tips come from years of arranging Da Lat tours for international travellers.

Take the cable car up and a taxi back (or the reverse) to save time and add variety.
Arrive before 9:00 to beat tour groups and enjoy the mist.
Bring a scarf or light jacket that can cover your shoulders; it is cool at the top.
Combine with Tuyen Lam Lake and Datanla Waterfall for a half-day loop south of the city.
Check the weather; the cable car stops in storms, so have a taxi plan.
Good food stops are listed in our Dalat food guide.

Truc Lam Zen Monastery vs Linh Phuoc Pagoda

	Truc Lam Zen Monastery	Linh Phuoc Pagoda
Location	Phoenix Mountain, about 5 km south	Trai Mat area, about 8 km east
Style	Restrained Zen monastery, gardens	Ornate pagoda covered in ceramic mosaic
Getting there	Cable car or road	Road, or the vintage train from Dalat Railway Station
Cost	Free (cable car paid)	Free
Atmosphere	Calm, contemplative	Colourful and busy

Our view: if you only have time for one, choose Truc Lam for the cable car and setting; add Linh Phuoc if you take the train from Dalat Railway Station to Trai Mat.

Nearby Attractions

Tuyen Lam Lake: Da Lat’s largest lake, directly below the monastery.
Datanla Waterfall: alpine coaster and falls on Prenn Pass.
Bao Dai Palace: Palace III, on the way back to town.
Xuan Huong Lake: the city-centre lake.
Domaine de Marie Church: the pink church west of the centre.

Sightseeing in Da Lat for First-Time Visitors: Where Truc Lam Zen Monastery Fits

Most travellers combine Truc Lam with the cable car, Tuyen Lam Lake and Datanla in one morning, then spend the afternoon at Bao Dai Palace and the railway station. Read our Dalat travel tips and choose a base from our Dalat hotel area guide.

Plan your trip with our Dalat travel guide and Dalat tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Truc Lam Zen Monastery

1. Where is Truc Lam Zen Monastery?

Truc Lam Zen Monastery is on Phoenix Mountain above Tuyen Lam Lake, about 5 km south of central Da Lat, in Xuan Huong – Da Lat Ward, Lam Dong province.

2. Is Truc Lam Zen Monastery free?

Yes, entry to Truc Lam Zen Monastery is free; only the cable car and parking cost money.

3. What are the opening hours of Truc Lam Zen Monastery?

Truc Lam Zen Monastery welcomes visitors daily in the daytime, generally from about 7:00 to 17:00.

4. How much is the cable car to Truc Lam Zen Monastery?

The Robin Hill cable car to Truc Lam Zen Monastery costs 120,000 VND one way and 150,000 VND return for adults (100,000 and 120,000 VND for children).