Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills - 3 Linh Ung Pagodas in Da Nang: A Visitor’s Guide from Son Tra to Ba Na

When people mention the Linh Ung Pagoda in Da Nang, many visitors immediately think of the pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula, with its Lady Buddha statue facing the sea. In fact, Da Nang has three pagodas that share the name Linh Ung, located at Son Tra, Ngu Hanh Son and Ba Na.

The three pagodas sit in three different parts of the city, and each has its own character. Linh Ung Son Tra stands out for its large scale and sea-facing setting. Linh Ung Ngu Hanh Son is tied to the long history of Thuy Son Mountain. Linh Ung Ba Na lies among mountain forests at around 1,400 m above sea level and is known for its 27 m Shakyamuni Buddha statue.

So if your time is limited, there is no need to visit all three on the same trip. Understanding the location and character of each pagoda will help you choose the one that best fits your Da Nang itinerary.

How Are the 3 Linh Ung Pagodas in Da Nang Different?

These three sites lie in three different directions from the city centre. Rather than treating the “Three Linh Ung Pagodas” (Tam Linh Ung Tu) as a single day route, it makes more sense to add each pagoda to the area you already plan to explore.

1. Linh Ung Pagoda Son Tra – A Pagoda Facing the Sea

• Location: Bai But, Son Tra Peninsula
• Suitable for: First-time visitors to Da Nang, families and visitors who want to combine sightseeing with scenic views
• Highlights: 67 m Lady Buddha statue, spacious grounds and sea views

Of the three pagodas, Linh Ung Bai But on Son Tra Peninsula is the one most visitors know, as images of this pagoda usually appear first in search results.

Construction began in 2004 and the pagoda was inaugurated in 2010. It is the largest of the city’s three Linh Ung pagodas, with a complex set on Son Tra Peninsula facing out to sea.

The 67-Metre Lady Buddha Statue

The highlight of the grounds is the 67 m statue of Guan Yin Bodhisattva, often called the Lady Buddha. Standing on a lotus pedestal, the statue faces the sea while the forested mountains of Son Tra rise behind it. It can also be seen from many places along the Da Nang coastline. At the pagoda, visitors can spend time in the main hall, around the Buddha statues, along the row of Arhat statues and in the courtyards overlooking the sea.

Rather than stopping only for photos, allow about an hour to walk around the grounds and take in the architecture and surrounding scenery.

How to Get to Linh Ung Pagoda Son Tra

From the city centre or My Khe Beach, the usual route follows the coastal road and then continues onto Hoang Sa Street up to Son Tra Peninsula. The pagoda is about 10 km northeast of the city centre. The distance is not long, but the road has some steep slopes and bends as it climbs onto the peninsula. If you are not used to riding a motorbike on hilly roads, a taxi or car is an easier option to arrange.

Morning is a convenient time if you want to combine Linh Ung Pagoda with My Khe Beach or continue exploring Son Tra. Late afternoon is cooler, but avoid letting a trip deeper into the peninsula run too late.

2. Linh Ung Pagoda Ngu Hanh Son – An Ancient Pagoda on Thuy Son Mountain

• Location: Thuy Son Mountain, Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains)
• Suitable for: Visitors interested in history, architecture and spiritual spaces
• Highlights: Traditional architecture, Xa Loi Tower, Tang Chon Cave and rocky mountain scenery

If Linh Ung Son Tra impresses with its scale and sea views, Linh Ung Ngu Hanh Son carries a stronger sense of history. The pagoda began as a small hermitage in the first half of the 17th century. In 1825, Emperor Minh Mang had it rebuilt and named it Ung Chon Tu. The name Linh Ung Tu has been used since the reign of Emperor Thanh Thai and remains today. This makes Linh Ung Ngu Hanh Son the oldest of the three Linh Ung pagodas in Da Nang.

From Linh Ung Pagoda to the Caves of Thuy Son Mountain

The pagoda is part of the Ngu Hanh Son scenic complex, so a visit usually goes beyond the place of worship. After visiting the pagoda, you can continue to Tang Chon Cave and other sites on Thuy Son Mountain. The combination of rocky mountains, caves and an ancient pagoda creates an experience quite different from the open sea views at Son Tra.

The area has many steps and involves a fair amount of walking. If travelling with young children or older family members, consider their physical ability and allow extra rest time rather than trying to see every spot in one session.

How Much Time Should You Spend at Ngu Hanh Son?

If you only want to visit Linh Ung and a few nearby spots, around half a day is comfortable. Visitors who want to explore more caves, pagodas and sites on Thuy Son Mountain should allow more time.

Although visiting the pagoda is free, if you would like to explore more of the Ngu Hanh Son scenic area, check official fees and ticket prices before you go. After coming down the mountain, Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village is nearby and can be included in the same trip.

3. Linh Ung Pagoda Ba Na – A Spiritual Space on Chua Mountain

• Location: Sun World Ba Na Hills
• Suitable for: Visitors already planning to visit Ba Na Hills, couples and families
• Highlights: 27 m Shakyamuni Buddha statue, Mahayana Buddhist architecture and mountain forest scenery

The third Linh Ung Pagoda is located within Sun World Ba Na Hills, at around 1,400 m on Chua Mountain. Its foundation stone was laid in 1999 and it was inaugurated in 2004.

The atmosphere here feels quite different from the other two pagodas. Rather than facing the sea or sitting among limestone mountains, Linh Ung Ba Na is surrounded by forest and clouds, with cooler temperatures than the city centre.

The 27-Metre Shakyamuni Buddha Statue

The pagoda’s most recognisable feature is the 27 m statue of Shakyamuni Buddha seated in meditation, the largest Shakyamuni Buddha statue in Da Nang.

The pagoda follows Mahayana (Northern) Buddhist architecture, with a three-entrance gate, courtyard, worship hall, main hall and other spaces of worship. The grounds also feature rows of three-needle pines and open views over the mountains below. On cloudy or lightly misty days, the scenery around the pagoda changes noticeably, offering a contrast to the busier attractions elsewhere in Ba Na Hills.

Combine Linh Ung Pagoda and Golden Bridge in One Journey

Linh Ung Pagoda Ba Na is located in the same sightseeing area as many other highlights. From the cable car line up to the Marseille station area, visitors can combine Golden Bridge and the mid-mountain attractions before walking to the pagoda. Cable car routes may change depending on daily operations, so follow the signage on site.

If this is your first visit to Ba Na Hills, Da Nang Golden Bridge is easy to include in the first part of your journey. Afterwards, you can continue up to the French Village rather than rushing back to the city right after visiting the pagoda.

Which Linh Ung Pagoda Should You Choose If You Are Short on Time?

Not every trip needs to include all three pagodas. The right choice depends more on which area you already plan to explore.

If your itinerary includes My Khe Beach and Son Tra Peninsula, Linh Ung Bai But is the most convenient choice. Beyond its spiritual atmosphere, it offers sea views and the 67 m Lady Buddha statue.

If you want to learn about history, traditional architecture and caves, Linh Ung Ngu Hanh Son is a better fit. The trip can cover the whole Thuy Son area in one session.

If you have already set aside a day for Ba Na Hills, there is no need to make Linh Ung Ba Na a separate trip. The pagoda can be visited together with Golden Bridge and the mid-mountain areas before continuing up to the French Village.

Should You Visit All Three Linh Ung Pagodas on One Da Nang Trip?

If you are staying in Da Nang for several days and have a particular interest in culture and spirituality, you can certainly arrange to visit all three pagodas. However, avoid trying to fit them into the same day.

Linh Ung Son Tra lies to the northeast, Ngu Hanh Son to the south and Ba Na Hills to the west of the city. Travelling in three directions in a single day means most of your time will be spent on the road. An easier approach is to set aside one session for Son Tra, another for Ngu Hanh Son, then include Linh Ung Ba Na on the day dedicated to Ba Na Hills.

Tips for Visiting the Linh Ung Pagodas

Although all three pagodas are popular attractions, they are first and foremost active religious sites. Dress modestly and respectfully, especially when entering the main hall or areas of worship. During your visit, keep your voice low, avoid inappropriate poses in front of Buddha statues and do not disturb people who are praying.

Comfortable shoes also matter. The Son Tra grounds are spacious, Ngu Hanh Son has many steps and walking paths, and Ba Na Hills is usually part of a sightseeing day lasting many hours. For details such as opening hours, cable car routes or scenic area tickets, check official sources before your trip, as operating conditions may change.

Combine Linh Ung Pagoda Ba Na with a Night in the French Village

If you have chosen Linh Ung Ba Na, your journey does not need to end in the afternoon. Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills is located right in the French Village, so visitors can continue from the spiritual area to the attractions above and then stay overnight on the mountain.

Compared with a day trip, a stay inside Ba Na Hills gives your itinerary more time for the French Village, dining and relaxing, rather than squeezing everything in before the last cable car down.

Once daytime sightseeing ends, Ba Na Hills at night takes on a different rhythm as the number of day visitors gradually falls. If you plan to stay overnight, you can head to a restaurant in Ba Na Hills, enjoy dinner and stay right at Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills.

Frequently Asked Questions About Linh Ung Pagodas in Da Nang

How many Linh Ung pagodas are there in Da Nang?

Da Nang has three Linh Ung pagodas, located on Son Tra Peninsula, at Ngu Hanh Son and in Ba Na Hills.

Which Linh Ung Pagoda has the 67-metre Lady Buddha statue?

It is Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula. The Lady Buddha statue stands 67 m tall and faces the sea.

Which Linh Ung Pagoda is the oldest?

Linh Ung Ngu Hanh Son has the longest history of the three. It was first established several centuries ago and went through several reconstructions and name changes before becoming Linh Ung.

What is special about Linh Ung Pagoda Ba Na?

The pagoda sits at around 1,400 m on Chua Mountain and features a 27 m Shakyamuni Buddha statue. It is one of the most notable spiritual sites in Sun World Ba Na Hills.

Is there an entrance fee for Linh Ung Pagoda Son Tra?

There is no entrance fee. However, visitors still need to cover their own transport costs to Son Tra Peninsula.

Is Linh Ung Pagoda Ngu Hanh Son free to visit?

There is no separate fee to enter the pagoda, but as it is located within the Thuy Son scenic area, you may need a scenic area ticket or pay for other services. Check current fees before your trip.

Do you need a separate ticket to visit Linh Ung Pagoda Ba Na?

The pagoda has no separate ticket, but because it is located within Sun World Ba Na Hills, visitors need access to the resort and the cable car to reach the area.

Should you visit all three Linh Ung pagodas in one day?

No. The three pagodas are in three different directions from Da Nang, so splitting them into separate sessions or days reduces travel time and gives you more time in each area.