A corner of Da Nang by night, by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department
Da Nang is Vietnam's third largest city. It is also the largest and most important municipal area of the Central region, widely considered as the most livable city in Vietnam. Not only is the city famous for its beaches, Da Nang’s charm also lays in its geographical position: leaning against the majestic Truong Son mountains (or the Annamite Range), as well as having Son Tra Peninsula embracing the sea. Hai Van Pass, shaped by this ideal geographical feature is praised as "The most marvelous scenery of all" for having an amazing view overlooking the sea, besides the notoriously dangerous curves. Da Nang is also the center of 3 world cultural heritages, Hue Ancient Town, Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary.
The city of bridges
Along with the gorgeous Han river, flowing through Da Nang city like a delicate ribbon, bridges are some of Da Nang's most famous specialties.
Han River Bridge - Vietnam's first swinging brigde
Besides serving transportation purposes, the Han River Bridge also has great aesthetic values. Many people say that the swing bridge is as beautiful as a painting in the heart of the city.
Close-up of Han River Bridge in Da Nang City by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department
The bridge was built in 1998 with a length of 188 meters and a width of 13 meters, being the only swing bridge in Vietnam.
The panoramic view of the Han River bridge in Da Nang by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department
The purpose of Han River Bridge swinging is to serve waterway traffic, to facilitate the passage of boats and ships.
Close-up of Han River Bridge in Da Nang City by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department
Every day, around 23:00, the middle part of the bridge turns 90 degrees around the axis and lies along the flow of the river, paving the way for large ships to pass through. Around 00:00 am, the bridge will return to normal.
Dragon Bridge
Dragon Bridge has a length of 666.5 meters, weighs nearly 9,000 tons, 6 lanes, 5 spans, and 2 pedestrian lanes. The Dragon Bridge crosses the Han River at a very favorable location, connecting Da Nang airport with a beautiful beach. The Dragon Bridge has a unique architecture that simulates the mighty dragon figure of the Ly Dynasty, heading toward the sea. The bridge has become an important highlight, an architectural symbol of the city. The distinctive feature of the bridge is the model of steel beam structure system in the form of a dragon flying over the Han River. This is said to be the unique design of bearing structure in the world, which is a combination of steel beams, steel arches and concrete beams. Another highlight of the Dragon Bridge is that it performs fire-breathing, spraying water every Saturday and Sunday night at 21:00.
Golden Bridge - The new wonder of Da Nang
Golden Bridge was built in 2018 and located in the campus of Ba Na resort, at an altitude of 1,414 meters above sea level. The Golden Bridge is located in Thien Thai Garden (Le Jardin D’amour flower garden) on the Ba Na Hills Sun World tourist site. One end of the bridge connects to the Sensory Garden, and the other end leads directly to the Botton Dome (transfer point between Station 10 and Station 11). Golden Bridge is considered a very unique transfer point for travelers when traveling from the Le Jardin D’amour flower garden to the French Village area.
Golden Bridge - Ba Na - Da Nang 6Quang Binh Tourism Department
The stone hand of Golden BridgeQuang Binh Tourism Department
Golden Bridge - Ba Na - Da Nang 7Quang Binh Tourism Department
Walking on the Golden BridgeQuang Binh Tourism Department
Golden Bridge was listed as one of the World's Most Striking Pedestrian Bridges by the Guardian in 2018
Son Tra Peninsula - The green lung of Da Nang
Located 10 km from the City center to the Northeast, Son Tra Peninsula is considered the old eco-jungle within a young city. It is the nature reserve rich in diversity, protected under the nationally restricted forest regime with many rare wild animals, especially pygathrix (red-shanked douc) is on the IUCN Red List of endangered species.
The main sanctury of Linh Ung pagoda, Da Nang by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department
Linh Ung Pagoda was built from 2004 to 2010, located on Son Tra peninsula, Da Nang city. This is one of three pagodas named "Linh Ung" in Da Nang city.
Linh Ung Pagoda's main gate in Son Tra PeninsulaQuang Binh Tourism Department
Linh Ung (or “Miraculous”) Pagoda is located on Bai But, Son Tra Peninsula, around 10km to the North East from Danang city center, initiated by the late Buddhist monk Thich Thien Nguyen.
The statue of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva in Linh Ung pagoda, Da Nang by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department
The unique feature of the pagoda is the Avalokiteśvara. This is the most special and unique religious works, built with much efforts, talents, sweats and tears. Originally the statue was planned to be 32-meter high, but eventually was finished at 67-meter high, the diameter of lotus support was 35 meters.
Close-up of the Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva's statue, Linh Ung PagodaQuang Binh Tourism Department
Inside the statue, there are 12 levels, each with different altars. The altar on the ground floor is for worshiping Avalokiteśvara and Kṣitigarbha. The second floor to the 12th floor are for worshiping Avalokitesvara in different forms, and the top floor worships The Seven Buddhas of Antiquity.
Overview of Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department
The importance while building the statue that was stressed by the late Buddhist monk and the artists was how to express the four immesurables: oving-kindness or benevolence (metta); compassion (karuna); empathetic joy (mudita); equanimity (upekkha) of the Buddha.
Lumbini Garden of Linh Ung Pagoda in Da Nang by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department
From the main entrances, one can see 18 La Han (Eighteen Arhats) solemnly lining up in two rows leading to the main temple. The main temple is the praying area, in the middle is Siddhārtha Gautama, on the right is Avalokiteśvara, and on the left is Kṣitigarbha and The Four Heavenly Kings.
A statue of De Thich deity on Ban Co peak by Tran Tuan VietQuang Binh Tourism Department
A statue of De Thich deity (the chess king) played chess on the top of Ban Co, Da Nang city
Tran Tuan Viet
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