If you’re looking to visit a pagoda while in Da Nang, then I would highly recommend that you check out Chau Nam Son Pagoda.
This is by far one of the most peaceful and serene temples you can visit in Da Nang and it’s always on the top of my recommendation list for anyone who want’s to experience a chilled out atmosphere far away from the tourist hot spots.
Where is Chau Nam Son Pagoda
Chau Nam Son Pagoda is located in the south of the city, around 15-20 minutes from the centre/beach area. The pagoda is situated in the Cẩm Lệ District, which is a much quieter and relaxed area of Da Nang.
Although 20 minutes may sound like a long journey to visit a pagoda, especially in Da Nang, you’ll be happy to know that the views of the Cẩm Lệ River and surrounding areas are very beautiful. Additionally, this part of the city isn’t heavily congested with traffic, making the journey fairly straightforward.
Video of Chau Nam Son Pagoda
Check out my POV video walking around the grounds at Chua Nam Son Pagoda
Chau Nam Son Pagoda General Information
Opening hours
Chau Nam Son Pagoda is open every day from 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM to 9:00 PM, with a short closure between 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM.
Entrance fee
Chau Nam Son Pagoda is completely free for visitors, if you would like to support the upkeep of the pagoda you can give a donation after your visit.
What to wear at the Pagoda
Due to the pagoda being an active place of worship, visitors must dress respectfully during their visit. The same rules apply to Chau Nam Son Pagoda as others, wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees and avoid outfits that are overly revealing.
Generally, I would recommend to wear something which is breathable especially during the summer months as it can get very hot at the temple.
It’s also important to note that the pagoda does provide free clothing for visitors who don’t meet the clothing requirements, on my last visit I wore a robe which although memorable not exactly the best during the sweltering summer heat and humidity.
How long to spend at Chau Nam Son Pagoda
How long you spend at Chau Nam Son Pagoda really depends on the type of visit you’re looking for.
If you simply just want to have a walk around the temple grounds, check out the architecture and take some nice photos then you probably won’t need much longer than an hour. The pagoda isn’t exactly a huge complex so you can see all the key areas without your visit feeling rushed. Recently, my Mother and Father visited me and we were able to have a great time in a fairly short period of time, as my parents were found Vietnams summer heat a tad too much for a prolonged visit during the afternoon.
However, I would recommend if you have the time, setting aside over an hour, so that you can full take in the beautiful surrounds and peaceful atmosphere. This amount of time gives you a chance to try out some of the fun activities such as fortune telling and immersing yourself in some of the quieter sections of the temple.
What to do at Chau Nam Son Pagoda
Fortune sticks
One fun activity to try during your visit is finding out your fortune using Kau Cim fortune sticks. This traditional practice is common in Vietnamese temples and pagodas.
The shrine where the fortune sticks are kept is located along the pathway leading towards the main temple complex. A series of bridges connect this section of the pagoda, offering some beautiful views across the ponds and gardens. If you turn left after crossing the bridge, you’ll find the fortune stick at the shrine.
To receive your fortune, you shake a bamboo cylinder filled with numbered sticks until one falls out. The number on the stick corresponds to a written fortune or prediction for the year ahead. The written fortunes can be found in one of the rooms opposite the main temple. If you get lost, one of the staff members will usually happily point you in the right direction.
From my personal experience, it’s a fun activity to try, but don’t take the results too seriously. We make our own luck in life.
Taking photos
Although there are plenty of places to take photos at the pagoda the main bridge area offers some amazing views and picturesque background to capture the beauty and serenity of the temple.
I not a great photographer by any means, but every time I’ve visited Chau Nam Son Pagoda I’ve managed to get some great pictures. Although, I must admit it’s not exactly difficult when you’ve got someone as stunning as Pam in front of the camera.
Check out the wildlife
One of my favourite features of the pagoda is the wildlife that has made the temple grounds their home. The large ponds and streams throughout the complex are filled with koi fish, catfish, and turtles.
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many turtles in one place before. If you enjoy nature and wildlife, this is another great reason to visit.
Explore the Nam Son Garden
Another cool feature of Nam Son Pagoda is its spacious and green garden, which is filled with beautiful trees, flowers, and even fruit trees.
I’ll be honest with you I am not great at knowing which flower is what, so it was really nice to visit the garden with Pam. She is incredibly knowledgable when it comes to horticulture, it always leaves me so impressed listening to her talk about different plants and flowers.
Enter the main hall
The Main Hall is the most important and sacred part of the pagoda, and it’s where visitors come to worship. I always find these types of areas very calming, it’s also a great place to cool off and get a bit of rest bite from the sun.
Within the main hall there are a series of different types of buddha statues, which are pretty interesting to look at. Even if you’re not religious, it’s still a really calming place.
Atmosphere at the Chau Nam Son Pagoda
The atmosphere at Chau Nam Son Pagoda is a mix of tranquillity and chaos, which perfectly fits as this is how I would characterise Vietnam as a whole. What I mean is that the temple sits directly underneath the flight path from Da Nang International Airport, meaning at one moment you will wandering round the peaceful gardens and then hear the roar of an aeroplane passing overhead.
Is Chau Nam Son Pagoda worth visiting?
Definitely. If you’re looking for a peaceful and less touristy experience in Da Nang, then Chau Nam Son Pagoda is worth visiting.
The combination of beautiful gardens, bridges, wildlife, and traditional Vietnamese architecture makes it one of the most scenic temples in Da Nang.
Overall, I would highly recommend this to anyone visiting Da Nang, especially travellers looking somewhere to relax and take photos at. It’s also not a bad place if you’re looking to impress someone on a date.
Gallery
I have included a series of photos that I have taken at the temple below. Hope you enjoy the slide show, and have an opportunity to visit this beautiful site yourself.
You can also view photos from my past trips here.
