Tuyen Lam Lake Dalat Vietnam: Things You Need to Know

Tuyen Lam Lake is one of the best tourist attraction in Dalat City, Lam Dong Province of Central Highland Vietnam. With an area of about 320 hectares, located 7 km from the center of Da Lat city and 2 km from Datanla Waterfall, the lake is located near Phung Hoang mountain, this is considered a complex with many beautiful landscapes and rich tourist services.

The Complex of Tuyen Lam Lake and Thien Vien Truc Lam is surrounded by the tranquil lush green pine forest which all year round sends a gleam to the crystal-clear water. What makes Tuyen Lam Lake different from the other lakes in Da Lat is the oases around the lake, which look like verdant plates covered by pine trees and magnificent mist. Watching the green of the forest lushly blended with the blue of the lake, you would have a feeling of relaxation as if you get lost in a wonderland.

• Location: Ward 4, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province
• Opening Hours: Daily 05.00 AM - 21.00PM
• Dress Code: Comfortable Clothes
• Entrance fee: Free. The fees for the activities at Tuyen Lam Lake vary, ranging from 150,000 VND to 1,200,000 VND.

History of Tuyen Lam Lake in Dalat Vietnam:

With the pristine charm, almost all people mistake it for a natural lake. In fact, Tuyen Lam Lake is an artificial lake which was built in 1930s and then discovered by a French farmer named Farraut. At that time, Tuyen Lam Lake was surrounded by the grandiose Elephant Mountain and in connection with the poetic Purple Stream.

During the resistance against the United States army, there was a secret base of Democratic Republic of Vietnam army around  Tuyen Lam Lake, called Quang Trung Area – named after a talented general in Vietnam feudal history.

In 1987, to ensure water for hundreds of hectares of rice in Duc Trong District nearby, a dam was constructed across Purple Stream. The lake was also renamed Tuyen Lam Lake as we call nowadays. “Tuyen” means “stream”, “Lam” stands for “forest”, Tuyen Lam Lake is the place where water, forest and sky meet in harmony, create a splendid ink painting of nature and life in the middle of an immerse mountainous area.

What is Best Things to Do in Tuyen Lam Lake?

• Boat Trip/Swimming/Kayaking to Enjoy the Scenery:

This is the most suitable activity for a large group (from 06 to 15 people), especially when you want to explore the lake in the fastest and most convenient way. From the boat, you could contemplate the lake surface that is all year round veneer-clear flanked by the oases of wild pine trees.

Sometimes, a mischievous fish causes concentric rings near your boat, then immediately disappears as the air around you. All the scenery there is combined together, painting a picture of quiet, peaceful and poetic nature in the cool fresh air. You can also go swimming and kayaking in the lake.

• Overnight Camping & Trekking to Admire Sunrise:

If you travel in a group, camping in Tuyen Lam Lake is an experience not to be missed. In the cool weather of Da Lat at night, what can be more thrilling than setting a camp, lighting a camp-fire, enjoying grilled corn and potatoes, then chatting with your friends all night and waiting for the resplendent sunrise scene in the early morning. It would definitely beone of the most unforgettable moments reminding you about Tuyen Lam Lake.

• Hiking to Conquer the Summit of Pinhatt Mount:

Tuyen Lam Lake has not only lakes but also mountains, in which the peak of Pinhatt is attractive to visitors who love trekking and enjoy exploring. Pinhatt Peak is the highest peak in the southern mountain cluster in Da Lat, belonging to the Elephant Mountain next to Tuyen Lam Lake.

However, because not many tourists have come here, it does not have the exact coordinate on Google Map. One side this increases the difficulty when finding the mountain, on the other hand creates an interesting challenge for those who love discovering new things.

• Exploring Beautiful Truc Lam Zen Monastery:

Wanting to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere in Dalat? You could visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery, one of the most long-standing Buddhist centers in Lam Dong. Along the road winding up the hill to the pagoda, the bell tower is clearly visible from afar.

This is the place where you could find peace for your soul by going sightseeing in the serene sound of the temple bell and the aroma of incense, then enjoying the frugal vegetarian meal here.

• Taking Cable Car to Enjoy Scenery of the Forrest:

The cable car ride is not very long at 2.3km and takes around 12 minutes, but it is a scenic route that takes you over the forests of the central highlands to the top of Robin Hill (1,517m). You have a nice view from the cable car on the way over nature, the city of Dalat and you will see a number of small fruit plantations for which the region is very famous.

• Treking and Hiking in Tuyen Lam Lake West Trail:

Stretching 17.3 km/10.8 miles out and back, the Tuyen Lam Lake West Trail is ideal for visitors looking for a moderately challenging hike. On average, this trek takes about five or six hours to complete and can effortlessly be done in one day. The elevation gain reaches 632 meters/2073 feet, and the path is partially paved, offering a variety of conditions during foot travel. Some of the highlights of this hike include walking alongside a large lake, forest scenery, and many opportunities for bird and wildlife watching.

How to Get to Tuyen Lam Lake?

Distance Da Lat city center to Tuyen Lam Lake is just about 7 km from. There are three main ways for you to get there:

• If you depart from the city center, reach Trieu Viet Vuong Street then follow the instruction on the way to Truc Lam Zen Monastery, turn right and go straight to Tuyen Lam Lake.
• The second way is following Prenn pass about five kilometers, turning one kilometer to the left and you would see the instruction board for Truc Lam Zen Monastery which is nearby Tuyen Lam Lake.
• The last but no less amazing way is taking Da Lat cable car to Truc Lam Monastery and having a walk to Tuyen Lam Lake.

By any means, you could admire the amazing scenery of mountainous landscapes with the lush pine forest and colorful flowers along the roads.

Best Time to Visit Tuyen Lam Lake:

The best time to visit Tuyen Lam Lake in Dalat is from November to March, the dry season in the Central Highlands. In the beginning of winter, around the early December, you would have a chance to see brilliant yellow ridges of wild sunflowers, the typical flower of Da Lat. From January to February, the roadside cherry trees bloom and adorn the poetic beauty of the amorous city.

Adventure Journey

See Also:

• Dalat Vietnam Travel Guide - Things You Need to Know
• Best Things to Do and Places to Visit in Da Lat Vietnam