After spending the previous day under grey skies and rain, we were hoping for better weather on our last full day in Da Nang. To our delight, we woke up to brilliant sunshine streaming through the window. Eager to take advantage of the perfect day, I wasted no time booking a ride and setting off to explore.

Linked to Jo’s Monday Walk, Pepper’s One Step at a Time, Ju-Lyn’s Happy Place Happy Space

We decided to visit the Sơn Trà Peninsula, home to a vast complex of temples, gardens, and scenic viewpoints. Not knowing where to begin, we made this our first stop. While wandering through the Lady Buddha compound, we unexpectedly came across this charming deer garden surrounded by lush greenery and peaceful silence, it felt like discovering a hidden sanctuary within an already sacred place.

Linked to: Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge

There were sculptures everywhere we looked, nestled beneath huge ancient trees. With their massive trunks and twisting roots, some of these trees looked as though they had been standing there for hundreds of years, giving the gardens a peaceful and timeless feel.

There were different designs of Swing Benches.

Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge

Interestingly, we arrived just as monks and devotees were gathering for a prayer ceremony. Their quiet presence added to the peaceful atmosphere of the temple grounds.

And this is Monkey Mountain, so of course we found some monkeys lurking around. This breathtaking nature reserve, rising 715 metres above sea level, is famously known for its rich wildlife and stunning coastal views.

Amazing flower arrangements.

We arrived at the ornate entrance of Linh Ứng Pagoda where traditional Vietnamese architecture, intricate dragon carvings, and peaceful gardens welcome visitors before the path leads to the towering Lady Buddha.

This is the magnificent statue of the Lady Buddha or “Statue of the Goddess of Mercy”. Standing at 67 metres tall, this incredible statue can be seen from miles away. Our first spotting of it was while playing at a beach down the street from our resort. Even from a distance it looks impressive, but up close it’s even more so. It’s overwhelming how tall it is – the tallest of its kind in all of Vietnam.

Some closeups of the intricate designs.

The entrance to the Lady Buddha temple was just as beautiful as the grounds surrounding it.

Then it was time for something cold to escape the Da Nang heat.

We were just about to explore this next area when we spotted our Grab driver already waiting for us. So we had to rush a little while quickly admiring the tall pagoda, the peaceful reclining Buddha statue, and the quiet gardens surrounding the temple grounds. Even with only a short time there, this part of the Lady Buddha complex felt calm, beautiful, and worth stopping for.

Some doors and entries for Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge

And then it was time for lunch.

Since it was our last day before flying out of Da Nang, we wanted to make the most of every moment. We spent the afternoon by the beach, enjoying the ocean breeze, the lively atmosphere, and the city skyline stretching along the coast. From dipping our feet in the waves to relaxing with cold drinks and ice cream by the sand, it was the perfect laid-back way to end our time in this beautiful seaside city.

We left Da Nang on the 8th of March and flew to the Philippines to spend a few special days with family.