Elephant Falls

Dalat


Named after a large rock that allegedly resembles an elephant's head, these powerful curved falls are reached by a steep ascent along uneven, very slippery stone steps with intermittent railings. You can squeeze through a cave to get behind the falls and be doused with bracing spray. The falls are near Nam Ban village, 30km southwest of Dalat.

Local buses (20,000d, one hour) leave for Nam Ban from behind Dalat's main square every 40 minutes or so between 6am and 6pm.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Dalat attractions

1. Truc Lam Pagoda

8.71 MILES

The Truc Lam Pagoda enjoys a hilltop setting and has immaculately tended flower and bonsai gardens. It's an active monastery, though the grounds…

2. Datanla Falls

9.27 MILES

This is the closest waterfall to Dalat, so expect crowds. You can reach the cascade (which is pretty but quite modest) either by walking down or taking a…

3. Hang Nga Crazy House

9.98 MILES

A freewheeling architectural exploration of surrealism, Hang Nga Crazy House is a joyously designed, outrageously artistic private home. Imagine…

4. Dalat Cathedral

10.37 MILES

The gingerbread-style Dalat Cathedral was built between 1931 and 1942 for use by French residents and holidaymakers. The cross on the spire is topped by a…

5. Xuan Huong Lake

10.67 MILES

Created by a dam in 1919, this banana-shaped lake was named after an anti-authoritarian 17th-century Vietnamese poet. It has become a popular icon of…

6. Linh Son Pagoda

11.07 MILES

Built in 1938, the Linh Son Pagoda is a lovely ochre-coloured building that fuses French and Chinese architecture. The giant bell is said to be made of…

7. Linh Quang Pagoda

11.1 MILES

Flanked by enormous coiling concrete dragons rearing out of a pond, and with a fabulously kitsch outdoor tableau featuring the young Buddha atop a lotus…

8. Crémaillère Railway Station

11.4 MILES

From Dalat’s wonderful art deco train station you can ride one of the nine scheduled trains that run to Trai Mat (return from 108,000d, 30 minutes) daily…