Chùa Long Sơn Pagoda, Nha Trang

From Po Nagar Temple we made a quick ride over to Chua Long Son Pagoda. Though definitely not as old as Po Nagar it was also equally impressive. This Buddhist temple has some amazing grounds and boasts one of Nha Trang's most recognizable tourist spots - the giant meditating Buddha at the top of the hill overlooking the city. Like Po Nagar, this temple had similar requirements for entering the actual temple space - remove shoes, wear pants, no cameras, etc. However, the staff there bent the rules quite a bit and did allow cameras and shorts inside. No shoes though. Right behind the pagoda lie the stairs you ascend to get to the giant Buddha at the top of the hill. Along the way you can stop for a quick breather and see the recently carved granite reclining Buddha. Everyone is encouraged to rub the elbow for good luck - or so we overheard a tour guide next to us say. After several hundred stairs - most of which are extremely uneven in height from one to the next - you arrive at the top and marvel at the giant concrete Buddha that dwarfs everyone around you.

P.S. Our camera battery died so these are courtesy of our iphone.

P.P.S. Yes you may have noticed the swaztikas. They are ancient symbols of Hindu and Buddhist cultures that predate their use by Nazi Germany. You find them pointing either way and never positioned diagonal the way they were used by Hitler.