Ancient mansions not to be missed when coming to Da Lat

Dalat - a famous resort city, is preserving and restoring many ancient mansions as a national architectural museum.

Each villa has its own personality, reflecting the owner's style and they also have their own life since they were built.

Some have become resorts, some have become government offices, some have been abandoned and many are "ownerless". However, regardless of the fate of the famous ancient mansions in Da Lat, they all make many people admire their unique architecture and very special charm.

Below are 4 ancient mansions in Dalat that captivate travelers

King Palace I Dalat

Dalat Palace I is located on Tran Quang Dieu Street, about 4km southeast of Dalat city center. Accordingly, the palace was built by millionaire Bourgery, owner of Shanghai Lighthouse, before 1940.

Dalat Palace I with ancient architecture in European neoclassical style.

King Bao Dai bought this mansion in 1949 and it became the workplace of the heads of state in Da Lat, that's why Palace I is also called the Presidential Palace.

With its ancient architecture in the neoclassical European style surrounded by a vast, poetic green pine forest, Dinh I stands majestically on a 1,550m high hill. Coming here, visitors will admire a beautiful, impressive architectural work.

Currently, Palace 1 has been restored to serve tourists who come to visit and learn about the culture and history of the place that bears the mark of King Bao Dai.

Bao Dai Palace

This is also one of the four ancient mansions in Da Lat that attracts tourists to visit. Bao Dai Palace is also known as King Bao Dai's palace (Palace 3), located on Trieu Viet Vuong Street, about 2km southwest of Da Lat city center.

Coming here, visitors will admire the architecture of the mansion built and decorated in an elegant, splendid, and majestic style for kings. Surrounding Bao Dai Palace are a series of campus works such as Ai An forest, Thuong Uyen garden and a small lake in the campus, which further enhance the romantic and poetic beauty associated with a historical period of the country.

Le Lai Villa Area

Le Lai villa area is also known as French villa village - a corner of Europe in the middle of the foggy city.

Since ancient times, this place has been called by Da Lat people as a spectacular residential area or in French as Cité Bellevue. Located not far from the city center, the villa area has its own quiet and private space. From here, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Da Lat city center, or can also look across the flower-filled valley on the outskirts of Da Lat in another direction.

Le Lai villa area is also called French villa village.

After nearly a century of ups and downs of history, Le Lai villa is considered a historical witness of early Da Lat.

In addition to the unique ancient architectural features, the remaining living items in the villas are reminiscent of the luxurious life of the French upper class in the early 20th century in Indochina such as: light switches, wooden floors, window systems made of precious wood, fireplaces...

Queen Nam Phuong Palace

This palace was a gift from Queen Nam Phuong's father as a dowry when she married King Bao Dai. It is also considered one of the most beautiful ancient mansions in Da Lat, located poetically on a high hill and overlooking the capital in the mist.

The mansion has three floors with a total area of about 500 m2, located in a large garden among green pine trees. The mansion has a French architectural style combined with Asian features. The upper floor is built in the shape of a pentagon with a moon-like shape, with a protruding tiled roof. The ventilation system has stylized peach blossom patterns.

The interior and exterior of the palace are painted in the yellow paint often seen in French villas. Yellow is also a royal symbol. The staircase system, windows, ceilings, and furniture are covered with precious wood, creating a warm, luxurious look.

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