The Da Lat Railway Station was constructed in 1932, featuring a cog railway and cog engine which were renowned for being one-of-a-kind globally. Today, the station serves as a popular tourist attraction, providing a distinctive experience for visitors eager to discover the mountainous city while traveling from Da Lat Station to Trai Mat. With a leisurely 7km journey, this ride is ideal for sightseeing, making it the perfect afternoon activity for those visiting Da Lat. To learn more about Da Lat Station, please click here.
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| Da Lat Station (Ward 10, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province) is the main station of the unique cog railway Phan Rang – Da Lat, 84 km long connecting Lam Dong province with Ninh Thuan province. |
The Da Lat railway project was meticulously crafted by esteemed French architects, Moncet and Reveron. Constructed in 1938, this remarkable railway spans an impressive 84 km, including a cog railway section that stretches an additional 16 km to facilitate smooth operation.
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| Dalat Railway Station in 1939 |
The design of Da Lat station attracts numerous history enthusiasts who are eager to witness the captivating Indochina-inspired architecture.
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| The main building of Da Lat station is stylized with three pyramidal roofs, simulating the three peaks of Langbiang mountain, with a large clock in the middle that is still in operation (Photo: Nguoi Lao Dong). |
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| At the end of 2001, the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) recognized this station as a national historical and cultural relic. |
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| Dalat Railway Station seen from above |
The interior design has been carefully preserved, with some subtle alterations made to accommodate souvenir shops.
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| Handicraft products and specialties of Lam Dong display inside the station (Photo: Nguoi Lao Dong). |
In 2021, the station underwent renovation in accordance with the Heritage Law, marking 20 years since its recognition as a national historical and cultural relic.
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| Large windows bordering the ceiling are painted in many colors, providing natural light for the entire main hall. |
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| Inside the station, there is a ticket office for the Da Lat – Trai Mat tourist train, which is nearly 7 km long. |
One of the most popular photo spots among tourists at Da Lat Station is the iconic nearly 100-year-old steam-powered gear and the unique sawtooth system.
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| Steam-powered gear locomotives operating on the nearly 100-year-old Phan Rang – Da Lat railway line are displayed at Da Lat station, which is a favorite photo location of tourists visiting this place. |
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| Some railway carriages with iron and wooden frames have been restored to their original state. Some cars are decorated for visitors to visit, some cars are renovated as places to serve food and drinks. |
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| The cog railway Phan Rang – Da Lat was started construction in 1912, completed after 24 years, is the only cog railway in Asia and the longest in the world. |
There is only one other route in the world, similar to the Phan Rang – Da Lat route, which was operated in Switzerland. However, this route is shorter and is no longer in operation.
The authorities have recently unveiled a plan to restore the long-dormant railway line, which holds an exceptional significance. The estimated cost for this ambitious project exceeds US $1 billion.
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| The sawtooth system is placed between two rails to help the train climb mountains, connecting the coast of Phan Rang (Ninh Thuan) with the highland of Langbiang (Lam Dong). |
Fanasy Nguyen Le
