Nestled in the heart of vibrant Da Nang city, Marble Mountains is a must-see destination during a holiday to this stunning coastal city. With majestic marble mountains, mysterious caves and ancient temples, this place promises to bring unforgettable experiences.
An overview of the Marble Mountain
Where is the Marble Mountains?
Located about 8 kilometres north of Da Nang city centre, the Marble Mountains are in Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District. This complex consists of 6 limestone mountains rising from the coastal sand, including Kim Son. Moc Son, Thuy Son, Tho Son, and Hoa Son (with two mountains of Duong Hoa Son and Am Hoa Son). Each mountain is named after an element in the five elements: Kim, Moc, Thuy, Hoa, and Tho.
The historical story behind the Marble Mountains
Legend has said that the Marble Mountains were formed from the shell of a dragon egg left by Long Quan. The Golden Turtle God assigned an old fisherman to protect the egg. When the egg hatched, the eggshell broke into five pieces, turning into five mountains with different colours and shapes, creating the Marble Mountain complex today.
Marble Mountains in Da Nang
The cultural importance of the Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains is not only famous for its natural landscape but also for being a place to preserve many cultural and spiritual relics. There are more than 10 ancient pagodas, such as Tam Thai Pagoda, Linh Ung Pagoda, and Quan Am Pagoda, along with mysterious caves such as Huyen Khong Cave, Tang Chon Cave, and Van Thong Cave. In particular, Tam Thai Pagoda and Linh Ung Pagoda were conferred as national temples by Minh Mang King in 1825.
How much does the Marble Mountains ticket cost?
- Thuy Son: the entrance fee for adults is 40,000 VND, for children is 10,000 VND and is free for children under 6 years old.
- Am Phu Cave: the entrance fee for adults is 20,000 VND, for children is 7,000 and is free for children under 6 years old.
- Elevator fee in Thuy Son: 15,000 VND/person one way; 30,000 VND/person two ways.
- Tour guide service: 50,000 VND/group.
What to do in the Marble Mountains?
Visiting the Marble Mountains, the cultural, natural, and spiritual of Da Nang feels like entering a magical world in the middle of limestone mountains and sacred caves. Here are some outstanding attractions you should not forget:
Visit Linh Ung Pagoda (Thuy Son)
Located in the middle of Thuy Son, Linh Ung Pagoda was built under the rule of Minh Mang King and is one of three sacred pagodas in Da Nang. There is a 67-metre-high Quan Am Buddhist statue, which is the highest in Vietnam and has a strong spiritual and cultural imprint. The statue faces the beach with its back to the mountain, holding a vase of nectar symbolising compassion to save the suffering and the needy. Inside the statue, there are 17 floors; each floor houses 21 Buddha statues, expressing the philosophy of “Buddha in Buddha”. The pagoda space exceeds 20 hectares wide, blending traditional architecture with beautiful landscapes, a place where locals and tourists from all over come to pray for peace, sightsee, and explore the beauty of Vietnamese Buddhist culture.
Linh Ung Pagoda
Vong Giang Dai Viewpoint
Vong Giang Dai Viewpoint is the highest and most prominent spot in the Marble Mountain. From there, you can admire the panoramic view of Da Nang city, the blue Non Nuoc sea, and the winding Co Co river. “Vong Giang Dai” means “sea viewing tower”, reflecting the true spirit of this strategic observation position from the feudal era. Not only is it a favourite check-in spot for tourists, but this place also carries a strong historical and spiritual mark, helping you fully feel the beauty of the harmony between nature and traditional Vietnamese culture.
Vong Giang Dai Viewpoint
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Discover the five Marble Mountains
As mentioned above, Marble Mountains consists of five mountains, which present five elements: Kim, Moc, Thuy, Hoa, and Tho. Each has its own beauty, history, and spiritual role. Let’s explore the charm of these five mountains in the following part.
A panoramic view of Marble Mountains
Thuy Son: The biggest and most beautiful mountain
Among the Marble Mountains complex, Thuy Son is considered a rare pearl with outstanding beauty in both natural and spiritual aspects. This mountain presents a water and nurturing surface. There are several famous attractions, such as Tam Thai Pagoda, Linh Ung Pagoda, Huyen Khong Cave, Tang Chon Cave, and especially the Vong Hai Dai Viewpoint. When visiting the Marble Mountains, Thuy Son is an amazing attraction that has to be seen, given its great natural beauty and varied attractions.
Thuy Son: The biggest and most beautiful mountain
Moc Son: The symbol of peace and tranquility
Located next to Thuy Son, Moc Son presents the Moc element, representing growth, harmony, and purity. Although it does not have many temples like Thuy Son, Moc Son attracts tourists with the Stone Girl Rock, a natural rock shaped like a reclining woman, associated with many mysterious stories in folklore. This is an ideal mountain for those who love the quiet and want to return to the wild and meditative space in the mountains and forests.
Moc Son: The symbol of peace and tranquility
Hoa Son: The couple of mountains associated with the legend
Unlike other mountains, Hoa Son has two parts, Am Hoa Son and Duong Hoa Son, forming a unique couple of mountains, present to Hoa, which means fire and strong, and the formation. While Duong Hoa Son features Linh Son Pagoda and many natural caves, Am Hoa Son inspires a feeling of mystery and depth. Stories of hermit monks and the exploits of ancient heroes abound on this site. Hoa Son is a beautiful place for visitors who enjoy adventure, mountain climbing, and the unspoiled beauty of rough terrain.
Hoa Son: The couple of mountains associated with the legend
Tho Son: The mountain of old breath
Tho Son is the smallest mountain in the Marble Mountain complex, isolated in the West. This mountain carries the Earth element, a symbol of stability and sustainability. Not as crowded as Thuy Son or as prominent as Kim Son, Tho Son brings a quiet, ancient feeling. It is low-lying with numerous paths and used to be a refuge for monks and nuns. If you are a person who likes to be alone and wants to immerse yourself in the peace of nature and history, Tho Son will be an ideal place to stay.
The poetic scene on the south of Tho Son
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Kim Son: The mountain of light and compassion
Kim Son is located near the Co Co River, symbolising the metal element, which is sharp, pure, and strong. This place is famous for Quan The Am Pagoda and Quan Am Cave, a majestic natural cave with light shining through the stone roof, creating a sacred and magical scene. Kim Son is also the place where the Quan The Am Festival is held on the full moon of the second lunar month every year, a major spiritual event that attracts thousands of Buddhists and tourists. This is a mountain with a strong cultural and religious imprint, connecting nature and people’s hearts.
Quan The Am Pagoda on Kim Son
Explore Huyen Khong Cave
Huyen Khong Cave is one of the most impressive natural caves in the Marble Mountains complex. The cave lets light pass across the rocks through its wide and high wimble roof, producing a magical scene like a fairyland. Inside the cave, there is a place for Buddha worship and a statue of Quan The Am carved directly into the cliff, harmoniously blending nature and spirituality. Not only is it a pilgrimage site for many Buddhists, but the cave is also an ideal place for meditation and full of life, offering a serene atmosphere. With profound cultural and religious values, Huyen Khong Cave deserves to be the soul of the Marble Mountains.
Huyen Khong Cave
Explore Am Phu Cave
It is fair to say that Am Phu Cave is one of the most unique and intriguing caves inside the Marble Mountains complex. Different from the elegant beauty of other caves, Am Phu cave presents hell for those who did wrong things when they passed away. Stepping inside the cave, visitors can feel the dark, deep space with winding paths, faint incense smoke, and murmuring sounds as if coming from another world. Despite its mysterious colour, Am Phu Cave is still a place to remind people to live a good life and accumulate virtue. This is a unique attraction that holds both spiritual significance and unforgettable experiences for anyone who steps onto it.
Am Phu Cave
Visit Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village
The Non Nuoc Stone Carving village, located at the foot of the Marble Mountains, is one of the most famous old craft villages in Vietnam. With more than 500 branches and thousands of artisans, the village is not only the preservation place of traditional handicrafts but also a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists. In 2014, the craft village was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Visitors will appreciate unique works, learn about the stone-making process, and buy souvenirs with Vietnamese cultural characteristics.
Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village
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How to get to Marble Mountain from Da Nang?
The Marble Mountains is located about 10 km from Da Nang city centre; therefore, getting to there is quite fast and convenient. You can follow the guide below to find the suitable ways to get there:
- Motorbike: If you love flexibility and exploration, you should rent a motorbike. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to get there, and the rent cost is from 100,000 to 200,000 VND/day.
- Taxi or rail-hailing service: For those who travel with a group, taxi or rail-hailing services such as Grab and Xanh SM are convenient options. You can book them on the street or via app – so easy and convenient. If you are looking for a prestigious car agency, please visit our Da Nang transfer for more information.
- Bus: This is the public transportation that is suitable for self-travellers and backpackers. If you can, hop on route number 1 from Da Nang to Hoi An because this route stops at Ngu Hanh Son. The ticket costs approximately 6,000/trip.
Some helpful tips when visiting the Marble Mountains
To make your visit to the Marble Mountains more comfortable and memorable, please note down these tips:
- Choose the right time to visit: you should visit the Marble Mountain in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the scorching heat and crowds. The light at this time of the day is also perfect for taking photos, particularly in Huyen Khong Cave and Vong Hai Dai Viewpoint.
- Wear comfortable clothes: Because you will have to walk a lot, a breathable outfit and comfortable footwear will help you overcome the slope and sweep of the rock ladders. If your family or your group have older people, you should go to Thuy Son by elevator to save energy and avoid the slippery road.
- Respect the sacred atmosphere: the Marble Mountain is the place of temples, pagodas, and worship areas; therefore, you should dress politely, with covering clothes, and avoid talking loudly in the sacred places like Huyen Khong Cave or Am Phu Cave.
- Hire a tour guide: If you are interested in the historical facts of each destination, it is recommended to hire a guide. They will tell you fascinating historical stories behind the place, hence, acquiring more insights and knowledge of the attractions.
- Don’t forget to buy souvenirs: If you visit the Non Nuoc Stone Carving village, don’t forget to purchase souvenirs and complicated stones as gifts for your loved ones.
In conclusion, the Marble Mountains is a spiritual symbol of Da Nang, boasting several natural landscapes. Whether you are wishing for natural, cultural or spiritual exploration, the Marble Mountains has something for everyone! Visiting Da Nang? Don’t miss out on this destination. If you need further information about Marble Mountain or planning a holiday to Da Nang, contact us and let us be your companion.
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