Updated: November 17, 2023
A visit to the marble mountains near Da Nang is one of the essential things in the area that you can do in half a day.
These unique mountains in the area are located south of Da Nang, less than 10 km from the center and halfway to the picturesque town of Hoi An.
Is about 5 hills of limestone and marble known as the Marble Mountains.
In this guide I tell you everything there is to see, prices and the alternatives to get there.
If you don't have time to read the entire article, this is the best tour to the Marble Mountains, is the most complete with visits to several other places and very cheap.
Are they worth visiting?
Yes, definitely.
The marble mountains are one of the most interesting places to visit near Da Nang, I recommend you not to miss it.
Although outside the country you don't hear much about this place.
In Vietnam, it is listed by the Ministry of Culture as a National Historical-Cultural Relic since 1980 (according to information material provided at the entrance).
Likewise, this area has been very famous among Vietnamese people for centuries, and there are popular songs and poems that mention it.
What are the Marble Mountains in Vietnam?
Although they are known among foreigners as the Marble Mountains, this is a name given by the French in colonial times. Because of Marble was extracted there until recently. and stone, is now prohibited.
The Vietnamese name is Ngũ Hành Sơn, which literally means "mountains of the 5 elements«, where each mountain represents an element:
- Hoa Son, mountain of fire;
- Tho Son, mountain of earth;
- Kim Son, metal mountain;
- Moc Son, wooden mountain;
- Thuy Son, mountain of water.
All the mountains can be visited, except Moc Son (the wooden one), where you will find caves and tunnels that connect them.
However, the largest, highest and most interesting to visit is Thuy Son or mountain of water.
What to see in Thuy Son, the water marble mountain?
Viewpoints
The main difference of Thuy Son with the other mountains is that it has 3 viewpoints from where you will see the city of Da Nang in the distance, the sea and the other mountains.
To get to the highest viewpoint you will have to climb 156 steps. So, be prepared to go up and down stairs. 😅
Caves and temples
However, the most fascinating thing are the caves that hide inside. Hindu and Buddhist temples.
The largest cave is Huyen Khong with its 30 m height and 5 holes in the ceiling that let in a cascade of light on sunny days.
The cave is a ancient Hindu temple used by the Champas.
An example of this are the guards at the entrance that were reused for what Today it is a Buddhist temple.
If you want to know more about Champas:
⭐ I recommend you visit the museum in Da Nang, I mention it in this article about What to do in Da Nang: 14 must-visit spots.
⭐ Additionally, you can visit the My Son Sanctuary with an excursion like this, a place Built by the Champas from the 4th century onwards.
The rest of the premises
The entire route is quite interesting with garden areas with fabulous dragons where you can breathe great peace thanks to the music that plays in the background.
Other things that attract attention in the mountains are a immense Xa Loi pagoda in the form of a tower near the elevator, a large sculpture of Buddha and another of Lady Buddha.
Near entrance 1 (I explain more about the entrances below) there are also 2 other interesting pagodas to see.
Be sure to admire the dragons on the mosaic columns in one of them and the lion sculptures at the entrance to the other.
The marble mountains was a place that personally surprised me a lot, especially because I wasn't expecting so much. At times, you feel like you're in an Indiana Jones movie. 😄
Below you can see a video of me visit to the marble mountains. If you continue watching the playlist you'll see more videos, including some from Da Nang filmed with a drone.
Entrances and Elevator
Thuy Son has two entrances, I entered through entrance 1, I went all the way and left through entrance 2.
But if you want to save some of the stairs, it might be good for you. Access through entrance 2, because there is a paid elevator there.
From that entrance, you can visit a good part of the enclosure, including the largest cave without going up and down too much.
On the other hand, other areas of the mountain have very long flights of stairs, especially towards the two highest viewpoints.
The good thing about the stairs is that most of them are easy to climb, you find things to see and where to rest.
Am Phu Cave
Then, at the base of Thuy Son Mountain near entrance 2, there is another cave known as Am Phu or "Da Nang Hell Cave".
The entrance is completely independent from the rest of the mountain because it is at street level and you also pay separately.
What to see there?
One of the uniqueness of this cave that is not found in many places are the representations about the Journey from the dead to the next life of Buddhists.
For example, on the left side of the cave you will see a judge sculpture, who with his book and ink brush is prepared to determine the good and bad actions of each soul.
On the other side are the 10 Kings of Hell, as well as a pond where locals wash their faces to get rid of the worries of worldly life.
If you have time, add this unique cave to your visit.
Curiosities of the Marble Mountains
👉 Although marble and stone are no longer extracted from the mountains, if you walk around the area you will see many workshops where they still craftsmen skillfully carve the sculptures with the material they bring from other quarries. Most of them are Buddhist, Hindu and some Christian religious sculptures.
👉 During the Vietnam War, American troops had their air base next to the Marble Mountains. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese They had a Vietcong hospital installed right inside Am Phu cave. This is what is called "hide in plain sight". 😅
👉 Just as it is "the cave of hell", in one of the viewpoints in the mountains you will find the "gates of paradise" or heaven gate in English.
👉 In the mountains you can see the swastika somewhere. Actually This is the swastika used in Buddhism and other religions but It has nothing to do with Nazism.
Practical Tips
- Entrance fee to Thuy Son: 40,000 VND (1.58 euros)
- elevator price: 15,000 VND (0.59 euros)
- Entrance fee to Am Phu Cave: 20,000 VND (0.79 euros)
- Visiting hours: every day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
When to go and how much time to dedicate?
I recommend that you visit the marble mountains first hour in the morning to avoid strong heat hours. Because as the hours go by, it becomes harder to go up and down stairs.
The good thing is that inside the caves it is cooler and makes the visit more bearable.
To visit all the caves and viewpoints calmly half a day will be enough, that is, about 4 hours.
What to pack for the visit?
As inside the complex you will have to go up and down stairs, wear comfortable shoes, some sports shoes will be enough.
If you travel during the rainy season, stairs and other areas can become slipperyTherefore, it is better than your shoes have some grip.
Also, it will be good for you to bring with you some raincoat like this one from the link, a hat or cap and sunglasses.
And of course don't forget to take some food and lots of water, because you're going to need it. Although, inside you can buy a delicious fresh coconut. 😋
How to get there from Da Nang or Hoi An?
1. Driving or taxi
To get there you can go by motorcycle or taxi.
2.Bus
If you prefer to go by public transportation, it works for you. the bus from Da Nang to Hoi An that costs 20,000 VND (0.79 euros).
In theory, even the mountains are less, but I paid the same.
Likewise, on the bus they are not very friendly and try to overcharge foreigners, they even asked me for 50,000 VND (2 euros) for the trip from Da Nang to Hoi An.
Although they do have the right to charge something additional if you carry suitcases or a very large backpack that takes up space on the floor.
If you want to pay the right price, Bring just enough money and don't be intimidated.
3. Excursion
The most practical option is to go with a excursion like this, We also visit Monkey Mountain to see Lady Buddha near Da Nang.
Below you can see availability and book:
If not, another option is this full day excursion which also includes a visit to Hoi An.
Final Thoughts
The Marble Mountains are a fascinating place and one of the best places to visit near Da Nang. I'm sure you won't regret it.
If you want to read more, this Vietnam Travel Guide What I wrote may interest you, there you will find all my articles for traveling independently.
If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and if you found the article useful, share it with other fellow travelers. 😘
More about Vietnam and Southeast Asia
- What to see in Hoi An: 14 essentials
- 30 Curiosities of Vietnam
- What to do in Da Nang: 14 must-visit spots
- 27 Vietnam Travel Tips for First-Timers
- Surfing in Da Nang: everything you need to know
- Visit to My Son Shrine in Vietnam
- Thailand or Vietnam Where to travel?
Hello, my name is Andrea, I am the creator and writer of Viajeros Activos (Active Travelers). I am a nomad, so I consider myself a full-time traveler, I am passionate about good food, and I am always looking for new adventures.
Hello, my intention is to pass on the way to Hoi An, but I will take the large backpack. Is there somewhere to leave it?
Thank you so much.
Hi carmen
In Hoi An I don't know of lockers to leave your backpack, even the bus station is quite precarious.
But I have seen that there is a nannybag on the little island in front of the old town, look on their website.
If not, when you are in Hoi An, ask at a cafe or restaurant if they will keep it for you, as some friends told me, that is what they did and they did not charge them anything.
Luck!