Marble Mountains Da Nang Vietnam: Useful Guide | Expatolife
Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) is one of the most attractive destinations in Da Nang, Vietnam. These mountains offer rich historical, cultural, and spiritual values, together with the splendor of nature.
In this travel guide, you’ll find helpful information about the Marble Mountains in Da Nang, including tips to make the most of your trip.
Mục Lục
About Danang Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) is a group of five marble and limestone mountains jutting behind a sandy coast. The names of these five mountains are Kim Son, Moc Son, Thuy Son, Hoa Son, and Tho Son, respectively.
The five components of the ancient oriental philosophy—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—are the inspiration for their names.
King Minh Mang, the King of the Nguyen Dynasty, frequented these highlands over 200 years ago, at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
Pagodas and towers have since been constructed. Each pagoda and stupa on the moss-covered cliffs of the caves bear cultural and historical traces from many eras.
Geology facts
According to geologists, the Marble Mountains was a small mountain cluster in the East Sea.
It was gradually merged into the mainland after the Quang Nam plain was formed by the upward movement of the Truong mountain range and the accretion of the Thu Bon river.
Currently, the coast has moved away from these mountains by about 800 meters, resulting in a picturesque location with distinctive mountains.
These mountains have an intricate network of tunnels and caves. The Vietnamese revolutionaries formerly used them as bases and covert locations.
Many profound cultural and spiritual values are present in addition to the magnificent natural environment and beautiful surroundings.
Ticket prices
Below are the ticket prices for the attractions in Ngu Hanh Son Mountains. They are relatively cheap, less than $2.
The mountain also features an elevator made of tempered glass. It shortens the distance to reach Thuy Son Mountain.
- Thuy Son mountain entrance ticket:
- 40,000VND/ticket for adults.
- 10,000VND/ticket for students.
- Free for children under 6 years old.
- Am Phu cave tickets:
- 20,000 VND/ticket for adults.
- 7,000 VND/ticket for students.
- Free for children under 6 years old.
- Tickets to visit Vong Canh hill: 10,000 VND/time.
- Elevator ticket: 15,000 VND / time operating daily from 7 am to 5:30 pm.
Best time to visit Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains are accessible year-round and have pleasant and cool weather. However, I recommend avoiding the rainy season (October through middle December), as there are regular storms and heavy rains.
Read more: The best time to visit Da Nang.
Things to do in Marble Mountains
Climb Thuy Son Mountain
Thuy Son (Water Mountain), the tallest of the five, is also the most popular. Many Buddhist temples and caves on this mountain date back to the seventeenth century. Some popular sites are Non Nuoc Pagoda, Tam Thai Pagoda, Linh Ung Pagoda, Huyen Khong Cave, and Am Phu Cave.
From Thuy Son’s base, you can ascend about 150 stone steps to the Riverview Tower (Vong Giang Tower), the most stunning observatory location.
The tower, built by Emperor Minh Mang in the 18th century, provides a great perspective of Kim Son (Metal Mountain), the Truong Giang and Cam Le rivers, and the stunning coastline.
Visit Am Phu Cave
Am Phu Cave (Hell Cave) is one of the most famous caves in Thuy Son Mountain.
The yin-yang bridge to Am Phu Cave, which represents the path to both heaven and hell, is what gives the cave its reputation for mystery. In addition, when you enter hell, you can see the stone statues that depict human figures.
Visit Non Nuoc Village
At the base of the Marble Mountains is Non Nuoc Village, which is also a well-liked vacation spot. The town is well-known for its handicrafts and stone sculptures.
Coming here, you can see the stone sculptures created by the incredibly skilled hands of the village artisans.
Direct rock extraction from the Marble Mountains was once done to create sculptures, but it is now forbidden. Nowadays, rocks are from nearby provinces such as Thanh Hoa or Quang Nam.
You can also buy different items made of marble stone, including earrings, necklaces, and marble sculptures.
How to get to Ngu Hanh Son Mountains
Ngu Hanh Son is about 8 kilometers from Da Nang’s city center, close to renowned cultural heritages such as Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary, making it an excellent add-on for your trip.
There are many ways to reach the Marble Mountains from Da Nang city center. You can join a tour, take a taxi or a private car charter. It takes about 15 minutes to get there.
If you’re from Hoi An, drive 20 kilometers north of Hoi An, and you’ll come across a large sign that reads “Marble Mountain.”
The most convenient way is to book a tour as it offers a hassle-free and immersive experience. A tour usually includes pick-up services, entrance tickets, and a guide.
Tips for visiting
- Ngu Hanh Son has many pagodas and sacred places, so pay attention to dressing neatly.
- You should bring a flashlight or a phone with a light.
- Wear comfortable shoes and a hat.
