Marble Mountains in Da Nang and What to Explore
In addition to the world-famous Golden Bridge, Danang has no short of majestic natural wonders. While My Khe Beach is just fantastic for a beach escape, Marble Mountains is a door to another world of mystery. You will find peace of mind discovering the mysterious atmosphere of this pilgrimage site.
Marble Mountains, also known as Ngu Hanh Son in Vietnamese has been recognized as a special national-level relic site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. There are five separate mountains in the cluster named after five basic elements of life: Kim Son (Mt. Metal), Moc Son (Mt. Plant), Thuy Son (Mt. Water), Hoa Son (Mt. Fire) and Tho Son (Mt. Earth). Each mountain has its own shape and layout of caves and shrines. The sites are not only alluring but also represent historical, cultural, and religious values through the system of pagodas and statues.
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What to Explore at Marble Mountains
Among mountains at the Marble Mountains, Thuy Son is the most beautiful mountain to visit as this is famous for its gorgeous and sacred system of pagodas and shrines both on the ground and inside the caves. Let’s explore!
1. Linh Ung Pagoda
The pagoda is located on the eastern side of Thuy Son, dated back to the time of the first Nguyen Emperor, Gia Long’s reign in the early 1800’s. There are various shrines and Buddha statues found inside this colorful sanctuary. To the right of the pagoda is Vong Hai Dai (sea-viewing pavilion), which offers a great view of Non Nuoc Beach.
2. Huyen Khong Cave
Huyen Khong Cave is one of the most magical and spiritual sites in the complex. You will encounter a Buddhist temple set up within the cave when you step inside. Another feature of Huyen Khong Cave is the natural opening in its rooftop where beams of sunlight shine down the cave floor from above creating a magical atmosphere for the cave. The cave used to be a secret base for the local revolutionary officer during the Vietnam War.
3. Tam Thai Pagoda
On the west of Thuy Son is Tam Thai Pagoda, a history witness built in the 17th century but heavily damaged during the Tay Son rebellion and restored later with the placing of statues and large bells during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang. There is a large bronze statue of Buddha, along with the statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu saint and Bodhisattva on both sides in this beautiful pagoda.
4. Am Phu Cave
Lied opposite to Huyen Khong Cave is the dark, humid, hellish felt cave named Am Phu Cave (Hell Cave). It is full of creepy sculptures representing the tortured scenes that bad people might face when they die. This is the illustration of Karma in Buddhism in order to advise people to practice good and avoid doing evil things. When you climb higher and higher, you’ll see the scenery switching from demons to Buddhas and saintly bodhisattvas, which bring the feeling of awakening.
5. Van Thong Cave
If you are keen on something challenging like rock climbing, Van Thong Cave is there for you. You need to crawl through and up the narrow path inside the cave to reach the Heaven Gate. The climb is harsh but the impressive view of Non Nuoc Sea and the mountain area from the top of the gate is worth it.
6. Non Nuoc Hamlet
Non Nuoc Hamlet is a 400-year old traditional craft village and also shopping area gathering different stone carving shops situated at the base of Marble Mountains. Here you can watch the craftspeople at work, sculpting and sawing huge slabs of marble. In the past, locals used the marble to create huge sculptures and natural jewelry. However, in recent years the government has tried to preserve the marble, so the artisans have started using natural stones from other areas to sustain their traditional business.
Know Before You Go
Here are a few things you should keep in mind before visiting the Marble Mountains, one of the best attractions in Danang. It’s all about the best time to go and the transportation of favorites that will complete your trip.
Best time to visit the Marble Mountains
Marble Mountains is open from 7 a.m to 7:30 p.m all year round. You can visit the Marble Mountains any time of the year, however, the best time to visit is summer time (June – August) to experience the tropical coastal mountains. During the rainy season (September to November), heavy rain is sometimes unexpected and the torrents might make the stairs slippery and dangerous. To avoid the heat and crowded tourists, you can visit the mountains in the early morning to catch photograph opportunities with beautiful lights.
This trip will require you to climb over many stairs to reach the mountains and caves; therefore; comfortable shoes for walking and breathable clothes are highly recommended. If you are not keen on hiking, there are elevators available to go up the mountains.
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How to Get to the Marble Mountains
While taking a taxi is the most common way travelers choose to reach this tourist site, there are some other options for every taste.
# Taxi/Private Car
If you prefer a door to door and on-time service, you can reserve a private car from your hotel to get there or you can catch a taxi from a reliable company such as Mai Linh or Vinasun taxi.
# Public Bus
You can take the #1 public bus from either Hoi An or central Da Nang to the Marble Mountains. When you get on, tell the bus driver to stop you at Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains) and feel free to enjoy the landscape along the way until you reach the destination. The price is 20,000 VND/ time.
# Motorbike
If you like to visit other places along the way, you can rent a motorbike with a reasonable price, have full fuel and get ready to reach the Marble Mountains on 81 Huyen Tran Cong Chua, Hoa Hai, Ngu Hanh Son.
Nearby Attractions
♦ Hoi An Ancient Town: You can combine with a walking tour in Hoi An Ancient Town, which is 20km away from the Marble Mountains. A walking tour around the Old Quarter will take you past historic buildings and down tranquil streets. We have a lot of history to squeeze in at Hoi An, including Chinese assembly halls, family chapels, museums and of course the beautiful 18th century Japanese Covered Bridge.
♦ Ba Na Hills: While you travel to Da Nang, you should pay a visit to Ba Na Hills, a complex of resort and amusement parks located about 1500 meters above sea level. You will be overwhelmed by the amazing landscape surrounding and it will be a good time to explore every corner of the site to the fullest.
♦ My Son Sanctuary: The remains of a series of impressive tower-temples that was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom dated back from the 4th to the 13th centuries CE. You can visit the sanctuary daily from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm.
© Maika Tours
Written by Tuyen Vo
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