Ban Co Peak isn’t the highest point of Son Tra Mountain/Peninsula, but it is the most famous. Its elevation is around 700 meters. Here, visitors will be treated with a spectacular panorama after a long hike. With good weather, it’s possible to paraglide from here, to fly in the sky and defeat the fears. In this article, HoiAn Day Trip Company will provide all the information that you need to know about Ban Co Peak.
You may also like: Heaven Gate (Marble Mountains), Thuong Thai Peak (Marble Mountains), King Peak (Ba Na Hills)
• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Must Knows about Ban Co Peak (Son Tra Mountain)
– Location/address: Son Tra Mountain, Tho Quang ward, Son Tra district, Da Nang city, Vietnam
– Other name(s): The Horse Back Peak, Dinh Ban Co
– Opening hours: sunrise to sunset
– Ticket price: free
– Elevation: 700 meters
– Reason(s) to visit: breath-taking view from one of the highest points in Da Nang, go paragliding, red shanked douc langurs
– Best time to visit: early morning or late afternoon
– Time to spend: 30 mins
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/ban-co-peak-da-nang
– Food & drink: yes available
– Shopping: no
– Tour guide: contact +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapps/line/zalo)
– Fact: Ban Co Peak is the highest point in Son Tra Mountain/Peninsula (Dinh Oc or the Snail Peak is actually the summit)
Ban Co Peak on Map
Legend of Ban Co Peak in Son Tra Mountain
In Vietnamese language, Ban Co Peak means ‘chess board peak’. This name originates from a local legend in which two fairy men play Chinese chess together here. After so many days, they can not find out who wins the game. One day, a group of beautiful fairy ladies descend from heaven, and go swimming together on the nearby beach. After that, one of the players lost his attention, and let the other one win. For that reason, nowadays local people place a stone chess board and only one statue of a fairy man on Ban Co Peak, to remind this legend.
The story about two fairy men playing chess is repeated in ‘Ban Co Cave’ (chess board cave), a small room of Tang Chon Cave, behind Linh Ung Pagoda of Marble Mountains. To get there, visitors need to climb 108 steps or ride the elevator.
Things to See & Do in Ban Co Peak, Son Tra Mountain
Take a Picture with Chess Board & Fairy Man
In the legend, fairy men come to Ban Co Peak to play chess. That’s the reason why visitors will see a chess board, and a fairy man statue here. The most popular thing to do here is taking pictures on which the tourist sits on the empty chair and try thinking about a way to win against the mythical player.
Enjoy Sensational View from Ban Co Peak
The view from Ban Co Peak is panoramic, incredibly beautiful when it’s clear. So, make sure that you check the weather forecast once get there.
From Ban Co Peak, at an elevation of 700 meters, visitors can see the whole Da Nang city from above. This city has a river running through it with bridges. From here, the easiest bridge to see is Thuan Phuoc Bridge, an imposing suspension bridge at the river estuary. Near it, there are plenty of fishing boats that belong to the largest fishing harbour of the region (Tho Quang Fish Harbour). It’s more difficult to see Dragon Bridge, Han River Bridge, and Tran Thi Ly Bridge. To the left of Thuan Phuoc Bridge, there is a blue and calm bay.
To the left hand side, visitors can see one of the most beautiful coasts in Vietnam. It’s curving, featuring a non-stop strip of white sand between the blue sea (sometimes with fishing boats) and coconut trees and high-rise buildings. This is the main beachfront of Da Nang. During the Vietnam war, it’s called ‘China Beach’ because it lies beside the ‘South China Sea’.
Around the horizon, there is a chain of wooded mountains and hills that belong to the greater Annamite Range (or Truong Son Range), the major corridella of Vietnam. In another direction, it’s possible to see eight islands of the Cham Archipelago which have gorgeous coral reefs and rich underwater life. In the summer, snorkeling and diving tours here are busy.
The sea’s name is Bien Dong in Vietnamese. It means ‘east sea’ in English because it lies to the east of the country. Its international name is ‘South China Sea’ due to the geography, and this name isn’t legally used in Vietnam as it’s not fully belong to China.
Ban Co Peak is a perfect spot to watch sunrise or sunset. Don’t miss it if you have a chance!
See/Photograph Red Shanked Douc
In forests not far away from Ban Co Peak, visitors can try the luck to see/photograph red shanked douc or Son Tra langur, one of 25 world’s most endangered primates. This monkey is the emblematic animal to the mountain and the city. It’s known as ‘queen of monkeys’ because of its multiple colors. If lucky, the experience is very special. To make sure that the chance of seeing red shanked douc is high, visitors should go on a tour led by naturist/specialist/ranger. The best time of the year is the dry season, from February to the end of August. See more information & details
Paraglide from Ban Co Peak
Near Ban Co Peak, visitors can go paragliding, one of the coolest outdoor things to do in Da Nang. Due to safety reasons, it’s needed to book a tour with a local skilled and licensed paraglider. After a transfer by car to the take off place (at an elevation of around 700 meters), visitors will learn safety instructions and advice. During the ride, have a really fantastic experience and many photo/video opportunities. The landing place is below the coast. See more information & details
Camping in Ban Co Peak
Near Ban Co Peak, there is a camping site where visitors can stay in the tent on the top of Da Nang. It’s worth doing because of an excellent view to the city which has millions of lamps and stars in the sky, comfortable temperature, fresh air, and a sense of tranquility. If want to have a bonfire or barbecue party, visitors must announce local ranges of the nature reserve, to prevent fires.
Tips to Visit Ban Co Peak in Son Tra Mountain
– In the dry season, from February to the end of August, visitors should bring sunglasses, sun cream, hat/cap or umbrella, bottles of water, cash.
– In the rainy season, from September to January, visitors should bring rain poncho/jacket, umbrella, sandal or waterproof shoes.
– Visitors must check the weather forecast in advance, and should not visit Ban Co Peak on cloudy or rainy days because of nothing to see.
– There is no dress code required at Ban Co Peak.
– Visitors still need to climb stairs to go to Ban Co Peak from the main road. It’s not wheelchair accessible.
– There is a store selling cold drinks and snacks near the parking lot.
– It’s better to visit Ban Co Peak with a local guide. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp) to book.
How to Get to Ban Co Peak in Son Tra Mountain
Hiking Trails to Ban Co Peak
There are two hiking trails leading Ban Co Peak from the foot of the mountain:
Trail 1 (from Yet Kieu Rd, 9,5 km): This trail is the shortest route to reach Ban Co Peak, with starting point on Yet Rieu Road (google maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fDKTHJcfupYFV76E8). It’s built during the Vietnam War to defend the ‘Monkey Mountain Facility’ including United States’s air forces and navy bases. On the way, visitors can see these places:
– Boom Boom Rock (after 5 km hike): this historical site is hidden away in the forest today, so visitors who are interested, need to be patient a bit to find it. During the 1960s-1970s, there was no tree around it. American soldiers stayed here to control the road leading to the peaks, and ships moving on the bay below. They had nice pictures together here!
– Observation Deck (after 6 km hike): this sightseeing spot is not far from the main road, and sits atop the north peak of the Monkey Mountain. Here, sightseers will see a full picture of Da Nang’s bay, including its blue and calm water, striking cloudy mountains (Hai Van Pass) and a small island at its portal (Son Cha Islet) as well as the cruise port, fishing boats, and imposing Thuan Phuoc Bridge cross the estuary of the Han River. To the left hand side, there are Da Nang city with checkerboard residential areas, and the curving coastline by Man Thai and Tho Quang fishing villages. In this direction, it’s possible to see very-distant mountains in the Annamite Range, and a brilliant sunset at the end of the day. There are some monkey statues to remind us about the international name of the mountain ‘Monkey Mountain’ and a beverage store.
– Former American Air Control Radar Station or Radar 29 (after 7,5 km hike): this is one of 12 buildings constructed by the USAF in the 1960s or the Vietnam War. Its elevation is 621 meters. Here, the American air forces could observe all activities in the air within an extremely large radius (until the islands on the Vietnamese East Sea to the east, and borders of Laos and Cambodia to the west).
– Former American Helicopter Landing Place (after 8 km hike): one of 12 buildings constructed by USAF in the 1960s or the Vietnam War.
To skip the steep trail between Yet Kieu Rd and the Observation Deck, visitors can get a taxi/car ride to the deck, and then hike to Ban Co Peak. At the peak, there are no cars available to return to Da Nang city, so it’s needed to tell the driver to wait there for a while or walk down.
Trail 2 (from Hoang Sa Rd, 15 km): This is a long route, and not recommended to all visitors, with starting point as the crossroad of Le Van Luong St and Hoang Sa St. In the early morning or late afternoon, it’s quite busy by those who walk, go jogging, cycle, hike, or run. There are several coffee shops along it, all with a beautiful ocean view.
On the way, visitors can see these places:
– Ho Xanh or the Green Lake (after 1,2 km hike): This is a permanent fresh-water lake and a former stone mine. The best view is from Bai Chay ‘burnt ground’ (because the grass is burnt here naturally in the dry season). See more information & details
– Dong Dinh Museum (after 2 km hike): Up the hill, this private museum has a collection of traditional Vietnamese houses and gardens, with lots of antique artifacts. See more information & details
– Linh Ung Pagoda (after 2,5 km hike): Sitting on a hilltop, this Buddhist pagoda expands to 20 hectares, making it the largest temple in Da Nang. It has giant worshipping buildings that still have traditional style, a three-arched entrance gate, 9-storied ‘Buddha relic’ tower, viewpoints, and lots of beautiful bonsai gardens and marble Buddha sculptures. From the main road, it’s needed to walk along a steep road to get to Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda. See more information & details
– Lady Buddha Statue: This statue rises up to 67 meters, and stands on the top of a hill near Linh Ung Pagoda. It’s constructed from 2004 to 2010, portraying a standing lady buddha who is also known as goddess of mercy or goddess of sea. Local people believe that she protects them from natural disasters and blesses them with a happy and peaceful life. See more information & details
– Bai Rang Beach (after a 4,5 km hike): a stone beach with seafood restaurants and a view to the city. Snorkeling may be available here to do in the dry season.
– Bai Nam or South Beach (after 5 km hike): a non-touristy white fine sandy beach, with crystal-clear and shallow water. Sometimes, a local requires tourists to pay a small fee to enter.
– Mui Sung or ‘gun cape’ (after 6,5 km hike): a perfect spot to see sunrise or sunset in Son Tra Peninsula
If want to skip the coastal trail (9 km), visitors can start hiking from the entrance of the InterContinental Resort to Ban Co Peak. This trail is 6 kilometers long, steep, and much more peaceful than the one on the other side of the mountain (because motorbikes and cars are banned).
Along hiking trails to Ban Co Peak, hikers may have the chance to see red shanked douc (popularly known as Son Tra langur). This is one of 25 world’s most endangered primates. Its population right now is around 350 individuals in the nature reserve. See more information & details
Motorbike
Due to physical fitness, visitors can consider reaching Ban Co Peak by motorbike. If ride by yourself, please know that the automatic motorbike is banned to go along roads leading to this peak, due to safety reasons.
The only way to ride up to Ban Co Peak now is via the one on the eastern side of the mountain, starting from Yet Kieu Rd. It’s steep, therefore keep in mind to keep a slow speed and a high attention, especially when stopping to see/take photos of the views. Going downhill is more dangerous.
Motorbike tours to Ban Co Peak/Monkey Mountain are a lot to choose from. On which, visitors who have no skills or experiences or license, will have a safe trip.
Car & Jeep
Visitors can book a roundtrip transfer by car/taxi to Ban Co Peak from the city. The drive is only 30 mins each way, and the price is inexpensive. At major observation points and attractions, parking lots for cars are available. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) to book a private transfer to Monkey Mountain in Da Nang.
Jeep is a popular vehicle to carry visitors on adventure tours. It’s the military car used by American soldiers during the Vietnam War.
Places to Visit near Ban Co Peak in Son Tra Peninsula
Near Ban Co Peak, visitors can go to these places in Son Tra Peninsula: Tien Sa Beach (distance: 12 km), Bai Bac Beach inside the InterContinental Resort (distance: 6,5 km), Ghenh Bang Beach (distance: 6,5 km), Bai Rang Beach (distance: 12 km), Bai Nam or South Beach (distance: 10 km), Bai Da or Stone Beach (distance: 10 km), Bai But or Buddha Beach (distance: 11 km), Linh Ung Son Tra Pagoda (distance: 12 km), Lady Buddha Statue (distance: 12 km), Dong Dinh Museum (distance: 13 km), the Blue Lake or Ho Xanh (distance: 14 km), Son Tra Tinh Vien or the Bamboo Museum (distance: 10 km), Thousands-Years-Old Banyan Tree (9,5 km), Son Tra Lighthouse (distance: 10 km).
Guided Tours in Da Nang Vietnam
Photos, Videos about Ban Co Peak in Son Tra Peninsula
Here are beautiful photos and videos about Ban Co Peak in Son Tra Peninsula:
