The Marble Mountains is a group of 5 spectacular, craggy marble outcrops rising suddenly from the city of Da Nang. Every mountain here has majestic caves and Buddhist temples, along hiking trails. Yearly, this scenic spot draws more than 2 millions of visitors, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. Now, let’s HoiAn Day Trip Company tell you everything that you need to know about the Marble Mountains.
You may also like: Monkey Mountain/Son Tra Peninsula (Da Nang), Ba Na Hills (Da Nang)
Made by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD and his team
Must Knows about Marble Mountains in Da Nang Vietnam
– Location/address: 81 Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street, Hoa Hai ward, Ngu Hanh Son district, Da Nang city, Vietnam
– Name in Vietnamese: Ngu Hanh Son (literally ‘the Five Elements Mountain’)
– Other name(s): Non Nuoc (meaning ‘mountain and water’), Pho Da Son (the Buddha Mountain), Ngu Chi Son (literally ‘Five (Buddha’s) Fingers Mountain’)
– Opening hours: 7:30 AM to 5 PM (6 AM to 6 PM in the summertime)
– Ticket price: 40,000 VND/adult & children above 10 years old (2024)
– Mountains: Thuy Son (‘water mountain’, largest), Moc Son (‘wood mountain’), Kim Son (‘metal moutain’), Hoa Son (‘fire mountain’, smallest), Tho Son (‘earth mountain’)
– Elevation: 108 meters (approx 354 ft)
– Type: marble rock, limestone rock
– Age of rock: some millions of years old
– Highest point: Thuong Thai Peak
– Reason(s) to visit: spectacular natural beauty, century-old Buddhist temples, extensive system of caves, peaks with panoramic view, traditional stone carving village, Unesco-listed rock inscriptions
– Best time(s) to visit: early morning, late afternoon, sunny days
– Way(s) to visit: hiking, climbing stairs
– Time to spend: 1,5 to 2 hours
– Tour guide: contact +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/marble-mountains-travel-guide
– Recognition(s): national scenic spot (1990), special national scenic spot (2018), Unesco documentary heritage of Asia Pacific (2023)
– Event(s): Quan The Am festival, Vu Lan festival, Lunar New year festival
– Food & drink: yes available
– Shopping: yes available
– Fact: The Marble Mountains is the most famous mountain in Da Nang and Vietnam
The Marble Mountains on Map
History of Marble Mountains Vietnam
Marble Mountains Formation Legend
The Marble Mountains were formed some millions of years ago when the Annamite range (Truong Son range) was built up. For such a long time, these towering mountains were islands on the sea, like a little Halong Bay. Because the mainland extends or the ocean became shallower, might occuring hundreds of years ago, they stand on the ground up to date.
According to local legend, the Marble Mountains are pieces of the dragon’s egg when it breaks. Once upon a time, a female dragon from the sea, came to the nearby beach to lay her egg. To keep the safety of her egg, she tells an old man living close by to protect it. She also gives him the claw of the Turtle God (Than Kim Quy) and whenever it’s dangerous, he can use it to call for help. He hides it in his small thatched cottage. One day, the egg ‘grows up’ and becomes massive, making him impossible to hide it anymore. A group of boys want to rob it then. Remembering what the dragon mother said, he uses the claw and after that, everything surrounding him disappears. He doesn’t know that the pieces of the egg shell turned into the Marble Mountains already!
Minh Mang King’s Visits to Marble Mountains
Minh Mang king, the 2nd emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, visited the Marble Mountains 3 times. The first time was in 1825. He requested to build 2 imperial Buddhist temples – Tam Thai Pagoda and Linh Ung Pagoda, and staircases leading up to them. Many years before that, his father promised to construct a temple to thank the Lord Buddha who saved him.
In 1827, Minh Mang king requested to cast Buddha statues and bells to give to temples in the Marble Mountains.
In 1837, Minh Mang king renamed the Marble Mountains to the Five-elements Mountain (Ngu Hanh Son). This name is still used today. He also defined the individual name for each mountain. The Water Mountain or Mount Thuy is called for the largest and highest mountain (where temples are located). The Earth Mountain or Mount Tho is in its south direction, the Metal Mountain or Mount Moc is in its west direction, the Fire Mountain or Mount Hoa and the Metal Mountain or Mount Kim are in its southwest direction. Caves, peaks, beautiful viewpoints got their own name in this time too.
Marble Mountains in the Vietnam War
Caves in the Marble Mountains were hiding places of Vietcong (‘Vietnam communists’) during the Vietnam War in 1960s and 1970s. A field hospital to cure injured soldiers and veterans was established in Am Phu Cave.
To the north of the Marble Mountains, there was the Marble Mountain Air Facility of the United States marine corps, with a helicopter airport built in 1965. Nowadays, it becomes an airbase of the Vietnam People’s Army and opens to tourists who book a helicopter tour to see/photograph the area from above. Its name is ‘Nuoc Man Airport/Airbase’ (meaning ‘Salty Water Airport’).
Mountains in the Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains comprises 5 mountains: the Water mountain (Mount Thuy, Thuy Son), the Metal mountain (Mount Kim, Kim Son), the Wood mountain (Mount Moc, Moc Son), the Fire mountain (Mount Hoa, Hoa Son) and the Earth mountain (Mount Tho, Tho Son). These mountains are named after five elements of the Five Elements Mountain (Ngu Hanh Son).
The largest and highest mountain is the Water Mountain, to the north of Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street.
Marble Mountains Entrance Fee & Tickets
The Water Mountain Entrance Fee
The Water Mountain (Thuy Son Mountain, Mount Thuy) is the only mountain opened to visitors in the Marble Mountains. So, it’s often known as ‘Marble Mountain’ in the tourism industry or travel dictionary.
In 2024, the Marble Mountain entrance fee is 40,000 VND for adults and children above 10 years old, and is free for children below 10 years old. Cash in Vietnamese dong is accepted only. All nationalities pay the same price.
Its inclusions are entry to sightseeing spots in Mount Thuy or Thuy Son Mountain (the only mountain accessible to tourists): Linh Ung Pagoda, Tam Thai Pagoda, Huyen Khong Cave, Tang Chon Cave,…, except Am Phu Cave.
Ticket booths are near the elevator, Gate 1 (at the bottom of staircase to Tam Thai Pagoda) and Gate 2 1 (at the bottom of staircase to Linh Ung Pagoda). Tickets are sold throughout official opening hours of the mountain.
Elevator Ticket at Marble Mountains
Visitors can use the elevator to skip 108 steps to go up to or go down from Linh Ung Pagoda or shorten the hike in the mountain. The price is 15,000 VND/person/way. The ticket booths are near the elevator, and sell only one-way tickets. Meaning that to buy an elevator ticket to go uphill, visitors go to the lower booth and to buy the elevator ticket to go downhill, visitors go to the upper booth. Total cost for a two-ways elevator is 70,000 VND, and if including the entry fee, it’s 110,000 VND.
Each time, the elevator at Marble Mountain can carry about 10 people, more or less depending on total weight of passengers. It’s quite hot due to no air-conditioner, but not really necessary when the ride is less than 1 minute.
Visitors who can not climb many stairs, can use this elevator for two ways, to visit Linh Ung Pagoda, a must see in the mountain. However, a short but steep staircase is still on the way to walk there. Think about how to climb it to return to the elevator!
Am Phu Cave Entrance Fee
To visit Am Phu Cave, at the foot of the Water Mountain (Thuy Son Mountain), visitors need to buy a separate ticket. Its price is 20,000 VND for adults and children above 10 years old, and free of charge for smaller kids. The ticket booth is at its entrance, near the car/bus parking and the elevator. See more information & details
Best Things to See & Do in Marble Mountains Vietnam
Linh Ung Pagoda (Non Nuoc Pagoda)
Linh Ung Pagoda is the most famous Buddhist temple in the Marble Mountains and Da Nang. It’s constructed in 1826 by request of Minh Mang king, the second emperor of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945). In 1891, Thanh Thai king, the 10th emperor of the dynasty, renamed it ‘Linh Ung pagoda’ like today. It means ‘wishes answered miraculously’. The main building boasts sophisticated decorations made of small ceramic and glass pieces that depict dragons, unicorns, phoenixes, birds and flowers, deers and pine trees, fishes, bats, long-life letters, etc. Around it, there is a tall tower preserving one of Buddha’s relics, Buddha statues and sculptures, fruit trees and flowers, a golden fish pond, and burial monk’s tombs. See more information & details
Right behind Linh Ung pagoda, there is Tang Chon cave system, with 5 grottoes. Each grotto is filled by a temple or a Buddha statue. Bats are living in them that appear and fly around in the dawn or dusk. See more information & details
Huyen Khong Cave
Huyen Khong Cave is the largest cave in the system of more than 20 caves in Mount Thuy. Its entry is Hoa Nghiem cave, in the back and to the left of Tam Thai Pagoda. This fascinating, well-protected cavern opens to the outside by 5 holes, allowing amazing shafts of light falling down into. No doubt that it’s one of the highest-expected things to see and photograph. There are five shrines and temples here, to worship the Gautama Buddha, the King of Heaven, Ngoc Phi Goddess or Mountain Goddess, Dien Phi Goddess/sister of Ngoc Phi Goddess, the God of Wealth, the God of Love and Marriage, and Quan Cong/a Chinese legendary military general. Local women still do believe that if they drink the holy water and then pray, they would be pregnant or have a son. See more information & details
Tam Thai Pagoda
Tam Thai Pagoda is another sacred Buddhist temple in the Marble Mountains, nestled on the other side to the better-known Linh Ung Pagoda. It’s built in 1825 by request of Minh Mang, king of the Nguyen dynasty. His father promised that he would construct a pagoda to thank the Lord Buddha after saving him, when he became an emperor. His younger sister also lived here as a nun. The worshipping hall itself is garnished by four holy animals of Vietnamese culture (dragon, phoenix, turtle and unicorn) and paintings depicting Buddha’s life. See more information & details
Am Phu Cave
Am Phu Cave is the easiest accessible cave in the Marble Mountains. Its entry is right on the top of a staircase by the bus parking, at the foot of Mount Thuy. It boasts a 300-meters length (longer than any other caves in Da Nang) and its history as a field hospital of Vietcong communists. In Vietnamese, Am Phu means hell. If going with a guide, visitors will learn about local beliefs in life and death, and what happens after death (such as the last judgement, karma, 18 floors of the hell, etc). See more information & details
Note: Am Phu Cave is not popularly recommended by local tour companies, so it’s less known for sights on the top of the Marble Mountains. Many visitors don’t know its existence and miss it. It’s totally worth seeing.
Peaks of the Marble Mountains
Sightseers can climb up to the highest points of the Marble Mountains where they can enjoy seeing or photographing a stunning panoramic view and cool breeze from the ocean. The easiest spot is the Heaven Gate, accessible by a steep staircase behind Tam Thai Pagoda and from Van Thong Cave via a hidden, small dark hole. See more information & details
Thuong Thai Peak is higher, accessible by the steep staircase behind Tam Thai Pagoda. Here, visitors will see a 360o view to the coast, other mountains, the city and far mountains. Many visitors miss this spot because the hike to get there is not easy to be seen (from major trails). See more information & details
Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village
Around the foot of the Marble Mountains, Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village is famous for its long-standing tradition of marble sculpture carving. It’s registered to be a national intangible cultural heritage in 2014. Here, visitors will see plenty of statues and souvenirs, including many buddhas, holy animals and accessories. Most shops line Huyen Tran Cong Chua street. This is often the first stop in any trips to the Marble Mountains, before climbing up to pagodas. See more information & details
Non Nuoc Stone Carving Memory Museum is to honor the long-standing tradition of stone carving of Non Nuoc Village and to showcase fine art sculptures by local artisans.
Quan The Am Pagoda
Located at the Metal Mountain of the Marble Mountains, Quan The Am Pagoda is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Da Nang Vietnam. It’s named after Quan The Am who is known as Guanyin or Lady Buddha or Goddess of Mercy. Every year, a festival to commemorate her will be held here, with participation of thousands of local people who follow and do not follow Buddhism. The cave where she disappeared in the dream of the monks, is awesome to sightsee. See more information & details
Itinerary to Visit Marble Mountains for First Timer
The Water Mountain of the Marble Mountains has pagodas, caves, peaks, towers, old trees, and holy sites. They are along hiking trails started from Gate 1 (‘Tam Thai Pagoda Gate’) and Gate 2 (‘Linh Ung Pagoda Gate’) on Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street. Near Gate 2, visitors will see the elevator and use it to go up to Linh Ung Pagoda and skip the stairs to it. However, to visit other sights in the mountain, hiking is still needed. See our recommended itineraries
Best Times to Visit the Marble Mountains
If traveling to Da Nang and Hoi An in the dry season, from February to September, the best times to visit Linh Ung Pagoda Marble Mountains are early morning (before 9 AM) and late afternoon (after 3 PM). In the midday, the temperature usually is high and it’s humid. The hottest hours are between 11 AM and 2 PM. Visitors should not come in this period, to protect the skin and not to be too sweaty or tired (especially if going with kids and elders). The photos will not be perfect anymore.
Between October and January, correspondingly the wet season, the best times to see Linh Ung Pagoda Marble Mountains are when the rain stops or even when it’s sunny. Visitors need to check the weather forecast before going to the mountain (Googles can tell you the average temperature and change of rain in every hour of the day). Without rain, steps on the hiking trails and floor of the caves will be less wet, slippery and dangerous (but the cave floor is still dirty!).
In the high tourist seasons, around the end of April to August (mostly local tourists) and around November to February (mostly foreign tourists), there’re many group tours. A long queue at the elevator or crowds around the temple or parkings filled by big buses is commonly seen. Should go earlier than 9 AM and later than 4 PM if you don’t want to see too many people. Google can tell you the busiest hours in the days before your day of travel, so use it to know when you can escape from crowds.
What to Wear to the Marble Mountains?
Dress Code at the Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains is a holy mountain, with numerous Buddhist temples and sites, so all visitors should wear respectfully. It’s needed to use a shirt covering the armpits, shoulder and navel, and a pants covering the upper knees. For example, tank top, crop top, and shorts are not appropriate. Making sure that nowhere is see-through. Vietnamese traditional costume – Ao dai (the long dress) is highly recommended by local authorities.
When entering the worshipping room, it’s needed to take shoes off (wearing shocks is okay), remove hat, rain poncho and sunglasses (for the umbrella, don’t bring inside!).
If it’s hot and humid, visitors can prepare a scarf or sarong to cover while being around holy places. It’s okay to not wear it during the hike. Sometimes, the temple gives visitors a long piece of fabric to cover if they want to go in the worshipping room, but sometimes not available. Bring your own! Shops near the elevator may sell when needed.
Other Things Visitors Should Prepare
– Comfortable shoes: use to climb many stairs, uphill and downhill, and walk on slippery eroded rock faces when you want to reach the peaks. The best is a pair of trekking or hiking shoes. Wearing slippers or high-heel shoes is dangerous, especially in the rainy season, so not highly recommended.
– Bottles of water: no shops or sellers at Linh Ung Pagoda Marble Mountains to buy water to drink (if forget bringing a bottle of water, visitors have to climb stairs to Van Thong Cave or go down the stairs to the ticket counters)
– Umbrella or rain poncho/rain jacket: necessary during the rainy season (from October to January yearly)
– Hat/cap/umbrella, sunglasses and sunscreen if visit in the summertime
– Smartphone or camera for taking pictures
– Cash to pay for entry fee ticket and elevator, or buy something
Is the Marble Mountains Da Nang Worth Visiting?
The Marble Mountains at Da Nang is not only worth visiting, but also a must see attraction. It has outstanding natural and cultural values, giving an interesting and joyful experience to visitors. Those who love outdoor adventures or hiking/trekking or learning about Asian cultures will definitely find interests here. On the other side, around the foot of these mountains, the sculpture village is a great place to go shopping. Lying between two cities Da Nang and Hoi An, this attraction is very convenient to reach and go to other places then. See more information & details
Responsible Travel at Marble Mountains Vietnam
To travel responsibly at the Marble Mountains, visitors should know:
– Wear respectfully because here is a Buddhist temple (please have more details in the section of dress code).
– Buy incense sticks from old women at the temple instead of shops down the mountain if want to pray. They sell cheap packs (20,000 VND for one pack with many sticks) and help people to burn the sticks.
– Prayers should use 1 incense stick only to express the respect and sincerity to the Buddha, and should plant it into the stone urn outside of the worshipping room. Using less incense sticks help reducing air pollution, and preventing fire as well as damage on ancient relics from their smoke.
– Keep silent while looking around and especially, while people are praying or monks are chanting or hosting a ceremony.
– Taking photos is not prohibited but please show a respect to the Buddha and monks.
– Donation boxes are inside the temple, so visitors can put a small amount of money to donate the monk’s life and ceremonies, temple’s activities and help poor people, old people, etc.
– Do not enter the monk’s house, meditation rooms and worshipping rooms without any permissions because it’s private.
– Do not touch or damage old inscriptions carved on the walls of the caves because they’re recognized as a world documentary heritage which is priceless to us.
– Book a tour or guiding service from local companies instead of multi-national or foreign-owned companies.
Guided Tours to Marble Mountains Da Nang
Here are interesting guided tours to the Marble Mountains:
– Marble Mountains Private Tour with Am Phu Cave: From Hell to Heaven
– Da Nang Cave Tour: Adventure into Caves of Marble Mountains
– Marble Mountains Half Day Tour with Linh Ung Pagoda
– Marble Mountain & Monkey Mountain Tour
– Marble Mountain & Monkey Mountain Sunset Tour
– Marble Mountain, Monkey Mountain & Hoi An Tour
– Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & Am Phu Cave Tour
– Da Nang City Tour Full Day: Marble Mountain & Central District
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang Port
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Chan May Port
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Full Day Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Full Day Tour from Da Nang with Chinese Speaking Guide
– Marble Mountain, Lady Buddha & Hoi An Coconut Forest Tour
– Golden Bridge/Ba Na Hills & Marble Mountain Tour
– My Son Sanctuary & Marble Mountain Tour
– Da Nang City Tour from Chan May Port
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours and transfers to Da Nang and Hoi An. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Private Transfers to Marble Mountains
Here are private transfers to the Marble Mountains:
– Da Nang Airport to Hoi An Private Transfer with Marble Mountains
– Hoi An to Hue Private Transfer by Car
– Hue to Hoi An Private Transfer by Car
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours and transfers to Da Nang and Hoi An. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Places to Visit near Marble Mountains
Near the Marble Mountains, visitors can go to these places: Non Nuoc Beach (distance: 1 km), Son Thuy Beach (distance: 2 km), Tan Tra Beach (distance: 3 km), My Khe Beach (distance: 6 km), the K20 Revolutionary Base (distance: 4,5 km), BRG Golf Course (distance: 5 km), Montgomerie Links Golf Course (distance: 10 km), Hoi An Ancient Town (distance: 30 km).
Hotels near Marble Mountains
If would like to stay in a hotel close to the Marble Mountains, travelers can search more information and reviews about these premium venues along Non Nuoc Beach: KOI Resort & Residence Da Nang (200m distance), Danang Marriott Resort & Spa (650m distance), Melia Danang Beach Resort (1km distance), Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa (1,4km distance), Danang Marriott Resort & Spa, Non Nuoc Beach Villas (2km distance), Crowne Plaza Danang (3km distance), Furama Resort (4,5km distance), Sheraton Grand Danang Resort & Convention Center (3km distance), Naman Retreat (4,5km distance). Mid-range hotels are to the north and to the south of the Marble Mountains.
You stay in Da Nang’s beach resort? Our guide and driver can pick you up at the hotel to explore the area. Chat with us by WhatsApp/Zalo +84968009827 to design your trip.
How to Get to Marble Mountains in Da Nang
The Marble Mountains is at 81 Huyen Tran Cong Chua St, Hoa Hai ward, Ngu Hanh Son district, Da Nang city.
If staying in KOI Resort & Residence Da Nang, Danang Marriott Resort & Spa, or Melia Danang Beach Resort or nearby hotels/homestays, visitors can walk to get there.
The distance from hotels in Da Nang city downtown or My Khe Beach area to the Marble Mountains is about 8 km. Taxi is easy to call or hail along major streets, costing nearly 20,000 VND each kilometer. Using a roundtrip by private car is the most popular (the driver can wait for from 1 to 2 hours). To get the best price, contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo).
To save, visitors can ride the motorcycle. One day rental in Da Nang ranges from 100,000 to 300,000 VND per bike, without gasoline and insurance. The easiest roads to get there are Le Van Hien St or Truong Sa St (running along the coast). There are no public bike parking lots in the Marble Mountains. Visitors need to park in private houses or beverage stores or marble shops nearby, with a fee of 10,000 VND. Best spots are near the elevator.
The cheapest way is getting a public bus. It will drop off passengers near the crossroad of Le Van Hien St and Huyen Tran Cong Chua St. After that, follow Huyen Tran Cong Chua St to see Gate 1 (without elevator) and then Gate 2 (with elevator).
From Hoi An, the distance to the Marble Mountains is 18 km, so it takes visitors 20-30 mins by car and 30-40 mins by scooter. If riding the motorbike by yourself, the quickest/easiest route to reach it is the coastal road (Lac Long Quan St on Google maps).
Between Hoi An and the Marble Mountains, there is one public bus available. Ticket price is quite cheap.
From Hue city, in the north of Da Nang, many visitors have a transfer by car or motorbike to Hoi An and stop at the Marble Mountains en route. Sure, transfer on a motorbike is more adventurous, but not for everyone, such as families with kids.
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours and transfers to Da Nang and Hoi An. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Fun Facts about Marble Mountains
– The Marble Mountains has more than 5 mountains, more particularly, 6 mountains. The Fire Mountain includes two individual rocks (this separation is caused by stone extraction by locals).
– Local stone carvers and miners say that the stone of each mountain in the Five-elements Mountain has its own color. The Water Mountain provides pink stone, the Wood Mountain provides white stone, the Fire Mountain provides red stone, the Earth Mountain provides brown stone, and the Metal Mountain provides white-and-grey stone.
– The Metal Mountain (Kim Son) was selected to be feature on Da Nang city’s official logo, together with the Han River Bridge and Han River
Quick Q&A about Marble Mountains Da Nang
– How long to spend at Marble Mountains? Answer: Visitors often spend 1,5 to 2 hours to sightsee the Water Mountain of the Marble Mountains.
– How old are the Marble Mountains? Answer: The Marble Mountains in Vietnam is some millions of years old.
– How far are the Marble Mountains from Da Nang? Answer: The Marble Mountains is 8 kilometers away from Da Nang city downtown. From My Khe Beach, it’s similar.
Photos, Videos about Marble Mountains Da Nang Vietnam
Here are beautiful photos and videos about The Marble Mountains:
