Tam Thai Pagoda – Things to See in Marble Mountain Da Nang

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Tam Thai Pagoda is a must see in the Marble Mountains, Da Nang. It’s constructed by request of Minh Mang king in the 19th century, to fulfill his father’s promise. Later, he gave it the title ‘national pagoda’ same as Linh Ung Pagoda on the other side of the mountain. In this article, HoiAn Day Trip Company will tell everything that visitors need to know about Tam Thai Pagoda.

You may also like: Linh Ung Pagoda (Marble Mountains)

• 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 Tam Thai Pagoda in Marble Mountain

– Location/address: 81 Huyen Tran Cong Chua St, Hoa Hai ward, Ngu Hanh Son district, Da Nang, Vietnam

– Vietnamese name: Chua Tam Thai

– Name meaning: Tam Thai means ‘three terraces” or ‘three peaks’ or ‘three stars’ in Vietnamese

– How to pronounce: /taem thai/

– Other name(s): The Inner Pagoda (Chua Trong), Non Nuoc Pagoda

– Year of construction: 1826

– Opening hours: 7:30 AM to 5 PM

– Ticket price: 40,000 VND/adult & children above 10 years old (2024)

– Reason(s) to visit: one of the most important Buddhist temples in Da Nang

– Best time to visit: anytime during the day

– Time to spend: 30-45 mins

– Tour guide: contact +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo)

– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/tam-thai-pagoda-marble-mountain

– Recognition(s): national cultural heritage (1990), special national cultural heritage (2018)

– Food & drink: no

– Shopping: no

Tam Thai Pagoda (Marble Mountain) on Map

History of Tam Thai Pagoda in Marble Mountain

Before the 17th century, a Buddhist temple was established on the same location as Tam Thai Pagoda. Its exact year of construction is still unknown.

In 1695, Thich Dai San (Shi Dashan, 1633-1704), a Chinese monk traveled to Vietnam by invitation of Nguyen Phuc Chu lord, the reigning ruler of Southern Vietnam. Prior to arriving in Hue capital city, he visited and stayed in Tam Thai Pagoda for a while. In his diary, he mentioned the beauty of the mountain, exotic trees, rock formations, caves, monkeys, etc. At that time, this pagoda was just a thatched cottage.

In 1825, Minh Mang king (1791-1841), the 2nd emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, visited the Marble Mountains for the first time. He requested to build the new Tam Thai Pagoda by brick, build 156 steps from the below village to it, cast bronze bells and Buddha statues. Later, he gave it the title ‘national pagoda’.

According to history, this king came to Marble Mountains to fulfill the promise of his father (Nguyen Phuc Anh or Gia Long king). When Nguyen Phuc Anh ran away from the enemy’s pursuit, he arrived at this place and was so exhausted. After praying, the Lord Buddha appeared and gave him food and drink to survive. Being appreciated, he promised to go back and build a pagoda. Finally, Anh could become a king as he dreamed before. However, as the founder of the Nguyen dynasty, he was too busy and forgot. Before death, he told his son/successor to keep the promise. For that reason, local people have a short sentence about this story: Gia Long promises, Minh Mang constructs.

Around 1835, Ngoc Lan princess, sister of Minh Mang king, went to Tam Thai Pagoda and became a nun. Previously, she lost family’s members in the trial of Le Van Duyet, a high-ranking mandarin. Many people tried to convince her to return to imperial life in Hue, instead of staying in a pagoda. So, he composed a poem and would say yes for a return if someone could well continue it. This poem was too challenging, therefore nobody could do it. Today, historians still don’t confirm yet that the story is correct or not.

In 1901, Tam Thai Pagoda was damaged seriously after a typhoon. In 1907, local Buddhists and monks donated to reconstruct it, and since then, it has been unchanged.

Between 1885 and 1886, Nguyen Duy Hieu, one of the leaders of the Nghia Hoi Quang Nam, an association of local patriots who fighted against French colonists, came to Tam Thai Pagoda usually to meet other intellectuals. He was captured by French people here and then was shot dead at a market. His tomb was in Hoi An now. Lots of parks, schools, streets, bridges,…named after him.

In the 1930s, Tam Thai Pagoda was the place for secret meetings and activities of local communists. From 1965 to 1969, in the Vietnam war, its surrounding area was the hiding place of Vietcong (Vietnam communists). At the foot of the mountain, two small-age communists planted a bomb in an American car, and then it exploded, losing all people.

The largest renovation was carried out here in 1995, and up to date, no additional renovation is needed.

In 1990, Linh Ung Pagoda was recognized as Vietnam’s national cultural heritage site. In December 2018, it’s upgraded to be a Special national monument thanks to its outstanding values.

In 2010, Buddhist monks from Japan gave a copy of the painting (portraying Lady Buddha) to Tam Thai Pagoda. In the 16th century, the original painting was a gift from Nguyen Phuc Nguyen lord giving to merchant family Chaya (who traded in Hoi An), to build up friendship between two countries. Previously, the lord came to the pagoda to get it.

Things to See in Tam Thai Pagoda in Marble Mountains

The worshipping hall of Tam Thai Pagoda stands behind a triple gate with three entrances and a statue of the Laughing Buddha (the Happy Buddha, Fat Buddha or Phat Di Lac) who symbolizes prosperity, contentment and happiness.

As an imperial temple, Tam Thai Pagoda was constructed by the finest materials and decorated by four holy animals in Vietnamese traditional culture: the dragon, the unicorn, the turtle, and the phoenix. They are made of small pieces of glass (from bottles of wine, bottles of beer, etc) and ceramic/porcelain (from plates, bowls, vases, etc). Many of which are imported. On both sides of the perron staircase, there are two lions to safeguard the temple from evil spirits. The columns are wrapped by dragons and nearby wall paintings depict birds and flowers. Above each entrance inside, can see one hand scroll with meaningful sentences written in Chinese. Between roof layers, there are three paintings portraying important milestones in Buddha’s life.

Inside Tam Thai Pagoda, people worship Amitabha Buddha in the middle and two bodhisattvas, Mahāsthāmaprāpta on the left side and Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin, Lady Buddha) on the right side. This practice is part of Pure Land Buddhism, a branch of Mahayana Buddhism school that is popular in East Asian countries.

In the Back room, monks have preserved a golden boddhi leaf, the gift from Minh Mang king when the pagoda was inaugurated. On it, merits and virtues of the Lord Buddha are honored, making it more special than any other objects.

In the surrounding of Tam Thai Pagoda, visitors can see these points of interest:

– Vong Giang Dai (the River Watching Pavillion): visitors need to climb stairs to get here and see/photograph a panoramic view to below areas, including all mountains of the Marble Mountains, villages, rivers, and distant mountains. This is one of the best view points.

– Tu Tam Pagoda (near the River Watching Pavillion): Historically, this pagoda was established by a monk named ‘Tu Tam’ who moved from northern Vietnam. It’s firstly a thatched cottage and later built by brick by request of Minh Mang king (1826). Here, Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva (literally meaning ‘Earth Treasury’) is worshipped, along with unknown victims who died in the sea. Officially, Tu Tam Pagoda is a branch of Chuc Thanh school of Buddhism. Now, it still doesn’t have any monks to lead, so monks from nearby Tam Thai Pagoda often visit to continue the worship and ceremonies. In 1980 and 1994, it’s resorted.

– Tam Ton Pagoda (near the River Watching Pavillion): Originally, this is a building used by old and ‘retired’ monks in Tam Thai Pagoda, for relaxation purposes. In 1973, it’s renovated and converted into a pagoda. Amitabha Buddha, Mahāsthāmaprāpta and Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin, Lady Buddha) are worshipped here.

– Two old country almond trees: the tree with one trunk is 250 years old, representing the man and the tree with two trunks, 350 years old, representing the woman. Local people believe that if they touch on both trees and then pray in Tam Thai Pagoda, they would have a desirable lover. These trees were registered as Vietnam’s heritage trees.

– 200-years-old gold apple tree behind the worshipping hall that was registered as Vietnam’s heritage tree.

– Burial towers of the monks: to the right-hand side and on a higher terrace to the worshipping hall

Best Time to Visit Tam Thai Pagoda in Marble Mountains

If traveling to Da Nang and Hoi An in the dry season, from February to September, the best times to visit Tam Thai Pagoda 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 Tam Thai Pagoda 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.

Tips to Visit Tam Thai Pagoda in Marble Mountains

– 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 Tam Thai Pagoda Son Tra Peninsula 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, mosquito repellent: necessary during the rainy season (from October to January yearly)

– Hat/cap/umbrella, sunglasses and sunscreen if visit from February to September

– Smartphone or camera for taking pictures

– Cash to pay for entry fee ticket and elevator, or buy something

– It’s better to visit Tam Thai Pagoda at Marble Mountains with a local guide. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) to book.

What to Wear to Tam Thai Pagoda in 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

– Bottles of water: no shops or sellers at Tam Thai Pagoda Marble Mountains to buy water to drink (if forget bringing a bottle of water, visitors will need to go to the stall behind pagoda, 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

Guided Tours to Marble Mountains Vietnam

Responsible Travel in Marble Mountains

To travel responsibly at Linh Ung Pagoda Son Tra Peninsula, visitors should know:

– Wear respectfully because here is a Buddhist temple (please 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 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.

Places to Visit Near Tam Thai Pagoda in Marble Mountain

Within the Water Mountain of the Marble Mountains, visitors can go to these places: Linh Ung Pagoda (Non Nuoc Pagoda), Tam Thai Pagoda, Huyen Khong Cave, Am Phu Cave, Tang Chon Cave, Van Thong Cave, Heaven Gate (Cong Troi), Thuong Thai Peak (Top of Marble Mountains), Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village, Linh Nham Cave, Xa Loi Tower, Vong Giang Dai (River Watching Pavilion), Vong Hai Dai (Ocean Watching Pavilion)…

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).

How to Get to Tam Thai Pagoda in Marble Mountains

Tam Thai Pagoda is in Thuy Son (‘water mountain’), a mountain of the Marble Mountains, 81 Huyen Tran Cong Chua St, Hoa Hai ward, Ngu Hanh Son district, Da Nang.

To visit Tam Thai Pagoda, travelers need to go to the Water mountain of the Marble Mountains first. It’s 8 kilometers away from Da Nang city centre, 11 kilometers from Da Nang international airport and 7 kilometers from My Khe beach. Travelers can get there by car/taxi, motorbike, public bus, bicycle, and even walking (many beachside resorts nearby). From Hoi An, the distance to the Water mountain (Marble Mountains) is 18 kilometers. Getting there by car and motorbike is popular. We provide full details in https://hoiandaytrip.com/marble-mountains

Chat with us directly by WhatsApp/Zalo +84968009827 or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com to have the best price for private transfers in Da Nang and Hoi An

After arriving the Water mountain, there are 3 ways to go to Tam Thai Pagoda:

– From No.1 Entrance Gate: climb 156 steps to Tam Thai Pagoda – walk through the rock gate behind Tam Thai Pagoda – go past Van Thong Cave, then go downstairs

Pros:

Cons: this way has many steps and steep steps, and is a long hike. If just want to see Linh Ung Pagoda, it’s not the best.

– From No.2 Entrance Gate (the nearest gate): climb 108 steps from the ticket counter OR use the elevator to go up – go past the Buddha Relic Tower, then go downstair

Pros: the elevator helps visitors to save time and good physical fitness is NOT required, so recommended for elders, those who can’t climb stairs and for family with toddles

Cons: need to wait in a long queue when large groups of tourists come

If ride the motorbike, there are no public parking lots to go. Travelers will have to park in local marble shops or beverage stores aside Huyen Tran Cong Chua St, before coming to the ticket counter and going up to the temple. The parking fee may be 10,000 VND for each motorcycle.

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!