The Marble Mountains, also known as Ngu Hanh Son in Vietnamese, are among the top destinations in Da Nang City, featuring numerous sacred temples and caves. This peaceful place is where many people come to find relaxing and tranquil moments, accompanied by the sounds of the holy bell.
1. Where are the Marble Mountains?
Eight kilometers from the center of Da Nang, on the route between Da Nang and Hoi An along the coast, the Marble Mountains are located in Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang City.
This destination encompasses a cluster of five marble mountains that rise from the coastal sand, featuring ancient and majestic structures.
The Marble Mountains are considered a convergence of heaven and sea, history, culture, and spirituality. 5 mountains were named the five elements: Kim Son (Metal Mount), Moc Son (Wood Mount), Thuy Son (Water Mount), Hoa Son (Fire Mount), and Tho Son (Earth Mount). Each mountain has its own beauty, but the most beautiful and biggest one is Thuy Son (Water Mount).
2. The ticket price to visit the Marble Mountains
Thuy Son Ticket:
- Adults: 60,000 VND/pax
- Students: 40,000 VND/pax
- Children under 6 years old: Free admission.
Hell Cave:
- Adults: 20,000 VND/pax
- Students, students: 7,000 VND/pax
- Children under 6 years old: Free admission.
Other services:
- Round-trip lift ticket price: 40,000 VND / person / 2 ways.
- Tour guide at the site: 100,000 VND
3. The Legend of Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains are associated with a legend from the wilderness. Suddenly, a Dragon flew here to lay an egg and then disappeared. Golden Turtle God (Kim Quy) came to cover the sand to hatch eggs.
Another day, an old fisherman who sank a boat was rescued by the god Kim Quy and brought here, given the task of protecting the dragon egg.
With the nail left by the god Kim Quy, the old man fought against many wild animals, protecting the egg until the day it hatched, when a beautiful fairy was born. The eggshells also grew and separated, forming the five clusters of mountains with distinct colors, including pink, gray, blue, green, black, and yellow, which symbolize the five elements in the universe. This place is called Ngu Hanh Son, which translates to the Marble Mountains.
4. Visiting the Marble Mountains
Not only is Ngu Hanh Son beautiful, but it is also a treasure trove of cultural and historical significance, featuring temple architecture from the early 19th century, Cham sculptures from the 14th and 15th centuries, and poetry autographs from the Le and Tran dynasties.
4.1. Kim Son (Metal Mount)
Kim Son is one of the five mountains where you can come to explore the temple and cave. At the foot of Kim Son mountain, you will enter a cave 50m long, 10m wide, and 15m high.
In the cave, there are natural stone steps, particularly a layer of perennial stalactites that create the shape of a statue of Quan The Am Bodhisattva, which is as tall as a person and very impressive.
The layer of stalactites sparkles as if forming a coat for the statue. Next to it is a statue of Thien Tai Dong Tu, and the image of a giant bird with two broad wings covering the ceiling of the cave.
There is also a Quan The Am pagoda, built in the 1950s, leaning against Kim Son, facing the river with a fragrant lotus pond that blooms brilliantly in the summer.
4.2. Moc Son (Wood Mount)
Moc Son is located near the sea, close to Thuy Son, also known as Mong Ga Mountain, because its shape resembles a crest.
On the mountain, there is a white marble block like a person sitting, people call it Co Mu or Ba Quan Am. At the top of the hill, 10 meters above, there is a cave called Ba Trung Cave, as it is said that a woman of the same name used to practice there.
However, this mount is not worth visiting because there is not much to see there. You can see this when climbing Mount Water.
4.3. Thuy Son (Water Mount)
This mountain is the largest and most beautiful in the Ngu Hanh Son, with three peaks on three floors, meaning Tam Thai – the three stars of the great constellation (Dai Hung Tinh).
Water Mount is also home to many stalactite caves and pagodas, of which the famous ones are Non Nuoc Pagoda, Tam Thai Pagoda, and Linh Ung Pagoda.
To reach Tam Thai Pagoda, you must climb 156 steps; to Linh Ung, through 108 levels.
Luckily, if you don’t have enough mobility, you can choose to take the elevator for 20,000 VND / person, one way, up to 43m high. You have a good chance to enjoy the scenery on the way up, which is very beautiful.
When visiting Water Mount, you should not miss the two famous caves: Huyen Khong Cave and Hell Cave.
- Huyen Khong Cave is the most beautiful of the caves in Ngu Hanh Son, situated open-air with circular arches that lead to the sky, ensuring the cave is always filled with light. The sacred space here offers you peace and relaxation from the moment you arrive.
- Hell Cave is one of the incredible caves located at the foot of Water Mount. This natural cave features mysterious, murky qualities and has numerous nooks that extend deep underground. Here, there are 18 hell levels portrayed; you can check it out if you’re not faint of heart and not easily disturbed by dark and hellish images.
4.4. Hoa Son (Fire Mount)
Hoa Son includes Yang Hoa Son and Yin Hoa Son. Yang Hoa Son features caves and Pho Son Da pagoda, located near Kim Son. Am Hoa Son has a high mountain top, and many rocks are scattered around this area.
This mount is not particularly noteworthy, so you can skip it to save time and explore another.
4.5. Tho Son (Earth Mount)
Tho Son is the lowest but longest in the Marble Mountains, with the shape of a dragon lying curled up in the sand. There are many ancient bricks of the Champa period, with the color of red earth exposed under the thin grass covering the mountain.
Tho Son has Bo De Cave, which is very beautiful, but the entrance is only wide enough for one person to pass through. This place also records a heroic battle, the hiding base of Vietnamese troops during the two resistance wars against France and the US.
In Tho Son, there is also a Long Hoa pagoda, which worships Maitreya Buddha, with Shakyamuni Buddha behind it, and Bodhisattvas and Hell Gods on both sides.
5. When to go to Ngu Hanh Son?
Ngu Hanh Son has mild weather, making it suitable for visiting all year round. However, spring and summer are the best seasons to enjoy the vitality and scenery here fully. At the same time, this tourist destination is also conveniently located to visit the beautiful beaches in Da Nang City, which are nearby.
6. How to go to the Marble Mountains in Da Nang?
The Marble Mountains are only 8km from the center of Da Nang city, right on the Da Nang – Hoi An road. You can combine this sightseeing with the journey to Hoi An old town. The road is large, flat, and easy to navigate, making it easy to find your way.
You can choose to travel by motorbike, private car, or bus when staying in Da Nang City.
For the bus, take the Da Nang – Hoi An trip, which stops at Ngu Hanh Son, with departures from 5:30 to 17:50 daily. And tell the ticker conductor to stop at Ngu Hanh Son.
However, a private car or taxi is the most convenient mode of travel for most foreign tourists who do not have much time and prefer not to wait for the local bus.
7. Where to eat when going to the Marble Mountains?
If you have the opportunity to visit the city center of Hoi An or Da Nang, you can find better restaurants.
If you want to check the local restaurants that can serve a little local style, here they are:
- Quang Noodles: Mi Quang Dung at 43 Ngu Hanh Son Street, Mi Quang Phuong at 6 Phan Tu Street, Mi Quang Ba Vi at 60 Ngu Hanh Son Street, Ba Mua at 40 Ngu Hanh Son Street. The price is from 20,000 VND. You can choose one of them to taste the local noodles.
- Ba Hai crab noodle soup: K25/14 Ngu Hanh Son Street.
- Quan Ly Restaurant (Grilled beef): 328 Ngu Hanh Son Street.
8. Notes when visiting the Marble Mountains
Clothing to visit the Marble Mountains: The Marble Mountains have many spiritual temples, so it’s essential to dress politely and discreetly while still ensuring coolness and ease of movement.
Keep clean at Ngu Hanh Son: This is a natural masterpiece, featuring stunning stalactite caves. Please do not litter indiscriminately!
Drinking water: To visit the caves and temples, you will need to climb up, so it’s advisable to bring drinking water. If you prefer not to carry water to the top of Water Mount, a small shop with chairs is nearby, offering a place to rest at the back of the Tam Thai pagoda.
The Marble Mountains are still a must-see destination when coming to Da Nang City. This place offers beautiful scenery and spiritual temples, providing a serene environment to find peace within your soul.
