The Marble Mountains, also called Ngu Hanh Son, is the name of five marble mounts that rise on a coastal sandy beach, covering an area of about two square kilometers.
This place converges the beauty of heaven and earth, from mountains and seas, and includes historical, cultural, and spiritual values. Thus, Ngu Hanh Son has become a famous destination of Da Nang City to attract tourists in Vietnam as well as in the world.
The Marble Mountains consist of 5 mountains, including Hoa Son (Mount Fire), Moc Son (Mount Wood), Kim Son (Mount Metal), Tho Son (Mount Earth), and Thuy Son (Mount Water). The biggest and most famous mount is Thuy Son ( Mount Water), which tourists always choose as the first place to visit.
>> Please check a private tour from Da Nang to visit the Marble Mountains, Cam Thanh, and Hoi An.
The map to go to the Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains are about 11 km from downtown Danang and nearly 20 km from Hoi An. The roads to Ngu Hanh Son are effortless to go.
From Da Nang City Center, cross the Han River Bridge (Tran Thi Ly or Dragon Bridge; depending on where you are), then turn right into Le Van Hien Street towards Hoi An City, where you can find the Marble Mountains.
From Hoi An City, the guests can follow two ways:
- The first is to go along Truong Sa Street (along the beach), and the Marble Mountains stand on the left side.
- The second method is to drive along Nguyen Tat Thanh Street (in Hoi An) to get to Tran Thu Do Street, then continue running straight to Le Van Hien Street (in Danang). Ngu Hanh Son will be found right on the road.
Transportation to the Marble Mountains
Because the Marble Mountains are easy to come to, you can use a motorbike, private car, taxi or grab, or bus to travel there. Among them, a taxi is the top choice to get to this destination from Danang City Center.
Vietnamdrive does not recommend international guests use motorcycles because this vehicle is the most dangerous transportation.
Please check the details of each kind of transportation as below:
- Motorbikes for rent are in the city center at relatively low prices. A range of prices is from 100,000 VND to 150,000 VND per day.
- Taxi/Grab: It is a suitable vehicle for tourists who follow their families or groups under 6 people because most taxis/grabs have cars with a max of 6 seats for guests. Danang or Hoi An has many taxi companies, and visitors can freely choose a taxi, but the top choice should be Mai Linh Taxi. Moreover, the Grab service is thriving in Da Nang and Hoi An, but your phone needs to have wifi to book it.
- Bus: It is cheap (from Danang from 12,000VND or 25,000VND from Hoi An), but it takes a long time and is not convenient. I do not recommend using it when you travel because I am sure you do not want to waste the valuable time of your holidays. We mention it here for people who have a really low budget and more free time. So, you can catch the yellow buses from the Danang bus station or some roads in the city center (Le Duan, Tran Phu, Truong Nu Vuong, or Le Van Hien), and from Hoi An, get on the bus from Hoi An bus station at Ly Thuong Kiet Street. Then, you ask them to drop you off at Ngu Hanh Son – the Marble Mountains.
- A private car is always the top choice for luxury travel. You will get door-to-door service everywhere in Da Nang City or Hoi An. Price ranges from 30 USD to 50 USD for 4 hours, including waiting time.
Do I need to book a package tour to visit the Marble Mountains?
- Yes, if you have a big budget.
- No, you don’t if you want to travel freely.
How can I visit this destination?
From the front gate, you buy the ticket at one of two gates of Mount Water (Thuy Son), then follow the guideboards to visit the main points: Linh Ung Pagoda, Huyen Khong Cave, Xa Loi Temple, Tam Thai Pagoda, and Tang Chon Cave (at the back of the pagoda).
If you start from the back gate, you can do the opposite way as the order above.
At the foot of Mount Water, there is a Hell Cave (Dong Am Phu), situated between 2 gates. You may visit this cave with another ticket.
Fares to visit the Marble Mountains in Da Nang City
- Tickets to visit Thuy Son: 40,000 VND/adult, 10,000 VND/student, children under 6 years free.
- Tickets to visit Am Phu Cave: 20,000 VND/adult, 7,000 VND/student, children under 6 years free.
- Vong Canh Hill ticket to see the telescope: 10,000 VND/time.
- Tickets to use the lift (near the second gate): 15,000 VND/turn, and 30,000 VND/round trip. The lift is operated from 7:00 am – 5:30 pm daily.
The best time to visit the Marble Mountains in Da Nang
Ngu Hanh Son can travel to visit any time of the year. Every season also has a different beauty with its nature of rocky mountains.
However, if you want to enjoy the fresh air and see the blue sea and white sand, Summer, from May to September, is the ideal season to explore the view from the top of the Marble Mountains. Then, you can swim or relax at the beautiful beaches of Danang City nearby, such as Non Nuoc and My Khe Beach.
However, remember that the weather is hot. It can make you tired while climbing the mountains.
Attractions to check at the Marble Mountains
1. Mount Water (Thuy Son)
Thuy Son is the largest and most beautiful mount in this system. You can climb the stairs or take the elevator to the top of this hill.
Using the lift will save a lot of time and energy. But, if you are young and like climbing, do not hesitate to take steps to the top of the mountain.
On top of the Mountain of Water, you will have a panoramic view of Danang and the white sand beach.
For any way to go up here, these are the top highlights you can visit on Mount Water:
1.1. Tam Thai Pagoda and Linh Ung Pagoda
The temples are beautiful and famous in the landscapes of the Marble Mountains. The ancient style of these temples is good for learning classic architecture in Vietnam.
Besides, the Tam Thai Pagoda and Linh Ung Pagoda are places for visitors to drop their souls into peace and escape away from the bustling noise of the city.
- Tam Thai Pagoda is on a fairly flat surface. The pagoda has a highlight of an old three-door gate, the same design as many old Vietnamese temples. Also, there is a polished belly Buddha Statue in the yard because many rub his belly to wish him good luck.
- Linh Ung Pagoda in Ngu Hanh Son is the second big pagoda in this area. This pagoda is one of three Linh Ung temples in Da Nang, including one in Ba Na Hills, one in Son Tra Island, and one here at the Marble Mountains. Worshipping inside the temple is the Thich Ca Buddha statue in a solemn middle position; the two sides have Lady Buddha Quan Yin and the Hell Bodhisattva. For those who want to pray, they should go to Linh Ung Pagoda to burn incense and pray because this temple is sacred.
>> Please see more: Buddhist Culture Museum in Da Nang.
1.2. Visiting Caves in Mount Water
The Marble Mountains have a lot of mysterious caves. Three main caves include two famous caverns on the top: Huyen Khong and Tang Chon Caves, and one at the foot – Dong Am Phu (the Hell God Cave).
- Huyen Khong Cave (at the back left of Tam Thai Pagoda) is the most beautiful scenery in this destination. The cave has a typical structure with circular arches and one opening on the top, so the cave is always full of holy lights. One temple on the right and lots of Buddhist statues are worshipped here. The smoke of incense in this cave covers almost all the time.
- Tang Chon Cave is behind Tam Thai Pagoda. Inside this cave, you can see a big statue of Buddha, standing in a calm position. It seems he is looking inside to think about life.
- Am Phu Cave (at the foot of Thuy Son Mountain, between two entrances to go up the top) has a mysterious feature. This cave makes visitors a little afraid as if they are getting farther away from life to go down to hell. Keep going on the right, and you will go down the hell with many statues describing the activities at the death place. On the right side of the entrance, inside the cave, there is a stair with many steps that is the way to go to heaven.
Besides, you can visit many small caves, including Linh Nham, Minh Nguyet, and Hang Gio (Wind Cave). All these are also on the top of the Mountain of Water.
2. Mount Metal
Kim Son Mountain is situated in the southwest direction of Thuy Son, on the right of Su Van Hanh Street, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang City, Vietnam.
Right at the foot of Kim Son, there is a cave more than 50m long, nearly 10m wide, about 10-15m high. The entrance is dynamic natural stone steps.
Stalactites cling to the cliff to create a high figure of Quan Yin Bodhisattva and other images inside the cave.
A small stream in the cave can be considered a holy spring, where many local people come to pray, take water to wash their faces, and wish them good luck.
The top highlight at Kim Son is a Buddhist Museum in the area of Quan The Am Pagoda. The museum has over 500 Buddhist antiquities. This one is considered the first Buddhist Cultural Museum in Vietnam.
Many collections reflect the Buddhist heritage and rich diversity of styles and materials dating back centuries.
Below are the three mountains which are not very interesting to visit. However, Vietnamdrive introduces them to you to get an overview of the Marble Mountains. You can see them when standing on the top of Thuy Son.
3. Mount Wood (Moc Son)
Moc Son is located on the east part of Le Van Hien Street, close to the sea, near Thuy Son (Mount Water). The east and the south of Mt. Wood are sandy, the north is the field, and the west is the village.
Although it belongs to the wood element, there are a few trees. The top of the rocky mountain was cut into saw teeth, like the chicken comb, so it is also called the Mao Ga (the peak of chicken comb).
There are no temples on this mountain, only a white marble block, which looks like a person sitting. Moc Son is not beautiful to visit.
4. Mount Earth (Tho Son)
Mount Earth is located in the north area of Kim Son (Mount Metal) and west of Thuy Son (Mount. Water). This mountain is the lowest but the most extended place, looking like a dragon lying on the sand. And, near this mountain is Long Hoa Pagoda.
5. Mount Fire (Hoa Son)
Hoa Son (Mount Fire) consists of 2 tops connecting them by a rocky line. In the east, near the street to Hoi An is the Am Hoa Son (the Yin Fire). The western mount near Kim Son is Duong Hoa Son (the Yang Fire), located on the Co Co river bank.
In the past, when Da Nang and Hoi An were still communicating by waterway, there was a river junction, and the boats were extremely busy. Nowadays, near this mountain is Pho Son Da Pagoda.
Non Nuoc stone carving village
Address: At the foot of Ngu Hanh Son Mountain, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, T.P Da Nang
Non Nuoc Strong Carving Village is located around the foot of the Marble Mountains. Visitors can see a lot of beautiful stone statues with different shapes and designs. You will be surprised to see the exquisite sculptures in the village with rich artistry and sexy images, the romantic mighty of the lions, and the peace and freshness of Buddha and Bodhisattva.
Over 400 years of establishment, Stone Village has been recognized as a national cultural heritage, not only attracting domestic but also international tourists. This village is a place to preserve the traditional carving-stone identity of an ancient region. Nature is exceptionally preferential to give here charming scenery and an abundant source of limestone. With the talented hands of the local people, they create sculptures that touch the scene of magic art.
But, the real thing happens: for the big need of the materials for carving statues, the marble from the Marble Mountains cannot supply.
And, to protect this landscape, the local authority does not allow taking the rock here for sculptures. The craftsmen have to buy the marble from other areas of Vietnam. It is because many talented artisans live in Non Nuoc Village, and the carving work is still intact with an intense vitality with time and continuous development nowadays.
To explore the beauty of the village, you can go along Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street to visit any carving shops. Many big shops settle around the Marble Mountains. However, you should note that when visiting any shops, the sellers often try to introduce and sell their products of carving stones.
Notes when visiting the Marble Mountains
- Ngu Hanh Son is a big place with a mountainous landscape, so the movement must be careful. When climbing up Mount Water, the steps are big and slippery during the wet days, so always pay attention to this!!!
- The path to the top is small and steep, so you have to notice your movement and the relatives, not rush.
- If you travel with the old, they should move up by elevator near the second gate because of the challenging deep steps.
- It is easy to visit the Marble Mountains, but if you want to save time and understand more about this place, you can hire a local guide right at the ticket staff.
- At the two gates, typically at the second gate, there are plenty of souvenirs made of marble. If you want to buy small gifts, you can buy them here. Also, remember bargaining!!! If you’re going to get wholesale or buy big statues, you should come to large shops along Truong Sa Street. They can ship the products to your homes anywhere in Vietnam or other countries.
- When visiting the Marble Mountains, you should dress neatly, with shirts with sleeves and pants or skirts under your knees, because this location has the most temples in Danang City.
- There are snacks and drinks on the top of Mount Water, but you are allowed to bring your drinks and food. Please keep sightseeing clean!
Legend to create the Marble Mountains
In the past, an old man lived alone in a small hut on a deserted beach. The people nearby did not know when he had come and what he did.
One day, a storm from the sea came violently, making the sky dark. A long dragon landed on the shore, crawling on the mainland. Then, a giant egg appeared from the dragon on the side of the old man’s house. After finishing, the dragon crawled back into the sea.
A moment later, a vast golden turtle came in from the sea. The turtle buried that egg in the sand and told the man to protect the egg because heaven chose him to do this.
The egg kept growing bigger and bigger, and it came over the soil. One day, the egg hatched. A beautiful girl came from the egg and said: “Thank you, the man!” After that, she flew up to heaven. Also, the eggshells scattered to become the Marble Mountains, which are maintained until now.
Will you come to the Marble Mountains in Da Nang City during your next trip?
