The Marble Mountains, located eight kilometers from Da Nang, are a place where tourists can not only enjoy the unique beauty of the caves, but also get acquainted with the ancient Asian culture, Buddhist temples built in caves, the religious ideas of the ancient inhabitants of Vietnam about hell and heaven, and the purpose of man on our sinful earth. Five bizarrely colored peaks are made of limestone and, of course, marble, and hidden inside the high hills are huge caves in which stalagmites and stalactites were formed by nature. In ancient times, the ocean splashed in this area, the peaks of the Marble Mountains were small islands, and now the Vietnamese have a legend that each peak of these mountains is one of the immutable components of the vast universe: Mount Tho Son is the earth, Thu Son is the water, Hoa Son - fire, Kim Sean - metal and Mok Sean - wood. The clergy used the caves of the largest mountain, Thu Son, to organize both Buddhist and Hindu temples, which are now open to tourists.
About the caves
Climbing the stairs or elevator to Thu Son peak, you can see tiny prayer houses located on the slope and quite large temples, which are places of worship for Hindus and Buddhists.
The entrance to one of the caves, marked on the map as Hyen khong Cave, with its mysterious appearance seems to transport visitors to fabulous, legendary times, and then a gigantic space opens before their eyes, where the walls are artistically illuminated and the floor is covered with beautiful tiles. Inside the cave there is a small temple built in honor of Buddha.
At the bottom of the mountain, under the elevator, there is a cave marked on the map as Am Phu. The entrance to this cave is paid separately and the ticket costs 15,000 VND. The cave is known among tourists for its beautiful altar.
Behind this cave, on the way to which you can see stunning marble statues, for example, with the inspired face of a musician and monks frozen in the walls, a cave opens where an unforgettable journey awaits you into hell, judgment and heaven made in stone. Here stands a gloomy-looking sacrificial altar. Narrow passages lead visitors through a cave “hell”; tourists climb up and down numerous stairs, and the cave “paradise” is decorated in warm and joyful colors. And this place leads the visitor to the cave up the stairs to a small observation deck, where an impressive view of the green world stretched below opens before the eyes.
At the top of the peak, the Ong Chon Gate, scarred by bullets, will open, behind which stands the Tham Thai Pagoda and the cells of the monks with beautiful orchids growing next to them. Through the tunnels connecting the caves, you can get into the cavities inside the rock, where monumental statues of Buddha stand and carved, large stones are stored, the age of which dates back to the Cham period.
It is impossible to visit all the marble caves during a short excursion, but even if you explore the Marble Mountains on your own, you can visit three or four main places in at least three hours.
Rock climbing tourists especially need a lot of time in the Marble Mountains. A mountaineering instructor can only be found in Da Nang.
Prices for visiting the caves of the Marble Mountains are very affordable, only 30,000 dong, that is, one and a half dollars. Tourists who visit the caves are advised to wear sturdy shoes, either sneakers or sports sandals, as you will have to walk a lot, climb the mountain and wander through the caves. It is also recommended to take plenty of drinking water with you. It is best to come to the Marble Mountains from the very early morning, before a huge number of tourists appear in this famous place who want to experience the beauty of the Marble Mountains. If you intend to explore the caves without a guide, then you need to take a lighting device.
How to get to the Marble Mountains
There are two roads leading to the Marble Mountains. One road is the main route leading to Hoi An, and there are regular buses along it. Buses start their route from the northern station of Hoi An. The second road runs along the sea and its length to the mountains is eight kilometers. A round-trip taxi will cost only five dollars.
At the entrance to the mountains, in front of the gate there is a factory where marble sculptures of amazing beauty are made. These statues are very expensive, and after walking through the picturesque park where the marble figures are displayed, tourists can then confidently say that they were vacationing in a park that costs many millions of dollars.
The Marble Mountains in Da Nang are the most popular attraction in the area. The mountains are located 7 km from Da Nang. If there are not very many tourists in Da Nang itself, then groups come to the Marble Mountains not only from all over Da Nang, but also from Hoi An. What is so interesting about these mountains and how to get to them on your own.
Photo: view of the Da Nang Marble Mountains from the observation deck on Water Mountain
Marble Mountains in Da Nang
The Marble Mountains in Da Nang are several rocks in the middle of a field, overgrown with trees, shrubs and cacti. From a distance, the landscapes of the provinces of Krabi and Phang Nga in the south of Thailand resemble in miniature. Why are the mountains called so - marble? It's simple. Marble was once mined here. Now they are no longer mined, but marble products are still sold everywhere on the approaches to the mountains.
- They have caves, and a temple is built in the largest cave
- You can climb the mountains and wander along rocky paths
- You can see temples and pagodas in the mountains
- Observation platforms from which you can admire the beach and the city from above
Walking in the mountains is not difficult; you don’t need climbing equipment. There are neat paths and stone steps in the mountains. There is even an elevator that, for a fee, takes tourists to the middle of the mountain. But it’s still better to wear suitable shoes. High heels and beach flip-flops are not the best solution for the marble mountains.
Observation deck overlooking the sea
For our trip to the Marble Mountains in Da Nang, we chose a cloudy day so that it would be comfortable to walk up the steps. First of all, we climbed to the observation peak overlooking.
Refreshing wind, sound of the surf, great view. Everything would be great if it weren’t for the Vietnamese tourists who set up chicken coops everywhere around them. We all dislike Chinese tourists. So the Vietnamese are no different from them. It's good that the Vietnamese don't travel abroad like the Chinese.
Having photographed every centimeter, the Vietnamese left and all this farce finally died down. Only Europeans remained at the top. A long-awaited silence reigned. But after a few minutes the Chinese stood up. We hurried down, grateful to the summit for these few minutes of silence with civilized people.
Lookout overlooking the mountains
The second observation deck is slightly lower and is located in the Chinese gazebo on the opposite side. All tourists who visited the Marble Mountains in Da Nang have photos from this place. Katya also appreciated this view. 
Where can I order a transfer from the airport?
We use the service - KiwiTaxi
We ordered a taxi online and paid by card. We were met at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You've already talked about your experience In this article.
Caves in the marble mountains
The second thing worth seeing on the marble mountains is the caves. We saw 3 caves and went into 2 of them. First we looked at this hollow. The cave is small and consists of two halls. In the first there is an altar with a golden Buddha. You can enter the second hall by climbing through a narrow passage. In the second compartment there is a hole in the ceiling that provides natural light. You can go somewhere further, but there is a very narrow hole there, we didn’t climb.
They couldn’t enter the second cave they noticed because of the smoke. The monks apparently overdid the fire or their supply of firewood there began to smolder.
The third cave was discovered by accident. This cave impressed us most of all with its large hall. We never expected to see such a large free space in the low mountains. It’s as if marble mountains are hollow inside.
The largest cave in the marble mountains 
A small temple was built inside the cave. Looks impressive, just like in the movies 
You can rotate the photo of the cave around you with your mouse:
The fourth cave is downstairs behind the elevator. It's called Heaven and Hell. There you can look at sculptures of people in various thematic poses. We didn't go in.
Photo panorama of the cave
Temples and pagodas in the mountains
There are also several small Chinese-style temples and pagodas built on the mountains. The history of the marble mountains has not been studied, but outwardly the temples do not look very ancient.
Our reviews
We liked the Marble Mountains in Da Nang. We didn’t regret going, it was interesting. However, the mountains left a double impression. On the one hand, it was interesting to wander along the paths, see the caves, the temple and climb to the observation decks. But on the other hand, the crowds of tourists got on my nerves. We also specifically went on a weekday. We waited until the Vietnamese and Chinese holidays ended. But still, noisy and ill-mannered Chinese-Vietnamese tourists did not provide the peace and quiet that is necessary in such beautiful places. So, it’s definitely worth going to the Marble Mountains, but you need to be prepared for crowds of tourists and not count on privacy at the lookout or near the temple.
How to get to the Marble Mountains on your own
Getting there on your own is quite easy, both from and from. All you need to do is take bus 01 Danang - Hoian, pay 20 dong for the fare and get to the mountains. We posted the route of this bus on the map in the article. The Marble Mountains will be clearly visible from the window. The conductor can say Marble Mountains or just Mountains if he asks where you are going. The main entrance is marked on the map at the end of the article. From the stop, walk about 5 minutes down towards the sea. A one-way taxi ride from the center of Da Nang will cost 150-200 thousand VND. A taxi from the beach will cost about 100 thousand dong. You can also easily get there on your bike.
- Prices: Entrance 40 thousand dong ($2), elevator 15 thousand dong ($0.75)
- Opening hours: not known exactly, but from 7 am to 5 pm you can definitely come
- Opening days: daily
- How much time to allocate: we spent about 3-4 hours here
You should take water and something to snack with you. In the mountains there are sales points and small cafes with tourist prices. For example, we drank a coconut for 40 dong when the normal price is 20-25. Shoes - sneakers are best. You won’t need anything unusual in clothing, it’s not cold there, but you can take something to cover your knees and shoulders, since there are many temples in the mountains.
Marble Mountains on the map
GPS coordinates: 16.002470, 108.262455
Or a car, while others choose hitchhiking. Often independent travelers are faced with a choice of where to stay and what to see along the way between major cities. Here are some cool ideas.
Dalat waterfalls
Dalat(Đà Lạt)– the richest mountain region in Vietnam with waterfalls. The largest and most beautiful waterfalls in the vicinity of Dalat are surrounded by fences and ticket offices, equipped with roads and trails for tourists, paid entertainment and cafes.
Waterfall Pongour is located 45-50 km from Dalat city on the road on the way to Ho Chi Minh City. This wide waterfall is one of the most beautiful, consisting of 7 cascades flowing into the lake. If you have time along the way, it is worth stopping by the Gowgah waterfall. This is a small, but free waterfall, not very popular among tourists.
If you like comfortable relaxation and additional entertainment, go to waterfalls Prenn(about 10 km from Dalat) and Datanla(about 5 km from Dalat). Prenn Waterfall is located in a beautiful park with sculptures, bridges, benches and a temple, and additional entertainment includes boat rides, elephant or ostrich rides. This is a favorite waterfall for tourist buses, so there are a lot of people here. Datanla Falls consists of three cascades, and to get down to the lower levels, you can take a cable car, ride a trolley and ride an elevator in the middle of the jungle for an additional fee. Datanla Falls is on the way to Prenn Falls from Dalat, so you can plan both falls in one day.
Elephant Falls(about 30 km from Dalat) is a very powerful waterfall, which we advise lovers of silence and solitude with nature to go to. There are no tourist buses coming here, and the flow of people is much less. There are only a couple of cafes near the ticket office, and from the entrance to the waterfall you will have to go down huge stones with additional support on iron railings.
Price:
Pongur Falls: 20,000 vnd ($0.9)
Prenn Falls: 40,000 vnd ($1.8)
Datanla Falls: 30,000 vnd ($1.3)
Elephant Falls: 20,000 vnd ($0.9)
Phong Nha Ke Bang Caves
Phong Nha-Kebang (Vườn quốc gia Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng) – national park, a UNESCO heritage site, famous for its many caves, including the largest cave in the world Shondong. However, access to it, like to some other caves, is limited - you can only get there as part of a multi-day tour for people in good physical shape. The tour is provided by the only company Oxalis, and its price is $3000. Current information can be found and. But there are also caves open for independent exploration.
Caves Phong Nha And Tienshon available for inspection by water. At the ticket office you can purchase tickets for your favorite water transport to visit one or two caves at once. To independently visit other caves you will need a bike. Lovers of active walking should go to the cave Paradise, 1 km out of 31.4 kilometers of which is open for independent travel along a road paved for tourists. From the entrance to the cave you can walk 1.5 km along forest climbs or, for an additional fee, drive part of the distance in an electric car to save time and effort for the climb.
Thrill seekers and extreme sports enthusiasts will be interested in Dark Cave, where the entire path is illuminated by a lantern on the forehead, and this path passes through narrow tunnels. To enter the cave you will have to cross the river using a zipline, and at the end of the cave walk you can swim.
Those who want to get everything quickly and at once can visit both caves (Paradise and Dark Caves) in one busy day. Along the way, if you have time, you can stop by a cave Eight ladies- a monument to the victims of US military bombing.
Price:
Phong Nha Cave: 150,000 vnd ($6.5) + water transport fee
Tien Son Cave: 80,000 vnd ($3.5) + water transport fee
Paradise Cave: 250,000 vnd ($11)
Dark Cave: 350,000 vnd ($15)
Cave of Eight Ladies: free
Bajo Falls
25 kilometers from Nha Trang, on the way to Zoklet beach, there is a wonderful place to relax in nature, hide in the shade from the hot Vietnamese sun or, conversely, sunbathe under its rays and swim in the cool water. You can come here for just a few hours, or you can stay for the whole day. From the entrance to the waterfalls there is a 1 km long path in the jungle. It is worth stocking up on drinking water so as not to overpay for it on site. For clothing, it is advisable to have not only flip-flops and a swimsuit, but also comfortable shoes. Bajo Falls consists of three levels, and the name of the waterfall translates to “three lakes.” To climb to the upper level, you will have to climb over the stones, focusing on the red arrows. The beauty of nature and the special atmosphere of solitude can be felt even on the trail on the way to the waterfalls, so if you don’t have the strength to climb over the rocks, enjoy the beauty on the lower level, the most convenient for swimming.
Price:50,000 vnd ($2.2)
Views of the sea coast
Vietnam stretches along the sea coastline, and the mountain climbs offer unimaginable views that will take your breath away. One of the most popular viewing platforms is Haivan pass, located near the Vietnamese pillbox, where everyone who travels from Da Nang to Hue or in the opposite direction stops. However, this place is far from the most picturesque, if only because of the crowds of people and fences.
It would be much more pleasant to spend an extra day in Da Nang and devote it to a trip around the peninsula Son Tra (Sơn Trà). Traveling around the peninsula on a bike will not leave you indifferent, revealing on one side the wild jungle of the reserve, and on the other – the endless sea, changing around every new turn.
Another attractive viewing point will be Cape Dailan- the easternmost point not only of Vietnam, but of all of Southeast Asia. Here part of the beach is occupied by sand dunes, and a sea lighthouse blinks on the mountain. Entrance fee: 20,000 vnd ($0.9).
Tea plantations
Tea plantations in the vicinity of the dam Kau Kau(Đập Cầu Cau)– a very picturesque and cozy place. The mountain multi-tiered pyramids of tea trees are mesmerizing. Here you can take a boat ride and, after enjoying the nature around, have a snack in a cafe. Tea plantations are located not only around the lake, but also stretch for many kilometers along the Ho Chi Minh City highway. This is far from the most popular place among independent tourists, probably due to its remote location, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself there as the only visitor.
Price: freeTBut
Suoi Voi Springs
Springs await you 45 kilometers from Da Nang Suoi Howl (Suối Voi)- These are stone pools with cool, crystal clear water, where it is pleasant to cool off on a hot day. The springs are located on the territory of the national park Father Ma (Bạch Mã). The shape of some stones gave the springs a second name - Elephant Springs. On both sides of the stone pools there are canopies that create shade, where the Vietnamese are willing to lay down a carpet for relaxation for an additional fee. Those wishing to have some privacy or not have to pay to stay under the canopy can make their way along the deeper rocks to the distant pools. The farther from the first tents, the less noise and people. Traveling from Da Nang to Hue or in the opposite direction can be an excellent occasion to visit the Suoi Voi springs, where you can have a wonderful rest along the way. There are cafes for those who want to refresh themselves.
Price:15000 vnd ($0.7)
Marble Mountains
Marble Mountains(about 10 km from Danang, about 20 km from Hoi An) - “mountains of 5 elements” is a complex of 5 hills, each of which has the name of one of the elemental elements in the eastern horoscope: water, earth, wood, metal and fire. The largest and most interesting to visit is Mount Water. Here you can explore caves with altars and pagodas, climb to observation platforms and admire the view of the city and the sea. Part of the ascent can be done by elevator for an additional fee, but the main distances will have to be covered on foot, walking along paths and stone stairs. One of the most interesting caves is the cave Am Hu, its interior arrangement and sculptures symbolize heaven and hell. Marble products and sculptures are sold in the city. Previously, marble was mined in the Marble Mountains, but today its mining is prohibited, and marble is imported from other regions of Vietnam.
Price: 40,000 vnd ($1.8)
Hoi An
Bonus to our “natural” list – Hoi An(Hội An, about 30 km from Don Nang). This is a traditional historical open-air museum city and a UNESCO heritage site. The city has 22 major attractions: museums, ancient houses, meeting halls, chapels, a temple, a Japanese bridge, a traditional workshop and a theater. To visit any 5 attractions, you can purchase a general ticket for 120,000 vnd ($5.3). You can freely enjoy the atmosphere of the old town by walking through its streets, where more than 800 buildings are of historical significance and date back to the 16th-18th centuries, from the time when Hoi An was a major port city. In the evening, the embankment lights up with colorful lights, local barkers invite you to ride on boats, and fruit sellers in a traditional Vietnamese hat and with a wooden rocker on their shoulder offer to take a photo for free (with a subsequent request to buy fruit). Hoi An is also a “couturier city”, famous for its sewing and shoe craftsmen. Many pavilions are open in anticipation of new orders, the turnaround time is 24 hours. A visit to Hoi An can be combined with a beach holiday: the beaches are located 3-4 km from the center. You can choose housing near the beach, in the old town, or in a residential area in between. It is convenient to get around the city by bicycle: you can rent one, and they are often provided free of charge in hotels and hostels.
Price: For any 5 attractions 120,000 vnd ($5.3)
Text -
The Marble Mountains in Vietnam are one of the country's most outstanding natural attractions. The mountains are located between two interesting cities from the point of view of travelers - Da Nang and Hoi An. The first is known as a large developing city with many kilometers of beaches, while the second is interesting because of the preserved quarter with old buildings, where in the evenings many lanterns are lit, which make the already colorful atmosphere of Hoi An magical.
Marble Mountains in Vietnam: the mystery and grandeur of a natural wonder
Previously, the Marble Mountains in Vietnam were used to extract material from which beautiful figurines and vases were then created. But now it is a natural landmark that is protected by the state and marble mining has stopped here. The Marble Mountains are famous for their caves, in which people created Buddhist temples. Thus, it is not only a natural monument, but also a religious place. Buddha statues carved from stone add mystery and grandeur to the caves.
The Marble Mountains in Vietnam are named after the main five elements - earth, metal, wood, water and fire. The area near the rocks is landscaped for comfortable walks for tourists. There are signs, paths, stairs and even a modern elevator that takes you up to the caves and then back down to the road. The Am Khu cave deserves special attention, in which pictures of heaven and hell are recreated.
Here you can simply walk, enjoying the beautiful views from observation platforms and looking into the caves, or you can go rock climbing under the supervision of an instructor.
The stone products store, which is located at the entrance to the Marble Mountains, deserves special attention. It looks not like a store, but like an open-air museum that offers you to admire skillfully made sculptures of gods, people and animals. All sculptures can be bought, although their weight and price are too high and tourists usually do not make such purchases. But you can enter the indoor pavilion and purchase a small marble figurine or jewelry made of stone.
When going on a trip to the Marble Mountains in Vietnam, do not forget sunscreen and be sure to wear closed clothing. Do not forget that the caves contain Buddhist temples and the appearance of those entering must correspond to the situation. It is more convenient to walk around the territory in sneakers or sneakers; flip-flops are not very comfortable shoes for negotiating stairs and passages. It also doesn't hurt to take a bottle of water with you. The Marble Mountains in Vietnam are a place where you will want to walk longer and definitely get thirsty.
You can explore the Marble Mountains on one of our North to South Vietnam tours. Our programs are designed to cover the most interesting sights of the country and include beach holidays. You can find out more about tour options.
Vietnam is often called the land of fairies and dragons - according to ancient legends, all Vietnamese consider themselves descendants of the marriage of a Fairy and a Dragon. The Fairy was in charge of industry - she taught people how to produce silk, and the Dragon showed children the wisdom of agriculture. Since then, the Vietnamese have prospered in both directions.
The name of the country is translated as “the country of the Southern Vietnamese (the name of the nation), but the country was called Annam until 1945, and the name Vietnam was used only in poetic speech. The new name was immortalized by Emperor Bao Dai.
Geographical characteristics
The state, elongated in the shape of the letter “S”, is located in Southeast Asia, in the east of the Indochina Peninsula. Neighbors to the west are Laos, Cambodia and China.
The coast of Vietnam is washed from the east and south by the South China Sea and Bac Bo Bay; the small southwestern tip has access to the Gulf of Thailand.
The area of Vietnam is 329.6 thousand square meters. km. The capital of the state is Hanoi. Political system - socialist republic. The state is officially headed by the Communist Party.
Nature
More than 80% of the country is mountainous, descending with access to the sea. The highest point in the country is Mount Fansipan, 3143 meters high. The hill is located in the north-west of the country, in the Hoanglien Son mountain range. The Truong Son Mountains stretch along the western border of the country, separating Vietnam from Laos and China.
The central and southern parts of Vietnam are occupied by basement and basalt plateaus, on which several frozen volcanoes rise. The area between the volcanoes is covered with forest, and in the craters of some volcanoes lakes have formed, giving rise to several rivers of the Mekong River basin...
There are more than 2,000 rivers in Vietnam of varying depths and sizes (the smallest reaches only 10 meters in length). The largest rivers in Vietnam - the Mekong and Hong Ha (Red River) - flow into the South China Sea.
The Mekong Delta is one of the largest and deepest deltas in the world. On the territory of Vietnam, the area with a delta forming nine branches (“Nine of the Dragons”) even acquired special economic importance - the Vietnamese settled here for the first time, began to develop the wetlands, and began to raise fish in canals and man-made ponds.
In the Hong Ha River delta, on the Bac Bo Plain, stands the capital Hanoi. The territory is marked by the highest population density.
The country's largest lake, Hoan Kiem, is an oxbow lake formed as a result of changes in the course of the Red River. The lake has great cultural and historical significance for the people. It is also called the Lake of the Returned Sword: according to legend, one of the ancient rulers of Vietnam defeated the Chinese armies with a accidentally found sword that belonged to a magical golden turtle. After the victories, the turtle came out of the waters of the lake and took the sword.
To the north of the capital there is a chain of picturesque Ba Be lakes. Lakes Pelam, Pelu and Peleng are surrounded by waterfalls and caves...
The coast of Vietnam is washed by one sea - the South China Sea, it is semi-enclosed and belongs to the basins of the Indian and Pacific Oceans and has the properties of both oceans.
The largest island in the South China Sea is Hainan. The area is comfortable for tourist holidays, as the sea here is clean and warm. However, there are many predatory fish and dangerous sharks in the sea. The sea is also rich in commercial fish species - tuna, herring and sardines are found here in abundance...
Some unique plants of Vietnam have become national symbols of the country: for example, bamboo, red and black sandalwood.
In Vietnam there are animals listed in the Red Book, which are almost not left in the wild in other parts of the world - these are the Asian buffalo, Javan and Sumatran rhinoceroses. Endemics (animals that live exclusively in a specified territory) are several species of monkeys, rodents and bats. The Asian elephant, black gibbon, and Indochinese tiger are considered rare species preserved in Vietnam. Animals live both in the wild, in protected reserves, and on special farms...
Due to the elongation of the country from north to south, the climate of Vietnam is heterogeneous, although in general the country is located in the subequatorial monsoon climate zone. In the south, winter is dry and hot (temperatures reach 26 degrees Celsius), in the north it is colder, but humid and mild (up to 15 degrees Celsius). Summer is the monsoon season throughout the country; the end of summer is usually marked by destructive typhoons.
There are frosts in the mountains; on the borders with China, from where cool air penetrates, temperature drops of up to 1 degree Celsius have been recorded...
Resources
The industrial centers of Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang - are located in Central and Southern Vietnam. Industry is represented by metallurgical, mechanical engineering, construction, chemical fields, and light industry. Electronics and components, production of textiles and leather, glass, jewelry and cosmetics were exported to the world. A special branch of the economy is the global production of electricity thanks to an extensive network of hydroelectric power stations.
The fertile basalts of the area contribute to the successful growth of crops in tropical and temperate latitudes, so agriculture has developed greatly on the plateaus of Vietnam - this cluster employs 50% of the country's population. Mainly rice, tea and coffee are grown; the production of cashew nuts, spices, tropical fruits is highly developed...
Culture
The indigenous population of the country is the Viet (Kinh), and 54 other nationalities are recognized as related to them in the country. In the south, most of the population is Khmer (Lower Viet). There is a large proportion of Chinese, Polynesian, Malay and Thai populations.
Vietnamese has the status of the state language. More than 85% of the population professes Buddhism, and the religions of these national minorities, atheism, Christianity are also present...
