Marble Mountains is a favorite destination of many tourists, especially ones who have an interest in Buddha. The place is a natural tourist attraction with a breathtaking view in Danang, Vietnam. Marble Mountains consist of 5 large limestone mountains that are harmoniously beautiful. In this article, we will go together to learn about the story of this tourist attraction. Also, you can see our recommendations of the top places to get around, as well as the top things to do there. Let’s scroll down and have a look!
1. The Story about Marble Mountains in Vietnam
Marble Mountains is about 4.35 miles from Danang downtown. The 5 mountains – Ngu Hanh Son in Vietnam – represent the 5 most basic elements of nature. Specifically, the 5 names of these mountains are:
- Kim Son – Metal Mountain
- Thuy Son – Water Mountain
- Moc Son – Wood Mountain
- Hoa Son – Fire Mountain
- Tho Son – Earth Mountain
This place is one of the most significant for people in Central Vietnam, in terms of spirituality. The Marble Mountains are seriously revered by the Cham people in the ancient period. Historically, Vietnamese emperors from Hue and many legendaries have also visited this place.
In terms of geography, Ngu Hanh Son contains a complex network of caves, tunnels, pagodas, and high towers. The architecture is designed and constructed by the Mahayana Buddhists and the people of the Nguyen Dynasty.
This complex construction is blended perfectly with nature, thereby creating a breathtaking scene. When visiting Ngu Hanh Son, visitors are always impressed by the vine tendrils from up high, the blossoms of frangipani and poinciana on the paths, and the sparkling roofs of the old pagodas.
2. Places to Get Around The Marble Mountains
Here are the top 4 popular places that you should visit during your trip to the Marble Mountains.
2.1. Linh Ung Pagoda
The first place you should visit is the Ling Ung pagoda. Go through Gate One and reach the top of the mountain, you will notice that there are 3 primary avenues for exploration. The right way will bring you to the Ling Ung Pagoda, which was built in 1825. This place is known as the spiritual symbol of the Buddhists in the early time. The name Ling Ung stands for fulfillment, implying that the wishes of the miserable who visited this place in the past would be responded to.
The old Buddhists carried many massive tonnes of marble to construct this area. Although this 400-year-old pagoda was destroyed after the Vietnam War (1991) due to a heavy storm, it has been renovated over time. Luckily, Ling Ung Pagoda still retains the beauty of ancient times.
2.2. Huyen Khong Cave
Huyen Khong cave is another must-visit place in the Marble Mountains. The area consists of 2 Buddhist shrines, a small temple, and a huge marble Buddha on the cave face. There are holes on top of the cave, which allow lights from the sky to flicker down into the inside. The light dots on the cave walls are like the shines of fireflies.
In several areas inside the cave, you may notice etched carvings with complex characters on the walls. These were written a long time ago. Many have been worn out but some parts of them still remain.
2.3. Heaven Cave
Heaven Cave, also known as Van Thong Cave, is a great place for all active tourists who like to get through challenges to explore and admire nature’s beauty. There are a lot more things to explore inside than what you look at from the outside. Get to the behind of the shrine and you will notice a natural marble ramp, which leads you to a slender chamber with no ceiling. Lights are required as this place is quite dark.
There is a small tunnel in the back of this chamber. You can use the dugout handholds to get through. Be careful because the floor is slippery and there may be bats flying above your heads. After getting through the tunnels, move to the top of heaven peak and you will meet a beautiful nature scene, which is really worth your exploration time.
2.4. Mountain Thuy
Mountain Thuy has a great expansive and impressive natural scene, which attracts tourists from both inside and outside of Vietnam.
Go north of the Mountain Thuy and you will have an overview of Danang. On the other hand, the east side of this mountain shows you a great view of China Beach, where the U.S army has set up its beachhead in the past. From here, you can also admire the mesmerizing beauty of the South China Sea.
Don’t forget to go to the south of the Mountain Thuy! Impressive green rice paddies and rural countryside will appear beautifully in front of your eyes. And finally, you should go to the west to admire giant Vietnam’s interior mountains.
3. What to Do When Visiting the Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains are not only great due to their natural beauty but also cover many fascinating things to experience. Below are the top 2 things you can experience in this area.
3.1. Rock Climbing
The most common activity at Marble Mountains is rock climbing. Marble Mountains have many natural rock paths and slopes. You can not only climb the mountains but also be able to rappel into many beautiful caves. Many affiliate companies offer interesting climbing, hiking, and rappelling programs and tours for tourists. If you register for tours from these companies, you will have professional equipment, experienced guides, and supporters coming along with you during the trip. There is no need to be an expert to experience rock climbing.
3.2. Shopping
After a day of visiting the top of the Marble Mountains, you can go down to the base to visit the Non-Nuoc hamlet. It is a large area for locals and foreigners to go shopping. The place offers thousands of stone-carving products. You can buy artisan watches, sawing and sculpting marble slabs, small exquisite statues, local specialties, and cute souvenirs.
4. Tips for the Best Trip to The Vietnam Marble Mountains
You may want to note the following tips to have better preparation for your trip and avoid unwanted disruption.
4.1. The Marble Mountains entrance fee
For entering the Marble Mountains, visitors have 2 options. The first one is to enter through Gate One entrance, and the other is to go through Gate Two. Gate One is located at the base of the glass elevator, while Gate Two is on the road on the left side of the mountain.
The ticket price is the same at both entrances. You need to pay about 40.000 dong, which is about $1.7 for an entry. If you want to use an elevator to reach the mountain top easier, buy a ticket with the fee of 15.000 VND, which is $0.65. Otherwise, you can choose to climb 156 steps by foot. Just be careful as the marble stairs are slippery.
4.2. How can I get there?
There are 4 common ways to get to the Marble Mountains in Vietnam.
- Taxi
The most simple way is to book a taxi. However, the fee is quite high as you need to pay about 180.000 dongs ($8) for a ride from Danang to Marble Mountain. The driving time is about 8 minutes.
- Bus
We advise you to go to Ngu Hanh Son by bus. The pickup point is at 38 Ngu Hanh Son. A bus will get there every 15 minutes to bring customers to 256 Le Van Hien. The ticket fee is just 24.000 dong ($1) and the driving time is about 12 minutes.
- Motorbike
Another way is to hire a motorbike and drive by yourself. The distance is just about 3.5 miles so you will have no difficulty with driving. There are also a lot of shops that offer motorbike rentals at a low cost.
- Tours
There are also companies that advertise tours on the Internet. You can register for a tour from Danang or Hoi An to Marble Mountain. The tour fee includes everything you need, from transportation, services, tickets, and a travel guide.
4.3. Notes to Keep in Mind
Before starting the trip to Vietnam Marble Mountains, you should remember some important notes below:
- The opening hours of Ngu Hanh Son are from 7 a.m to 5.30 p.m
- Wear hiking or walking shoes as the roads are slippery
- Prepare a sun hat as there will be heavy sunlight
- Wear discreet outfits as the Marble Mountains is a spiritual and sacred area
- Take your shoes off before entering any pagoda
Final Thoughts
The article has told you about the great story of the Marble Mountains. We also recommend to you the top places and activities to do there. We hope that you will have a good preparation before visiting this spiritual tourist attraction.
Make sure that you remember all notes that we have listed above. They will help you save time and avoid getting disrupted by security during the trip.
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