Marble Mountains Da Nang 2026: Caves, Tickets & Tips

The Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hành Sơn, “Five Elements Mountains”) are a cluster of marble and limestone hills about 9 km south-east of central Da Nang, on the road to Hoi An. They are famous for Buddhist caves, cliff-top pagodas and sea views. The main hill, Thuy Son, costs 40,000 VND (about US$1.50); allow two to three hours.

Status (checked October 2026): open daily as normal, roughly 7:00–17:30. Thuy Son costs 40,000 VND per adult, Am Phu Cave is a separate 20,000 VND ticket and the lift costs 15,000 VND one way. In the October–December rainy season, stone steps and cave floors get slippery, so wear shoes with grip.

Why the Marble Mountains are worth seeing:

Cave temples: Huyen Khong Cave, lit by shafts of sunlight through openings in its roof, is one of the most atmospheric sights in central Vietnam.
Pagodas and viewpoints: Tam Thai and Linh Ung pagodas sit on the mountainside, with lookouts over My Khe and Non Nuoc beaches.
National Special Relic: the site was given Vietnam’s highest heritage ranking by a decision of 24 December 2018.
Cheap and quick: a few dollars and two to three hours, and it fits neatly between Da Nang and Hoi An.
Stone carving village: Non Nuoc’s stone carving craft is listed as national intangible cultural heritage.

Marble Mountains at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Ngũ Hành Sơn (Five Elements Mountains); main hill Thủy Sơn
Address	81 Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street, Ngu Hanh Son ward, Da Nang
Distance	About 9 km south-east of Da Nang centre; about 20 km north of Hoi An
Known for	Huyen Khong Cave, Am Phu Cave, Tam Thai and Linh Ung pagodas, sea views
Recognition	National Special Relic (decision of 24 December 2018); Non Nuoc stone carving: national intangible heritage (2014)
Opening hours	Daily, about 7:00–17:30
Entrance fee	Thuy Son 40,000 VND; Am Phu Cave 20,000 VND; lift 15,000 VND one way
Time needed	2–3 hours
Best time	February–May; at opening time or after 15:30
Nearby	My Khe Beach, Non Nuoc Beach, Hoi An
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor

Are the Marble Mountains Worth Visiting?

Yes, they are one of the best-value half-day trips around Da Nang. For a few dollars you get caves, pagodas, legends and sea views, and the site is directly on the coastal road to Hoi An, so it costs almost no extra travel time.

Best for: culture lovers, photographers and anyone travelling between Da Nang and Hoi An.
Skip if: you have mobility problems and cannot manage steep steps; the lift only reaches the first level.
Short on time: take the lift up, see Linh Ung Pagoda, Huyen Khong Cave and the Vong Giang Dai lookout, then walk down in about 90 minutes.

History and Legend of the Marble Mountains

The five hills are named after the five elements of East Asian philosophy: Kim Son (metal), Thuy Son (water), Moc Son (wood), Hoa Son (fire, made up of two hills, Duong Hoa Son and Am Hoa Son) and Tho Son (earth). Local legend says they grew from the shell fragments of a giant egg laid by a dragon on the beach.

The caves were used as sanctuaries long before the Vietnamese arrived: Cham-era Hindu and Buddhist traces survive in some grottoes. In the 19th century the Nguyen emperors, especially Minh Mang, gave the pagodas royal patronage. During the Vietnam War the hills stood next to the American Marble Mountain Air Facility, and accounts say Viet Cong fighters used the caves, including as a hospital.

In January 2019 the site was formally presented with its certificate as a National Special Relic. Marble is no longer quarried from the mountains themselves; the carving workshops at the foot now bring stone from elsewhere.

What to See at the Marble Mountains

1. Tam Thai Pagoda

Near the top of the main stairway, Tam Thai is the most important pagoda on Thuy Son and was a royal pagoda under the Nguyen dynasty. Its courtyard is the starting point for several caves.

2. Huyen Khong Cave

The highlight of Thuy Son: a vast chamber with a large seated Buddha, altars and shrines, lit by beams of light through holes in the ceiling. Go between 10:00 and 13:00 on a sunny day for the light shafts.

Buddha statue lit inside a cave of the Marble Mountains, Da Nang — Buddha statues fill the caves of the Marble Mountains. Photo: Hiroki Ogawa, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

3. Linh Ung Pagoda (Non Nuoc)

Reached first from the lift, this pagoda is surrounded by bonsai, a Xa Loi (relic) tower and views towards the sea. It is one of three Linh Ung pagodas in Da Nang, alongside Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra and the one at Ba Na Hills.

4. Am Phu Cave (Hell Cave)

At the foot of Thuy Son, on a separate ticket, Am Phu Cave depicts Buddhist heaven and hell with sculptures of sinners and punishments, then a climb towards a bright “heaven” opening. It is dramatic and slightly gruesome; children may find it scary.

5. Tang Chon and Van Thong caves

Smaller caves with altars and narrow passages; Van Thong ends in a tight squeeze up to a hole in the rock that leads to daylight, which agile visitors enjoy.

6. Vong Giang Dai and Vong Hai Dai lookouts

Viewpoints on Thuy Son over the Co Co River, the other mountains, the city and the long beach towards Hoi An. They are the best places for photos in the late afternoon.

7. Non Nuoc stone carving village

At the foot of the mountains, workshops carve everything from small souvenirs to giant Buddha and lion statues. The craft is recognised as national intangible cultural heritage; bargain firmly and ask about shipping before you buy anything large.

Marble Mountains Tickets and Opening Hours

Ticket	Adult	Notes
Thuy Son (main mountain)	40,000 VND (about US$1.50)	Students 10,000 VND; children under 6 free
Am Phu Cave	20,000 VND	Separate ticket; students 7,000 VND; children under 6 free
Lift (elevator)	15,000 VND one way / 30,000 VND return	Reaches the Linh Ung Pagoda level only
Other hills (Kim, Moc, Hoa, Tho)	No standard ticket	Smaller sites, less visited
Opening hours	Daily, about 7:00–17:30; arrive before 16:30 to see the caves

Prices are set by the Ngu Hanh Son scenic site management; check the official Da Nang tourism page for updates.

How to Visit the Marble Mountains Step by Step

Buy tickets at the main gate on Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street (Thuy Son, plus Am Phu if you want it).
Take the lift or the stone stairway (around 156 steps) to Linh Ung Pagoda.
Follow the path past Tam Thai Pagoda to Huyen Khong Cave and the smaller caves.
Climb to Vong Giang Dai for the view, then walk down the other side.
Finish at Am Phu Cave and the stone workshops at the foot.

Rules and etiquette

Cover shoulders and knees inside pagodas and caves; remove hats at altars.
Keep voices low where people are praying, and do not climb on statues.
Some passages are steep and unlit; carry a phone torch and skip them if unsure.

How to Get to the Marble Mountains

From	How	Time
Da Nang centre	Grab car or taxi along Le Van Hien or the beach road	15–20 minutes
My Khe Beach hotels	Grab, taxi or bicycle along Vo Nguyen Giap / Truong Sa	10–15 minutes
Hoi An	Grab car, private car or motorbike	25–35 minutes
Da Nang airport	Taxi or Grab	About 20 minutes
Da Nang or Hoi An	Half-day tour, often combined with Son Tra or Hoi An	Half day

More options are in our Da Nang transportation guide.

Best Time to Visit the Marble Mountains

When	What to expect
February–May	Dry, pleasant weather; the best months for climbing
June–August	Very hot and humid; go at 7:00 or after 15:30
September–December	Rainy season; wet steps but quieter caves
10:00–13:00 on sunny days	Light beams in Huyen Khong Cave
Late afternoon	Softer light at the lookouts and fewer tour groups

Local Expert Tips for the Marble Mountains

These tips come from years of arranging Da Nang tours for international travellers.

Use the lift up, walk down: it saves energy for the caves.
Carry small change for tickets, water and donation boxes.
Wear trainers, not flip-flops: rock surfaces are polished and slippery.
Stop on the way to Hoi An with your luggage in a private car; the driver can wait at the car park.
Do not feel pressured in the stone shops: browse freely and compare prices.
Combine it with the beach: My Khe and Non Nuoc beaches are minutes away.

Marble Mountains vs Son Tra Peninsula

Feature	Marble Mountains	Son Tra Peninsula
Highlights	Caves, pagodas, stone village	Forest, langurs, Lady Buddha, sea views
Ticket	40,000 VND	Free
Time needed	2–3 hours	Half day
Effort	Steps and cave scrambles	Mostly by vehicle
Location	South, on the road to Hoi An	North-east of the city

Our view: the Marble Mountains are better for culture and caves, the Son Tra Peninsula for nature and views. With one day, do Son Tra in the morning and the Marble Mountains on the way to Hoi An in the afternoon.

Nearby Attractions

My Khe Beach: Da Nang’s famous city beach.
Hoi An Ancient Town: about 30 minutes south.
An Bang Beach: a relaxed beach near Hoi An.
Tra Que Vegetable Village: organic farming village near Hoi An.
Dragon Bridge: weekend fire show in the city.
Museum of Cham Sculpture: for the Cham history behind the caves.

Sightseeing in Da Nang for First-Time Visitors: Where the Marble Mountains Fit

The Marble Mountains work best as a stop on your transfer between Da Nang and Hoi An, or as a morning trip combined with the Son Tra Peninsula and Lady Buddha. Keep a separate full day for Ba Na Hills, and see our Da Nang food guide for lunch ideas nearby.

Plan your trip with our Da Nang travel guide and tours from Da Nang. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Marble Mountains

1. How much is the Marble Mountains ticket?

The main Marble Mountains ticket for Thuy Son is 40,000 VND per adult; Am Phu Cave costs an extra 20,000 VND and the lift 15,000 VND one way.

2. What are the Marble Mountains opening hours?

The Marble Mountains are open daily from about 7:00 to 17:30; arrive before 16:30 to see the caves properly.

3. How long do you need at the Marble Mountains?

Two to three hours is enough for Thuy Son, the main caves and Am Phu Cave at the Marble Mountains.

4. How far are the Marble Mountains from Da Nang?

The Marble Mountains are about 9 km south-east of central Da Nang, 15–20 minutes by car.

5. How far are the Marble Mountains from Hoi An?

About 20 km, or 25–35 minutes by car, so the Marble Mountains make an easy stop on the way to Hoi An.

6. Is there a lift at the Marble Mountains?

Yes, a lift on Thuy Son costs 15,000 VND one way and takes you to Linh Ung Pagoda; the rest of the Marble Mountains visit involves steps.

7. Which of the Marble Mountains can you visit?

Thuy Son (Water Mountain) is the main visitor site of the Marble Mountains, with most of the caves and pagodas; the other hills are smaller and less developed.

8. What is the most beautiful cave in the Marble Mountains?

Huyen Khong Cave is the most impressive in the Marble Mountains, with a large Buddha statue and natural light falling through openings in the roof.

9. Is Am Phu Cave at the Marble Mountains worth it?

Yes, for 20,000 VND Am Phu Cave at the Marble Mountains offers a dramatic walk through depictions of Buddhist hell and heaven, though young children may find it frightening.

10. What should I wear to the Marble Mountains?

Wear shoes with good grip and clothes covering shoulders and knees, as the Marble Mountains have slippery steps and active pagodas.

11. Are the Marble Mountains suitable for children and older travellers?

Mostly yes; the lift helps, but some Marble Mountains caves need climbing and squeezing through narrow passages.

12. Why are they called the Marble Mountains?

The Marble Mountains are made of marble and limestone, and their Vietnamese name Ngu Hanh Son refers to the five elements: metal, water, wood, fire and earth.

13. Can you buy marble statues at the Marble Mountains?

Yes, Non Nuoc stone carving workshops at the foot of the Marble Mountains sell carvings of every size and can arrange international shipping; compare prices first.

14. Are the Marble Mountains a UNESCO site?

No, the Marble Mountains are not UNESCO-listed, but they are a Vietnamese National Special Relic, the country’s highest heritage ranking.

15. What is the best time to visit the Marble Mountains?

Visit the Marble Mountains from February to May, early in the morning or after 15:30; on sunny days come around midday for the light beams in Huyen Khong Cave.