How to Visit Marble Mountains in Da Nang Vietnam – Ultimate Guide

Marble Mountains are close to Danang and were on our route from the Imperial City of Hue to Hoi An.

We hadn’t planned to visit them during our 2-week trip around Vietnam, but they were included in our Hai Van Pass transfer, so we thought, why not?

Arriving at the Marble Mountains and with the thermometer peaking at 30 degrees, I asked our driver what time he wanted us back in the car. “Take however long you want,” was his reply.  

I wasn’t sure it would take us long to look at some statues and a few carvings, but I was wrong; it is an incredible place.

With so much to see, we could now understand why our driver said we could take our time!

At every turn, a new sight awaited us, and the thought of the centuries it must have taken to turn these mountains in Vietnam into a place of such religious beauty was truly astounding.

In this post, I share Marble Mountain facts, travel tips, and photographs of our visit.

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Facts about the Marble Mountains

The Marble Mountains consist of 5 marble and limestone Element Mountains; Water Mountain (Thuy), Wood Mountain (Moc), Metal Mountain (Kim), Earth Mountain (Tho), and Fire Mountain (Hoa).

Inside the caves are temples with shrines and statues dedicated to Buddhism and Hinduism. There are also places to worship.

The Cham Dynasty used the mountains as a pilgrimage place in the 9th century, and after the decline of the Cham Dynasty, the Vietnamese King Minh Mang called the mountains Ngu Hanh Son, The Five Element Mountains.

During the Vietnamese/French colonial period, the mountains were renamed the Marble Mountains after French geologists realised the mountains were comprised of marble.

In recent times the mountains were used as a guerilla base during the Vietnam/American war.

Marble and stone were extracted from the mountains for sculpting. Mining of marble in Vietnam is now banned, and it is imported from China.

Top Tips for Visiting the Marble Mountains in Da Nang

How to Get to the Marble Mountains

Marble Mountain is a must-see site in Vietnam and can be visited from Da Nang and Hoi An on a Marble Mountain Tour.

If you are travelling from Hue as we were, it may be included in your trip itinerary; if not, then ask your driver to include a stop at the marble mountains. We visited them during our road transfer from Hue to Hoi An with Hura Cars.

You can also hop on a local bus from Da Nang if you prefer to visit alone. Numbers #1, #11, or #R16 go to the entrance of Marble Mountains.

The Marble Mountains are in the Non-Nuoc Stone Carving village centre, 8 km south of Da Nang city centre.

You can watch the stonemasons at work, sculpting huge slabs of marble and even have a statue delivered to your home address if you so desire!

How to Enter the Marble Mountains

We ascended the mountain by escalator, a quicker and less exhausting route than taking the 157 steps. You must get a ticket to gain entrance which will cost 40,000vnd and an additional 40,000vnd for the escalator. The mountains are open from 7 am – 5.30 pm all year round.

How Long Should I Stay in the Marble Mountains?

If you want to take it at a leisurely pace, I would say 2-3 hours, allowing time to stop for a drink or something to eat. Water and coconut vendors line some of the pathways giving a glimpse of hope to tourists who have arrived without their own refreshments.

It is hot and humid in the mountains, so prepare yourself with decent footwear to combat slippery pathways and plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Crowds flock to the mountains, so don’t expect peace and tranquillity. However, we arrived on an April afternoon and still managed to find areas where we could enjoy solitude.

Our Story of The Green Jade Buddha

We had to walk through the various stalls selling green jade marble to reach the mountain’s entrance.

Stopping at one, we admired a small jade Buddha no larger than a thumbnail. The stall-holder said she would give us a reasonable price, but we weren’t sure we even wanted it.

We promised that if we decided to buy, we would return to her. She laughed and looked at us, unconvinced. I guess she had probably heard this said many times before.

We spent about two hours in the mountains and eventually returned through the market stalls to find our driver.

We had decided we did want the jade buddha during our time in the mountains, so we looked for the lady from who we had promised to return.

It was like finding a needle in a haystack, but eventually, she saw us, called us over and gave us a really “good price” because we had kept our promise to return!

One small jade buddha now sits on a windowsill in England and reminds us of a memorable trip to the Marble Mountains.

The Marble Mountains Photo Gallery

On exiting the elevator, your first sight will be the Xa Loi Pagoda, a seven-sided six-floored tower.

Pagodas are located all around the mountains.

Tam Thai Pagoda was built in the 17th century, around 400 years old. 

One of the several Buddhist sanctuaries in the marble mountains.

Quan Am’s statue represents the bodhisattva of compassion, a deity on the way to enlightenment.  In pagodas and on the altars in homes, followers of the Buddhist religion look to her for guidance, protection, and fertility.

The entrance to Quan Am cave

Quan Am bodhisattva carved out of the rock.

Wear loose-fitting clothes as it is hot and humid in April

There are places in the shade to stop and cool down

Viewpoints from the mountains allow you 360-degree vistas.

The trail finishes with stairs leading back down to the ground, or you can continue back to the escalator.

Please Pin for Future Travel to Vietnam

Are you looking for further Vietnam inspiration? Please check out the following posts:

• Vietnam’s Hidden Gems: 10 incredible destinations off the tourist trail

Northern Vietnam

• The perfect 3-night Hanoi travel itinerary guide
• The perfect 2-night Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise

Central Vietnam

• Hai Van Pass: the best route by road from Hue to Hoi An
• Discover Hoi An’s Lantern Festival
• Naman Retreat Review: the best boutique resort in Da Nang