Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave: Visitor Guide
How to visit the Marble Mountains near Da Nang: steps and elevator, the pagodas and caves of Thuy Son, Am Phu Cave, how long to allow and which sights to combine.
By AmGo Travel4 min read
The Marble Mountains are five limestone hills rising out of the flat coast between Da Nang and Hoi An, hollowed out with caves and topped with pagodas. Most visitors spend an hour or two climbing the main mountain, exploring its caves and walking down into Am Phu Cave. This visitor guide covers the steps and the elevator, what you see inside, how long to allow and how to fit the visit into a day, from the AmGo Travel team in Hanoi's Old Quarter, who plan trips across central Vietnam.
What are the Marble Mountains?
The five hills are named after the five elements of East Asian philosophy: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. The one visitors climb is Thuy Son, the water mountain, which holds most of the pagodas and caves. The area sits about halfway between Da Nang city and Hoi An, so it is easy to add to a day in either place.
At the foot of the mountains is the stone carving village, one of the best-known handicraft villages in Da Nang, where workshops shape marble statues of every size. Most tours stop here first.
Climbing the mountain: steps and elevator
There are 146 steps from the foot of the mountain to the first stop, Xa Loi Tower, then 136 more steps up to the cave system. An elevator covers the first 146 steps at your own expense; it is not included in tour prices. The second section has no lift.
- Wear shoes with good grip: the stone steps and cave floors can be slippery after rain.
- Bring water and go in the morning or late afternoon in the hot months.
- Shoulders and knees covered is respectful in the pagodas.
What to see on Thuy Son
- The pagodas. Several pagodas built in the 19th century, under Vietnam's last dynasty, sit on terraces near the top, with views over the coast.
- Huyen Khong Cave. A tall cave with an opening in the roof, where shafts of light fall on the Buddha statues inside. It is the most photographed cave on the mountain.
- Tang Chon Cave. A smaller cave with shrines, visited on some tours instead of Huyen Khong.
- Viewpoints. From the upper terraces you look over the other four mountains, the beach and the city.
Am Phu Cave
At the base of the mountain is Am Phu Cave, the largest and most striking cave in the complex. Its name refers to the underworld, and the cave is laid out to show Buddhist ideas of the afterlife, from dark chambers below up towards the light. A guide makes a big difference here, because the stories behind the statues and rock formations are the point of the visit. Expect more steps and some dim, uneven paths inside.
How long do you need?
Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours for the stone carving village, the climb to the pagodas and caves, and Am Phu Cave. That is why most travellers combine the Marble Mountains with other sights instead of making a special trip.
Combining the Marble Mountains with other sights
Monkey Mountain (Son Tra Peninsula). The other classic Da Nang stop: the giant Lady Buddha statue at Linh Ung Pagoda, a bonsai garden and views from high above the sea. Nearly every tour pairs it with the Marble Mountains in the same morning.
My Son Sanctuary. Da Nang's mountains in the morning and the Cham temples of My Son in the afternoon, with about 2 hours at the site and an Apsara dance. From Hoi An, the day ends with a sunset boat on the Thu Bon River and banh mi on board; from Da Nang, with rice-paper making and dinner at a local house. Read our My Son Sanctuary guide for more.
Hoi An Ancient Town by night. An afternoon tour from Da Nang climbs the Marble Mountains, then continues to Hoi An's old houses, the Japanese Bridge, the night market, dinner and a lantern on the Hoai River. Pick-up is 1:30–2:00 PM, back in Da Nang around 7:30 PM.
Cam Thanh and a cooking class. Basket boat and cooking class in the morning, Monkey Mountain, the Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave in the afternoon. See our guide to the Cam Thanh coconut jungle.
Marble Mountains tours with AmGo Travel
All three tours below include hotel pick-up in Hoi An or Da Nang city, an English-speaking guide and the entrance fees to the Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave. Only the elevator is extra.
For more ideas, see the Da Nang destination page.
FAQ
How many steps are there at the Marble Mountains? 146 steps to Xa Loi Tower, then 136 to the cave system. An elevator covers the first 146 steps, at your own expense.
Is Am Phu Cave worth it? Yes. It is the largest cave in the complex and the most unusual, and the stories behind it are best heard from a guide.
Can I visit the Marble Mountains from Hoi An? Yes. They are on the road between Hoi An and Da Nang, and tours pick up from hotels in both cities.
What if it rains? These three tours run rain or shine, and the schedule depends on the weather. The steps can be slippery when wet.
Where can I book a Marble Mountains tour? With AmGo Travel, a Vietnamese team of trip planners and guides with an office at 61 Hang Ga, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. Book at amgotravel.com or on WhatsApp.
Tell AmGo Travel where you are staying and we will suggest the Marble Mountains tour that fits your day.
