Looking out across Da Nang, Hoi An and the ocean, the Marble Mountains in Vietnam offer much to discover those making the ascent to visit its age-old caves and summit vantage point.
Getting There
This well-known attraction in Vietnam is in the Ngu Hanh Son District, within easy reach of hotels in Hoi An. Only Mt. Thuy (Mount Water) can be accessed and it’s generally open from 7:00am to 5:30pm. Properties such as Anantara Hoi An Resort offer convenient excursions to this site, while you can opt to take local buses or taxis too.
The Five Elements
Home to revered sites during the Cham period, the mountains later featured Buddhist temples and shrines. In the 19th century, King Minh Mang gave the mountains the name of “Ngu Hanh Son” or Five Element Mountains each representing a different element, namely earth,fire,water, metal and wood.
Attractions and Views
Visitors can climb up Mt. Thuy which even has a glass elevator for easy access to certain areas. Amongst the highlights are the Xa Loi Tower, Ling Ung Pagoda and the 400-year-old Tam Thai Pagoda. At the summit, one can take in breathtaking panoramas stretching out across the South China Sea.
Captivating Caves
No visit to the Marble Mountains is complete without exploring its ancient caves. The Huyen Khong Cave is truly spellbinding and features a temple, Buddhist shrines and an impressive marble Buddha. You can also visit the Heaven Cave (Van Thong) which has a shrine and tunnels that lead to a vantage point of the area.