Ngũ Hành Sơn · Da Nang · Vietnam
The Marble Mountains
Five marble hills rising out of the flat coast between Da Nang and Hoi An. The largest, Thủy Sơn, is riddled with cave shrines, pagodas and viewpoints you can climb in a morning.
Ngũ Hành Sơn means "Mountains of the Five Elements". The hills were named after metal, wood, water, fire and earth by Emperor Minh Mạng. Only Thủy Sơn, the water mountain, is a visitor site. You buy a ticket at the foot, ride an elevator or climb the stairs, then follow a loop of stone paths between Buddhist pagodas, caves with altars carved into the rock, and lookouts over the coast.
Plan your visit
Photo: Andre Hospers, CC BY 4.0 Tickets & hours
What the entry, elevator and Âm Phủ cave tickets cost, which gate to use, and the best time to go.
Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0 What to see
A route over Thủy Sơn: pagodas, Huyền Không cave and its shafts of light, the viewpoints, and Âm Phủ cave at the base.
Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0 Getting there
Around 9 km from central Da Nang: Grab, taxi or scooter, which gate to ask for, and getting back.
Photo: Dragfyre, CC BY-SA 3.0 From Hoi An
About 20 km up the coast road: Grab, scooter, a stop on your Da Nang transfer, or a tour with hotel pickup.
Photo: Chainwit., CC BY 4.0 Tours
Half-day and full-day tours that pair the mountains with the Lady Buddha, Hoi An or My Son.
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The short version
- Go early: by 8:00 it's cooler, and the light over the coast is at its best.
- Start at the gate by the elevator, ride up, and walk the loop past Linh Ứng pagoda and Tàng Chơn cave to Huyền Không cave.
- Climb to a viewpoint for the view over the coast, then walk down the stairs past Tam Thai pagoda.
- Finish with Âm Phủ cave at the bottom, a 40-minute visit with its own ticket.
Common questions
Which of the five mountains can you visit?
Visitors go to Thủy Sơn (Water Mountain), the largest of the five. It has the pagodas, caves, stairways and viewpoints. The other four, named for metal, wood, fire and earth, are not set up for visitors in the same way.
How long do I need?
Allow about two hours for the main sights on Thủy Sơn. Add 30–45 minutes if you want to see Âm Phủ cave at the base, and a little more to browse the stone-carving workshops of Non Nước.
Is it hard to climb?
The paths are stone stairs, and an elevator takes you up the first section. From there, short stairways lead into the caves and up to the viewpoints. Wear shoes with grip.
What should I wear?
The pagodas and cave shrines are active places of worship. Cover your shoulders and knees, and be ready to take off your shoes and hat before entering a pagoda hall.
Should I book a tour?
A tour is the easiest way to pair the mountains with the Lady Buddha, Hoi An or My Son in one day, with transport handled. On your own, a Grab ride and cash for tickets is all you need. See tours.