Marble Mountains in Da Nang: how to get there, what to see and how long you need
The Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) are 8–9 km from central Da Nang: which caves and pagodas are on Thuy Son, elevator or stairs, opening hours, how to get there from Da Nang and Hoi An, and the stone-carving village at the foot.
The Marble Mountains are five stone hills 8–9 km south of central Da Nang, on the road to Hoi An; visitors can climb only one, Thuy Son (Thủy Sơn). The entrance is at 81 Huyền Trân Công Chúa street. It is open 7:00–17:30 and tickets are sold until 17:00. Plan 2–3 hours for the mountain, caves and pagodas, plus half an hour for Âm Phủ cave at the foot. Company card: Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son).
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What are the Marble Mountains, and which of the five can you visit?
The Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hành Sơn) are five hills named after the five elements: Thuy Son (water), Kim Son (metal), Moc Son (wood), Hoa Son (fire) and Tho Son (earth). Most visitors climb only Thuy Son — the tallest and largest, with the pagodas, caves and viewpoints. Kim Son has Quan The Am pagoda with a Buddhist culture museum.
What is there to see on Thuy Son?
Thuy Son has two main pagodas, nine caves and two viewpoints. Tam Thai pagoda is the main one, founded in the 17th century. Linh Ứng pagoda faces the sea; it is not the Linh Ứng on the Son Tra peninsula. The most famous cave is Huyền Không: a shaft lets a beam of light in, strongest around midday and absent on overcast or rainy days. From the Vọng Giang and Vọng Hải viewpoints you see the river, the sea and Cham Island.
What is Âm Phủ cave, and does it need a separate ticket?
Âm Phủ is a dark "hell" cave with statues of punished sinners, and it has its own ticket: it is not included in the Thuy Son ticket. It is at the foot of the mountain near the west entrance, not on the mountain itself. Allow 20–30 minutes. It is not recommended for small children. Tickets are sold at the ticket office; carry cash, as cards do not work everywhere.
Elevator or stairs: how do you go up?
The Thuy Son elevator has its own ticket and is optional: you can climb the stone steps instead (about 150 to the middle level). The elevator takes you only to the middle of the mountain — Linh Ứng pagoda, the Xá Lợi stupa and the first viewpoints — and the caves and summit are still on foot. The way into Vân Thông cave is narrow and steep, so skip it if you dislike tight spaces.
How long do the Marble Mountains take?
Thuy Son with its caves and pagodas takes 2–3 hours; with Âm Phủ and the stone village, half a day. In hot weather arrive before 8:00 for softer light and fewer people. Late afternoon is tight: tickets are sold until 17:00 and staff start asking visitors to leave around 17:15, so aim to be at the ticket office by 16:00.
What are the Marble Mountains opening hours?
The Marble Mountains are open daily 7:00–17:30 with the ticket office closing at 17:00, according to vietnamtourism.com (page of 21 Oct 2026). Some other sources, including the site's management board, give a 17:00 closing, so check at the ticket office or arrive before 16:00. We do not list prices — check at the ticket office: the mountain, the elevator and Âm Phủ cave are separate tickets.
What should you wear and bring?
Closed shoes with good grip. The marble steps are slippery when wet, and flip-flops are a poor idea. Cover shoulders and knees in the pagodas. Bring at least a litre of water each, sun protection and, from September to December, a light rain jacket. Small notes come in handy too.
How do you get there from central Da Nang?
From central Da Nang it is about 15 minutes by car (8–9 km south-east). The simplest way is Grab, Green SM (formerly Xanh SM) or a taxi; see taxis in Da Nang. The Da Nang tourism portal suggests leaving the centre around 7:30–8:00 to be at the gate before 9:00. We have not verified a bus to the Marble Mountains, so we do not give a route.
How do you get there from Hoi An?
From Non Nước village at the foot of the mountains it is about 30 minutes to Hoi An by car along the coastal road. The Marble Mountains lie between Da Nang and Hoi An, so they are easy to combine: mountains in the morning, Hoi An after. The route between the cities is covered in Da Nang to Hoi An.
What is the stone-carving village at the foot of the mountains?
Non Nước is a stone-carving village at the foot of the Marble Mountains; in 2014 the Ministry of Culture recognised it as national intangible cultural heritage. Today it has workshops, shops and showrooms. Allow 20–30 minutes. Before you buy, ask whether a piece is hand-carved or machine-cut, and look for workshops where you can see carvers at work.
What can you combine with the Marble Mountains?
The mountains pair well with a beach: Non Nước beach is next door, and My Khe is further north. See beaches of Da Nang. For what else to see in the city in 1–3 days, read the Da Nang guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long do the Marble Mountains take? Two to three hours for Thuy Son with its caves and pagodas. With Âm Phủ cave and the stone village, plan half a day.
What are the Marble Mountains opening hours? Daily 7:00–17:30, with tickets sold until 17:00. Check at the ticket office before you go, as some sources give a 17:00 closing.
Do the elevator and Âm Phủ cave cost extra? Yes: the mountain, the elevator and Âm Phủ cave are three separate tickets. We do not list prices — check at the ticket office.
Can you go up without the elevator? Yes, by the stone steps — about 150 to the middle level. The elevator is optional and only goes to the middle of the mountain; the rest is on foot.
How do you get to the Marble Mountains from Da Nang? About 15 minutes by Grab, Green SM (formerly Xanh SM) or taxi from the centre, 8–9 km. From Hoi An, about 30 minutes by car.
What should you wear to the Marble Mountains? Closed shoes with good grip, and covered shoulders and knees in the pagodas. Steps are slippery after rain.
Are the Marble Mountains suitable for children? Yes, but use the elevator for small children rather than the steps. Âm Phủ cave, with its statues of sinners, is not recommended for little ones.
Sources and checking
Hours, tickets, elevator, footwear and Non Nước village — vietnamtourism.com (page updated 21 Oct 2026). Address, distance, nine caves, pagodas and viewpoints — Da Nang tourism portal danangfantasticity.com (2015 page with updates to 2023, and the English page of 2 Aug 2025). Distance differs slightly between sources, 8 vs 9 km, so we write "8–9 km". Closing time also differs: 17:30 on vietnamtourism.com, 17:00 in other sources, so the text says to check at the ticket office or arrive before 16:00. Non Nước's 2014 heritage status — Da Nang portal (2 Aug 2025). We did not verify a bus, and we do not list prices. All pages opened on 22 October 2026. Text updated 22 Oct 2026.