Marble Mountains in Da Nang: Limestone Peaks and Buddhist Sanctuaries

During a day trip from Da Nang to Hoi An, one of the must-see attractions is the Marble Mountains. This site consists of five limestone peaks, each representing one of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Due to the local jade production, it is also known as Marble Mountain. At the entrance of the Marble Mountains, there is a scenic elevator that takes visitors halfway up the mountain. For those who prefer not to climb the stairs, this is a convenient option, and the ticket costs around 20 New Taiwan Dollars. The main peak to visit is Thuy Son (Water Mountain), the largest of the five. It has two observation decks: the East Sea Viewing Pavilion and the West River Viewing Pavilion. As their names suggest, one offers a view of the coastline, while the other overlooks the Han River. The scenery is beautiful, although it was a bit cloudy on the day of our visit. The Marble Mountains are home to many temples and pagodas, such as Tam Thai Pagoda, Linh Ung Pagoda, and Chua Tam Thai. There are also numerous limestone caves with intricately carved statues of Bodhisattvas and Arhats, making it a fascinating place to explore.