Caves, pagodas and sea views near Hoi An
The Marble Mountains are five limestone and marble hills between Hoi An and Da Nang, riddled with caves full of shrines, Buddha statues and shafts of sunlight. Most tours combine them with the eerie Am Phu “hell cave” and the 67-metre Lady Buddha on the Son Tra peninsula, also called Monkey Mountain.
Both cover the Marble Mountains, Am Phu Cave and the Lady Buddha, with pickup in Hoi An or Da Nang.
The classic half-day around Da Nang: the 67-metre Lady Buddha on the Son Tra peninsula, the caves and pagodas of the Marble Mountains and the eerie Am Phu “hell cave”. Choose a morning, afternoon or full-day version with Hoi An or Da Nang pickup.
Check availability
A very well rated small-group version of the same loop: Monkey Mountain and the Lady Buddha on Son Tra, the Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave, with a guide who explains the Buddhist legends behind each stop.
Check availabilityThe Marble Mountains are about 12 km from Hoi An, so this is an easy half day; many tours offer a morning, afternoon or full-day version. Wear shoes with grip: the caves are damp and the stone stairs are steep and uneven. Bring a torch for the darker caves, water, and cover your shoulders and knees for the pagodas. Small entrance fees for the mountain, the lift and Am Phu Cave are usually included in tours; check before booking.
Combine it. Because it lies between the two cities, the Marble Mountains fit well on the way to or from Da Nang airport, or before an afternoon at An Bang beach.
About 12 km, or 20 to 30 minutes by car. They lie between Hoi An and Da Nang.
Two to three hours for Thuy Son and Am Phu Cave. A half-day tour adding the Lady Buddha takes four to five hours.
A large cave at the foot of the Marble Mountains representing the Buddhist underworld, with dramatic sculptures, followed by a climb towards a shrine representing heaven.
The Lady Buddha stands at Linh Ung pagoda on the Son Tra peninsula, which is commonly called Monkey Mountain.
Mostly, yes. There are many steps, but a lift takes you up Thuy Son, and you can skip the steepest cave sections.
