Da Nang: Marble Mountains, Am Phu Cave & Monkey Mountain Tour

Summary

Da Nang’s caves, legends and Lady Buddha on a morning out

You’ll walk cool marble steps inside Da Nang’s Marble Mountains and explore Am Phu Cave by torchlight with a local guide. Taste simple Vietnamese noodles for lunch and stand beneath the towering Lady Buddha on Monkey Mountain—all with hotel pickup and drop-off included. There’s something quietly moving about hearing monks chant in those caves.

What’s the experience like?

I opened my eyes to the sound of scooters outside the hotel—still half asleep when our guide, Minh, waved from the van. The city faded fast as we drove south, past little shops with incense curling out. At Marble Mountains, Minh grinned and told us there were 146 steps if we felt brave (I tried, but caved for the elevator halfway up—no shame). The marble underfoot was cool even in the heat. I remember ducking into Am Phu Cave; it smelled damp, almost earthy-sweet, and somewhere inside a monk was chanting low. It echoed off the stone in a way that made me pause. Minh pointed out carvings I’d have missed—one was so worn you had to squint to see Buddha’s face.

We wandered through tunnels where sunlight slipped in thin lines. There was this moment—a breeze carrying sandalwood from someone’s offering—and it hit me how old everything felt here. At one point I tried to say “Non Nuoc” like Minh did; he laughed kindly (I probably butchered it). The stone village below was full of chisels tapping against marble blocks—somehow both peaceful and busy at once. Lunch came quick after that: noodles with a squeeze of lime, nothing fancy but honestly perfect after all those stairs.

The drive up Monkey Mountain wound through green so bright it almost hurt my eyes. Linh Ung Pagoda stood quiet except for wind chimes clinking somewhere above us. Then we saw her—the Lady Buddha statue just towering over everything. Minh said she watches over fishermen; I thought about that for a while, standing there looking up until my neck hurt a little. The sea stretched out behind her all hazy blue. Still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Marble Mountains and Monkey Mountain

• Pick up from hotel
• Drive to Marble Mountains
• Visit Marble Mountains and caves
• Explore Am Phu Cave
• Visit Non Nuoc Stone Sculpture Village
• Lunch break
• Drive to Monkey Mountain
• See Lady Buddha statue
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How many steps are there at Marble Mountains?

There are 146 steps to Xa Loi Tower and another 136 to reach the cave system.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Da Nang.

Can I use an elevator instead of climbing all the steps?

You can take an elevator for the first 146 steps for an extra fee.

What food is served on this tour?

A Vietnamese local lunch is included—usually noodles or similar dishes.

Are entrance fees covered?

Yes, entrance fees for Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave are included.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health due to stairs.

How long does the driving part take?

The total driving duration is about 90 minutes including pick-up and drop-off.

What is special about Monkey Mountain?

Monkey Mountain is known for its Linh Ung Pagoda and Vietnam’s tallest Lady Buddha statue.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Da Nang, entry fees for Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave, an English-speaking guide throughout, air-conditioned transport, bottled water to keep you going, plus a simple Vietnamese lunch before heading back to your hotel.