Marble Mountains, Hoi An

Marble Mountains, Hoi An

Known to locals as Ng? Hành S?n or 'five elements mountains', the Marble Mountains is a group of 5 marble and limestone hills that lie 18 kilometres to the north of Hoi An.

Known to locals as Ng? Hành S?n or 'five elements mountains', the Marble Mountains is a group of 5 marble and limestone hills that lie 18 kilometres to the north of Hoi An. Located on the Non Nuoc beachfront on Truong Sa, the majestic craggy peaks are named after the 5 basic elements that make up the world according to eastern philosophy - Kim (metal), Thuy (water), Moc (wood), Hoa (fire) and Tho (earth). The mountains have several Buddhist sanctuaries and Hindu grottoes, making it a pilgrim destination. The mountains are also of historical significance due to proximity to the American Marble Mountain Air Facility and a Vietcong hospital during the Vietnam War. The caves were also used as spy hideouts.

The 160 metre tall Thuy Son is the highest mountain, with several grottos and Buddhist temples dating back to the 17th century. It has 3 peaks – Thuong Thai at 106 metres in the northwest, Trung Thai in the south, and Ha Thai to the east. There are 2 stairways - a western flight of 156 stone steps, and an eastern flight of 106 steps.

• The western stairway leads to the Tam Quan gate and summit at Thuong Thai, which has the Vong Giang Dai (Riverview Tower), an observatory built in the 18th century by Emperor Minh Mang for viewing the picturesque landscape around. Around this part are the Tam Thai Pagoda which has heart-shaped card with the autograph of King Minh Mang, Tam Ton Pagoda, Tu Tam Pagoda, Huyen Khong Temple carved in stone with its entrance guarded by mandarins, Hoa Nghiem Cave which holds the the spoon of Linh Son Buddha and a statue of goddess Thien Ya Na, Am Phu cave which has statues and images of demons and sinister elements of a Buddhist hell, Linh Nham cave which has a small altar inside, and a plaque commemorating a Women’s Artillery Group that was based nearby and destroyed 19 U.S. aircraft.
• Around Trung Thai are the Heaven Gate, Van Thong Cave, Thang Long Cave, Dragon Cave, and Thien Phuoc Cave.
• The eastern stairway, which passes through the Ong Chon monumental gate, leads to Linh Ong Pagoda. Around it are the Xa Loi Pagoda, Vong Hai Dai (sea viewing station), and Tang Chon Cave.

Kim Son has the ancient Quan Am Pagoda at the top, along with the Quan Am cave and Thai Son Pagoda.

Hoa Son has 3 pagodas - Chua Linh Son, Chua Pho Da Son, and Ung Nhien Tu, along with the Huyen Vi Cave.

Moc Son has been heavily mined over the years, and does not have any pagodas or caves.

Tho Son is a short and long mountain, with vestiges of Cham architecture as it was used by them as a garrison. At the foot of the mountain are the Long Hoa Temple, Hue Quang Temple and the ruins of a tunnel.

The Non Nuoc village at the foot of mountain cluster is famous for stone sculptures, jewellery, and handicrafts. While earlier artisans sourced their raw marble from mountain quarries, mining has been restricted in the area and raw material is obtained from other regions.