Da Nang Caves: Underground World of the Marble Mountains

Huyen Khong Cave (including Hoa Nghiem Cave)

Huyen Khong Cave In General

Huyen Khong cave is the largest in the Marble mountains and Da Nang caves in general. Located near Tam Thai pagoda, it’s all signatures of the kind in the complex: open ceiling and containing temples. The entrance of it is a high dome called Hoa Nghiem cave and was added with a marble Lady Buddha sculpture in 1960. The oldest stele of Da Nang was carved on the nearby wall (name is Pho Da Son Linh Trung Phat). That dates back from the 17th century, informing specific individuals who donated money to renovate the pagodas. Many of them lived in Hoi An village, the first time the name of the town was mentioned in our knowledge. Entrance of Huyen Khong cave is to the left.

Blessed by Mother nature, Huyen Khong cave features a large chamber enclosed by rock walls vertically cut by flows of rain water. Sunlight falls into it through 5 holes of its ceiling, which are thought to be Buddha fingers, from a height of 30 meters. During sunny days, travelers have the chance to view breath-taking and magic lightfalls. The scene appears in tourism promotion videos of the city many times. Due to the holes, the floor is always wet and quite muddy from dropping water in the rainy season.

Before becoming a Buddhist sacred site, Huyen Khong cave might house temples of Cham people to venerate Hindu gods. Historians believe in that, because there are various sculptures discovered in this grotto. Some of them date back from the 10th century. At the stairway of the entrance, 4 statues of guardians are testimonials of how Vietnamese people reused deity statues of another religion. New people painted hot colors on the former stone ones, with a strong attitude on the face to remind the comers to behave respectively to holy personalities inside. 

Temples in Huyen Khong Cave

Four temples are built in Huyen Khong cave’s main chamber. All lean against the rock and share the spacious space in the front. Below the Gautama Buddha, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is worshiped. To its left side, there is a temple for worship of Ngoc Phi goddess who owns the Marble mountains in local belief. She manages and makes decisions for everything. That is the reason why her shrine is busier than others. There, oath ceremonies took place formerly to judge right from wrong, because nobody was brave enough to lie before her authority. If don’t tell the truth, the speaker will be punished. Participants must drink raw chicken blood to start the ceremony. Temple for her younger sister, Loi Phi goddess on the other side. It’s smaller but still sacred. Locals usually come to pray for good health, favorable career, high security and childrens.

Located in a separate location, the largest temple Trang Nghiem Tu was established in 1825 and rebuilt in 1907 after typhoon damages. It’s dedicated to Lady Buddha in the middle, Quan Cong in the left and God of Matchmaking and Marriage to the right. Visitors who are seeking a partner usually come here. Short walk from it, tour guides will tourists about 2 women breast-like rock formations. Many local infertile women have been relying on a miraculous response for their wish in being pregnant after touching on that stalactite. They also drink the water flowing down from, before walking in the Buddha altars. Unfortunately, one stopped producing water when the Thanh Thai king handed it in.  

Am Phu Cave – “The Hell Cave Da Nang”

Am Phu Cave History

At the foot of Thuy Son, Am Phu Cave has been known for a very long time and people always wonder about how large it is. Many explorations were carried out in history to find out the truths but none of them was successful. In the 19th century, Minh Mang king sent 12 soldiers into the cave one by one with lighting touches but failed. Someone also tried to throw into it a pomelo carved with letters to mark and then discovered that one on a nearby beach. Since then, locals have thought that there is a river flowing from it to the ocean.

During 2 most recent wars, this enormous cave was the hiding place of communists. Its chambers and fresh water in the bottom of the cave support people’s residence. Moreover, it has numerous corners and holes that are hard to access but great to keep secret of all activities. When the occupying army comes, their interconnection allows dwellers to move to other places quickly. The largest room housed a field hospital to cure or heal injured soldiers and local inhabitants living close by. “How to get there” was frequently asked by French and Americans but the location of it was always in forbidden. Am Phu cave’s mouth was fully-covered by falling stones from bombings and opended a few years before welcoming first visitors. Among all Da Nang caves, here most Vietnam war stories are shared.

A Visit in Am Phu Cave

Besides excellent natural features, Am Phu Cave provides many interesting Buddhist concepts about the journey of dead people to the next life. Right behind the ticket check, there is a bridge where the souls have to cross over before judges about their actions when still alive. Two stone ox-head and horse-face guards and big python snakes in the entrance are responsible for escorting the souls to the Last Judgment. Under the bridge, many hands of fallen souls rise above the river because they are pushed down by the beasts. People passing safely are believed to live kindly on the Earth.

To go further, the souls need to go through a tunnel. In the beginning, its walls are engraved by the mandarins checking which one comes on the right day or not, written on their book. In Vietnamese traditional thought, all life on Earth has a clearly-defined fate, including the death day. If name and day are right, the soul will attend the Last Judgment. Opposite to, must return to the human world and wait until their right day. In this case, the souls become homeless and wander around to seek things to eat to survive. With a love for them, local people hold ceremonies and make lots of food on the 15^th day of the 7^th lunar month to give.

To its left side of Am Phu cave’s chamber, visitors can see a statue of the Judge. He holds a book and an ink brush, uses the Justice balance to determine good and bad actions for each soul. After that, an exact decision is considered and made. To the right, there are Ten Kings of Hell who are in charge of the Nine Circles of Hell and a pond where locals often wash their face with its water, to get rid of stresses and worries in life. The steps leading to the Hell floors are close by. Different karma situations in Buddhism are shown there, to tell us what happens to the souls if they have not morally correct actions. In the end, that is a part of an underground river. 

Tang Chon Cave

Behind Linh Ung Pagoda, there is a series of open-ceiling caves, totally known as Tang Chon Cave. The name means “containing all truths of universe”. Historically, the first monks coming to the mountain lived there to practice Buddha teachings. Its entrance features a quite-low vault that may make visitors have to bow to walk through easier. To the right, there are 3 tall honey locust trees planted 160 years ago. All were registered as Vietnam’s heritage trees in 2017.

In the end of the passageway, the largest chamber owns a simply-designed temple built in 1825. It consists of 3 altars for worship of the Great Buddha in the middle, Taoist gods and the Mother goddesses on either side. To its right, the small grotto is added with two marble statues depicting fairy men playing chess together. To the other side, there are a trio of caves, each with its own name. Cham people venerated their gods in all of them in the past and a sandstone altar in the middle cave is testimonial. Nowadays, Vietnamese put Buddhas instead of. Travelers can find the way to climb up the high locations of the mountain by steep steps, beginning from two caves. Not highly recommended to do, because of safety reasons, and for a solution, reaching the top (the Heaven gate) by steps behind Tam Thai pagoda. Should be.

Van Thong Cave

Between two natural-created gates with trees growing over, Van Thong means “way to the Heaven”. Meaning that visitors can climb up to high elevations of the mountain by this tunnel-like grotto. Remember to be careful if you like to explore and it’s needed to return by the same way. Like other places, local Buddhists arrange an altar to honor Buddha here. Down the steps, the explorers can rest, enjoy the fresh air and get a cold drink in a small beverage stand. There, cheap stone souvenirs for sale are available. 

Linh Nham Cave

Steps leading to this small cave is from the back of Tam Thai pagoda. It houses an altar to worship a statue of the God of Heaven, brought from Huyen Khong cave. In the past, people put the Lady Buddha there.

Quan Am Cave

In 1956, the leader monk of Kim Son mountain’s pagoda discovered this group of Da Nang caves. In previous nights, the Lady Buddha told him about it and based on what she says, he found it successfully. Moreover, a rock formation with similar shape to the Buddha is also seen. Thereafter, Buddhist and local followers come to pray a lot. Visitors need to use flashlights to see the walk around and cave decorations. In the end, there is a cool-water stream where prayers often wash their faces.

Huyen Vi Cave

Discovered in the first half of 18^th century, this 20m2 cave is in the Fire mountain, possibly to be accessed from Su Van Hanh St. It’s named by Minh Mang king in 1825 and he also hired Non Nuoc marble village’s artisan to carve the words on its entrance. In 1960, local monks widened its mouth, to allow pilgrim’s entry much easier. Within it, many Buddha statues and stone objects are added. Visitors don’t need to pay any fee to sightsee but trek up over many steps.  

Da Nang Cave Tour

Why Join a Tour to Da Nang Caves?

Da Nang caves themselves are invaluable natural creations that the God gives the city. There, travelers have opportunities to discover walls with perfectly-sculpted rock formations varying in size and shape. Thanks to the ceiling being leaky, it’s possible to see brilliant lightfall in large grottoes. Check out in social media, there are definitely numerous videos showing this fairy scene. Tourist guides often share interesting folk tales about how the special ones were formed and related to local culture. Moreover, the caves also have small temples playing an importance role in spiritual life of many people. Because of no on-site introduction available, it’s not easy to know their history, the gods worshipped and costumes. If travel with a guide, really no problems!

Moreover, the caves also contain old inscriptions in Chinese letters. Absolutely, the content of the carvings and steles re nice to listen to. Due to high historic and religious information, the city committee has been submitting the Marble Mountains’s inscriptions to be a Unesco heritage. Outside of the caverns, centuries-old Buddhist pagodas and picteresque sceneries are bonus, to make the trips worth it and unforgettable. 

Options of Da Nang Cave Tour

Private Da Nang Cave Tour

Exploring Da Nang caves with a local English-speaking guide who knows all the secrets behind themselves and their temples, is a should do. Through his stories, travelers definitely understand deeper about history and natural sculptures. Some of what he says are never mentioned in the guidebooks. In addition, he also recommends an itinerary in which every highlight is not missed and sometimes helps to avoid the crowds. Nice places to eat, do, buy souvenirs and explore the surroundings are not ignored. Travelers can arrange transportation by themselves or via contacts below.

If you would like to find a local guide (knowledgeable, fluent in English), we can help you and your family. Just leave a message in our whatsapp (+84) 968009827 or email centralvietnamguide@gmail.com.

Half-day Da Nang Cave Tour

Starting in the morning or afternoon, a half-day to marvelous caves in the Marble Mountains, can include some must-visit places in the city. There may be the Lady Budda, the tallest of the kind in Vietnam, Cham sculpture musuem, the Dragon bridge, the Pinck church, markets or beaches. Inclusions often are hotel pick up and drop off in Da Nang center, air-conditioned car, entrance tickets, water, local tour guide and experienced driver. If departing in the morning, the guide will recommend things to see and do in Da Nang for the rest of the day.

To know the best options for yourself or family, leave a message in whatsapp number (+84) 968009827 or send an email to centralvietnamguide@gmail.com. Advice are provided for free and from the heart of locals, thank you!

Full-day Da Nang Cave Tour

Within a day, travelers can visit the best Da Nang’s caves and a couple of other famous attractions. It’s possible to combine the caverns with tourist places in the center like the Lady Buddha in Son Tra mountain, Cham sculpture museum, the Pink church, beaches, bridges, temples, markets and fisherman villages. Further, there are Hai Van pass, Ba Na hills (or Golden bridge), Hoi An ancient town or My Son sanctuary. At night, the city has many stunners too, just awaiting travelers to go and explore.

If you need advice to perfectly customize your trip itinerary to the caves and other favorites, contact us via whatsapp number (+84) 968009928 or centralvietnamguide@gmail.com. All information is provided without charge, thank you!