The Marble Mountains

1/30 Hoi An 

Today we are headed to the Marble Mountains for a hike to see several temples and more. The skies are grey again this morning but temperatures are more comfortable. 

The Marble Mountains are a cluster of five hills made from limestone and marble in Da Nang. It's also a well-known pilgrimage site with peaks, caves, tunnels and temples all just waiting to be discovered. Named after the elements metal, wood, water, fire and earth, Marble Mountains exist in a coastal area that is renowned for stone-cutting and sculpture about 5 miles south of Da Nang. There are Buddhist sanctuaries and places of worship dotted across the mountains which are a much-visited spiritual site.

Marble Mountains, according to ancient folklore, a dragon emerged from the water on Non Nuoc Beach and laid an egg. A thousand days and a thousand nights followed before the egg hatched, and out stepped a beautiful girl. The fragments of the shell were left on the beach and eventually grew into the five mystical Marble Mountains. Today, one of the most popular highlights is climbing up the Marble Mountains and enjoying spectacular views across Non Nuoc, also known as My Khe Beach. The Mountain of Water, which is home to pagodas dating back to the 17th century and a number of caves, is one the most frequented climbs with a steep hike up stone steps to Tam Quan Gate and its superb vistas to Mount Kim Son or Metal Mountain and the coastline from the Riverview Tower located next to the gate. The Riverview Tower dates back to the 18th century and the reign of the Emperor Minh Mang. Close by is Van Nguyet Grotto which is a nice resting spot where you can grab a fresh coconut to drink. The Lantern Cave is also worth a look, small but deep and filled with lava along with Am Phu Cave which heads down to a very scenic viewpoint. 

From the Marble Mountains we were taken to a nice high end shop where all kinds of quality goods were available. We purchased a couple small carvings for the Adventures Club and some coffee with a drip pot. 

This afternoon we have free time to just chill and enjoy the resort or maybe go back to town. 

As lunch was on our own we went across the street and found local restaurant named Simple. The food was excellent and very fresh. We had a very nice meal for a bit over $10. 

Back to the hotel where we got some laundry done, some packing, before we went to the pool to cool off. 

This evening was a nice BBQ for dinner. 

Tomorrow morning we are flying to Hanoi.