Climbing the Marble Mountains

First things first. We didn't actually climb any mountains. There were steps. And an elevator, but that's like admitting defeat before we get started, so let's not speak of it again! (Except that it costs 15.000 VND each way). If you decide to walk the steps to save money, you can forget that notion if you are travelling in July. You'll need twice that money just to keep you hydrated on the way up. But we're definitely down with any other reason.

There are several "mountains" in the area (calling them mountains might paint a picture of something enormous, which they aren't). There are five in total, named after natural elements. Water, wood, fire, metal, and earth. The water mountain (Thuy Son) is the one that is set up for visitors, and a ticket here costs 40.000 VND. It consists of several nice caves, some very easily accessible, and some where you actually have to climb and almost squeeze through small openings with bats hanging in the ceiling overhead. Inside the caves there are Buddhist and Hindu shrines, and statues chiseled straight from the cavern walls. All in all pretty fascinating.

One of several shrines inside the caves.

Statues carved from the cavern wall itself.

The top of the mountain rewards you with beautiful vistas, well worth a photo or two. There are several, so you should be able to get nice views both south towards Hoi An, and inland, as you can see from the panorama photo below.

We traveled with our children, and our youngest (11 years) had no problems whatsoever, so bringing
smaller kids here is not an issue. It should be mentioned that the marble steps are very worn and thus very slippery in some places. And of course, the Marble Mountains are pretty famous and well known. So even if you come early in the morning (it opens at 07:00), you're not going to be alone.

You guessed it... You won't be alone.

At the bottom of the mountains there are several shops that sell marble and crystals, ranging from tiny cheap sculptures to gigantic statues that would tear a hole in any wallet.

All in all, the jury is clear on this one. The Marble Mountains are well worth the visit.