Marble Mountains Guide: Everything You Need To Know

Marble Mountains Danang at a glance

1.1. Location of Marble Mountains

Location: 81 Huyen Tran Cong Chua, Hoa Hai ward, Ngu Hanh Son district, Danang city

Situated 8 kilometers away from the city center, Marble Mountains is a cluster of five limestone peaks in Vietnam. Located on the route of Hue Imperial Citadel – Marble Mountains – Hoi An Ancient Town – My Son Sanctuary, Marble Mountains Danang has a favorable geographical position which allows tourists to also visit many other famous heritage sites in the Central Region.

1.2. The historical story behind the name “Marble Mountains”

According to Cham legend, one day a dragon flew to Non Nuoc beach and laid an egg there. After a long time, the egg hatched and a beautiful girl stepped out of the egg. The egg shell was broken into 5 pieces that became the five magical mountains as we see today.

In 1825, emperor Minh Mang named this mountain complex Marble Mountains, which means “Ngu Hanh Son” in Vietnamese. Each mountain was named after one of the five elements of Eastern philosophy: metal, water, fire, wood and earth. These names remain unchanged until now, and Marble Mountains have become a natural attraction with many majestic peaks, caves and temples.

3) Kangchenjunga

Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. Photo via Getty Images.

Kangchenjunga is a mountain that’s impossible to pronounce after a full crate of beers. It’s also, perhaps more importantly than that, the third highest mountain in the world. It sits on the border between Nepal and India, and has an elevation of 8,586 metres.

Located approximately 125 kilometres from Everest, Kangchenjunga is the second highest mountain in the Himalayas (with K2 sitting in the neighbouring Karakorum). Up until 1852, it was assumed to be the world’s highest mountain. However after some clever calculating, and presumably some recalculating to make sure, it was announced that Everest was in fact the highest mountain in the world with Kangchenjunga having to settle for third place.

4) Lhotse

Lhotse, fourth highest mountain in the world. Photo via Getty Images.

Just missing out on a medal, and a spot on the podium, is Lhotse. Lhotse, elevation – 8,516 metres, is the fourth highest mountain in the world. It neighbours Mount Everest, and forms part of the Everest massif. The summit of Lhotse is on the border between the Khumbu region of Nepal and Tibet. It was first climbed to in 1956 when a Swiss team made up of Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger did the business.

Interestingly, Lhotse Middle (a subsidary peak of Lhotse with an elevation of 8,410 metres) wasn’t summited until 2001. The Middle was the final eight thousand metre peak to be summited and, despite being lower than the main Lhotse summit, is widely considered to be the most difficult climb over eight thousand metres in the world. This is, in large part, because of the intimidating tower-like shape on its upper reaches.

2019 was a busy year for Himalayan ski descents. Not only did it feature the first ski descent of K2, it was also the year that gave us the first ski descent of Lhotse – made by American duo Hilaree Nelson and Jim Morrison.

Island Hopping in Greece – Where to Start?

There are a few important factors that will determine how your island hopping plays out: time, money, and your starting point.

Update for 2022

The events of the past few years have normalised electronic tickets and card payments throughout Greece. I recommend downloading the Ferryhopper app and using it to purchase your tickets.

Requirements for ferry travel (including masks) are prone to change – please read the and this Ferryhopper guide to requirements which is regularly updated.

Pick Your Entry Point

How do you plan to arrive in Greece? This will most determine which ports/island groups are nearest to you (unless you’re happy to take a domestic flight – we’ll get to that later).

If you’re flying into Greece you’ll most likely land at Athens International airport (Eleftherios Venizelos).

The main ports on the Greek mainland are:

Piraeus. Athens’ main port – click here for directions). This is the biggest port in Greece and you can reach most islands.
Rafina. Athen’s second port – a bit harder to reach than Piraeus (which is something to bear in mind if you’re heading to Mykonos – more on that later) but nearer the airport.
Lavrio. The smallest and furthest away of the Athens ports. You’ll probably only use it if you want to get to Kea or if you’re joining a yacht.
Thessaloniki. Although Greece’s second city is mainly a commercial port, there are ferry connections to the larger Aegean islands.
Kavala. The main ferry port in the north, with connections to Athens and the Aegean islands.
Keromoti. On the north coast, just opposite the island of Thassos.
Volos. Halfway between Thessaloniki and Athens, Volos is the main gateway port for the Sporades (Mamma Mia fans, head here).
Patras. A large port on the west coast, at the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth, for connections to Italy and the Ionian islands.
Igoumenitsa. On the northwest coast, best for connections to Corfu and Italy.

Basically, Piraeus will probably be your starting port unless you have a particular reason for it not to.

Or if you’re flying –

1) Mount Everest

Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Photo via Getty Images.

As we’ve already said, and as you already knew, Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. For a long time, its peak was thought to be an eye-watering 8,848 metres above sea level. This is well over eight times taller than the highest mountain in Wales (Snowdon, at 1,085 metres above sea level).

However, in December 2020 a new height for Everest was agreed. The summit of Mount Everest was confirmed to be 8,848.86m above sea level (8,849m, if you’re rounding). Not a huge difference in height, we think you’ll agree, but an interesting development in the world of mountaineering.

Everest is situated on the border between and the autonomous region of Tibet. Officially speaking, the first successful Everest climbers were Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. It is estimated that there is well over 200 dead bodies on Everest, all of them remarkably well-preserved because of the extremely cold temperatures.

Everest is part of the . The Seven Summits is a list made up of the highest mountain on each of the world’s seven continents. Climbing all seven of the Seven Summits is one of the ultimate achievements in the sport of mountaineering.

In recent years, a lot has been made of overcrowding and human traffic jams on Everest. One photo in particular, taken by mountain climber Nirmal Purja in 2019, illustrated just how bad the problem with overcrowding has become. The dangers of queueing in Everest’s scary sounding ‘Death Zone’ has been underlined by last year’s higher than average death count on the mountain. Off the back of this grim year for climbing, we asked a number of mountaineers for their opinions on how they think the Everest overcrowding problem can be fixed.

When is the Best Time to Go?

The best time of year for Greek island hopping is May to mid-July, and then again in September. Mid-July through to the end of August is crazy busy and crazy hot. Accommodation and ferries book up due to the number of foreign and domestic tourists on their summer breaks.

Greek Orthodox Easter usually signals the start of the tourist season in Greece (you can check the dates here), and it winds down again in October as soon as the weather starts to change.

In the low season, ferries are less frequent and there can be a surprising amount of lashing wind and rain. Also, many hotels and resorts shut down completely and become ghost towns over the winter. But if you have time and flexibility on your side then island hopping during the off-season can be a great way to experience the islands at their most authentic.

Check out this post for more information on visiting the Greek islands over autumn and winter:

Best Greek Islands to Visit During Low Season

Shocking Truth

This peak is truly considered one of the most magnificent yet tragic and
dangerous places in the world. Its rocky silhouette has attracted numerous brave
and courageous people to reach the peak. Regretfully, many of them stayed in its
snow and rocky cliffs forever. Over 235 climbers and local people have died
while attempting to come up the highest peak of the globe, though the exact
number is still unknown, as not everyone registers before their trip. It’s about
the pressure and rarefied air, which is impossible to breathe for a long time.
Though, despite the danger, freezing cold air and lack of oxygen in air they
breathe, numerous people risk their lives for being on the top of the world for
a small amount of time. What is so special about it?

How to explore Marble Mountains in Danang, Vietnam

When visiting the Marble Mountains, you will probably come to the big mountain Thuy Son, next to the parking lot. Then you will make your way around visiting the main sites:

Thuy Son (Water Mountain) – If you are short in time, this is the only place you want to visit in Marble Mountains, it is a sanctuary that attracts many Buddhists.

Summit of Mt Thuy – Behind the relaxation area, slightly off to the right, is a narrow footpath that leads up to the summit. This is the view you must-see.

Tam Thai Pagoda – A 400-year old pagoda build in the 17th centuries. Close by the central avenue that takes you to the relaxation area, which is a collection of small stands, vendors and the restrooms.

Huyen Khong Cave – This is a must-see cave, massive and awe-inspiring with a small temple and a giant marble Buddha

Linh Nham Cave – Is a place to workship three Gods: Nogc Hoang, Nam Cao and Bac Dau. There is a folk tale that every December 23rd of the lunar calendar, these Gods visit the humans and help them with their magical capabilities.

The Xa Loi tower sits on a beautiful gardern at the top of the elevatorTower on top of the Mt Thuy mountain

Van Thong Cave (Heaven Cave) – back along the right avenue from the relaxation area

Hell Cave – Just opposite side from Heaven Cave. It is dark, humid and even fear-inducing this cave represents what hell to look like.

Mt. Metal – This cavern was only found in 1956 as it is particularly hard to find, with the gateway facing Southeast, it is hiddin away from the cliffs. The most impressive is a natural marble structure of the Bodhisattva in human size and a stalactite that drops to 0.3 meters above the floor.

Mt. Plant – It was said to be in the past a beautiful mountain with majestic cliffs, but after the exploitation, today this mountain has long been abandoned.

Mt Fire – There are two ancient pagodas Linh Son and Phy Da Son Pagodas.

Each of the mountains have a variety of sights to see and experiences. It was great as many of the caves and pagodas where not overcrowded with tourists and I could enjoy the amazing history, understand the importance of religious of this place and to dive on serenity of this magic experience.

The best option to avoid the crowd is to arrive earlier, around 8:00 AM.

One of the Pagodas inside the cave

How to get Marble Mountains

From centre city (11km) you may go there by taxi, motorbike or car for half day tour.
From Hoi An ancient town (18km). It’s great for stop over on the way to and out Hoi An. You may interest this tour packages 5 days.

Quick tips:

Should not go to weekend (there are many local tourist, Korean and Chinese go here at weekend)
Long dress are requested if you visit pagoda here.

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What are the possible climbing routes to Mount Everest?

Prayer flags decorate many stops on the Nepalese side. Photo courtesy of Sonam Bhote.

The two main routes to the summit of Mount Everest are from the southern face (in Nepal) and the northern face (in Tibet).

Starting from base camp at 5.380 meters above sea level, the route up the southern face is the most direct and steepest route. It is the route that is most commonly taken but is not necessarily the easiest.

From the northern side, you begin the expedition at that base camp, which is 5.180 meters above sea level, and trek across the East Rongbuk Glacier, before beginning the ascent. While the climbing is a bit easier on this side, you do spend more days at higher altitudes.

The Hub & Spoke System

To understand the Greek ferry system, you must first understand the hub and spoke system.

Imagine a bicycle wheel. At the centre of the wheel is the hub (Athens), and going out in every direction from the hub are spokes (ferry routes).

This is because ferry routes are geared to local needs which generally means travelling to Athens and back, or to the local administrative centre.

Each island group has one or two mini-hubs, these tend to be larger islands with good connections to the surrounding islands.

For the easy and reliable island hopping, pick several islands along one car ferry route. This is easiest in the Cyclades.

It’s possible to hop between Crete, the Cyclades, and the Dodecanese, particularly in the summer, although these ferries are not necessarily daily. Otherwise, there are few connections between island groups and you may have to backtrack via Athens, either by ferry or plane.

Some places that might be considered mini-hubs are:

Syros (for the Cyclades)
Naxos (for the Cyclades)
Paros (for the Cyclades
Mykonos (connecting the Cyclades and the North Aegean)
Skiathos (for the Sporades)
Igoumenitsa and Patras on the mainland (for the Ionian)
Rhodes (for the Dodecanese)
Kos (for the Dodecanese)
Samos (for the Northern Aegean)
Lesvos (for the Northern Aegean)

The islands closest to Athens tend to have frequent fast ferry connections.

Inspirational Mountain Quotes

Mountains are often used as metaphors for life. We each have our own mountains to climb and challenges to overcome… Therefore, it’s no surprise that there are so many inspirational mountain quotes.

“Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.” – David McCullough Jr.
“Happiness is not at the top of the mountains but in how to climb it.”
“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.” – Sir Edmund Hillary

Exploring the beautiful Southern Alps in New Zealand.

“No matter how tall the mountain is, it cannot block the sun.” – Chinese Proverb
“He who climbs upon the highest mountains laughs at all tragedies, real or imaginary.” – Friedrich Neitszche
“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” – Edmund Hillary
“In a flat country, a hillock thinks itself a mountain.” – Turkish Proverb

“There is no wifi in the mountains, but I promise you will find a better connection.”
“Everybody wants to reach the peak, but there is no growth on the top of a mountain. It is in the valley that we slog through the lush grass and rich soil, learning and becoming what enables us to summit life’s next peak.” – Andy Andrews
“Be like a mountain, aim to touch the sky but stay rooted to the ground”

What are The Marble Mountains?

Behind the name

Photo: Danang Fantastic City

At the beginning of the 19th century, King Minh Mang, on his travel to the mountains, observed and recognized the unique position of the 5 mountains. From this inspiration, he named the mountains “Ngu Hanh Son”, meaning “The Five-Element Mountains” in English.

Each of the five mountains is named based on the five elements of nature in the Oriental Philosophy – Kim Son (Metal Mountain), Moc Son (Wood Mountain), Thuy Son (Water Mountain), Hoa Son (Fire Mountain), and Tho Son (Earth Mountain). Ngu Hanh Son Mountain was also known as “Ngu Uan Son” (Five mountains), “Pho Da Son” or “Bach Hoa Ngu Chi” (5 fingers) based on the shape of the mountains viewed from the top.

The popularly-known name “The Marble Mountains” was given by French geologists during the French colonial period based on the chemical element of the mountains.

The legend

Travelers coming to The Marble Mountains are always inspired by, and fond of ancient folklore passed on from generation to generation.

It was told that there had been a dragon emerging from the water on Non Nuoc Beach and laid an egg, which was then rumored to be The King of The Sea’s baby.

The egg hatched for a thousand days and nights, and finally, a beautiful girl appeared. The fragments of the shell were left on the beach and became the five mysterious mountains.

Water Mountain – Thuy Son

Among the five beautiful mountains, Water Mountain was the largest, the highest, and the most beautiful one, which is the reason why it was open for tourists to come and discover.

Moreover, Water Mountain is also called “Tam Thai Mountain” comprising three peaks – Thuong Thai (The Highest) in the North-West, Trung Thai (The Medium) in the South, and Ha Thai (The Lowest) in the East. On different parts of the mountains are towers, pagodas, and magnificent caves.

At the first step on Water Mountain in 1825, King Minh Mang made the decision to create 2 stairways to the mountains – 1 in the West with 156 steps to Tam Thai Pagoda, and 1 In the East with 108 steps to Linh Ung Pagoda.

How long does it take to climb Everest?

Reaching the summit of Mt Everest will take about 60 days from the Nepalese side. This includes arriving in Kathmandu, transferring to Lukla, hiking to Everest Base Camp, acclimatizing, preparin,g and making the final ascent. This last part generally takes about six days. However, it may take longer if the weather does not cooperate.

The long way up to the Everest summit. Photo courtesy of Sonam Bhote.

From the Tibetan side, climbing Mt Everest should take about 50 days. This includes arriving in Lhasa, transferring to Tibetan Everest Base Camp, acclimatizing, preparin,g and making the final ascent. The final ascent also takes about six days.

Quotes About Climbing Mountains

Let’s face it, climbing mountains is rarely (never?!) easy! But it’s the climb that is also what provides so much satisfaction and enjoyment. These quotes about climbing mountains encompass all those feelings and experiences along the way.

“The higher you climb on the mountain, the harder the wind blows.” – Sam Cummings
“Stop staring at mountains. Climb them instead, yes, it’s a harder process but it will lead you to a better view.”
“Getting to the top of any given mountain was considered much less important than how one got there: prestige was earned by tackling the most unforgiving routes with minimal equipment, in the boldest style imaginable.” – Jon Krakauer

“You keep putting one foot in front of the other, and then one day you look back and you’ve climbed a mountain.” – Tom Hiddleston
“You never climb the same mountain twice, not even in memory. Memory rebuilds the mountain, changes the weather, retells the jokes, remakes all the moves.” – Lito Tejada-Flores
“When preparing to climb a mountain – pack a light heart.” – Dan May

“Somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit is the answer to the mystery why we climb.” – Greg Child
“Once Everest was determined to be the highest summit on earth, it was only a matter of time before people decided that Everest needed to be climbed.” – Jon Krakauer
“You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen.” – Rene Daumal

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 120+ Quotes About Hiking

Budget self-guided visit to the Marble Mountains

Don’t bother taking a tour – you can see more, save money, and visit at your own pace
Do take the bus.
Don’t buy any souvenirs – just pass on buy the souvenir stalls. Everything is very expensive here
Don’t take the elevator – it’s not a very far climb as long as you are moderately fit, and you’ll miss some of the sights if you take the lift. Besides, that’s cheating
Do spend a little extra to get the map. It’s well worth the extra price and comes with lots of post cards
Do bring your own water – water on the mountain costs 5x what it costs at the local convenience store in Da Nang
Do dress appropriately – there are many shrines and temples on the mountain, and proper dress is required

How Long Does it Normally Take to Climb Mount Everest?

Surely, to climb to the roof of the world doesn’t mean walking a few days
through the picturesque, snow-covered slopes. For the untrained climbers and for
people with a minimum risk of any disease, the period of acclimatization at the
average height (in the base camp, altitude of 5,100 meters) may in some cases be
up to 30-40 days, and during the whole month you will be surrounded by the
Sherpa and your colleagues, until your body gets used to the air pressure and
the lack of oxygen. Only then can you continue to climb. On average, when it
comes to tourist destinations, the entire climb,
since your arrival in Kathmandu and ending your step on the highest point in
the world, takes about 60 days. When everything is set up, it takes around 7
days to come from the base camp up to the summit. After that one might need
around 5 days to come down into their base camp.

White River National Forest

The Maroon Bells scenic area comes under the supervision of the United States Forest Service and is located in the White River National Forest. The White River National Forest covers over 2.3 million acres, including eleven ski resorts, eight wilderness areas, ten 14ers, and 2,500 miles of hiking trails. They are your go-to website for all information you need to visit safely.

Enjoy your trip to the beautiful Maroon Bells. Even if you don’t want to hike the area, take the bus up and stroll around the lake or find the perfect spot and have a picnic. If you want to learn more about Colorado’s 14ers, particularly the seven in the Elk Mountains, visit 14ers.com.

Greek Island Ferry Pass

Wondering if there’s such a thing as a ferry pass? Yes! There is a little-known Greek Island Pass which is offered by Eurail/Interrail (and you don’t need to go anywhere near a train).

Interrail is for EU citizens, Eurail for those from outside the EU. There are further discounts for youth and senior (with youth generously categorised as up to 27).

Also known as the Greek Island Pass, Rail & Sail, or the Attica Pass, this has existed since 2016 and is valid for most routes operated by Superfast Ferries/Anek Lines/Blue Star (the big car ferries). Plus it gets you a 30% discount on any additional journeys.

I think this pass can a good option if you’re flexible and planning to do some extensive island hopping BUT definitely check it’s worth it for route you have in mind. Many of the Cyclades routes are now operated by Seajets which are not included in the pass.

If you’re planning on taking two or more medium-long distance journeys on the car ferries then it’s worth checking out.

Prices are for deck tickets:

Domestic Pass (€90 for 2022) entitles holders to 4 days within one month
International Pass (€176 for 2022) entitles holders to 6 days within one month, including up to 2 between Greece and Italy (including bus travel between Patras and Athens)

You will still have to pick up your boarding passes, subject to availability.

Read more about the Greek Island Ferry Pass (including a comparison with single tickets).

Mount Asgard

Height: 2,015m (6,610ft) Location: Baffin Mountains, Canada

Arthur Stanisz/Used with permission The fantastical Mt Asgard is one of the most beautiful mountains in the world

The twin peaks of Mt Asgard seem to have emerged from a fictional realm. Fittingly, they have been used for several fantastical feats. In 1976, stuntman Rick Sylvester skied off the mountain with a Union Jack parachute for the opening sequence of the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.

In 2009, Leo Houlding and his team made a bid for the first free ascent of the north face, a story told in award-winning film The Asgard Project. Houlding later BASE jumped off the summit – an illegal feat for which he was fined.

The Obsession: Vermont Danby Marble

Heidi Piron Design. Imperial Vermont Danby Counters.

But first off, a little comic relief! Do you remember this post about 7 lessons in outdoor lighting? Well, as a part of it, we included a spotlight on our home. Honestly, the spotlight makes our house so inviting in the dark. What we didn’t realize until Day 3 of demo on our renovation, was that our spotlight now illuminated something besides our lovely home.

(Ta-DAAAA! The Port-o-let.)

After the stress of the moving and living in 1400sf with the kids, and summer, and all our furniture on top of us, I laughed so hard I was weeping. The Handsome Husband thought I’d lost my marbles!

ANYWHO!

One of the “timeless” elements I want to include in my “Remodeling a Remuddle” kitchen is marble countertops, etching be d***ed. After looking at a variety of white marbles, I decided I wanted to go with Danby.

Danby Marble is a beautiful, domestic white marble that is quarried only a couple of hours away in Vermont in the largest underground quarry in the world. Thanks to my location, I was lucky enough to get a tour of the historic quarry.

Bates Corkern Studio. Imperial Vermont Danby counters & backsplash.

First off, my reasons for wanting marble (vs. something like Quartz or Neolith) in general:

It’s natural. Even though there are some really good copies out there, no human has yet been able to copy the wondrous variety in veining and color of Nature.
It’s a historic material, and this is a historical house (1790).
It shows wear and tear. Anything too perfect in this crooked house would look weird.
It’s naturally cool to the touch and an excellent surface for rolling pie dough (and my family knows I love to make pie!).
It’s gorgeous.

Heidi Piron Design. Same kitchen as above.

Second, my reasons for wanting Vermont Danby marble in particular:

It’s gorgeous.
It’s actually harder & less porous than many other types of white marble, so stains have a harder time seeping in. For example, Vermont Danby’s absorption rate is .06%-0.08% vs. 0.13-0.18% for Calacatta or Carrara.
It’s an American product, and a New England product, so purchasing it supports the local economy.
It’s REALLY gorgeous. Really, the smudgy, subtle veining is hard to compare.

Realm Interiors. Vermont Danby marble counters.

Julie Blanner. Imperial Vermont Danby counters.

Heck, if it’s good enough for Martha, it’s totally good enough for me!

The Vermont Danby Marble counters in Martha’s very own kitchen!

via Martha Stewart

Why so Expensive?

The Nepalese government charges a mandatory fee on all foreigners who want to
climb Everest. Depending on the size of the group and period of time in can vary
from $11,000 to $25,000.

Many readers are now outraged: “Such a rip off!” But on the other hand, think
for yourself. Even at these prices on the slopes are more than 200 dead and
there are dozens of tons of garbage. Imagine what would happen if this fee was
not in place. The number of climbers would increase dramatically, and Everest
would be something in between a dump and a morgue.

Another important thing is a set of necessary equipment, which also costs a lot
of money. Expenses for the services of guides and climbers and Sherpas often
depend on the size of the group, so they vary from year to year.

Cave Temples

The Cave Temples are the most unique and impressive features of Mt. Thuy. There are 6 major caves (and a couple minor ones) in this Marble Mountain. We’ll spotlight the 3 best.

Tang Chon Cave

Small Entrance to Big Cave

This cave’s small opening builds anticipation and makes entering more dramatic.

Once inside, the cave is expansive with a huge, open ceiling. The natural light and encroaching forest gives the cave a very exotic atmosphere.

The main altar is a towering brown Buddha. There’s also a small temple inside the cave, but the marble chess players steal the show for us. Just look at those guys.

Marble Chess Players

Hoa Nghiem Cave

This cave is home to a 400-year-old Lady Buddha statue. The gate lets you know you’re in for something special.

Gate to Hoa Nghiem Cave

We love this ancient gate, almost overgrown by the lush jungle.

Can you spot the 400-year-old Lady Buddha?

The 400-year-old Lady Buddha is serene, subtle, and blends into the cave.

Made in 1640 by Merchants in Hoi An

This Lady Buddha has a fascinating connection with the famous town of Hoi An. If you don’t know, Hoi An was a major Asian port from the 15th – 18th centuries. Merchants and traders from all over Asia moved to Hoi An and became very wealthy.

Some of these Japanese and Chinese merchants built this Lady Buddha in 1640. There are original stone tablets that commemorate the dedication. People from all over the world come to Hoi An to see it’s preserved ancient town.

We absolutely love Hoi An, but it’s oldest and most well-preserved artifact is actually 10 miles away in the Marble Mountains.

Huyen Khong Cave

Hoa Nghiem cave and Huyen Khong cave are connected. Walk behind the 400-year-old Lady Buddha, and you find the tunnel to Huyen Khong cave. This is the largest and most impressive cave by far.

As you turn the last corner, you get a sense of the grandeur, before you even see it.

Largest Cave Temple at Marble Mountains

The cave is truly massive. The whole scene is overwhelming and inspiring. After more than a year exploring Vietnam, we’ve seen lots of temples and Buddhas. This is one of the most unique and poignant in the country.

Marbling in Cave Walls

Once you get over the scope and beauty of the spiritual setting. Take a moment to appreciate natural beauty of rocks themselves. A closer look at the marbled layers is very rewarding. It boggles the mind to think of the millions of years it took to form such beauty.

Is possible to climb Mount Everest without oxygen?

Most Everest climbs require the use of oxygen. Photo courtesy of Sonam Bhote.

While it is possible to climb Mount Everest without oxygen, it is highly inadvisable.

Only five percent of the people who have successfully climbed the mountain did so without oxygen. Only 10 percent of people who have ever tried to climb Everest without oxygen have succeeded. More than a dozen people have died from health complications relating to a lack of oxygen while climbing the world’s tallest mountain.

Many professional mountaineers who have climbed other 8.000 meter high peaks without oxygen have tried to repeat the feat on Everest and failed, sometimes more than once.

ENVE M6 Mountain Handlebar

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Clearcoat over raw carbon with 7 different colordecal kits

Things to do at the Marble Mountains

When you arrive at the Marble Mountains, there are two options for you: either to hike up by taking the stairs, or to take the elevator situated in Gate 2. To explore every spot in the Marble Mountains, you would need approximately two hours.

Here is a map to navigate around the Marble Mountains.

The elevator is located in Gate 2.

4.1 Xá Lợi Tower

If you decide to take the elevator, you will be taken to Xa Loi Tower. Once you get out of the elevator, you will see a beautiful view of the Non Nuoc Beach and the mountains surrounded by the local neighborhoods.

The view when you reach Xa Loi Tower

The tower is 28 meter high, has 7 floors and 6 sides. The tower represents the core values of Buddhism. For example, the 7 floors represent the 7 types of human emotions, including happiness, anger, love, resentment, greediness, hatred, and delusion. The 6 sides represent the 6 senses: vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch, and perception. Inside and outside the tower, there are more than 200 Buddha statues.

The architecture in Xa Loi Tower represents the religious values of Buddhism

4.2 Linh Ứng Pagoda

Linh Ung Pagoda is below Xa Loi Tower once you take a few stairs down. The pagoda has a long history from the Gia Long king era around the 17th century; hence, the pagoda is already hundreds of years old. The pagoda is a sanctuary of Buddha statues and golden plates inscribing the King’s demand to name the pagoda.

Local people usually show their gratitude in front of the Buddha statues by kneeling, bowing, and meditating. What we find most lovely about Linh Ung Pagoda is the ambience that balances between religion, history, nature, and people.

Outside Linh Ung Pagoda, a momentous Buddha statue is situated in a botanical garden.

4.3 Tàng Chơn Cave

The meaning of “Tang Chon” is a place that contains all the truths of the universe. The cave has a small valley that is about 10m long, 7m wide. The cave ceiling is open towards the sky, which facilitates the circulation of the wind and brings down the temperature. Inside there is a shrine to worship gods that bring happiness and luck to people.

Tang Chon Cave is situated in the back of Linh Ung Pagoda

4.4 Hải Đài Tower (Sea Watching Tower)

To reach Hải Đài Tower, you can walk to the south from Tang Chon Cave. When you discover the tower, you might feel like you have found a magical hidden spot in the middle of the mountain. The view from Sea Watching Tower is magnificent as the tower is located up high, where you can see the city, Non Nuoc beach and Cu Lao Cham in a picture frame made of natural trees.

The view from Sea Watching Tower is magnificent as the tower is located up high.