Tickets
Hotels
Tours
Insurance
Trains
VietnamDescription and Is It Worth Visiting
The Heaven and Hell Cave (Am Phu Cave) in Danang is often confused with the Marble Mountains, thinking it's the same thing. But that's not entirely true. Actually, this cave is just a small part of the entire Marble Mountains complex. It's simply located in the same Water Mountain, where the main paid tourist route passes, which most vacationers, especially groups, visit. Even the ticket offices and tickets at the entrance to the cave and for the mountain route are different. Now we will explain in detail and reliably how everything works here, what you will see, how to visit and whether it's worth it.
And our "spoiler" right away: yes, the Heaven and Hell Cave Am Phu Cave is definitely worth visiting. Entry here costs mere pennies, it's not difficult to get to, and combined with visiting the main tourist route on the Marble Mountains, or even better, exploring the entire Marble Mountains complex, it's generally one of the "top" attractions in Danang and Hoi An.
This is important to understand: The Marble Mountains are not only that one Water Mountain where tourists are brought on excursions. It's a whole five mountains, reflecting the five elements – water, earth, metal, fire, and wood. This is a particularly significant place for local residents, and a large number of Buddhist pagodas (temples) are concentrated here, the mountains are riddled with caves and grottoes filled with statues, shrines, and relics. The standard popular tourist route includes visiting only the Water Mountain and this Heaven and Hell Cave Am Phu Cave. But besides this, there are many other interesting little-known places here that are worth the attention of inquisitive travelers. We personally explored these mountains inside and out and prepared detailed guides with map points, visiting tips, how to get there, and everything else. We advise you to read them before visiting:
But now let's return to the Heaven and Hell Cave. This is a natural cave, inside of which the atmosphere of heaven and hell in the Buddhist view has been symbolically recreated. In fact, heavenly delights are presented modestly here, just a steep staircase going up, which you will have to climb, holding onto steel rings fixed in the rock. At the very top, you will reach a very small observation deck with a pagoda, that's heaven.
However, the theme of hellish judgment is presented here in full, which, in general, is what interests tourists the most. Scenes of hellish torments are complemented by appropriate light and sound effects, which together can create eerie feelings in the most impressionable visitors. But don't expect it to be scary here. In fact, it's rather amusing, and you can safely visit the cave with children.
How to Visit
The visit is simple and understandable. The cave consists of one large hall at the entrance, and two branches with several passages. Don't worry, you can't get lost here. There are stairs and steps everywhere, everything is safe.
The difficulty, perhaps, is only the ascent along the branch to "heaven." It is narrow and is located immediately to the left after the entrance. Tourists don't always notice it and leave the cave bypassing it. So remember! The narrow passage on the left, which leads up to "Heaven" must be visited.
But the difficulty is that you will have to scramble up very steep and high stone steps carved directly into the marble walls of the cave. For safety, instead of railings, you will have to grab onto metal rings and staples driven into the stone. But don't worry, this "Path to Heaven" is overcome even by children and elderly people. At the top, you will reach a small "balcony" with views of the pagoda. But try not to linger here long so that other tourists also have enough space.
🕐 Opening Hours
From 07:00 to 17:00, no days off.
💵 Entrance Fee / Ticket Prices
20,000 VND (0.76 USD, )see Vietnam currency and exchange rate), parking 10,000 VND (0.38 USD)
🚶 How to Get There
The cave is located in the largest of the Marble Mountains on the outskirts of the city on the way to Hoi An (cave on the map). Its entrance is separate from the entrance to the Marble Mountains, and is located approximately in the middle between the two entrances to the main mountain route, or slightly to the left of the elevator, it is very visible.
The easiest way to get here is to buy a group tour at street agencies and hotels in Danang and Hoi An, or online on these sites with reviews:
- 📷 Danang Tours on Trip.com
- 📷 Danang Tours on GetYourGuide
- 📷 Danang Tours Sputnik8
- 📷 Danang Tours Tripster
But in our opinion, visiting with tours still has a big disadvantage – the time limit. But, fortunately, it is very easy to visit both the Marble Mountains and this cave on your own. Here are the instructions:
-
By Taxi
You can order a taxi in the Grab, Xanh Sm, Maxim apps, by phone, or through hotel staff. A one-way trip from Danang will cost from 80,000 VND, from Hoi An from 250,000. For more details about Danang taxis, you can find out in our guide.
-
By Rented Transport
Rent a motorbike in Danang and Hoi An from 120,000 VND, a car from 30 dollars. We have a detailed guide and video about renting a motorbike in Danang, you can check it out, everything is there.
From Danang, it's a 10-30 minute drive, from Hoi An 20-40 minutes. Parking is free a little away from the mountains, 10,000 VND near the entrance, or free near souvenir shops provided you buy something from them later.
-
By Bus
Attention! The old bus route No. 1 to the Marble Mountains no longer runs.
From Danang, bus No. 16, 02/LK-02, 06 goes here. Fare from 8000 VND. All three buses pass through the Dragon Bridge, you can board at the stop next to it, here it is on the map. Bus No. 06 is a bit more convenient, it runs along the embankment and My Khe beach on Vo Nguyen Giap Street. More about Danang buses and how to use them is explained in a separate guide.
From Hoi An, bus No. 02/LK-02 runs. The fare costs 15,000 + 8,000. The peculiarity with it is that it's a conditionally combined route. In Hoi An, you board the LK-02 route, it goes to the final stop a bit short of the Marble Mountains (final stop on the map). There it changes its number to 02 and goes further to Danang, so you will need to pay for a second ticket for No. 02 another 8,000. Moreover, sometimes LK-02 does not continue further after the final stop, then you will need to get off there and wait for the next No. 02, No. 16.
Buses do not run often. According to the schedule, every 15-30 minutes, but in fact, due to traffic jams in Danang, it can be more. But in general, this is a quite workable and inexpensive option, we rode it several times. If you want to know more, then read our guide about Danang buses.
-
From Nha Trang, Hue and Other Resorts
It is best to visit the Marble Mountains from other resorts with an overnight stay in Danang or Hoi An, as it is very difficult to make a round trip in one day. And even better to spend several days in them. To do this route, our guide "How and by What to Get to Danang" will help you.
Directly on the spot, to enter the Water Mountain Thuy Son (Ngon Thuy Son), you need to buy a ticket at the ticket office at one of the two entrances, and then go up the stairs on foot, or use the elevator for an additional fee.