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VietnamDescription and is it worth visiting
Son Tra Peninsula (Nui Son Tra) in Da Nang is also known as "Monkey Mountain". This is one of the interesting places in the immediate vicinity of the city. But to understand, the peninsula is not a single point of attraction itself, but rather there are several interesting places and even recreation areas on the peninsula.
The peninsula is quite large, and on it is the mountain of the same name with several viewing platforms (a former helicopter pad, a telecommunications antenna, and just a platform at the top of Ban Co Peak), offering breathtaking views of the bay and Hai Van Pass. The roads encircling the peninsula and the ascent up the mountain are also interesting and picturesque. As befits a monkey island, there are many monkeys here, you can see squirrels, and, theoretically, encounter rare species: langurs, pheasants, civets. On the southern shore of the peninsula, on the mountainside, there is a giant statue of Guanyin - the goddess of mercy, standing in a lotus flower (Linh Ung), and a large and beautiful temple dedicated to her. This statue is visible from almost any point on Da Nang's city beach, and can even be seen from the Marble Mountains. There are also several hotels and cozy beaches, a lighthouse, an unusual tree with an arch-shaped trunk, a small private museum, and a beautiful themed Mediterranean restaurant Son Tra Marina.
Visiting the peninsula will certainly be interesting for those who know how to ride a motorcycle and are ready to ride around it on rented transport. You can come here to ride from one attraction to another, or to relax on one of the beaches during the day. Just note that the ascent to the mountain to the viewing platforms is quite steep, and to overcome it you should rent a more powerful motorcycle or a semi-automatic, as described in more detail below in the How to get there section.
But for hikers, there is not much to do here, unless you are ready to walk a 30-kilometer path around the perimeter of the island on foot.
🕐 Opening hours
24/7, but it's best to visit the peninsula during the day in clear weather.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket prices
Free.
🚶 How to get there
The Son Tra Peninsula is located within the city limits, but quite far from the center (peninsula on the map). Since it is large and visiting it involves moving around, it is best to come here on a rented motorcycle or car. Moreover, if you follow the rules strictly, then to ascend the mountain to the viewpoints you must rent a motorbike with a manual or semi-automatic transmission or a car. At the very least, there are prohibition signs for "automatics" and even a barrier with a guard who is supposed to control this. But when we were here, we drove all the way to the barrier and talked to the person in the "booth", who without any problems allowed us to pass, but strongly recommended against doing so.
We also came across reviews that here they offer to leave automatics and rent another motorcycle to go up the mountain, but we personally did not encounter this. So either go on an automatic and act according to the situation, or immediately look for a "manual" or "semi-automatic". You can rent a semi-automatic in Da Nang from 100,000 dong, an automatic from 120,000. We talked in detail about renting in our Da Nang transport guide, and there is also a video review about renting.
If you do rent an automatic, you will still be able to visit at least the Guanyin Temple, the Dong Dinh Museum, get to the beach and several viewpoints along the coast.
You can also get there on city bus routes No. 8 and 9, they go to the isthmus on the peninsula, and then only on foot or by taxi.