Inside Danang, at the very heart of the Marble Mountains, is Am Phu Cave, a beautiful, natural, and spiritual tourist attraction. Notorious for its mystery and breathtaking formations, this cave is certainly a must-visit for every traveler touring Central Vietnam. Am Phu Cave in Danang is a gloomy underground passage with enlightening folklore, which gives people a journey into the history of the land and myths of the same. Am Phu Cave in Danang is probably the most toured and mythologically appealing, with all the details discussed in the text about its location, history, significance, and tours. So, whether you are planning your next journey or you are just interested in one of Danang’s hidden gems, this guide is here to help.
Exploring Am Phu Cave in Danang
The Am Phu Cave is located in the central part of the legendary Marble Mountains, Ngũ Hành Sơn, five mountains situated around Danang City. The cave has a really exact address: 81 Huyền Trân Công Chúa, Hòa Hải, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Đà Nẵng, hence, the accessibility for tourists is superior, and this place is a part of most Danang tours. Each mountain is believed to represent a different element: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Among the five, Water Mountain, or Thủy Sơn, is one where Am Phu Cave is located and is also the most interesting and complex cave in the region. The dark, damp, and mystical catacombs of the cave attract local and international visitors for deep spiritual and philosophical reflections, and not merely for the sake of being a standard tourist site.
The discovery of Am Phu Cave in Danang is attributed to the reign of King Minh Mạng at the very beginning of the 19th century. According to legend, during a hunt to the Marble Mountains, King Minh Mạng found a way to the mysterious cave. Interesting facts provoked him to command his soldiers to explore every corner. Each time they tried to enter and explore the cave, their torches were extinguished by an eerie cold wind, and they were nervous to go any further.
The rumour says that later the king had a grapefruit with his inscribed name thrown into the cave. The same grapefruit washed ashore the beach the next day, proving that the cave had subterranean water entering the sea. The king thus named the cave Am Phu or “Hell Cave" owing to the otherworldly, somewhat creepy feeling the cave gave off.
The name Am Phu Cave not only stands for the physical qualities of the cave but also for its cultural and spiritual meanings. In the cave, visitors come across many symbolic elements of the Buddhist afterlife, such as heaven and hell, judgements, and dozens of deities. Together they represent a meaningful story about morality, karma, and life after death that makes this cave a profound place that offers self-contemplation and enlightenment.
Interesting things about Am Phu cave
Visiting Am Phu Cave in Danang is relatively straightforward, thanks to its convenient location. There are several transportation options available to tourists:
For any tourists willing to travel from any of the big landmarks, here are some detailed ways:
Travel Tips For Tourists
Before embarking on your trip to Am Phu Cave in Danang , it is important that you get to know the entrance fees and the operating hours. The ticket prices are very affordable:
The cave operates daily from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. For the best experience, visit this cave in the early morning or late in the afternoon when the atmosphere will be cooler and the cave will be less packed. Take into account the time of the year, as during the rainy season the Marble Mountains can get very muggy, which can impair the visibility and make it quite uncomfortable to enter the cave.
Right from the entrance to Am Phu Cave in Danang, the stage is set for a mystical journey. Visitors crossing the Am Duong Bridge are instantly transported into the path leading to the world of the living and after. Also known as the Yin-Yang Bridge, the bridge is filled with detailed carvings of different mythological themes.
The moment one sets foot inside, the cool and damp air, coupled with the subdued lighting, envelops them to complement the mysterious feeling of the cave. Right in the front, the pathway is split into two paths: one ascending upwards towards “heaven" and the other, which descends into the bottom, towards “hell." This pathway split is another very interesting way the concept of Karma and the afterlife to Buddhists is explained to visitors.
Explore the mystery at Am Phu cave
Once you step inside, the layout of Am Phu Cave in Danang unravels like a labyrinth of myth and reality. The structure is such that it is both inspiring and complex; the narrow passages lead to larger chambers all decked out with breathtaking formations. The path to heaven is very steep and goes through many lit sections that unveil the beauty of the natural formations in the cave. The highest point of the path will take you to “Heaven’s Gate," from which you can see a beautiful overview of the surrounding landscape.
The opposite path, that leads to “hell," is actually an inclination inside the cave, leading to darker and colder sections within the cave. Along the route, there are many sculptures and tableaux of judgment and punishment scenes. Some of the more emphasized features include that of Yama, who is the ruler of the Underworld, and the carvings illustrating the aftermath of bad karma. It is these graphic representations that make the place an evocative reminder of moral and ethical lessons in Buddhist philosophy.
While you are exploring Am Phu Cave in Danang, there is so much you can do and experience:
The Marble Mountains have quite a lot to offer besides Am Phu Cave. Some of the interesting sites are:
The best time to visit Am Phu Cave in Danang is during the dry season, which lasts from February to August. This period offers visitors pleasant weather, helping them to explore the Marble Mountains with ease. The best times to visit are early mornings and late afternoons in order to avoid the heat and groups of tourists.
A visit to Am Phu Cave in Danang should be safe and sound if the following tips are considered:
Am Phu Cave, Marble Mountains
Am Phu Cave in Danang, Central Vietnam, represents the natural and cultural richness of this country. Being a combination of natural beauty and spiritual depth, it gives a big impression on visitors. It is something about the allure of historical myth, exquisite geological composition, or a philosophical journey, but Am Phu Cave is definitely a place one should never miss. Organize your trip today and discover the hidden wonders of this mystical cave. Don’t forget to regularly follow our Fanpage and Website for more interesting information about traveling to Danang and to book Danang tours at the best prices.
This tour takes in all of these for central of Vietnam just with 5 days, the perfect way to experience central Vietnam at its best. Impress Travel Team will welcome you in Danang international airport, then transferring to Hoi An for sightseeing of city by visiting Japanese Covered Bridge Pagoda, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and take experience of lantern making workshop, transferring to Hue crossing Danang city, visiting marble mountain, Lang Co beach. The next destination of this trip is Hue imperial city, we will get stared to visit Thien Mu pagoda by the impression of cruising dragon boat then keeping on discovering Hue city by sightseeing in the Old Imperial City and Tu Duc Tomb. The last day of this tour return Danang city for shopping and Danang airport to home or next destinations.
What is included today: Transfer, tour guide, lunch, hotel in Hoi An, entrance fee
What is included today: Transfer, tour guide, breakfast, lunch, entrance fee, hotel in Hue
What is included today: Transfer, tour guide, entrance fee, breakfast, lunch, boat trip in Hue, hotel in Hue
What is included today: Transfer, tour guide, breakfast, lunch, hotel in Da Nang
What is included today: Transfer, breakfast
| Homestays in Hue | Hotels in Hue |
| Homestay in Hoi An | Hotels in Hoi An |
| Resorts in Danang | Hotels in Danang |
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
Central Vietnam Tours offers a great way to discover Central Vietnam ( Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Quang Binh, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Ngai) where is famous for the most beautiful landscapes in the world & the friendly people they are. Visit a country with ancient villages, peaceful countryside, and vibrant cities, admire dazzling white beaches, natural wonders, cultural heritages, natural heritages, and emerald-green paddy fields. Impress Vietnam Travel Team to work as a friendly, helpful local operator in Vietnam & Asia. We guarantee to provide you with the new experiences relating to the new lands & hidden charm that needing to be discovered. Why not, give us a chance to serve you then a great Vietnam Holiday is waiting for you. Email: info@impresstravel.com & call to Mr. Alex Impress Travel Manager at his cell phone (+84) 9123 79 189
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