Thuy Son Mountain, Danang

The five limestone peaks in Danang are referred as Marble Mountains and are located about eight kilometers from the city center. We are now at Thuy son (Water mountain) with the height of 1348 ft. above the sea level, and is the highest and largest mountain of the five limestone peaks in Da Nang. Inside Thuy Son there is Am Phu cave which is the longest natural cave (985 ft.). The entrance is at the foot of Thuy Son and is famous for extensive chambers. The cave was discovered in the 19th century by Minh Mang King who named it “Am Phu” (meaning “hell” in Vietnamese), to represent the yin and yang dualism: while the upper part of the mountain is seen as paradise, visitors initially pass through underground caves symbolizing hell. Throughout the Vietnam War era, Am Phu Cave became a refuge for Vietnam soldiers, who turned it into a hidden shelter and makeshift medical facility. Shielded from sight, the cave experienced fierce clashes as the enemy’s troops launched repeated assaults on its covert hideaway.

We are at the foot of Thuy Son Mountain

Entrance of Am Phu cave.

Bridge leading to the entrance of the cave.

View of the entrance of the cave from the interior of the cave.

According to our guide the cave is deeply influenced by Buddhist culture and the theory of yin and yang, emphasizing that in human life and all things, there are always two opposing sides. Thus, while the top of Am Phu Cave features a path to Heaven, the base leads to Hell. So here we are traversing hell through the cave.

The tunnels are decorated with sculptures made by local artists an representing the two guardians of hell. The two guardians “Ta Ty” and “Huu Ty” mission is to identify the souls of dead people by the name on a list and the light of torch and transfer them to “Phan Quan” (the judge).

Since 2006, Am Phu Cave has been welcoming tourists to explore its depths, revealing stunning natural features such as rock formations and stalactites.

Vast chamber inside the cave.

Part of the cave is really wet with water coming from above so some of us have to use an umbrella

The volume of the cave is really enormous.

The cave is really well lit so it is really easy to navigate.

The cave is truly magical and so beautiful.

Sculptures representing hell with a crocodile pulling people into hell.

Buddha shrine

The wheel of life representing the cycle of birth and rebirth and existence in Samsara which is often defined as the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Or, you may understand it as the world of suffering and dissatisfaction, the opposite of nirvana, which is the condition of being free from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.

Amazing volume in the main chamber.

Stairs way to other part of the cave.

Amazing rock formations inside the cave.

We are now leaving the cave.

Ying Yang bridge. On the right you can see hand rising from the water to pull sinners into hell. In the hell world, after death, one soul leaves his/her human body and the soul must pass through Nai Ha River by Yin-Yang Bridge. The river Nai Ha with dark waters divided into two parts, Life and Death; and it has lots of river monsters, snakes, crocodiles, and fearful creatures.

NEXT... Non Nuoc Pagoda