must see Da Nang
Han River
Pay attention to two streets - Bach Dang Street in Hai Chau District on the left bank and Tran Hung Dao in Son Tra District on the right. Running virtually on the river banks, these two streets are ideal for strollers who love to enjoy riverine cityscape. Bach Dang is specially recommended if you have only limited time. Start at the Cham Museum and go down Bach Dang. Along the way on your right hand side are paved parks on the bank, where local people gather at dawn and dusk for the day's physical exercises or jogging sessions. On the street, there is a market, mainly selling fish, which meets in early morning and can be recognized from afar by its
distinctive smell.
Passing Cho Han (Han Market), which is named after the river, you will arrive at the municipal post office, and only minutes away is Han Bridge, which may not be the largest bridge in Danang but arguably the best-known one for symbolizing the city. Walking under the bridge's vault will definitely be an exciting experience full of fresh air from the river.
Down the river towards the estuary is the Han River Port which has lost much of its past glory and is to be a tourist port now. Nearer to the sea is the Thuan Phuoc Fish Port. Try to pay a visit to this traditional fish port in Danang before it is moved to pave the way for tourist facilities.
Son Tra Peninsula
Just 10km from the City of Da Nang, the Son Tra Peninsula is an area of outstanding natural beauty. The backdrop of the peninsula is Son Tra Mountain, which rises up majestically from the lush tropical jungle and the golden beach beyond.
Son Tra Peninsula is a government protected natural forest, with the shoreline and jungle forming a natural barrier from storms and cyclones for the City of Da Nang. For this reason this area is a botanist’s dream, with many rare species of flora and fauna to be found. The site covers over 30,000 square kilometers and is home to over three hundred varieties of plants and many rare and endangered species of animals.
Upon one side, at the foot of the mountain is the stone stream, named Suoi Da in Vietnamese. The stream is so named because the waves from the sea gently roll up the stream, and over the centuries this has caused interesting rock formations to be pushed up along the shoreline of the stream. A wonderful place to explore.
Visitors are free to use the expansive golden sandy beach and swim in the cool waters of the sea, although there is a very strictly enforced policy of no littering, and causing no lasting damage to the area. The coral reefs which are located just offshore are simply stunning, and definitely something snorkelers would consider exploiting before they become a popular scuba diving site.
Overall, no visit to the City of Da Nang would be complete without spending a day taking in this breathtaking natural environment. The local people believe that the Son Tra Peninsula is a gift from the gods, and one which needs to be protected and nurtured. Spend a day exploring whilst you are visiting Da Nang and there is no doubt that you will form the same opinion.
My Son Sanctuary
Located just a short 70km drive from the City of Da Nang, My Son was one of the original Imperial cities during the time of the Cham Dynasty. The site covers an area which encompasses over 70 historically important examples of Cham architecture.
The original temple at My Son was constructed using wood, and was dedicated to the worship of Siva Bhadresvera. However, at some time in the 16th century the original temple was destroyed by fire and none of it has survived to this time. The current site is built around a temple which is dedicated to Linga-Yoni and was the most important religious site for the local Cham people from the 4th until the 15th century. Constructed around the main temple are many smaller towers which are dedicated to lesser gods and deities. Over time the site has been severely damaged, mostly by acts of war. However, there is still plenty to see at My Son, many of the towers and temples can still be explored and are considered to be masterpieces of South East Asian architecture.
When exploring My Son you will find that each period of time has its own identity. As construction methods and available materials changed century to century, then each tower or temple constructed is slightly different from those that came before and after. Following the discovery and excavation of the My Son site, many of the statues and other works of Cham art were moved to the Cham Architecture Museum which is located in Da Nang. There are some left at the My Son site, but to see the best then a visit to the museum is recommended.
Every visitor to the City of Da Nang should consider taking a day trip to the My Son Sanctuary. No other landmark close by gives such an impressive view into Cham life.
Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains, or Mgu Hanh Son in Vietnamese, overlook the City of Da Nang. The name in Vietnamese means Five Elements Mountains, and this is due to the fact the range has five distinct peaks, with the local people attributing one for each of the five elements of nature, metal, wood, fire, earth and water.
The entire mountain range is a warren of cave systems, many interlinked, which have been used as living spaces by many Vietnamese people in the past. Many of the small spaces found along the mountain trails feature Buddhist Shrines and other religious grottos. The largest of these is the Ling Ong Pagoda, with its large cave and shrine. The Marble Mountains are considered to be of both historical and archeological importance to Vietnam. Many of the Pagodas which are constructed at various sites within the mountain range are several centuries old. During ancient times, the lords of Nguyen would use the caves to store and hide their gold and treasure. Many of these treasure cache were guarded and overlooked by monks. For this reason the Marble Mountain is a popular spot for treasure hunters, as it is believed many of the passages are still unexplored. In later history the French Army built many bunkers within the Marble Mountains, which were then used by the Viet Cong years later. The US Air Force also constructed radar and observation platforms close to the peaks.
If you are visiting Da Nang and have the energy, then a trek up the Marble Mountain is a rewarding experience. From the ancient Pagodas to the hidden grottos, and even the more recent military sites are well worth visiting. Be warned, this is not an easy walk, be sure to wear proper walking footwear and bring plenty of water, this is a tough trek in places.
