Monkey Mountain – Best Things To Do In Da Nang

Introduction

Monkey Mountain (also known as Son Tra Mountain) is an attractive place not to be missed during a trip to Da Nang. In particular, Mother Nature has gifted this location with a rich environment as well as numerous stunning large and small beaches.

In addition, this area is home to many well-known tourist attractions, including the Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda, Ban Co Peak, Dong Dinh Museum, etc. Today, Hue Private Taxi will provide more information about Monkey Mountain in Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang in the article below.

Where Is The Monkey Mountain?

Monkey Mountain is located in Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang City. The distance from the city center to here is approximately 10 kilometers to the Northeast. This is a large mountain with an elevation of approximately 700 meters and an extent of up to 4,439 hectares.

In addition, this is a primeval forest with a diversified ecosystem and breathtaking natural surroundings. There are around 1,000 plant species and 120 animal species in this area. There are 21 species classified in the Vietnamese and International Red List. As a consequence, many people visit the Son Tra Peninsula intending to observe them once in their life.

If you wish to see numerous notable attractions in Monkey Mountain in one day, consider some of our excursions below:

• Monkey Mountain Sunset Tour – 36 USD/pax
• Jeep Tour To Monkey Mountain – 150 USD/pax
• Sunrise On Monkey Mountain Tour – 36 USD/pax

How To Get To Monkey Mountain In Da Nang City?

From the center of Da Nang City, you run to the coastal road and go Northeast along Vo Nguyen Giap Street. Next, you follow Hoang Sa Street to reach Son Tra Peninsula.

The road to Son Tra Peninsula is invested quite well by the Da Nang City Government. As a result, tourists can easily arrive by a variety of modes of transportation, including motorcycles, taxis, and private cars.

However, the road to Monkey Mountain is winding and steep, so a private car transfer service is the best option for you. Hue Private Taxi suggests some of our private car services listed below:

• Danang To Monkey Mountain – 30 USD/Sedan
• Hoi An To Monkey Mountain Private Taxi – 73 USD/Sedan

History Of Monkey Mountain

In the past, Monkey Mountain has been on an island made up of three nearby mountains. Following it, geological processes and silt accumulation from the sea formed a lengthy strip that connected the island to the mainland. This location became known as Son Tra Peninsula at that point.

Son Tra Mountain has three sides facing the sea and one facing the mainland. Because of its advantageous location, this site became an important testimony in Da Nang’s history of fighting foreign invaders.

In particular, under the Nguyen Dynasty, Son Tra was chosen as the site for a fortified fortress to guard the sea. Furthermore, in 1858, the French army chose Son Tra Peninsula as the beginning point for their campaign in Vietnam. Since then, this location has witnessed the highs and lows of our country’s lengthy wars.

Even though Vietnam’s independence and freedom, the peninsula remains a strategic military location. Moreover, the government continues to invest in the region’s strengths to boost tourism demand and contribute to local economic development.

Top Attractions To Visit On Monkey Mountain

Monkey Mountain on Son Tra Peninsula is notable for its diverse habitat, which includes lush forests all year. Not only that, but this area is home to many well-known tourist attractions, including the Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda, the Dong Dinh Museum, the Tien Sa Lighthouse, and many other beautiful places.

Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda

Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda is the most well-known of three pagodas named Linh Ung in Da Nang. This temple was built at roughly 700 meters above sea level, creating a sense of purity and peace.

This Linh Ung Pagoda is famous for its 67-meter-high, intricately crafted Buddha figure. This is currently Vietnam’s highest statue. Even from a distance, tourists can see the picture of this Buddha standing tall and beautiful.

The revered statue is located on high ground and faces the sea. People here think that this Buddha will listen to everyone’s prayers and protect local fishermen, allowing them to go out to sea safely and reap a bountiful harvest. 

Dong Dinh Museum

Dong Dinh Museum or Memory Garden is a traditional Vietnamese-style architectural work. This location houses several objects of significant cultural, artistic, and historical importance.

Furthermore, the museum is a masterful blend of nature and human hands, painting a flawless picture in the minds of tourists every time they visit. Coming here feels like you’re lost in childhood memories, with familiar items from those days.

Visitors to Dong Dinh Museum can enjoy works of art that are both natural and man-made. Some of them are unique architectural works, spaces simulating small fishing villages, and valuable antiquities from feudal periods.

In addition, visitors can enjoy excellent glasses of water in an airy and pleasant art atmosphere that is rarely available elsewhere. Dong Dinh Museum will bring you interesting experiences when visiting this place.

Son Tra Radar Station

Son Tra Radar Station was created for military objectives at a point of 621 meters. This location is known as the “Eyes of Indochina” since its function is to ensure the safety of the airspace over the Gulf of Tonkin, Laos, and Cambodia.

From afar, tourists can see it as a huge white ball amidst Son Tra’s mountains and trees. Not only that, but you can enjoy spectacular views of Da Nang’s mountains, forests, and sea from here.

Ban Co Peak

Ban Co Peak atop Monkey Mountain in Da Nang is a stunning tourist site at an elevation of 700 meters above sea level. Standing here, the entire little city of Da Nang appears before your eyes; next to the bustling city is the huge sea, gleaming in the sunlight.

The special thing at the top of this mountain is the statue of De Thich sitting and looking intently at the chess board. This statue is associated with exciting folk tales that locals frequently tell one another. Many travelers visit Ban Co Peak to learn about fascinating stories and marvel at nature’s brilliance.

Thousands Year Banyan Tree

Thousands Year Banyan Tree on Monkey Mountain is a popular tourist attraction. This ancient tree is thought to be up to a thousand years old, with a diameter of 10 meters and 26 little roots surrounding it. The banyan tree has a wide canopy and an extremely magnificent appearance, so it is considered a “green treasure” of Da Nang City.

In addition, this is one of the world’s largest banyan trees, with a circumference of more than 100m and a height of up to 30m. This ancient tree represents the strength and longevity of the Da Nang people. The dense greenery provides great shade and shelter for many different types of wildlife in this location.

Tien Sa Lighthouse

Tien Sa Lighthouse is also known as Son Tra Lighthouse. This landmark was erected during the French colonial period, making it one of Vietnam’s oldest lighthouses. It was built by the French army so it has a strong European feel, both ancient and modern.

This is the best site for visitors to enjoy Monkey Mountain’s breathtaking beauty, which promises to provide unforgettable experiences, particularly at sunrise and sunset.

Vong Canh House

Vong Canh House is a communal house located on Son Tra Peninsula’s protruding cliff. This area is supplied with numerous stone benches that are put near together. They allow you to rest and enjoy the panoramic view of Da Nang’s natural mountains and forests.

In addition, there is a stone monkey statue in front of the house, representing Monkey Mountain. Standing here, visitors may overlook Son Tra Radar Station, Hai Van Pass, and Hue’s gorgeous Lang Co Beach.

FAQs About Monkey Mountain

Monkey Mountain Danang Entrance Fee

Many prominent tourist attractions in Monkey Mountain Da Nang provide free entrance tickets. However, if there is a parking lot, the payment is normally 10,000 VND per car.

Besides, two locations collect fees but they are not too high.

• Tien Sa Lighthouse entrance fee: 20,000 VND per person.

Note: You should prepare cash to buy tickets because online payment methods are not supported here.

• Entrance fee to Dong Dinh Museum of Art:

• Adults: 30,000 VND/person.
• The ticket price includes drinks: 75,000 VND per person.
• Children under the age of 12: Free (Drinks are not included).

Ideal Time To Explore Monkey Mountain On Son Tra Peninsula

Monkey Mountain has a high geographical position so the air is cool and pleasant all year round. However, this place is still influenced by the typical weather of Da Nang. The climate is separated into two seasons: dry (March-August) and wet (September-February).

The dry season is the optimum time to visit Da Nang. At the moment, the weather is sunny and dry, making Monkey Mountain an ideal place to visit and explore. In addition, guests can easily capture the moment when groups of monkeys descend the mountain in search of food during this season.

Da Nang’s rainy season runs from September to February of the following year. The main weather is heavy rain that lasts for several days, making the roads slippery and difficult to navigate. In particular, floods and thunderstorms often appear during this period.

What To Bring?

• When exploring Monkey Mountain, simply bring the necessary personal goods.
• Remember to bring a fully charged camera and phone to take lovely photos for memory.
• Wear long-sleeved clothing to avoid sunburn when sightseeing and traveling between locations.
• Remember to bring a wide-brimmed hat and an umbrella.
• Don’t forget to bring sunscreen and insect repellent.
• You can pack drinks and snacks to keep energy for the lengthy travel.

What Should I Eat?

Fresh Seafood

Most of Monkey Mountain’s area is surrounded by the sea, so enjoying fresh seafood is a must when coming here. Tourists can readily purchase seafood from the local fish market and grill it while camping on the beach.

Furthermore, you can easily find restaurants specializing in selling seafood on many streets in Son Tra. The seafood meals served here are diversified and fresh, with reasonable costs.

Mountain Specialty

Monkey Mountain is known for its diverse natural ecology, so it is easy to find appealing mountain and forest delicacies. In addition to fresh seafood, this place offers a variety of meats and vegetables farmed and grown in a natural environment.

Furthermore, the wild meat is cooked by professional chefs with along special spices to create attractive local specialties. In addition, you will enjoy dishes cooked with lots of healthful veggies that are equally delicious.

Coconut Liquor

Coconut liquor is a popular drink in the Son Tra Peninsula that you should not miss. This wine is prepared by combining sticky rice with yeast in ripe coconuts to produce a tasty wine.

Drinking this wine while eating local delights will be an unforgettable experience for you. It would be a shame if you missed out on this amazing thing when visiting Son Tra Mountain Vietnam.

Good-To-Know Notes

• It takes a long time to tour areas on Monkey Mountain, so plan ahead of time and depart early.
• Do not feed wild animals since it will alter their feeding pattern in their natural surroundings.
• Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda is a sacred place so avoid talking loudly and make sure to dress politely.
• You should dress comfortably because you will be walking for the most of the time.
• If traveling by motorcycle, guests should fill up with gas and ensure that everything is safe before beginning the journey.
• The road from Thousand Year Banyan Tree to Ban Co Peak is not suitable for automatic transmission motorcycles, thus you should use manual transmission vehicles.

Conclusion

In summary, Monkey Mountain on the Son Tra Peninsula is a fascinating location with a diverse ecosystem and stunning scenery. Many travelers consider this place the best holiday spot in Da Nang. Come with your family and friends to explore Son Tra Mountain right away.

Hue Private Taxi believes that Monkey Mountain Blog has given you useful information about this spot. We wish you a wonderful vacation in Danang, Vietnam.