Am Phu is the underworld cave at the foot of Thuy Son in the Marble Mountains, beside Gate 2 and the elevator. You cross a bridge over a symbolic river of the dead, then choose between a path down into hell, lined with carved scenes of judgement, and a steep path up towards heaven and daylight.
It has its own ticket, 20,000 VND (~$1), separate from the mountain ticket, and a visit takes about 30 minutes. It is dramatic and well made, but the scenes of punishment can frighten young children.
The underworld, with someone to explain it
Our guides start the morning at Am Phu and tell the stories behind every judge, gate and punishment.
★Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & the Stone CarversThe Marble Mountains caves at the hour the light comes in, the Lady Buddha on Son Tra and a working Non Nuoc carving yard, with your own guide and car. · 5 hoursSee the tour →Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & Hoi An by Lantern LightSon Tra, the Marble Mountains caves and a Non Nuoc carving yard in the morning, then Hoi An old town and a boat on the Thu Bon as the lanterns come on. · 10 hoursSee the tour →What is inside Am Phu cave?
Am Phu is the second-largest cave in Thuy Son, with vaults reaching 45 to 50 metres in places. Its name means the underworld. The natural shape of the cave was worked by the stone carvers of Non Nuoc into a journey through the Buddhist afterlife, and the cave was restored and extended between 2003 and 2006.
| Stage | What you see |
|---|---|
| The Am Duong bridge | A bridge over the river of the dead, its railings lined with the twelve animals of the zodiac |
| The two lamps | Candles at the cave mouth, lit to guide souls on their way |
| The fork | Left, a steep, bright path up towards heaven; right, a winding path down into the underworld |
| The judgement hall | Ksitigarbha, bodhisattva of the underworld, at the centre, with the judges of the nine levels and twelve gates of hell |
| The narrow gates | Tight passages lined with carved scenes of punishment and the scales of justice |
| The climb to heaven | A steep path up towards an opening in the rock and the daylight above |
Where is Am Phu, and how much is the ticket?
Am Phu is at the foot of Thuy Son on Huyen Tran Cong Chua, right next to Gate 2 and the elevator, so it fits neatly at the start or end of a visit. The ticket costs 20,000 VND (~$1) and is bought at the cave entrance; it is not included in the main mountain ticket. The other tickets are explained in tickets and opening hours.
Entering involves only a few steps up to the bridge. The climb towards heaven is the demanding part: steep, uneven and narrow in places.
Is Am Phu cave too scary for children?
It depends on the child. The cave is dim, the scenes of punishment are graphic in a stylised way, with demons and tortures carved in stone, and some passages are narrow. Children from about eight often find it fascinating; younger ones can find it frightening.
A good test is the first chamber after the bridge: look in together and decide there. The guide to visiting with kids covers the rest of the hill.
Is Am Phu worth the extra ticket?
For most visitors, yes. It costs little, takes half an hour and sits right by the elevator, and nothing else on the hill is like it. Seen together with the cave shrines above, it completes the picture: the upper caves are about worship and light, Am Phu about karma and consequence.
Want the stories behind the carvings?
Our half day includes Am Phu with a licensed local guide, then the caves of Thuy Son timed for the light.
Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & the Stone Carvers5 hoursSee the tour →Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & Hoi An by Lantern Light10 hoursSee the tour →Am Phu cave: quick answers
How much is the Am Phu cave ticket?
The Am Phu cave ticket costs 20,000 VND (~$1). It is separate from the main Marble Mountains ticket and is bought at the cave entrance.
Where is Am Phu cave?
At the foot of Thuy Son in the Marble Mountains, next to Gate 2 and the elevator on Huyen Tran Cong Chua street, Da Nang.
How long does Am Phu cave take?
About 30 minutes, including the climb towards heaven. Allow a little longer if you stop to read the scenes.
What does Am Phu mean?
Am Phu means the underworld. The cave is laid out as the Buddhist afterlife, from the bridge over the river of the dead to the courts of judgement and the path towards heaven.
From the underworld to the light
Choose your group size and the price covers the day: pickup, private car, licensed guide, every ticket including Am Phu, and water. Free to cancel until 3 days before.
★Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & the Stone CarversThe Marble Mountains caves at the hour the light comes in, the Lady Buddha on Son Tra and a working Non Nuoc carving yard, with your own guide and car. · 5 hoursfrom$39/ person›
Choose your group size · price is the group totalSolo traveller$135BOOK →2 guests$140BOOK →3 guests$150BOOK →4 guests$155BOOK →See the full tour page →Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & Hoi An by Lantern LightSon Tra, the Marble Mountains caves and a Non Nuoc carving yard in the morning, then Hoi An old town and a boat on the Thu Bon as the lanterns come on. · 10 hoursfrom$89/ person›
Choose your group size · price is the group totalSolo traveller$265BOOK →2 guests$295BOOK →3 guests$325BOOK →4 guests$355BOOK →See the full tour page →Details of the cave were checked against published local sources in September 2026; the ticket price is pulled from our booking system.