Linh Ung pagoda on Thuy Son is the oldest of Da Nang’s three pagodas named Linh Ung, and the first sight most visitors reach at the Marble Mountains. It faces the sea from a terrace just below the top of the elevator, with a large white seated Buddha in front and Tang Chon cave behind.
Beside it stands the Xa Loi tower, seven storeys and about 30 metres high, built in 1997 and holding Buddhist relics on its top floor. It is a different pagoda from Linh Ung on the Son Tra peninsula, home of the tall Lady Buddha statue.
Both Linh Ung pagodas in one morning
Our half day visits Linh Ung on Son Tra first, then this older Linh Ung on Thuy Son, and explains the difference.
★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 →How did Linh Ung pagoda begin?
The pagoda grew out of a hermitage. In the first half of the 17th century a monk built a small retreat in front of Tang Chon cave. Emperor Gia Long later honoured it as a royal pagoda, Emperor Minh Mang rebuilt it in brick and tile in 1825, and in 1891, under Emperor Thanh Thai, it took the name Linh Ung that it carries today.
Local people still call it the outer pagoda, to distinguish it from Tam Thai, the inner pagoda on the western side of the hill. Its main hall is built on a simple one-line plan and faces east, towards the sea.
What is there to see at Linh Ung?
| Sight | What it is |
|---|---|
| The main hall | A working pagoda facing the sea, with altars to the Buddha |
| The white seated Buddha | A large marble statue in the courtyard, more than 10 metres tall, with bodhisattvas on either side |
| The Xa Loi tower | Seven storeys, about 30 metres, built in 1997, filled with stone statues and holding relics on the top floor |
| Tang Chon cave | Directly behind the pagoda; see the Tang Chon and Hoa Nghiem guide |
| The Vong Hai viewpoint | A short climb above the pagoda, looking east over Non Nuoc beach |
The cave behind the pagoda is described in Tang Chon and Hoa Nghiem, and the order of the whole visit in the guide to the Marble Mountains caves.
How is it different from Linh Ung on Son Tra?
Da Nang has three pagodas named Linh Ung, and visitors often mix them up. The one on Thuy Son in the Marble Mountains is the oldest. Linh Ung Bai But on the Son Tra peninsula, north of the city, is a modern pagoda known for its 67-metre Lady Buddha facing the sea. A third Linh Ung stands on Ba Na Hills.
If a guidebook or a driver says Linh Ung, check which one they mean; they are on opposite sides of the city.
How do you get to Linh Ung pagoda?
Take the elevator from Gate 2 to the terrace by the Xa Loi tower and walk down one flight of steps to the pagoda. Without the elevator, the 108-step east stairway from Gate 2 leads up to the same place. Dress as for any pagoda: shoulders and knees covered, shoes and hats off in the halls, as set out in the pagoda dress code guide.
Want the story behind the buildings?
Our half day covers both Linh Ung pagodas and the caves of Thuy Son with a licensed local guide.
Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & the Stone Carvers5 hoursSee the tour →Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha & Hoi An by Lantern Light10 hoursSee the tour →Linh Ung pagoda: quick answers
Is Linh Ung pagoda at the Marble Mountains the same as the Lady Buddha pagoda?
No. Linh Ung on Thuy Son is in the Marble Mountains, south of Da Nang. The Lady Buddha stands at Linh Ung Bai But on the Son Tra peninsula, north of the city.
How old is Linh Ung pagoda on Thuy Son?
It began as a hermitage in the first half of the 17th century, was rebuilt by Emperor Minh Mang in 1825 and took the name Linh Ung in 1891.
What is the Xa Loi tower?
A seven-storey relic tower about 30 metres high, built in 1997 beside Linh Ung pagoda. It holds stone statues and, on its top floor, Buddhist relics.
Is Linh Ung pagoda included in the Marble Mountains ticket?
Yes. Linh Ung pagoda is on Thuy Son and is covered by the main entry ticket, 40,000 VND (~$2).
Two Linh Ung pagodas, one morning
Choose your group size and the price covers the day: pickup, private car, licensed guide, every ticket 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 →History and details of the pagoda were checked against published local sources in September 2026.