Excursion Cham civilisation tour at Da Nang

This full-day excursion combines an exploration of Da Nang's Cham Museum with a visit to My Son Holysee, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Savour lunch at Marble Beach and take in the views of Marble Mountain on this overview of the southern areas of Vietnam.

Da Nang

Depart the pier and travel by coach to the Cham Museum in Da Nang, a journey of approximately 75 minutes. The road south from Chan May is scenic, with tall sand dunes along the coast and numerous rice paddies and water buffalo in the fields. As you venture through the centre of Da Nang, discover a charming town, with ornate temples and colonial-style buildings.

Arriving at the Cham Museum, stroll through its outdoor exhibits of sandstone sculptures and temple decorations created between the 4th and 14th centuries by the Cham people. The displays are grouped into four time periods, and named after the regions in which the sculptures were discovered. Your guide, well-versed in Cham history provides a comprehensive explanation of these relics.

My Son Holysee

Your next destination is My Son Holysee. This World Cultural Heritage Site is a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 70 architectural works, and includes temples and towers connected to each other by a series of intricate red brick designs. The main component of the site's Cham architectural design is the tower, which was built to reflect the divinity of the king. During your visit to My Son Holy Land, listen to your guide's lecture and see the 1,000-year-old brick ruins of temples built by Central Vietnam's Hindu Chams, which were damaged during the Vietnam War.

Marble Beach

Venture next to Marble Beach, the famed stretch of sandy coastline that served as a place for military personnel to find some R & R, and for Hollywood to shoot movies. With its Marble Mountain views and five-star resorts, it has become a favourite stomping ground for international travellers and ex-patriots. Enjoy lunch a refreshment and a chance to relax at the resort on the beach.

Marble Mountain

Re-board the coach and travel next to the village at Marble Mountain. Shaped like a dragon at rest, Marble Mountain is actually a series of marble and limestone formations, each named after an element: metal, wood, water, fire and earth.

After your brief visit here, travel back to Chan May and the ship.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Da Nang, Temples, Rice Paddies, Cham Museum, My Son Holysee, Marble Beach, Marble Mountain

Note

Please note: This tour requires moderate amount of walking, some of which is over uneven ground. It is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Guests who would like to swim at Marble Beach should bring a swimsuit with cover up. The order of sights seen may vary. Please exercise caution with personal items in the market area, particularly when walking through crowded areas frequented by tourists. Bring local currency for any purchases; US dollars and credit cards are accepted in many stores.