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Marble Mountains: A scenic spot of diverse values

By DA NANG Today / DA NANG Today
January 07, 2025, 18:47 [GMT+7]

Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains) is always an attractive destination for tourists. Each stone and cave are intertwined with legends, each ancient pagoda has been honored in history, and every sign, horizontal board, and stele serves as a testament to the past. A deeper exploration reveals that the Marble Mountains hold multifaceted values.

View of the scenic Marble Mountains. Photo: N.T
View of the scenic Marble Mountains. Photo: N.T

Geological value

The Marble Mountains consist of limestone that has transformed into marble. It visually represents the geological processes that have occurred over millions of years. The limestone was formed from the remains of organisms that accumulated on the ocean floor in ancient times. Through the uplifting and subsiding movements of the Earth's crust, these limestone ranges rose above sea level. This was followed by the erosion caused by water sources, which created caves within the limestone, along with stalactites and stalagmites.

On the ceilings of the caves in Marble Mountains, various stalactites take on diverse shapes, resembling swirling dragons, floating clouds, and soaring cranes, all born from the rich imagination of visitors. These stalactites form through the deposition of calcium; mineral-laden droplets fall consecutively, leaving behind hollow tubes that create the stalactites. According to geological studies, it is estimated that over a span of 100 years, a stalactite only grows about 2.5 cm. This has inspired many intriguing and humorous tales in folklore. One story recounts that when King Minh Mang visited the Marble Mountains, his curiosity led him to touch a sparkling droplet of water beneath a stalactite, causing it to shy away and cease its flow.

Alongside the formation of stalactites on the ceilings of the caves, when droplets of water fall to the ground, the minerals in the water accumulate to create stalagmites. As the stalactite above gradually lengthens and makes contact with the stalagmite rising from below, a stone column is formed. These stone columns are often hollow inside, and when tapped gently, they emit resonant sounds similar to drums. This fascinating geological feature remains in the Marble Mountains, and if handled too roughly, these ancient stone drums and bells, which are millions of years old, could break and be irreparably lost.

Historical and cultural value

Archaeological evidence shows that humans have continuously inhabited the Marble Mountains area for thousands of years. In 2001, 2015, and 2017, archaeologists conducted excavations in Khue Bac Garden area, uncovering two distinct layers of cultural relics; the upper layer belongs to the early Champa culture, dating back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, while the lower layer features burial sites from the pre-Sa Huynh culture, estimated to be 2,500 to 3,000 years old. Inside the caves of Marble Mountains, there are artifacts crafted from sandstone in the Champa artistic style, including carved stone blocks similar to those found at the Dong Duong site (9th-10th centuries). These remnants reflect the religious practices of the Champa people, who utilized the natural caves as places of worship.

After the 15th century, the cave spaces of Marble Mountains became a meeting point for monks and Buddhist followers from various regions, including Dai Viet, China, and Japan. The Marble Mountains were referred to as Pho Da Son, a name associated with sacred lands in India, China, and many East Asian countries. On the rock walls within the caves of Marble Mountains, numerous inscriptions remain, left by renowned monks who came here to establish temples and by poets and scholars visiting to admire the scenery.

The inscription 普陀山靈中佛 (Pho Da Linh Trung Son Phat), carved on the wall of Hoa Nghiem Cave at the entrance to Huyen Khong Cave (dated 1640), lists many benefactors who contributed funds to establish the temple, including merchants from Japan who were residing in Hoi An at that time. The esteemed guest of Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu was Master Thich Dai San (from China), who recorded his visit to the Tam Thai Pagoda at Marble Mountains in 1695, sharing beautiful impressions in his book "Hai Ngoai Ky Su".

Contemporary vitality

Continuing the flow of history, the Marble Mountains landscape serves as a cornerstone for the local community. Not only is it the cradle of stone carving and sculpture, with products traded across the globe, but the Marble Mountains also stand as a spiritual refuge for many residents in the area. Inheriting the belief in Pho Da Son, the dwelling place of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, and particularly the ethereal image of the Bodhisattva glimpsed among the stalactites in the caves, thousands of people from both within the country and abroad gather here each year to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Avalokitesvara Festival. They come to listen to the enchanting sounds of nature and life, resonating from the ancient droplets of stalactites that have flowed for millions of years.

The Marble Mountains landscape must be actively cherished and preserved, minimizing negative impacts during its development for local living, commerce, and tourism. Furthermore, solutions should be implemented to restore the ecosystem of the flora and fauna in the limestone-marble mountain range, which has been rapidly degraded in recent decades. Registering with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to share knowledge and experience in heritage conservation could also bring positive impacts, contributing to the preservation of Marble Mountains as a mixed heritage site of diverse values.

Reporting by VO VAN THANG – Translating by HONG VAN

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