Where is Son Tra Peninsula? Why is Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang so famous? Let's explore the travel experience of Son Tra Peninsula by Klook Vietnam.
When mentioning traveling to Da Nang, we cannot ignore the precious gem of this city: Son Tra Peninsula, the lush green paradise. With a cool climate all year round, large and small beaches, lush forests, and diverse ecosystems, Son Tra Peninsula attracts both tourists and scientists alike.
Let's discover more about Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang and share the exciting experiences at this captivating destination with Klook Vietnam.
Where is Son Tra Peninsula Da Nang?
Located in Son Tra District, just about 8km northeast of the city center of Da Nang, Son Tra Peninsula is easily accessible by various means of transportation. The best time to visit Son Tra Peninsula is from March to September when the weather is dry, and there are rare storms. If you come here in winter or other months, there may be rain or fog on the way, so be more careful.
Guide: How to Get to Son Tra Peninsula Da Nang
The best way to fully experience the beauty of Son Tra Peninsula Da Nang is to ride a motorbike or rent a car with a private driver for safety and comfort.
If you're coming from Hue City, you can take Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, cross Thuan Phuoc Bridge, and arrive at Son Tra Peninsula.
- For those departing from Hoi An, you can take the coastal route: Truong Sa – Vo Nguyen Giap – Hoang Sa – Son Tra Peninsula.
- Alternatively, you can follow the Han River or along My Khe Beach – Pham Van Dong Street to reach Son Tra Peninsula.
Legend of Son Tra Peninsula Da Nang
With its fairy-like beauty amidst the earthly realm, it's no wonder Son Tra Peninsula is intertwined with fascinating legends and folk tales.
1. Legend of Chess Table Hill
Legend has it that when the mountains were still wild, celestial beings often descended to earth to sing and dance. It was at the peak of Chess Table Hill where two celestial beings played chess together. One lost and in anger, stamped their foot on the rock and flew straight back to the sky, leaving a deep footprint now known as Fairy Rock. Next to Fairy Rock is a deep well, called Fairy Well.
Nowadays, on the top of Chess Table Hill, only the image of a celestial being sitting contemplatively next to the scattered chess pieces remains.
2. Legend of Mermaid Love at Son Tra Peninsula
According to legend, because of their deep love for the nature of Son Tra, the mermaids came here to play, shedding their clothes to immerse themselves in the water. Unexpectedly, a young man happened to see this scene and became infatuated with the most beautiful mermaid. He secretly hid her clothes to keep her by his side.
Unable to find her clothes to return to the sky, the mermaid decided to stay in the mortal world and become the man's wife. Upon learning of this, the Jade Emperor became furious and unleashed a storm that swept through the fishing villages. Seeing this, the mermaid, in anguish, decided to return to the sky, leaving the man longing for her, turning into stone.
Moved by the scene, the Jade Emperor made this sea area peaceful throughout the year, and nowadays people call it Fairy Beach to commemorate the old story.
3. Tale of Love at But Beach, Son Tra Peninsula
Legend has it that long ago, there was a young couple living together in a fishing village. The man worked as a fisherman, while the woman gathered firewood and planted vegetables.
One day, during a storm, the husband went out to sea and never returned, leaving his wife in deep sorrow. Her cries echoed up to the sky. At that moment, a deity appeared and advised her to do something to help the souls find peace and bring peace to the fishing village.
After speaking, the deity disappeared, and the woman decided to become a nun at a nearby temple, praying every day for the people of the fishing village. Grateful for the young couple, the villagers named this place But Beach and passed down their story of compassion.
What to Do at Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang? Exciting Travel Suggestions
To list all the prominent tourist activities on Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang, there are truly countless. #teamKlook, let's pocket some notable names along with exciting suggestions from Klook Vietnam.
1. Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula
As one of the three famous Linh Ung pagodas in Da Nang, Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda is a must-visit place when setting foot on Son Tra Peninsula. Situated halfway up the mountain, Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda boasts magnificent and sophisticated architecture, harmoniously combining tradition and modernity.
The most important and prominent highlight of Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula is the largest statue of Guan Yin Bodhisattva in Vietnam. The white, majestic statue with its back facing the mountain and its face overlooking the sea, one hand holding the seal of the three realms, and the other hand holding a vase of nectar to relieve the thirst of fishermen. Many tourists come to visit, pray for peace, and admire the panoramic view of Da Nang city from above.
2. Radar Station 29 on Son Tra Peninsula
Radar 29, also known as the Eye of Indochina, is a non-flyable control station built by the United States on Son Tra Mountain in the 1960s. In the past, this radar station could control the entire Indochina region, including Hong Kong and Hainan Island, China. When visiting Radar Station 29, besides enjoying the vast ocean view, you can also stroll through the fascinating military helicopter airport.
3. Son Tra Peninsula Lighthouse
Nestled amidst the lush mountains of Son Tra, the Son Tra Lighthouse is one of the eight oldest lighthouses in Vietnam. Also known as the Tien Sa Lighthouse, it was built by the French in the 1950s. To reach the Son Tra Lighthouse, you'll have the chance to follow the winding road leading to the peak of Ban Co, offering panoramic views of the East Sea and the vibrant city of Da Nang along the Han River.
4. But Beach on Son Tra Peninsula
But Beach is a must-visit destination on Son Tra Peninsula. Located in the southern part of the peninsula, But Beach is pristine and pure, with the green of the mountains and the sea. Surrounding But Beach are villas and ancient architectural structures, adding vibrancy to the scenery. Recently, But Beach on Son Tra has been invested in and developed for tourism, offering a variety of exciting activities both on the shore and underwater for you to enjoy.
5. Rang Beach on Son Tra Peninsula
Nowhere else in Da Nang can you find seawater as clear and refreshing as at Rang Beach on Son Tra Peninsula, with large and small rocks stacked along the coastline. From Rang Beach, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Da Nang's sea and a distant glimpse of Linh Ung Son Tra Pagoda.
The atmosphere here is incredibly pleasant and relaxing, so the activities commonly seen at Rang Beach include coral diving, swimming, or camping and outdoor picnics.
6. Coral Diving at Son Tra Peninsula
Visiting Son Tra Peninsula without taking the opportunity to dive and admire the coral reefs would be a pity. Through the clear water, you can observe corals of various shapes and colors with fish swimming around.
For those who can't swim, don't worry, the staff at the diving sites will kindly instruct you on how to wear safety gear, allowing you to participate in this activity without any obstacles.
7. Paragliding at Son Tra Peninsula
An adventurous yet incredibly fun experience at Son Tra Peninsula is paragliding at an altitude of about 600 meters. With this activity, you'll not only get to admire the panoramic view of Da Nang from above but also experience the exhilarating feeling to the fullest. This is truly a remarkable and impressive activity for your trip to Da Nang.
What to Eat When Visiting Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang?
When traveling to Da Nang, you don't have to worry about what to eat, especially at Son Tra Peninsula, where the forest and the sea meet, ensuring there are plenty of delicious local specialties.
1. Fresh Seafood
When visiting Son Tra Peninsula, you must try the seafood. The surrounding area of the peninsula has numerous restaurants, markets, and stalls selling a variety of fresh seafood such as lobsters, prawns, octopus, tuna, grouper, squid, crabs, and more, all prepared deliciously. In the cool evening breeze, enjoying some grilled seafood with a bottle of beer, and chatting with friends is simply incomparable.
2. Jungle Vegetables and Wild Game Meat
One interesting thing about Son Tra is that you can also enjoy mountain specialties such as wild game meat and jungle vegetables. Let's not talk about how fresh and delicious the meat is; don't miss the opportunity to enjoy it with natural jungle vegetables, along with the unforgettable Da Nang shrimp paste. Raw jungle vegetables wrapped with wild game meat is a must-try dish when visiting Son Tra Peninsula.
3. Coconut Liquor
Fragrant and slightly spicy coconut liquor is the signature drink of Son Tra Peninsula. This specialty liquor is made from glutinous rice and yeast, fermented inside a small coconut, retaining the refreshing sweetness of coconut water, making it very easy to drink. If you've fallen in love with the seafood and wild game meat of Son Tra, don't forget to try the coconut liquor here.
Accommodations on Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang
A place as captivating as Son Tra Peninsula certainly doesn't lack hotels and resorts for you to stay and relax. Here are some addresses you can consider.
1. InterContinental Da Nang Sun Peninsula Resort
- Address: Bai Bac, Hoang Sa Street, Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang City
- Price: From 7,183,000 VND/night
2. New Day Hotel Da Nang
- Address: 33 Ngo Cao Lang, Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang City
- Price: From 250,000 VND/night
3. Navy Hotel Da Nang
- Address: 3 Yet Kieu, Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang City
- Price: From 400,000 VND/night
4. Tien Sa Retreat Resort Da Nang
- Address: 1 Yet Kieu, Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang City
- Price: From 1,404,000 VND/night
5. Son Tra Resort & Spa
- Address: Bai Nam - Bai Con, Hoang Sa Street, Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang City
- Price: From 1,772,000 VND/night
To have the most complete travel experiences in Da Nang, don't forget to check out the Son Tra - Marble Mountains - Hoi An tour from Klook, which is extremely attractive.
#teamKlook is ready to pack their bags and explore Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang! If you're still hesitating, head to the Klook Blog to learn more about self-sufficient travel experiences in Da Nang, 3 days 2 nights travel experiences in Da Nang, a series of beautiful beaches in Da Nang, and beautiful islands in Da Nang.
Wishing you all an unforgettable trip to Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang!