Showing posts with label Quang Nam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quang Nam. Show all posts

My Son Sanctuary





LOCATION:


          70km southwest of Danang City and 40km away from the Ancient Town of Hoi An.


FEATURES:




          A large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 70 architectural works is a popular destination for Those who appreciate architecture, history and pure spectacle. Known as My Son (English: My Son), the group of temple-towers really connect to each other with complicated red brick designs is a proud display of the evolution of Vietnam's culture and a foremost Evidence of Asian civilization mà now extinct. My Son Sanctuary is a large complex of religious relics, of which, the main component of the Cham architectural design is the tower, built to reflect the Divinity of the king. It is located in a narrow valley in Duy Tan Commune, Duy Xuyen District of Quang Nam Province. It nestles in a town found at the end of a bumpy road through tropical jungle.

The beautifully carved stone Sculptures and the ruins of old buildings Reveal mysteries up to 1500 years old. As one of the religious center and capital of the ancient Champa Kingdom, it is a significantly sacred site. It emerged During the 2nd century in the area around Danang. Through commercial and religious associations with India, the Champa kingdom Quickly Developed a strong affinity for Indian culture, borrowing Hinduism and the Sanskrit alphabet, as well as Indian architectural and artistic tastes. According to records on the stone Stele, the prime foundation of the ancient My Son architectural complex was a wooden temple to Shiva Worship the Bhadresvera genie. In the late 16th century, a big fire destroyed the temple but was rebuilt.


Aside from religious celebrations, allowed the Dynastic Royals nào to spiritually connect with the gods, My Son was also the Political capital, a cultural center and was the burial place for Cham monarchs. For many centuries the Champa kingdom existed as an independent entity, Warring constantly with the English to the north and the Khmer to the west. The kingdom endured until the 17th century when it was Absorbed by Vietnam. Most of the Temples were dedicated to Cham kings Associated with, divinities, particularly Shiva, who was regarded as the founder and protector of Champa's Dynasties.






Treasures within a Treasure

The Vietnam-American War caused the region to be completely devastated and depopulated. American bombs have reduced many of the towers to ruins, but chúng failed to destroy about 20 of them. Thus, there's still plenty to see. In fact, Vietnam has better preserved Cham sites on other parts of the country. But Probably why My Son Remains to be the most popular is Because of the remarkably beautiful surroundings where it is Nestled in - a Verdant valley surrounded by hills and overlooked by Cat's Tooth Mountain (known Hon curl). Clear streams also run the between the structures and past nearby coffee Plantations.


Standing in the middle of this sanctuary, tourists will have the chance to better understand the ancient Champa Kingdom and its architectural works. The site was constructed by the King of Champa Between 4th and 12th centuries for Worship. The Remains of sculptural and architectural remnants from the war are masterpieces rằng mark a glorious time for the architecture and sculpture of the Cham as well as Southeast Asia.


These ruins đại diện a series of constructions over many centuries. Judging from the surviving structures, the Champa kingdom were predominately Hindu, and Shivaist at that. In the temple cities of My Son lies lingams rằng symbolizes both the cult of items Shivaism and also of the divine authority of Kingship. Each historical period has its own identity, để each temple worshipping a genie or a king of a different kingdom has its own architectural style full of different impression.


Each period of history, a particular architecture would be observed. Generally, the Champa temple towers were built on hills, a strategic site to survey the surrounding area. Principally, however, these locations were chosen vì They were regarded as the focus of the magic Powers, especially suitable for meditation and religious observance.





Getting there

When leaving from Hanoi, tourists board a train to Danang station, and from there, take a bus or a car to My Son. February to April is known to be the best time to plan a trip to My Son since rainfall is not plentiful and the temperature is comfortable. Upon reaching my son, a brief visit to the museum before visiting the Temples would make the trip much more worth it.


Hiring a car costs around USD $ 20, quite a lot pricey compared to taking the bus or mini-bus mà just less than $ 5. However, the option of hiring a car Allows one to take the trip in his own pace, take as many Occasional stops for photos, breathers or choose to get there ahead of everyone.


Bus or minibus rides to My Son can be organized by travel Agencies or even the hotel where you are booked. Only, you have to be there at the set time, of mà most trips depart at 8am and return at 1pm. A day trip includes a stop-off at Tra Kieu. At less than $ 5, it sure is an incredible deal.


There are travel Agencies offer land đó trip to My Son, but allow them the option of returning by boat. That adds a couple of extra hours to the trip. It would cost a couple of extra dollars as well, but the views make the extra hours and cost so much worth it.



Plan your next Trip


My Son is Considered to be a smaller version of other preserved Champa civilizations like the Angkor in Cambodia, Ayu-Thaya of Thailand, Bagan of Myanmar and Borobudur in Java. But the complete package of mystical towers surrounded by breathtaking views makes it extremely popular for sightseeing in Vietnam for both foreign and domestic tourists.


You can take a little preview of what you will encounter at My Son by coming by the Cham Architecture Museum in Danang. After the My Son ancient tower complex was Discovered, many of its artifacts, especially statues of female dancers and genies worshipped by the Cham people, Worship animals and artifacts of the daily communal activities, were collected and displayed there.


Today, Vietnamese Authorities are attempting to restore as much as possible of the còn sites. The beauty of My Son would be more complete if not for the destruction caused by the decades-old war. But it holds so much historical and cultural value, for which, the complex was nhận as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 1999. Indeed, there may not be so many remnants left like its bigger counterparts in its Neighboring countries, but những it remain display the typical sculptural works of cultural value of the Cham nationality. Furthermore, chúng vivid proof, confirming the history of a nationality living within the Vietnamese community boasting of a rich cultural tradition. Come and visit the My Son Sanctuary and discover the ancient Champa Kingdom.


Hoi An Ancient Town


LOCATION:



           Hoi An lies 30 km South of Da Nang and is well-developed to offer tourists accommodation in any price range. The city can be easily reached from Da Nang or Da Nang airport


FEATURES:

              Hoi An offers a number of interesting places to visit:


• Japanese Bridge (Chua Cau): To start with the most well-known landmark, the Japanese Covered Bridge, on the west end of Tran Phu Street, was constructed by the Japanese community in the early 1600s. Today, it is the symbol of Hoi An. Tran Vo Bac De, the nordic god who controls the weather (obviously important in a maritime community like Hoi An) is honored in a small temple inside the bridge.


• Quan Cong Temple: Built in 1653, Quan Cong Temple honors a Chinese general of the same name, revered for his loyalty, bravery and integrity. The general's statue is on an altar in the back of sanctuary, flanked by statues of his bodyguard and adopted son. Merchants would pray at Quan Cong for the general's virtues.
• Museum of Trade Ceramics: The highlight of this museum isn't the rather dusty collection of broken pottery, but the excellent English descriptions of the history of Hoi An and the old house in which the museum is located. No other house in Hoi An will give you such a complete understanding of the town's architecture as this museum does.
• The Phung Hung House, just west of the Japanese Bridge, has been in the same family since its construction in 1780. The traditional two-story wooden house features Japanese and Chinese elements.
• Tan Ky House: An historic house in Hoi An that combines Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese influences. Chinese poems written in mother-of-pearl are hanging from a number of the columns that hold up the roof. Don't miss the beautiful mosaic inlaid work found in the four small rooms. The Tan family still occupies the house.

• The Tan Family Home and Chapel: offer a fascinating look at a wealthy Hoi An family of the early 19th century. In 1802, Tan Tu Nhuc, Emperor Gia Long's ambassador to China, built this house and a chapel to worship his ancestors. Today the drawing room and the chapel are open to the public. Not surprisingly, the home is bedecked with Chinese artefacts and gifts. The drawing room features a center section which is a place for the family's ancestors to return home and therefore only open during the Tet festival (New Year Festival).

• Congregation halls: Throughout the town of Hoi An there are numerous congregation halls, where Chinese expatriates socialized and held meetings. They are typically named after the home region of their members, such as Fukien and Canton. Here are a few of the larger examples:
• Cantonese Assembly Hall: Built in 1885 from materials brought in from China, the hall is elaborately decorated. Interestingly, many of the statues in the hall depict characters from famous Chinese operas. The calm courtyard in back is also adorned with ornate statues, including a ceramic dragon lurking in a fountain.
• Fukien Assembly Hall: This impressive assembly hall, dating back to 1697, was built by Chinese merchants from Fukien Province in southern China. Animal lovers will enjoy the unicorn, dragon, turtle and fish sculptures, each with its own symbolism. Sailors honored Thien Hau, the sea goddess, with a temple inside the hall. She's flanked by Thuan Phong Nhi, a goddess who can hear ships from thousands of miles away, and Thien Ly Nhan, a gimlet-eyed goddess who can see them from the same distance. Meanwhile, the hall is also a place of worship for a prosperity god and a fertility goddess. Local couples hoping to start families worship her for good luck. 


• Chinese All-Community Meeting Hall: Another interesting assembly hall, this one welcomed all members of the Chinese community. It was founded in 1773 and incorporates French architecture as well.

• Full Moon Festival (Old Town Night): Held each month 14 days after the new moon--about the time the moon is full--Old Town becomes even more charming when the shop owners turn off the electricity and hang lanterns from their storefronts. At the same time, a procession of small floats winds its way through the streets and along the river by candle light. If you are lucky and the time is right, try to catch the Full Moon Festival, when hundreds of lanterns cast the Old Town in a magical glow. During this hour, all electric lights are turned off. Try to rent a rowing boat to be in the middle of the milky-way full of lanterns on the river.

Shopping and made-to-measure clothing

• Tailored clothing: Made-to-measure shirts, blouses, dresses and jackets are available from the renowned tailors of Hoi An. When last counted in 2002, there were 140 shops in the city, and the number is now well over 400. With any tailor, be sure to negotiate before you agree to a price.
• Art and galleries: Hoi An also has a good selection of Vietnamese art, both modern and traditional, serious and kitschy. Galleries can be found all over town but the cultural heart of Hoi An with most galleries is in Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, on the other side of the Japanese Bridge.
• Thanh Ha Pottery Village: About a mile west of town, this traditional village has been making pottery for more than 450 years.

Eating

Food in Hoi An is, even by high Vietnamese standards, cheap and tasty. In addition to standard Vietnamese fare, there are three dishes that Hoi An is particularly famous for: 
• Cao Lầu: is a dish of rice noodles which are not quite as slippery as Phở and a bit closer in texture to pasta. The secret is the water used to make it; authentic Cao Lầu is said to be made only with water from a special well in the city. The noodles are topped with slices of roast pork, dough fritters and lots of fresh herbs and vegetables.
• Bánh Bao Vạc (white rose): is a type of shrimp dumpling made from lucent white dough bunched up to look like a rose.

Bánh Bao Vạc (white rose)
• Wonton dumplings: essentially the same as the Chinese kind, are served up in soup or deep-fried.

 
Design by Wordpress Theme | Bloggerized by Free Blogger Templates | free samples without surveys