Discover the ancient wonders of Chau Sa Citadel - a thousand-year-old relic you must explore at least once.

Chau Sa Citadel was officially recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Heritage Site in 1994. It stands as the sole remaining bastion of the Champa civilization in the Central region to this day. Let's delve into the fascinating tourist attractions in Quang Ngai through the following article to gain deeper insights!

Chau Sa Citadel - The sole surviving fortress of the Cham people's legacy.

Constructed by the Champa people in the 9th century to safeguard the southern part of the capital city of Tra Kieu, Chau Sa Citadel has endured the ebbs and flows of history. Despite the passage of millennia, the remnants of this ancient stronghold continue to captivate a multitude of visitors.

Unraveling the History of Chau Sa Ancient Citadel

Chau Sa Ancient Citadel was constructed by the Cham people in the 9th century. During the 15th century, the Le dynasty took over and further fortified it. The citadel's perimeter spans approximately 4km, with walls 4m wide and 6m high. Chau Sa stands as the only Cham territory discovered in the Central region.

Surrounding the compound are deep moats designed to provide optimal protection for the citadel. Chau Sa also features two outer walls called 'crab claws,' connecting the inner citadel to the largest river in Quang Ngai province, the Tra Khuc.

In ancient times, this place served as a vital administrative, economic, and cultural hub within the Chiem Thanh kingdom. Scholars suggest that the Cham people constructed Chau Sa Citadel to guard against and thwart uprisings and invasions from neighboring principalities.

The Location of Chau Sa Ancient Citadel

Chau Sa Ancient Citadel is situated approximately 7km northeast of the center of Quang Ngai. Located in Tinh Chau commune, Son Tinh district, Quang Ngai province, reaching Chau Sa Ancient Citadel requires following National Highway 1A and traveling an additional 5km from Son My.

This site has now been geolocated on maps, making it easily accessible for all travelers to explore and visit.

Characteristics of Chau Sa Ancient Citadel

Chau Sa Ancient Citadel, also known as Hoi Citadel, was constructed at the end of the 9th century and the beginning of the 10th century. Built from earth, it has a rectangular shape and is oriented from north to south. The citadel comprises inner and outer walls, detailed as follows:

Present-day Chau Sa Ancient Citadel

According to archaeologists, Chau Sa Citadel is a large-scale earthen fortress comprising two rings: the inner and outer walls, encompassing the territories of Tinh Chau, Tinh An, Tinh Thien, and even Tinh Khe communes. However, only about 3km of the citadel's remnants remain in this area.

In 1994, Chau Sa Ancient Citadel was recognized as a national-level historical and cultural heritage site. To this day, the citadel remains remarkably intact, with many parts transformed into fences, gateways, and ancient pathways for the local residents.

Numerous ancient ceramic artifacts and the ancient tower of Go Pho have also been discovered here - a site dedicated to the pilgrimage of ancient followers of Ba La Mon (500m from the citadel). Outside Chau Sa Citadel, many artifacts called 'cu' have been unearthed, such as playing cards worn by individuals. Within the inner citadel, numerous Buddhist figurines have been crafted from clay.

Directions to Chau Sa Ancient Citadel

Chau Sa Citadel is considered the mythological land of the Champa people in the past. It is closely associated with many legends of gold shimmering, with gold shining brightly over an entire area, or even herds of golden ducks, golden pigs. Whether real or just folklore, these tales have added a mystical aspect to this ancient citadel area.

Chau Sa Ancient Citadel is located in Son Tinh district, Quang Ngai province, near National Highway 1A. To reach it from Quang Ngai City, travelers only need to follow National Highway 1A for about 2km, then turn towards An Ky port for about 5km. If travelers wish to use the bus, they can take bus route number 03 with a ticket price of about 7,000 VND/one-way.

When is the best time to visit Chau Sa Ancient Citadel?

The ideal time to visit Chau Sa Ancient Citadel is from April to August. During this period, the weather is dry, with beautiful sunny skies and no rainstorms hindering travel. It provides favorable conditions for various recreational activities and sightseeing.

Explore the tranquil space at Chau Sa Ancient Citadel

When visiting this place, you will find the citadel remarkably intact. Many parts have been transformed into fences, pathways, or even areas for planting long-standing trees for the local people.

Here, not only will you hear fairy tales, but you will also have the opportunity to experience the cool green space and enjoy the peaceful life of the local residents.

According to locals, the air here is always fresh throughout the year. During the sunny season, breezes blow in from the fields, while during the rainy season, the citadel walls ensure sturdy protection against storms and floods. Especially with the fertile alluvial soil here, all kinds of crops thrive.

Evidence of a floating moat resembling a chessboard still exists here, considered an outpost of the Cham people. At night, simply lighting a fire here, warriors would recognize signals to warn of approaching enemies.

Suggestions for accommodation when visiting Chau Sa Ancient Citadel

Surely, when preparing for any travel journey, everyone must thoroughly research accommodation options. To help you easily choose a hotel that suits you, Mytour will suggest some hotels in Quang Ngai with good service and affordable prices.

Central Hotel Quang Ngai

Central Hotel Quang Ngai is located in the heart of Quang Ngai province, just a 15-minute drive from the Son My Memorial (My Lai hamlet). Central Hotel is a 4-star standard hotel situated on a 6000m2 area. From the highest floor of the hotel, you can enjoy panoramic views of Quang Ngai city, highlighting the Thien An Mountain and the picturesque Tra Khuc River.

Central Hotel is centrally located near various attractions, historical sites, and scenic spots: Son My Memorial, Thien An Mountain (Huynh Thuc Khang's tomb), Thien But Mountain, Ly Son Island district, etc.

Address: 01 Le Loi, Chanh Lo Ward, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam

Price: 678,824 VND/night

Thien An Riverside Hotel

Thien An Riverside Hotel is a 12-story building, featuring modern architecture with over 80 deluxe rooms meeting 4-star standards, fully equipped with amenities.

The special highlight of the hotel is the Thien An Sky Coffee & Bar on the 12th floor. Here, through telescopes, guests can admire the beautiful landscapes of Quang Ngai such as Thien An Mountain, Co Luy Co Thon, My Khe Beach, Cua Dai... This will also be an ideal spot to overlook the entire Quang Ngai city at night.

Address: 01 An Duong Vuong, Le Hong Phong Ward, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam

Price: 680,000 VND/night

NewCC Hotel & Serviced Apartment

NewCC Hotel & Serviced Apartment is located in the VSIP service urban area adjacent to the city center, making it easy to connect to facilities and attractive destinations of Quang Ngai City.

NewCC Hotel & Serviced Apartment blends minimalistic, modern, and luxurious styles while still maintaining the deep essence of the East, representing the hospitality and warmth of Asian culture.

All rooms are fully equipped with modern amenities according to international standards, offering panoramic views and enhanced facilities such as Jacuzzi, Gym, Restaurant, Conference rooms, etc.

Address: 09, Hoa Binh Street, VSIP Quang Ngai Service Urban Area, Truong Quang Trong Ward, Quang Ngai City, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam

Price: 1,588,600 VND/night

Travel Experience and Tips for Visiting Chau Sa Ancient Citadel

To make your trip complete, here are some useful travel experiences and tips. Remember and apply them to avoid any unexpected situations.

Tourist Destinations That Can Be Combined with Chau Sa Ancient Citadel

Chau Sa Ancient Citadel is now an unmissable destination in the travel journey from Thien An through Chau Sa, Son My, My Khe to Ly Son. If you want to explore this historical site along with the land of Quang Ngai, below are some places you can consider combining with a visit to Chau Sa:

Cua Dai Co Luy Embankment

Located in Co Luy Camp, Tinh Khe Commune, Son Tinh District, this site is known for the Cua Dai Co Luy Embankment. This construction project started in mid-2022 and is still being completed.

Although the project is still under construction, its stunning location offers breathtaking sea views. It has attracted the attention of many young tourists for visits and photo opportunities.

Thien Ma Pagoda

Our recommendation for your visit to the ancient city of Chau Sa is Thien Ma Pagoda. The spiritual area is divided into several unique zones, including the Buddha statue area, the square, Minh Duc Pagoda, the tower preservation area, and the Ten Precepts area. Here, you can easily continue your journey to another interesting destination - Co Luy, not far from here.

Thach Ky Dieu Tau

To reach Thach Ky Dieu Tau, simply drive about 3km from My Khe Beach. This place is likened to the 'stone disc reef' of Quang Ngai, not inferior in beauty to the stone disc reef in Phu Yen - a famous spot in the past.

With its pristine beauty, charming landscapes, and harmonious combination of blue sea, rocky cliffs, primeval forests, and white sand, Thach Ky Dieu Tau is a captivating destination that attracts many tourists from near and far.

Above are the compiled travel and sightseeing information about the ancient city of Chau Sa in Quang Ngai that we want you to remember. We wish you to soon have an interesting and meaningful trip to this land. Hope you will enjoy unforgettable experiences! Don't forget to choose Mytour for booking flights, hotels, tickets, and tours to accompany you on your journey!