Explore the ancient marvel of Hoa Lai Tower – the oldest architectural masterpiece of the Chăm people.

Join Mytour in unraveling the secrets of the oldest surviving architectural wonder of the Chăm people – Hoa Lai Tower. A historical and cultural treasure of immense significance.

Hoa Lai Tower – The oldest architectural gem of the Chăm people.

Ninh Thuận is renowned for its vibrant Chăm community, and amidst this, there stand ancient Chăm structures that hold immense historical and cultural value. Among these, the Hoa Lai Tower stands out as one of the oldest surviving Chăm structures.

Hoa Lai Tower stands proudly along National Highway 1A, situated in Ba Tháp hamlet, Bac Phong commune, Thuan Bac district, Ninh Thuan province. Built between the 6th and 9th centuries, it showcases the unique artistic architecture of the ancient Champa kingdom in the Panduranga region. Recognized as a National Historical Site by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1997.

In the past, this site boasted three towers and was known as Ba Tháp. However, due to the erosions of time and historical upheavals, one tower collapsed. The locals now commonly refer to this tower as Hoa Lai instead of its original name, Ba Tháp. Unlike the architectural style of Po Klong Garai Tower, Hoa Lai Tower stands out with its arched doorways adorned with numerous circular motifs, and octagonal pillar walls featuring curved leaf-shaped decorations.

Explore the Hoa Lai tower and witness the exquisite architectural and sculptural artistry of the Champa people. Originally a comprehensive architectural complex comprising the North tower, the central tower, and the South tower. Today, only the central tower remains standing, with its base severely damaged in the 9th century. The site, known as an ancient archaeological area, once surrounded the tower with various structures, but over time, only a few remnants such as walls and brick kilns remain.

The distinctive feature of the Hoa Lai tower complex lies in its highly intricate decorative style, with ornate patterns limited to the arches, column facades, and roof edges. Each tower structure carries its unique beauty, yet they harmoniously blend together.

The North tower, constructed with bricks, boasts impressive carved patterns of faces, animals, leaves, flowers, and more. On the east side, there is only one entrance, while the other three directions feature false doors. Inside the tower, triangular compartments are designed for placing lights during ceremonies.

The South tower, the tallest of them all, is also built with bricks and features engraved decorative patterns on the walls, albeit incomplete. The entire tower resembles a massive cubic block rising from a square base, supporting a system of smaller tiers.

Having withstood over 1000 years of historical ups and downs, the beauty of the Hoa Lai tower persists through the ages, preserving the remarkable artistic values in the ancient architectural and sculptural styles of the Champa people.

As documented by Mytour

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