Po Nagar Cham Towers is a famous tourist attraction in Nha Trang (Source: Collected)
1. About Po Nagar Cham Towers Nha Trang
Po Nagar Cham Towers is a unique architectural complex that has long been recognized as both a major tourist site and a symbol of Nha Trang City. You may learn more about the history of the Cham people in this region and admire the beautiful Champa architecture at this famous destination.
Here are some details about this destination that you should know before hitting the road:
1.1. Where is Po Nagar Cham Tower?
Po Nagar Cham Towers is located at No. 61, Hai Thang Tu Street, Vinh Phuoc Ward, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province. It is around 2 kilometers from here to the North of Nha Trang city center. It is situated on the 10-meter-high Cu Lao Hill, next to the Cai River.
Surrounded by harmonious mountains and rivers, the natural scenery around Po Nagar Cham Towers is breathtakingly beautiful, offering visitors a wealth of captivating experiences.
The natural scenery around Po Nagar is stunning, with both mountains and rivers (Source: Collected)
1.2. Po Nagar Cham Temple opening time and entrance fee
Po Nagar Cham Towers is a well-known tourist attraction in Nha Trang so it offers a chargeable visit for those who want to go inside and explore its unique architecture. The specific opening time and entrance fee are as follows:
- Opening hours: Po Nagar Cham Temple opens to welcome tourists at 8 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. Therefore, you should plan your itinerary and consider visiting the temple as well as some other tourist attractions in the center of Nha Trang City along the way.
- Ticket price: The entrance fee is VND 30,000 per person, with no additional charges.
The ticket price to enter Po Nagar Cham Towers is only VND25,000, which is very reasonable for a cultural experience (Source: Collected)
1.3. The history of Po Nagar
A collection of Cham Pa artifacts from the 7th to the 13th century can be found in Po Nagar Cham Towers. The Champa Kingdom was thriving at this period and Hinduism was still practiced there. The word “Po Nagar” in the name of the tourist destination means “the mother of the country” in the Cham language.
Po Nagar Cham Temple, built to honor Queen Po Ina Nagar, is also known as Yang Po Inu Nagar Tower or Yang Po Ana Gar. Queen Po Ina Nagar, revered as the goddess of creation, is believed to have emerged from the sky and sea to bless the Cham people with bountiful harvests and a prosperous life.
All of the above characteristics are the reasons why this temple complex holds a special place in the spiritual life of the Cham people and is home to the essence of Cham art. Po Nagar Nha Trang was designated as a national monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1979.
The beauty of Po Nagar Cham Towers comes from its ancient architecture and even its religious value (Source: @tui_france)
1.4. The unique structure of Po Nagar Cham Towers, Vietnam
Po Nagar Cham Towers in Nha Trang is notable for its distinctive architecture, which consists of the four main areas as follows:
- The gate tower: The grand entrance to Po Nagar mirrors the surrounding temple’s shape and architecture. Though the tower has deteriorated over time, the stone steps leading to the middle floor remain.
- The vestibule (Mandapa): After passing through the gate tower, you enter this area where the Cham people prepared offerings for their rites. The structure now has two rows of octagonal fired brick columns, with 6 small and 5 large columns per row. Steep brick steps connect the middle and top floors.
- The temple and tower area (Kalan): In front of this area stand three towers, with the tallest being the Tower of Lady Po Nagar. Constructed with unique methods and baked bricks, the towers feature dome-shaped tops and numerous terracotta figurines and reliefs depicting gods, fairies, and legendary creatures.
- The inscription area: Old steles with memorial inscriptions are a highlight here, holding great cultural and historical value. The first stele tells the story of Thien Y Ana Holy Mother. A stele from 2010, describing the entire monument in the local language, is considered the complex’s final stele.
The four areas of Po Nagar Nha Trang depict the culture of the Cham people (Source: @omame.hanoi)
Discover: Nha Trang temples: 7 GREAT places to get away from your hectic schedule
2. ALL things you should know when visiting Po Nagar Cham Towers Nha Trang
You should take note of the following information to make your trip to Po Nagar Cham Towers as convenient as possible:
2.1. How to get to Po Nagar Tower?
Since Po Nagar is close to the city’s heart, you can choose from a variety of means of transportation to get there, including cars, motorbikes, buses, taxis, etc. If you choose to drive private vehicles yourself, you just need to go along Tran Phu Street to the North. Then, go on Tran Phu Bridge and turn onto Thap Ba Street. When you reach the end of the street, you will see the architectural complex of Po Nagar Nha Trang right in front of you.
There are many means to go to Po Nagar Cham Tower from the city center, motorbikes in particular (Source: Collected)
2.2. When is the best time to visit Po Nagar?
From January to September is the dry season of Nha Trang, which is ideal for touring and photography. Therefore, this period is also the ideal time to come and explore Po Nagar Cham Towers. Additionally, if you want to take part in the Po Nagar Festival and enjoy the bustling atmosphere of this festival, it is advised to travel in the third lunar month (March or April of the solar calendar).
Coming to Po Nagar Cham Towers in the dry season, you can admire its brilliant beauty (Source: @omame.hanoi)
2.3. Po Nagar Cham Towers festival
In the third lunar month, a lot of visitors come to Po Nagar Cham Towers to make incense offerings and pray for a good life. Additionally, as mentioned above, the biggest Cham festival in the Central Highlands and South Central areas will be taking place at that time, so you will have the chance to participate and experience the Cham culture.
The legend of worshiping Thien Y Ana Holy Mother is linked to this celebration. It includes a variety of unusual folk religious practices. Among them, the two most prominent activities are the shadow dance (mua bong) and the lion dance. Besides, you can have a chance to listen to the prayers for peace at this place.
You will have a chance to join the biggest Cham festival if you travel to Nha Trang in the third lunar month (Source: Collected)
2.4. The best tips for visiting Po Nagar Tower Nha Trang Vietnam
Not only a popular sightseeing spot, Po Nagar Cham Temple is also a place of worship for the Cham people. Thus, you need to keep a few things in mind when coming there with your family or friends:
- Do not comment or say rude things about the goddess Po Nagar because this is a taboo
- Do not bring food from outside and do not eat or litter on the premises
- Wear non-revealing clothing to honor the sacredness of the site
- Do not forget to apply sunscreen, wear a hat, sunglasses or bring an umbrella to prevent sunburn
You should choose a non-revealing outfit when visiting Po Nagar Cham Towers to honor the sacredness of the site (Source: @rosemary_2511)
Read more: TOP things to do in Nha Trang: 20+ activities to enjoy
3. TOP 3 must-visit destinations near Po Nagar Cham Towers Vietnam
For convenience, after visiting Po Nagar Tower, along the way you can also go to some well-liked places in Nha Trang below:
- Tram Huong Tower: With a distinctive and exotic structure, it is located in the city center and considered as the symbol of this beautiful coastal city. The tower was built in a unique architectural style, resembling an incense burner and also a lighthouse. From the distance, it appears to be an orange lotus bud beneath the sun.
Tram Huong Tower, a significant landmark of Nha Trang City (Source: Collected)
- National Oceanographic Museum Nha Trang: It was built in 1922 with an area of up to 20 hectares. This is the largest institute of marine life in Southeast Asia with more than 4,000 species of creatures and 20,000 specimens stored over the years. By coming there, you can learn more about various marine species that you have not known.
The 18-meter-long giant whale skeleton is displayed in the National Oceanographic Museum (Source: Collected)
- Long Son Pagoda: It is one of Nha Trang’s most sacred temples, renowned for its giant concrete Buddha statue, 14 meters tall with a 7-meter-high lotus pedestal. The pagoda, offering panoramic city views, attracts visitors who are seeking tranquility and spiritual reflection.
Exquisite city views from Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang (Source: Collected)
You will always find new intriguing experiences in Nha Trang City. If you have an opportunity to visit this land, take the time to stop at Po Nagar Cham Towers to explore its unique Champa architecture as well as its historical, cultural, and religious values. This is undoubtedly a fascinating tourist site that will enhance your trip to the South Central region of Vietnam. Hopefully, this article will be helpful for your upcoming trip with your beloved.
While in Nha Trang, make sure not to miss out on VinWonders Nha Trang on the picturesque Hon Tre Island. This record-breaking amusement park offers six thrilling subdivisions packed with hundreds of activities. Here, you can dive into adventure games, marvel at the shimmering marine life, explore magical worlds, and enjoy world-class performances for an unforgettable experience.
VinWonders Nha Trang is a wonderful entertainment place that you should not miss out on in your trip