Cham Tower is one of the characteristics of the coastal provinces, which is the old vestige of the Cham people, living in the South Central region. If you have the opportunity to visit Ninh Thuan, do not forget to take a moment to explore the beauty of Poklong Giarai Cham Tower.
Introduction to the Cham Tower of Poklong Garai Ninh Thuan
Poklong Garai Cham Tower or Poklong Garai is Cham tower complex located on Trau hill, Do Vinh ward, close to Highway 27A and about 8km northwest of Phan Rang city center, Ninh Thuan.
The complex of towers standing on top of a hill (Photo @kin_autt)
This work was built in the late 13th and early 14th century under the reign of King Shihavaman (the Vietnamese called Che Man) to worship King Po Klong Garai (1151 – 1205) – who made great contributions to the land.
The Cham country was flourishing, the people were most prosperous, the construction of the water system for the people of Panduranga capital (the name of the city of Phan Rang during the ancient Champa Kingdom).
The building attracts eyes from afar (Photo @hatrangngo)
This is the most majestic and beautiful architectural relic of the Champa civilization, so it was ranked the national monument by the Ministry of Culture in 1979 and was honored by the Prime Minister as a special national achievement.
Poklong Garai Cham Towers – the pinnacle of architectural and sculpture art
Visiting the ruins of Po Klong Garai tower , visitors will feel satisfied with its peak architecture and sculpture.
The skillful harmony of the Cham and Khmer art styles with arches, pyramids or ceramic and stone details with all types of people, leaves, dragon tails, god ox shapes … makes this work. should be different from all the Cham towers that existed before and after it. Therefore, anyone coming to “land of cacti” Phan Rang cannot ignore this tower.
Fine carved details (Photo @checkinninhthuan)
At the time of construction, the Poklong Garai Cham tower had many different large and small works, but due to the destruction of time, the place is now only three parts remaining, the main tower, the Fire tower and the Gate tower.
The main tower is the most prominent tower with a height of more than 20m, each side is more than 10m wide, designed with many floors with 4 doors facing 4 sides. The main door towards the East is decorated with a relief of Siva with 6 dancing hands on the dome. Two stone pillars supporting the tower are engraved with ancient Cham script on the face.
The large main tower (Photo @ michelle.thuypham)
Every detail at the main gate is elaborate (Photo @giathilinh)
In each corner of the tower are also carved stone statues of the gods, animals or fire symbols and sculptured elaborate and meticulous patterns. 
The surroundings are also meticulously elaborate (Photo @ sanra.san)
This is a specialized place to worship the stone statue of King Po Klong Garai sitting with hands in front of his chest, placed between the second and third floors of the tower. Behind the tower is decorated with a white statue resembling a Buddha statue.
In the south of the tower is the Fire tower – a place with bold Sa Huynh culture, symbolizing the kitchen of the king, as well as the place of worshiping for monks and other essential items of the Cham king. Pa.
Fire Tower is small but impressive (Photo @checkinninhthuan)
This tower is 9.31m high, 8.18m long and 5m wide, built according to the typical architecture of the traditional houses of the Cham Pa people with two curved roofs like a boat, very eye-catching and impressive. statue.
Finally, the Gate Tower in the East is nearly 9m high, leading directly to the main temple. In ancient times, it was the entrance to the king’s ceremony, worship and reception, but today it becomes a way for pilgrims to enter the temple. The decorative motifs here have also faded over time, no longer as clear as the main tower.
The entrance is a sacred check-in place for tourists (Photo @ alicezhou.kawaii)
(Photo @huynhlevophi)
Moreover, it would be flawed if it comes to the Cham towers, like the Poklong Garai Ninh Thuan tower, without mentioning the uniqueness of the materials that make them up: Cham bricks. Cham bricks are also made of clay like any other brick, but the patterns on the bricks are so mysterious that we do not know whether the ancient Cham artist carved it when the bricks were alive or the bricks were ripe. 
The bricks are neatly assembled (Photo @ sanra.san)
In particular, the use of tower bricks is made entirely by the ancient Cham methods, which means that the bricks are joined together without the mortar in the middle. Yet, centuries have passed with many events and waves, but the tower still stands tall and stands on the top of the hill as a testament to the ingenuity and ingenuity of the ancient Cham.
Unforgettable experience at Poklong Garai Cham Tower
Located on a high hill and the campus is very wide, it is very quiet and airy. Standing here looking down, you can also see the beauty of the windy, sunny city – Phan Rang too.
A cool, peaceful scene (Photo @khin)
Especially, if you come to the tower on the full moon day or the first day of every month or the special holidays of the Cham people such as: New Year’s Ceremony (January of Cham calendar) – opening ceremony of the tower; Seasonal praying ceremony (April according to the Cham calendar) – a ceremony to pray for good weather, good crops; Chabun ceremony (September according to the Cham calendar) – Father’s ceremony in the beliefs of the Cham people, especially the Kate festival (July according to the Cham calendar) – the biggest Tet festival of the year for the Cham people, visitors will be immersed in joyful and bustling atmosphere of the people here.
A crowded and happy winter festival (Photo @ anna.annabella)
Everyone was excited and excited to rush to Phan Rang Cham tower to offer sacrifices, respect the king, commemorate the merits of building the tower as well as send their sincere prayers. and families with ancestors.
Everyone was eager to come and celebrate (Photo @ anna.annabella)
Moreover, you will be satisfied with the fan dances or Siva dance of the Cham girls and many other interesting traditional activities.
Do not forget to visit the souvenir stalls here to buy the cultural products of the Cham people made by their skillful hands, but not everywhere.
Unique souvenirs you can’t miss (Photo @ hono.taki.2909)
A little note when visiting the tower is that if you bring a skirt or pants that do not reach your knees, you will have to buy or rent towels nearby to wrap them in order to enter the tower.
What are you waiting for without coming to Ninh Thuan to visit Poklong Garai Cham Tower – the place containing the highest level of Cham architecture and sculpture.
Photo: Internet