1. Po Klong Garai Tower
Po Klong Garai Tower, Khanh Hoa: Masterpiece of Cham architecture (Photo source: Collected)
About 7 km from the center of Phan Rang - Thap Cham, Po Klong Garai Tower is an ideal destination for tourists who want to learn about the Cham Pa culture experience, Khanh Hoa. Located on Trau Hill, this place attracts tourists by its sacred space and unique Cham architecture. When visiting, visitors can buy tickets directly at the gate for 20,000 VND/adult and 10,000 VND/child. In addition, for convenient travel, the round-trip electric car service up and down the tower costs 25,000 VND per person.
The tower complex consists of three structures built in the 13th century, associated with King Po Klong Garai (1151 - 1205), who once ruled the Panduranga region - now Khanh Hoa. In this complex, there is a gate tower leading to the main tower - where King Po Klong Garai is worshiped, and another tower worships the Fire God. Up to now, the relic has been preserved intact by the Cham community in both architecture and worship rituals, creating a meaningful journey to experience the Cham culture, Khanh Hoa for tourists .
The unique point here is the sophisticated construction and sculpture techniques. Each red brick is firmly bonded with glue extracted from the cajuput tree, according to research by the Lerici Foundation of the University of Milan (Italy). After hundreds of years, the construction still retains its original color and shape. The sophisticated reliefs such as the statue of the god Siva, the sacred bull Nandin or the image of King Po Klong Garai demonstrate the brilliant development of Cham art. This is the reason why this relic was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information as a National Cultural and Historical Relic in 1979, contributing to enriching the journey of experiencing Cham culture in Khanh Hoa.
2. Bau Truc Pottery Village
Bau Truc Pottery Village – One of the oldest pottery villages in Southeast Asia (Photo source: Collected)
Bau Truc pottery village is located in the center of Phuoc Dan town, Ninh Phuoc district, only about 9 km from Po Klong Garai tower. According to information from local authorities, the village currently has nearly 400 households living, of which more than 80% are still involved in pottery making. This is one of the rare traditional craft villages that still preserves the traditional pottery making techniques of the Cham people, creating a special attraction for tourists who want to learn and experience the Cham Pa culture, Khanh Hoa.
The highlight of Bau Truc pottery is the completely different manual method compared to other famous craft villages such as Bat Trang or Chu Dau. The craftsmen do not use modern turntables, electric or gas furnaces, but only apply the unique "hand-made, butt-rotating" technique. During the shaping process, the Cham artisans walk backward while using their hands to shape each piece of clay. The inside hand holds the shape, the outside hand smooths, transforming the Quao River clay into rustic but sophisticated ceramic works - a vivid testament to the journey of experiencing the Cham Pa culture, Khanh Hoa.
3. My Nghiep brocade weaving village
My Nghiep brocade weaving village (Photo source: Collected)
My Nghiep brocade weaving village, also known as Plei Caklaing, is one of the long-standing traditional craft villages of the Cham people in Ninh Phuoc district, only 3 km from Bau Truc pottery village. This place is considered a typical space for experiencing Cham Pa culture, Khanh Hoa, where the beauty of handicrafts and traditional customs are preserved.
My Nghiep brocade is not only a handicraft product, but also a symbol of the Cham Pa, Khanh Hoa cultural experience, where visitors are connected with history, customs and traditional craft quintessence. With unique cultural values, this craft village becomes an ideal destination for those who love Khanh Hoa cultural tourism and want to have a meaningful journey to experience Cham Pa, Khanh Hoa culture.
4. Peace Prayer Ceremony
In the spiritual life of the Cham people, the Yuor Yang ceremony is an important ritual that has been maintained for many generations. Every year, around July-September of the solar calendar, the Cham people often bring offerings to Cham towers to pray for peace. After the ceremony at the main tower, some villages also organize a continuing ceremony in the community, expressing their connection and gratitude to the gods.
For tourists who love to experience the Cham culture, Khanh Hoa, this is an opportunity to discover a ritual that is second only to the famous Ka Te festival. Not only can visitors visit the Cham cultural heritage, but they also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the solemn but also communal atmosphere of the local people.
Nowadays, many tourist attractions and resorts have recreated this ritual as part of their cultural tourism program. At Amanoi resort, the Cau An ritual is performed for about 30 minutes to serve tourists, by the Cham shaman himself. This not only brings a complete cultural experience of Cham Pa, Khanh Hoa but also contributes to preserving traditional beauty.
5. Kate Festival
The Kate Festival of the Cham people in Khanh Hoa province will take place in October (Photo source: Collected)
When coming to Khanh Hoa in October, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the Cham culture of Khanh Hoa through the Kate festival - the biggest event of the Cham Brahman community. The festival takes place at ancient Cham tower clusters such as Po Nagar tower, where people remember their ancestors and gods, and pray for a bountiful harvest and favorable weather.
Kate Festival bears a strong local imprint with the ritual of carrying the divine costumes, traditional Cham dances, the pounding of Gineng drums combined with the melodious sound of Saranai trumpets. This is a sacred but also extremely vibrant moment, so that anyone participating in the experience of Cham Pa culture, Khanh Hoa can clearly feel the uniqueness of the heritage here.
Attending the festival, visitors not only admire the ancient beauty of Po Nagar tower, but also immerse themselves in the community atmosphere, where folk art, Cham cuisine and the spirit of solidarity together create a memorable journey. That is the reason why many visitors always choose Kate festival as a highlight in their journey to experience Cham Pa culture, Khanh Hoa.
With the combination of beliefs, arts and community life, Kate festival becomes a unique symbol, bringing visitors an unforgettable experience of Cham Pa, Khanh Hoa culture. If you are looking for a meaningful journey, attending Kate festival will definitely make your trip more complete and imbued with the cultural experience of Cham Pa, Khanh Hoa.
A trip to Khanh Hoa will become more meaningful and complete when you spend time experiencing Cham culture in Khanh Hoa. From the colorful Kate festival to traditional dances and sacred imprints at Po Nagar tower, every moment brings visitors a deeper understanding and vibration of local identity. If you are looking for a journey to explore the beautiful scenery and immerse yourself in cultural values, then experiencing Cham culture in Khanh Hoa is the choice not to be missed.
Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/trai-nghiem-van-hoa-cham-khanh-hoa-v17911.aspx
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