Po Sah Inu Tower - Cham Pa Relic Over 1,200 Years Old

Po Sah Inu Tower - Cham Pa Relic Over 1,200 Years Old

Po Sah Inu Tower is one of the rare Cham Pa structures that has retained its nearly original beauty over hundreds of years of history. Here, you will be captivated by every architectural detail and the sacred space soaked in traditional culture. In this article, NVK Travel will provide you with the most detailed information about the history, ticket prices, directions, and visiting experiences to make your trip complete.

The history of the Po Sah Inu tower complex

Hidden behind the ancient beauty of Po Sah Inu Tower (or Po Sah Inu Temple, Cham Tower in Phu Hai) is a historical journey spanning over a millennium, linked to the glorious development period of Cham Pa culture. The remaining relics today are vivid evidence of the unique architectural and religious level of the ancient Cham people.

The context of construction

The tower was built around the 8th - 9th century, during the period of the Cham Pa kingdom when architectural and sculptural art was flourishing. Initially, the complex consisted of three main towers used to worship the goddess Po Sah Inu - the deity believed by the Cham to protect marriage, crops, and well-being.

The Po Sah Inu temple - A symbol of the Cham Pa kingdom's beliefs in the 8th century.

Po Sah Inu Temple - The symbol of Cham Pa kingdom's beliefs in the 8th century

>>> See more: Travel Guide Hon Rom - A-Z Guide for Tourists

Ba Nai Hill was chosen by the Cham people as the location to build Po Sah Inu Tower. The reason is that the location has a high terrain, facing directly to the vast Phan Thiet sea. Especially, this area has a wide view, making it very suitable to choose as a place for rituals, offerings, and worship of the deities.

The role in Cham Pa culture

The Po Sah Inu tower plays an extremely important role in the spiritual life of the ancient Cham Pa people, being the site of many major rituals such as praying for favorable rain and wind, the Kate festival,... The structure is not only a place of religious activity but also reflects the distinctive architectural art of the Cham Pa through details such as the horse saddle-shaped tower roof, divine motifs, and the technique of building bricks without mortar.

The tower was classified as a national architectural art monument in 1991.

The tower was classified as a national architectural art monument in 1991

>>> See more: Ticket Prices Entrance fee for Nha Mat Bac Lieu tourist area Latest

Over hundreds of years, the structure has remained a valuable resource for researchers to learn about the development of architecture, beliefs, and Cham Pa society. For the current Cham community, Po Sah Inu tower is not only a monument but also the "soul" of their culture, where they hold rituals, preserve their identity, and affirm their national pride.

The architecture and art of Po Sah Inu tower

Each roof tier, each decorative detail on the tower tells a story about the beliefs, culture, and ancient Cham Pa art. This is a perfect intersection between exquisite architecture and long-standing cultural values.

The main tower is 15m high and faces east, where the deities reside.

The main tower is 15m high and faces east where the deities reside

Unique construction technique using fired bricks

Po Sah Inu tower is primarily built from red fired bricks without using mortar. Each brick is crafted and tightly fitted together, creating a solid structure that helps the monument endure over time while retaining its original shape.

The ancient brick walls are firmly connected and durable over time.

The ancient brick walls are firmly connected and durable over time

Characteristic tower roof design

The highlight is the horse saddle-shaped roof combined with stacked roof tiers, creating a feeling of lightness and height. This architectural style not only has aesthetic value but also suits religious rituals, helping to guide the spiritual energy according to the Cham Pa people's beliefs.

The tower's roof features intricate cornices and carvings.

The tower roof with intricate edges and carvings

Intricate patterns and motifs

The tower walls are decorated with geometric patterns, floral designs, and divine symbols, reflecting the beliefs, lives, and worldview of the Cham people. These decorative elements are both ornamental and a means of conveying a complete cultural-religious story.

The decorative details all symbolize Cham Pa beliefs.

Decorative details symbolize Cham Pa beliefs

Unique sculpture art and worship statues

Inside the tower complex, there are still preserved statues of the goddess Po Sah Inu and intricate sculptural details. These works reflect the skill, creativity, and deep spiritual beliefs of the Cham people. At the same time, they contribute to the long-standing artistic value of the tower.

Outstanding experiences when visiting the monument

Every step around Po Sah Inu tower opens up interesting discoveries, from admiring the distinctive architecture to learning about the ancient Cham Pa culture. Among them, activities you should not miss when visiting this thousand-year-old monument include:

Check-in at Ba Nai Hill

Ba Nai Hill is an ideal spot to take stunning "virtual" photos when visiting the temple. With its high terrain and wide view, visitors can capture beautiful moments of the ancient tower complex, interspersed with the surrounding natural landscape. Angles from various directions yield unique photos that strongly reflect Cham Pa culture.

Enjoy the panoramic view of the blue sea of Phan Thiet from the high Ba Nai hill.

Admire the vast blue sea of Phan Thiet from Ba Nai Hill

View the sea of Phan Thiet from above

From the top of Ba Nai Hill, visitors can gaze out at the cool blue sea of Phan Thiet. The airy space and majestic landscape create a feeling of relaxation and tranquility. This is an ideal spot to watch the sunrise or sunset, combined with exploring the monument and enjoying the beauty of nature.

Participate in the Kate festival

Po Sah Inu tower is the site of many traditional rituals and festivals of the Cham people each year, especially the Kate event. The Kate festival usually takes place at the end of the 7th lunar month and lasts for 2 - 3 days. During this time, visitors will witness the offerings, folk music, Cham dances, and many other unique cultural activities.

Experience the unique worship and belief rituals of the Cham people.

Experience the unique offerings and rituals of the Cham people

Participate in hands-on cultural experiences

In addition to visiting, admiring the architecture, and listening to the mysterious stories about the goddess Po Sah Inu, visitors to the tower also have the opportunity to participate in many other interesting activities such as:

  • Try on traditional Cham costumes: Visitors can wear traditional costumes, take photos, and participate in symbolic rituals, creating a direct cultural experience.
  • Learn to make Cham patterns: Join in guided sessions to create decorative patterns or Cham Pa architectural models. From there, gain a deeper understanding of traditional sculptural and artistic techniques.
  • Participate in folk games and singing: Visitors can also join in folk games, practice Cham Pa dance, or try playing unique ancient musical instruments,....

Guidelines for visiting the Po Sah Inu tower complex

Thorough preparation before visiting the ancient monument will help you explore every corner of the Po Sah Inu tower complex without missing any experiences. Below are the details you need to know when exploring this famous site.

Ticket prices and opening hours

The tower complex is open from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily and there is no limit on the number of visitors. Tourists can buy tickets directly at the gate or book through guided tours. Ticket prices range from 15,000 VND to 20,000 VND/adult, and children under 7 years old pay about 7,000 VND.

The winter and spring months are a great time to visit the site.

The winter and spring months are a great time to visit the site.

The best time to explore the Po Sah Inu tower.

The ideal time to visit the site is from November to April of the following year. During this period, the weather is quite cool, with little rain and clear skies, making the visit more comfortable and providing better photo opportunities.

The route from the city center to the temple is about 7km.

The route from the city center to the temple is about 7km.

How to get from the center of Phan Thiet to the Po Sah Inu temple.

The Po Sah Inu tower is located in Phu Thuy ward, Lam Dong province (the old address was in Phu Hai ward, Phan Thiet city, Binh Thuan). The transportation system here has been significantly developed, with wide roads, making it easy for visitors to travel by various means.

  • Motorbike or personal car: From the center of Phan Thiet city, you head towards QL1A or QL55 to Tuy Phong district - Binh Thuan (old). The distance is about 7 - 10km, with a travel time of 15 - 20 minutes. The road has clear signs directing to the Po Sah Inu tower.
  • Taxi: Tourists can travel by taxi; however, personal vehicles or renting a motorbike will be more flexible and convenient for exploring around Ba Nai hill and checking in at many beautiful spots.
  • Bus: To reach the site, you can take the Phan Thiet - Phong Nam bus line. Then get off at the stop near the tower and walk about 500m following the signs to the site. The travel time is about 30 - 40 minutes, and ticket prices range from 5,000 to 10,000 VND/person/one way.

The Po Sah Inu tower offers a journey connecting the past and present, where visitors can learn about history while enjoying the sacred space and stunning natural scenery. This is an ideal destination to capture memorable moments and experience the vibrant Cham Pa culture.

Let nvktravel.com accompany you on your journey to explore the Po Sah Inu tower complex and travel to Phan Thiet.NVK Travel will take you through every nook and cranny, the most beautiful roads, and enjoy the unique cuisine of the white sandy land.