My Son's secrets
My Son Sanctuary in central Vietnam features remains of tower-temples and carved stone works. Built between the 4th and 13th centuries, the region was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom. Photos by Zhang Jianhua / Xinhua |
Local and foreign visitors to the My Son Sanctuary, located some 650 km south of Hanoi, still marvel at the remarkable architectural ensemble that developed over a thousand years from the fourth to the 13th century.
The sanctuary, which has been declared a World Heritage site by the United Nations, presents a vivid picture of spiritual and political life in an important phase of Vietnam's history.
Its signature features include a series of impressive temple towers located in a valley surrounded by mountains. The area was the religious center for the capital of the Champa Kingdom.