The Michonne Temple Complex is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is located in a valley among the hills in Quang Nam Province. It is about 45 kilometers from Hoi An and 70 kilometers from Da Nang. It seems that the ruins here have grown out of the jungle, and this attracts the attention of tourists from all over the world.
History
The construction of the Michonne Temple Complex began in the 4th century. On this territory, King Bhadravarman I launched the first temple dedicated to Shiva. At that time, the sanctuaries were built of wood, so they have not survived to this day, but even then Michon was an important religious center of the kingdom of Champa, a civilization that occupied the central and southern coastal lands of modern Vietnam.
At the end of the sixth century, King Sambhuvarman rebuilt part of the complex from brick, and this went down in the history of architecture. For a long time, the Michon Temple complex was of great importance, but with the weakening of the kingdom of Champa and the strengthening of the Vietnamese states, it ceased to be a center of active religious life. Over time, the ruins were overgrown with jungle. Locals sometimes took bricks and stones from old buildings for their own needs. Despite this, the place remained a part of the memory and sacred landscape.
Description
The Michon Temple Complex is located in a picturesque valley surrounded by low hills and overgrown with jungle. The archaeological site and UNESCO World Heritage Site is recognized as the largest preserved center of religious architecture of the kingdom of Champa. Even in its dilapidated form, the towers retain the elegance of proportions and a sense of sacredness.
The space between the groups of towers has turned into paths where trees are located next to the ancient walls. This is not a single monolith, but a collection of groups that scientists have decided to designate with letters of the Latin alphabet. Each group of the Michon Temple Complex has its own mini-complex with towers, altars, and outbuildings. The structures were built on a 4-carbon base, the parts are a symbol of 3 worlds: the base is the earthly one, the main part of the tower is the spiritual one, and the top is the connection between the spiritual and human worlds. Generally speaking, the clan represented Mount Meru.
How to get
There are organized flights from Da Nang and Hoi An, and it is customary to check the shuttle schedule before traveling, as changes may be made to the data. Flights are regular, but the work schedule may change due to the weather. It is not uncommon to call a taxi or rent a vehicle to visit the Michonne Temple Complex.
To rent a car, you need to have an international driver's license. The route runs along National Highway No. 1 south to Nam Phuoc. Then turn onto road No. 537 and follow the signs. You should pay attention to the fact that the last kilometers of the route are occupied by a mountain road, which is narrow in some places, so it will be inconvenient to ride a motorcycle, especially in hot weather.
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