Articles Discovery on the cycling road Lifestyle Mr Old Man Discover the Unique Charm of the Ancient Bằng An Tower By Mr Old Man Posted on 22 hours ago 4 min read 0 0 8 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr Tucked away in the quiet village of Bằng An—now part of Điện An Ward, Điện Bàn Town, Quảng Nam Province—stands one of the few surviving ancient towers of the once-mighty Champa Kingdom: the Bằng An Tower. Located just 27 km from Đà Nẵng, 14 km from the ancient town of Hội An, and only 1.2 km off the national highway, this hidden gem is surprisingly easy to reach for curious travelers. More than just a historical site, Bằng An Tower was once a sacred space for Champa rituals and worship. Inside the tower sits a stone linga—a symbol of the god Shiva, revered as the creator and protector of Champa’s dynasties. Guarding the entrance are two stone guardians: a lion and an elephant, powerful symbols in Champa spiritual culture. Built around the 11th century*, Bằng An Tower stands 21.5 meters tall and features an unusual octagonal shape. Each side measures about 4 meters, and there’s only one way in: a narrow, 6-meter-long vestibule topped with a tapering conical roof. When sunlight filters through the opening at the top and shines directly onto the linga below, the space takes on a mystical, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Unlike the more common square-based Cham towers with layered roofs and similar decorative motifs, Bằng An’s architecture is strikingly different. From a distance, the tower resembles an enormous linga—an iconic symbol of Shiva—making it not just a place of worship, but a spiritual sculpture in its own right. Linga Experts in Champa culture consider Bằng An Tower a site of great historical, religious, and cultural value. Despite the passage of time, it still stands quietly, bearing silent witness to the legacy of a glorious Champa era. If you’re traveling through Quảng Nam—a region rich in Cham heritage—be sure to add Bằng An Tower to your itinerary. It’s not only a peaceful escape from the usual tourist paths, but also a rare opportunity to connect with a fascinating chapter of Vietnam’s cultural history. — Mr. Old Man, 02/2022 Note: According to an ancient inscription once found at Bằng An, King Bhadravarman II commissioned the construction of a temple called Linga Paramesvara (literally “The Supreme Linga,” a title of Shiva) around 875–877 CE. Some researchers, however, place the tower’s construction in the 11th century based on the style of two sandstone Gajasimha (lion-elephant) statues at the entrance. The mystery remains part of the charm—whether 9th or 11th century, this tower is still a stunning testament to Champa architecture.