{"id":11360,"date":"2022-05-19T12:51:29","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T04:51:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=11360"},"modified":"2022-05-19T12:52:26","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T04:52:26","slug":"cat-tien-sanctuary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/cat-tien-sanctuary\/","title":{"rendered":"C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean Sanctuary: Mysterious Relics Of An Ancient Kingdom In Vietnam’s Central Highlands"},"content":{"rendered":"

C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean Sanctuary – the mysterious site of a past kingdom<\/h2>\n
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Vietnam has a long and complicated history. In fact, in our country, there’re many relic sites of several ancient kingdoms that have ceased to exist, such as those from the Champa or Funan civilizations.<\/p>\n

However, C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean Sanctuary <\/strong>in the Central Highlands is an outstanding one. Here, you can find many artifacts of an Indianized kingdom which still intrigues both many visitors and historical experts today.<\/p>\n

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It was discovered only about 40 years ago<\/h3>\n
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\"Cat
\nThe aerial view of the C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean Sanctuary<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/em>Di t\u00edch kh\u1ea3o c\u1ed5 C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean Sanctuary is a significant relic site which is ideal for history buffs, especially those interested in ancient cultures, to explore an example of Indianized architecture and religions. It is among the latest to be discovered in Vietnam, as a group of ethnologists and census takers accidentally found it in 1985.<\/p>\n

\"Cat
\nThe relics of C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean Sanctuary scatter along \u0110\u1ed3ng Nai River.<\/em>
\nImage credit: Di t\u00edch kh\u1ea3o c\u1ed5 C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean Sanctuary stretches 15 kilometers along the \u0110\u1ed3ng Nai River and between two sectors of the C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean National Park, L\u00e2m \u0110\u1ed3ng District. After several excavations since 1994, the sanctuary is now open to visitors, so you can see sacred artifacts with such as lingam and yoni icons, deity statues, and kendi pots.<\/p>\n

In addition, you can also find many tools and weapons such as spears, dishes, lamps, and so on.<\/p>\n

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A large site with many mysterious relics<\/h3>\n
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\"Lingam
\nA group of researchers studying the lingam and yoni at C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean Sanctuary<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/em>Di t\u00edch kh\u1ea3o c\u1ed5 C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

As this historical site was a surprise discovery, it is still much debate over what culture this sanctuary belonged to. Using a radiometric dating method, researchers claimed that the sanctuary must have been constructed between the 4th and the 8th centuries.<\/p>\n

You can also see the platforms and walls of ancient towers with distinctive designs of this period. These remaining buildings also suggest the massive scale of this sanctuary.<\/p>\n

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\nThere are still more relics in mounds like this waiting to be excavated<\/em>
\nImage credit: Bui Cong Truong<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Some of the relics also point out the level of development in handicrafts and commercial activities of their culture. For example, you can find more than 200 pieces of meticulously-made golden reliefs depicting a gods’ labyrinth and a silver pot with a lion figure which might be of the Middle East or South Asia origin.<\/p>\n

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The origins of this site are unknown<\/h3>\n
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\nYou can find many relics excavated from the mounds in this exhibition gallery<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/em>Tu\u1ea5n Thanh<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

This sanctuary is a must-see for those who love history and mysteries as it is still unclear what culture this site belonged to. Some researchers have claimed that this was likely to be a religious center of the Funan Kingdom, just like the site in \u00d3c Eo, while\u00a0 others believe that this might be a site of the Champa Kingdom, similar to the sanctuary in M\u1ef9 S\u01a1n. There are also some hypotheses about a separate kingdom located here.<\/p>\n

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\nC\u00e1t Ti\u00ean Sanctuary usually offers camping tours for young visitors, especially students.<\/em>
\nImage credit: Hiep Maidinh<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Despite the debate, the sanctuary has been recognized as a special national relic site since 2014 thanks to its significant historical values.<\/p>\n

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C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean Sanctuary<\/h3>\n
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C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean Sanctuary is still a great place to help you know more about the people of the Central Highlands in the past as well as the connections between ancient kingdoms in the southern half of Vietnam.<\/p>\n

With more studies carried out every year about this sanctuary, you may find more interesting information about this place every time you visit it.<\/p>\n

C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean Sanctuary
\n<\/strong>Address: <\/span><\/strong>Hamlet 1, Qu\u1ea3ng Ng\u00e3i Commune, C\u00e1t Ti\u00ean District, L\u00e2m \u0110\u1ed3ng Province
\nOpening hours: <\/span><\/strong>Mon\u2013Fri 7.30AM-11AM, 1.30PM-4PM
\nFor visits on weekends or guided tours, please phone the sanctuary for further instructions.
\nTelephone: <\/span><\/strong>0931777182
\nC\u00e1t Ti\u00ean Sanctuary’s Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n

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