The Champa Museum in Da Nang
If you travel to Vietnam, one of the sites that you must see is the Champa museum in Da Nang. If you are interested in the history and the mystery of ancient people then this museum is the place for you. I have thoroughly enjoyed my visits and have included some of my favorite photos below. I hope you enjoy them....This page is currently under construction.
Da Nang Dragon Bridge
Dragon Bridge in Da Nang.
The city of Da Nang has a lot to offer like beautiful clean beaches, luxurious resorts, great food and the new Dragon Bridge that alone makes it worthhwile visiting the city. This bridge opened just recently to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the liberation of the country. This is most interesting since the bridge was designed by an American firm (Louis Berger Group) and built at a cost of $81.6 million. However, this bridge is not just for looks. The Dragon is both functional and beautiful. It is actually part of the suspension holding up the structure and it lights up (2500 LED lights) and spits out balls of fire by night. As you cross the Dragon Bridge heading into Da Nang, you cannot miss the Champa museum as it sits on the corner right across from the Dragon's tail.
The Champa Museum
Ticket to the Champa Museum in Da Nang.
The Champa Museum is located near the Han River in downtown Da Nang and is a very popular destination for tourists. The museum was built in 1915 and it houses nearly 2,000 Cham sculptures made between the 6th and 18th centuries. You can visit the English language website of the museum by clicking here. Anyone interested in learning more about the Champa, the Champa Museum or items in the museum can purchase the book “HINDU-BUDDHIST ART OF VIETNAM Treasures from Champa” from the online AsiaStore by clicking here This book is very comprehensive and is a good starting place for anyone interested in ancient cultures of Southeast Asia.
Pedestal with Breasts Motif
This pedestal is one of my favorites sculptures in the museum. It represents many things uniquely Champa. Although seen extensively in art, in architecture the female breast was rarely used in this manner. This symbol entered the Champa religious iconography in the 10th century. The appearance of the female breast in Champa architecture (picture below-center) and its widespread use in this manner has never been satisfactorily explained. However, with the ubiquitous linga (picture below-right) and yoni used in Cham art and religious ceremonies, and the desire to over endow many of the more significant statues (Bronze Tara is very well breasted as can be seen in the below-left picture) it's not surprising that breast were used as motifs on architectural carvings. The swirling motif above and below the breasts are typical of the “Thap Mam” style and some variation of this motif can be seen on many stone carvings and metal art work. The Garuda is used as a supporting pillar at each corner. This lion is vary stylized and is also from the “Thap Mam” style. The Garudas greatly enhance the beauty of the pedestal and gives it a very mythical feel.