Yang Prong Tower

Yang Prong stands in forest near the Cambodian border in Dak Lak, a single brick Cham tower of the thirteenth century, and its position is what makes it remarkable: every other surviving Cham monument is on or near the coastal plain, and this one is a long way inland over the mountains, in country that was never part of the Cham heartland. It is squat and undecorated compared with the coastal towers, opening to the east, and it was probably built as a Shiva shrine on a route into the highlands. It was first described by the French ethnographer Henri Maitre in Les jungles Moï and became a national monument in 1991.

History

Yang Prong means great gods in the Jarai language. The tower was built in the late 13th century under Jaya Simhavarman III and is the only Cham tower in Vietnam's Central Highlands; it was first described by the French ethnographer Henri Maitre in his book Les jungles Moï, and on 3 August 1991 it was classified as a national monument (Wikipedia, Yang Prong Tower).

What's there

• The only Cham tower in the highlands - all others are near the coast.
• A thirteenth century brick shrine - squat and undecorated.
• Standing in forest - near the Cambodian border.
• Probably a Shiva shrine - on a route inland.

When to go

November to April, the dry season. Half a day.

Things to know

It is a long drive on rough roads for one small tower. There is no interpretation and no facilities. The area near the border can have access restrictions. Heat and insects are constant.

Nearby

Ea Sup is east; Yok Don national park is south.

Key facts