Banh It Towers

Tháp Bánh Ít

Four 11th-century Champa towers on a hilltop 20 km northwest of the city, the largest and best-preserved group of Champa remains in Bình Định, with views over fields and river.

Banh It Towers (Tháp Bánh Ít, named after their resemblance to the Vietnamese glutinous rice cake bánh ít; the French called them the 'Silver Towers') stand on a hilltop about 20 km northwest of Quy Nhon city. Built between the late 11th and early 12th centuries, they represent Champa architecture of the Vijaya period of the Champa kingdom, and they are the largest and best-preserved Champa tower complex in Bình Định Province. The complex comprises a gate tower (Gopura), a library (Kosagrha, with a saddle-shaped roof), the main tower (Kalan, about 22 metres tall) and a smaller tower. The column orders, false doors and reliefs of serpent deities and dancing deities on the main tower are clearly visible. The bronze Shiva statue originally housed inside is now in the Guimet Museum in Paris, and the one on display here is a replica. From the car park at the foot of the hill, climb the stone steps for about 10 minutes to reach the top. The towers stand in open grassland with views over the rice paddies, the river and the distant mountains of the Kon River plain. It is the best spot to photograph the towers against a natural backdrop, and it is rarely crowded. Admission is about 15,000 VND. Opening hours are about 7:00–17:00, and a visit takes around 45 minutes. About 30 km northwest, the Cảnh Tiên Tower (beside the ruins of the Champa capital) and the Dương Long Towers 50 km away can be combined into a Champa day trip. The site is also often visited together with the Quang Trung Museum (Bảo tàng Quang Trung), which commemorates the Tây Sơn uprising. Getting there: about 40 minutes by motorbike along National Route 1A. A car or Grab costs about 200,000–250,000 VND one way, and there is no direct public transport. Notes: the hilltop has no shade, so bring water and a hat. Do not climb the towers or touch the reliefs.

Banh It Towers

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby