Chan Chan (Nik An Palace)
Chan Chan, Palacio Nik An
The largest mud-brick city in the world and capital of the Chimú kingdom. The open Palacio Nik An is full of walls covered with reliefs of fish and birds.
Chan Chan was the capital of the Chimú kingdom (around 850–1470 AD). Covering about 20 square kilometres, it was the largest city of pre-Columbian America and the largest adobe city in the world. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986 as an endangered site. The main section open to visitors is Palacio Nik An (formerly Tschudi Palace). Inside its tall mud walls are ceremonial plazas, storerooms and pools, and the walls are covered with reliefs of fish, pelicans and waves.
A combined ticket (about 15 soles) covers the site museum, the Rainbow Temple and the Emerald Temple.
Chan Chan is about 5 km from the city centre. You can take a bus toward Huanchaco to get there.
Opening hours
09:00–16:00
Nearby sights
- Chan Chan Site Museum
- Huaca Esmeralda
- Huaca del Dragón (Huaca Arco Iris)
- Plaza de Armas de Trujillo
- Trujillo Cathedral
- Casa Urquiaga
- Casa Ganoza Chopitea
- Casa de la Emancipación