Chan Chan - Ruins Of Peru
Machu Picchu is what many people know the South American country of Peru for, and while it is the most famous ruin it isn't the only one. It is places like that wonder that are being preserved and protected around the globe to allow everybody to see the past.
However the country is also home to countless other spectacular archaeological sites such as Chan Chan and Huaca de la Luna ruins. Although located very close together, these sites were built during different time periods by two different cultures.
In 1986, the Chan Chan became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is found east of Trujillo in the region of La Libertad, stretching some 20 square kilometers.
Built by the Chimu culture between 1100AD and 1450AD, these ruins were part of the world's largest abode city and the base of 30,000 citizens once upon a time. In this day and age, the archaeological site is one whereby visitors roam the remains of the ancient pre-Columbian civilization. This is only a fraction of the city that was so important in years gone by, and what is notable is that fact that the ruins are so big despite this.
Visitors to this former capital of the Chimu Kingdom can still see most of the city walls, a handful of preserved buildings such as the palace of Nik An and some detailed adobe carvings also remain intact. Ceremonial areas, burial chambers, ten walled citadels and temples are included in the ruins that you can see here.
While there are many knowledgeable tour guides available around the site, visitors can roam the grounds themselves. English speaking guides are available and the best way to get all the background information of the ruins is with one of these guided tours. The guides don't just point out the obvious; they tell the story from beginning to end. Once the guided tour is over, visitors are free to roam the grounds as they wish and spend admiring the surroundings and taking pictures.
For visitors who prefer to explore on their own, this is also an option and they can learn more about the history by visiting the Chan Chan museum which also houses many ancient treasures including pottery, ceramics and artifacts made from gold. In order to see the full scale of these ruins and really get a good feel for the place while learning about the history, visitors should expect to spend at least three hours at the site. Admission is $25.00 USD per person. It is recommended that anyone planning a visit to Chan Chan bring along some light clothing, particularly between the months of December and March, as the days are usually quite hot.
When visiting through June to August it is recommended to take extra clothing because, despite remaining warm year round, the ocean winds can make it a little cold at this time of year.
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