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Chan Chan, Peru
Chan Chan was the capital of the Chimu Empire, which ruled the northern coast of Peru before being conquered by the Incas in 1470. At its peak, the city covered 20 square kilometers and housed an estimated 60,000 people, making it the largest pre-Columbian city in South America and the largest adobe city ever built. Nine royal palace compounds (ciudadelas) contain labyrinthine corridors, ceremonial platforms, and walls decorated with intricate clay friezes depicting fish, birds, waves, and geometric patterns. The city is threatened by erosion and El Nino rains, making a visit increasingly urgent.
explore by interest
Chan Chan is just 5km from Trujillo. Visit in the morning before afternoon winds erode visibility. The site is fragile — stay on designated paths. Photography captures the friezes best in raking morning light.
Year-round, though December through March can bring El Nino rains that damage the adobe. Morning visits avoid afternoon coastal fog and wind. The dry season (May-November) is most reliable.