Out of the ten major complexes in the ancient city of Chan Chan, only one is open to the public, and is being actively restored and preserved. Highly detailed adobe reliefs throughout the Nik An complex illustrate how important life with the sea was, and still is.
Fresh water was extremely important to the Chimú living in Chan Chan, and is eventually what destroyed them as the Inca Empire choked off their supply of fresh water. This natural wetland inside the Nik An complex is fed by a ground spring but was not enough to keep the city alive. Totoras, the grass reeds used to make the caballito fishing boats for over 3,000 years, still grow in the water reserve.
Outside of one of Huanchaco's many surf schools.
