Tonga Attractions

Eastern Tongatapu

This one's for the history buffs, with what must be the largest concentration of archaeological sites anywhere in the Pacific. Pyramidal stone tombs at Mu'a were traditionally used for burying royalty, and there are 28 at Mu'a. The most impressive burial site is at Paepae 'o Tele'a.

One of Polynesia's most intriguing monuments stands at the eastern tip of Tongatapu: the Ha'amonga'a Maui Trilithon. This trilithon, constructed at the turn of the 13th century under Tu'itatui, has some mystery to it; the sun rises and sets in perfect alignment with the clearings at winter solstice.

Nuku'alofa

Sitting on a promontory facing the Pacific and backing onto the Fanga'uta Lagoon, Nuku'alofa ('Abode of Love') is gradually swallowing up surrounding wetlands and agricultural land, and shanty towns are springing up on the outskirts. Most of the town's features are found within a compact rectangle.

The churches in town are impressive and many travellers tend to join Tongans at church on Sundays because everything else is closed. Quite a sight, The Basilica of St Anthony of Padua, opposite the royal tombs, has the stations of the cross carved of coconut wood inlaid with mother of pearl.