Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Taking up the southwest corner of the Imperial Enclosure, this highly impressive walled
complex has been beautifully restored.
The imposing three-tiered
Hien Lam Pavilion
, dating from 1824, sits on the south side of
the complex. On the other side of a courtyard is the solemn
To Mieu Temple
, housing
shrines to each of the emperors, topped by their photos.
Between these two temples are
Nine Dynastic Urns
(dinh)
, cast between 1835 and 1836,
each dedicated to one Nguyen sovereign.
Nine Holy Cannons
Located just inside the Citadel ramparts are the Nine Holy Cannons (1804), symbolic pro-
tectors of the palace and kingdom. Each brass cannon is 5m long and weighs about 10
tonnes.
CANNON
Outside the Citadel
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Royal Tombs
( 6.30am-5.30pm summer, 7am-5pm winter)
The tombs of the rulers of the Nguyen dynasty
(1802-1945) are extravagant mausoleums, spread out along the banks of the Perfume
River 2km to 16km south of Hue. The three listed here are particularly impressive, but
there are many more.
The
Tomb of Tu Duc
(admission 80,000d)
, built between 1864 and 1867, is one of the most
impressive. Emperor Tu Duc designed it himself, but the enormous expense and the
forced labour used in its construction spawned a coup plot that was discovered and sup-
pressed. Tu Duc lived a life of imperial luxury and carnal excess (he had 104 wives and
countless concubines), though no offspring.
Renowned for its architecture and sublime natural setting, the
Tomb of Minh Mang
(admis-
sion 80,000d)
was planned during his reign (1820-40) but built by his successor, Thieu Tri.
It's on the west bank of the Perfume River, about 12km from Hue and surrounded by a
forest.
The hillside
Tomb of Khai Dinh
(admission 80,000d),
10km south of Hue, is a synthesis of
Vietnamese and European elements. Most of the tomb's grandiose exterior is covered in
blackened concrete, creating an unexpectedly Gothic air, while the interiors resemble an
explosion of colourful mosaic.
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