Statues, Tomb Complex of Emperor Tu Duc, Hue
An early start in our final few hours in Hue meant we could squeeze in a visit to a couple of the Emperors' tombs that are the most famous sights of the city but not alas included in our tour. We thus remain forever grateful to the lovely lady at our hotel reception who kindly arranged a taxi for us both to visit the two best known sites on our own.
The first of these was the tomb complex of Emperor Tu Duc (d.1883), the longest reigning monarch of the Nguyen Dynasty, but one who fathered no sons owing to sterility. Over the course of his 35 year reign he commissioned the building of this large garden complex, complete with lakes, shrines and palatial buildings in which the Emperor resided for much of his later life.
The site is extensive and a beautiful place to explore, more like a idyllic public park (punctuated by traditional pavilions and sculptures) rather than what might expect of a dynastic mausoleum. The tomb is here on a raised terrace and takes the form of a square mausoleum guarded by statues of soldiers, horses and elephants.
For more on the site and the Emperor who built it as his final place of rest see the article below:-
Statues, Tomb Complex of Emperor Tu Duc, Hue
An early start in our final few hours in Hue meant we could squeeze in a visit to a couple of the Emperors' tombs that are the most famous sights of the city but not alas included in our tour. We thus remain forever grateful to the lovely lady at our hotel reception who kindly arranged a taxi for us both to visit the two best known sites on our own.
The first of these was the tomb complex of Emperor Tu Duc (d.1883), the longest reigning monarch of the Nguyen Dynasty, but one who fathered no sons owing to sterility. Over the course of his 35 year reign he commissioned the building of this large garden complex, complete with lakes, shrines and palatial buildings in which the Emperor resided for much of his later life.
The site is extensive and a beautiful place to explore, more like a idyllic public park (punctuated by traditional pavilions and sculptures) rather than what might expect of a dynastic mausoleum. The tomb is here on a raised terrace and takes the form of a square mausoleum guarded by statues of soldiers, horses and elephants.
For more on the site and the Emperor who built it as his final place of rest see the article below:-