Tu Duc Tomb, with its unique spirit for poetry and art, offers a captivating opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of Vietnamese culture and traditions. Here, you will first witness the life of the Vietnamese King – Tu Duc, together with all the surrounding mysteries.
In this blog today, Vietnamtour.in provides a full guide to Tu Duc Tomb, ranging from things to admire to the best time to visit. Right now, let’s take a look at our review for an in-depth discovery!
Explore The Long-Standing History Of Tu Duc Tomb
Tu Duc Tomb, also called the Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc, is an iconic symbol in Hue. It was built between 1864 and 1873 under the first name “Van Nien Co.” During the construction time, the builders were always under unbearable oppression, leading to extremely difficult lives. That’s why there was a blood-full rebellion against the Tu Duc Emperor, but it completely failed.
After this historical event, Emperor Tuc Duc renamed the tomb Khiem Cung and continued to live for more than 10 years before passing away. Today, the Khiem Cung tomb has been called “Tu Duc Tomb” to express respect for Emperor Tu Duc and his contribution.
Admire The Unique Architecture At Tu Duc Tomb
Tu Duc Tomb covers an area of 12 hectares and features 50 differently-sized buildings. All these buildings are associated with the word “Khiem,” which means “Modest” in English.
The Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc is divided into five parts: Luu Khiem Lake and Tinh Khiem Islet, Hoa Khiem Palace, Luong Khiem Temple, Minh Khiem Ancient Theater, and The Tomb Area. Each area will feature a distinctive style and impressive patterns that symbolize Vietnamese traditions, dynasties, and cultures.
Location
Tu Duc Tomb is located at No.17/69, Le Ngo Cat Street, Thuy Xuan, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province. It is about 8 kilometers from the city center, sitting peacefully in a pine forest and near other famous historical sites in Hue.
Opening Hours And Ticket Fee
You can visit Tu Duc Tomb between 7.30 AM and 5.30 PM every day. The entrance fees to this destination are about 6 USD/adult and 1.5 USD/child. You can buy tickets directly at the Tu Duc Tomb’s gate without booking tickets in advance.
How To Get There
To reach Tu Duc Tomb, you can select one of the 3 following ways:
- By bus: From the city center, you can get on bus numbers 02 or 10 to get to Tu Duc Tomb only with 0.3 USD/pax. In case you are staying in the suburbs of Hue, you need to catch bus number 11, starting from the Huong Tra District to the tomb.
- By taxi: To visit Tu Duc Tomb, you can book a taxi to move within 20 minutes. Normally, you need to pay 6 USD—8 USD for this option.
- By car: In Hue, there are many car-hiring services, making it convenient to travel with your family or groups. You can contact some reliable agencies, such as Phu Dat Gia, Elephant Travel, Nhu Y, or Anh Dat.
Best Time To Visit
You should have a journey to Tu Duc Tomb in the spring, between February and May. During this time, you can enjoy the ideal weather that is mild without being too hot. To capture stunning moments here, it’s perfect to visit in the early morning and late afternoon.
What To See In Tu Duc Tomb
Discover the relaxation space of Tu Duc Emperor in Khiem Cung Mon
It features 2 gazebo-styled stories, which were designed as a place for the King to rest whenever visiting the Tu Duc Mausoleum. Inside the Khiem Cung Mon, you can see the altar of the Nguyen Dynasty’s king and queen and the Hoa Khiem Palace in the center.
Admire the ancient beauty of Minh Khiem Theater
Minh Khiem Ancient Theater is one of the excellent highlights of Tu Duc Tomb. Here, you will have a chance to immerse yourself in the poetic soul and the magnificent beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Notably, all of the theater’s corners were decorated with intricate details associated with Vietnamese culture. This makes it an ideal place for royal performances during the Nguyen Dynasty. Currently, you can visit Minh Khiem Theater to admire Vietnamese art, especially “Nha Nhac Cung Dinh Hue”.
Explore various flowers on Tinh Khiem Islet
In the heart of Luu Khiem Lake, you can see Tinh Khiem Islet, a small island in the Tu Duc Tomb. Here, you can witness the gorgeous landscape thanks to various species of fauna and flora. Previously, the Tu Duc Emperor raised all his own to make his life’s space more lively.
Witness Vietnamese-styled architecture in Hoa Khiem Palace
After crossing Khiem Cung Gate, you will find Hoa Khiem Palace—the king’s resting place in Tu Duc Tomb. Indeed, this palace belongs to Thien Cung Mon; thus, it also features Vietnamese-styled decorations and worships his spiritual values. On the 2 sides, there are Le Khiem Vu or Phap Khiem Vu, aiming for the resting space for the servants.
Visit the altar of Tu Duc Emperor’s Mother at Luong Khiem Palace
This palace is the special court that the King established to express his love to his mother, Empress Dowager Tu Du. It is located behind Hoa Khiem Palace and stands on the left of On Khiem Place, where the King used to store many possessions.
Respect to the magnificent beauty of the Tomb Area
Basically, the tomb area is divided into 3 parts: Bai Dinh, Bi Dinh, and the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. In particular:
- Bai Dinh: It is also called the first tomb area and has 2 rows of huge statues. This symbolizes the belief that these statues always accompany the emperor in his life, even in the afterlife.
- Bi Dinh: This work features a 20-ton stele recording the Tu Duc Emperor’s handwriting, life, and achievements.
- The main tomb area: It is built on three floors of stone, ensuring such firm architecture over the years. However, the Emperor’s body that is truly here is still a secret. That’s why there are many stories relating to Tu Duc Emperor’s life and death.
Attractions Nearby Tu Duc Tomb
- Hue Imperial City: It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a glimpse into Vietnamese culture, tradition, and history.
- Perfume River: This river boasts a panorama view of Hue City, with cruising mountains, aromatic plants, and a peaceful ambiance.
- Thien Mu Pagoda: It is the most famous pagoda in Hue, attracting visitors with its ancient architectural structures and priceless worship values.
- Khai Dinh Tomb: This tomb, belonging to the Complex of Hue Monuments, is known as the final architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty. It reflects the life and career of the Khai Dinh Emperor.
Tips When Visiting Tu Duc Tomb
Here are our useful tips to help you have the best experience during your journey to Tu Duc Tomb.
- Wear polite and elegant clothes to express respects to the tomb area;
- Bring sunglasses or a parasol under the hot weather (April – August);
- Prepare walking or hiking shoes to go long walking;
- Be respectful to the religious and worship sites;
- Go with local travel experts for the best itinerary.
Our blog has reviewed Tu Duc Tomb in all its corners, including its architecture and history, things to do, the best time to visit, ticket fees, and useful tips. If you want more support for your journey to Tu Duc Tomb, contact us to refer to our customized tour from the local guides.
