Table Of Contents
Introduction
In the Hue Royal Tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty, it could be said that the Royal Tomb of Tu Duc is always at the top of the must explore attraction of tourists. Tu Duc Tomb is also called “Khiem Lang“, the final resting place but also the second residence of the 4th emperor of the last monarchy in Vietnam.
Tu Duc Tomb Hue Location
Tu Duc Tomb was built in a narrow valley in Duong Xuan Thuong village (currently Thuong Ba village, Thuy Xuan commune, Hue city). This is one of the most beautiful works of the royal architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty. The mausoleum is located in the middle of an immense pine forest, about 8km from the city center.
Tu Duc Mausoleum Map
Tomb of Tu Duc Hue Feature
The overall architecture of the Mausoleum is located in a wall ring about 12 hectares wide. There are including nearly 50 large and small architectural monuments spread in clusters on the high and low ground about 10m below each other.
The layout of the Tomb of Tu Duc consists of two main parts, on two parallel axes. It takes Giang Khiem mountain ahead as the screen, Duong Xuan mountain as the occipital, and Luu Khiem lake as the Fengshui element. The works in the Mausoleum in both the worshiping palace and burial areas have the word “Khiem” which means “modesty” named after them.
The Royal Tomb of Tu Duc History
In the beginning, The tomb of Emperor Tu Duc was planned to build in 6 years with the name “Van Nien Co” with 3000 workers and soldiers. But lately, they shorten it to 3 years from 1864 to 1867 so the pressure and hard work made the workers very tied and exhausted.
The Rebellion of building workers and soldiers had made Tu Duc Emperor very sad and knew about his mistake so it changed the name of the tomb to Khiem Lang which means “modesty”.
Tu Duc Emperor Biography Summary
The Emperor Tu Duc ( 22 September 1829 – 17 July 1883) was the 4th emperor of the Nguyen dynasty. His personal name is Nguyễn Phúc Hồng Nhậm, also called Nguyễn Phúc Thì). Tu Duc was the emperor who ruled the country longest, 36 years from 1847 to 1883. He is known as an expert in philosophy, oriental history, and literature. But the emperor got a lot of sorrow and sadness.
- Firstly he got smallpox when he was young which made he could not give birth.
- The second is under Tu Duc’s reign, the eldest brother tried to do military coups but he did not succeed, he killed himself in prison that made Tu Duc get a bad reputation for killing his blooded brother.
- The last one is he lost the power to control the country in the French, the emperor at that time was just a puppet.
So Tu Duc Tomb Hue Vietnam is the only one not only a burial area but also the residence of the 4th emperor.
Tu Duc Tomb Architecture
The whole complex of Tu Duc Mausoleum is a large park. It is divided into 2 separate parts on two parallel axes.
The Worshiping Area
When you go through the Vu Khiem gate, you will admire the Luu Khiem lake area. This is a large lake full of lotus, rockery as well as Koi fish. On the lake, there are Xung Khiem and Du Khiem Pavilions, where the emperor often came to enjoy the flowers, compose poems, and read books.
Continue three bluestone steps way leading to Khiem Cung Mon, then to Hoa Khiem Palace, this was originally working office of Tu Duc Emperor but now used to worship the emperor and empress.
After Hoa Khiem Palace to Luong Khiem Palace, it was the emperor’s residence and later became the worship area of the Emperor’s mother, Mrs. Tu Du.
To the right of Luong Khiem Palace is On Khiem House, where the royal belongings are stored. To the left is Minh Khiem theater which is considered the oldest royal theater in Vietnam that is still preserved.
The Burial Area
Surrounded Tu Duc Royal Tomb Hue is the beautiful moat for decoration, protection as well as be the Fengshui element. Following the curved path, you will get to the royal courtyard where the stone statues of civil-military mandarins, horses, elephants are placed. The emperor thought, what he needed in his life, he would need them in the afterlife. This life is was the emperor, in the afterlife, he still would be the emperor.
Right behind the courtyard is Bi Dinh (the bluestone stele pavilion) decorated with majestic dragons hidden in the blue clouds. You will be overwhelmed by a huge stele made of a large bluestone bar engraved with the poem Khiem Cung Ky of Tu Duc. It is a 4,935 words long poem, written about his bio, as well as his mistakes to the royal family, to the country.
Next behind the stone stele pavilion are the 2 pillars. They are the symbol of 2 candles to show Emperor Tu Duc the right way to enter the afterlife. The royal tomb is like the journey of the emperor from this life, entering the afterlife; from Sunrise to the Sunset.
Enjoy the beauty of the Tan Nguyet Lake in the shape of the semicircular lake with colorful water lilies then reach Buu Thanh which is built of bricks. In the middle of Buu Thanh, there is a grave which is the burial area of the Tu Duc emperor.
In the Emperor Tu Duc Tomb complex, on the other side of the moat, there is another special area is Le Thien Anh empress grave, and the mausoleum of Kien Phuc – the resting place of the 7th king of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Tu Duc Tomb Hue Travel Guide
Royal Tomb of Tu Duc entrance fee
To explore the Tomb of Tu Duc Hue Vietnam, you have to purchase an entrance ticket which helps to preserve the Unesco World Heritage. It costs 150,000VND (roughly 7USD)/ person/ adults and 40,000VND (roughly 2USD)/ person (children from 5 to 12 years old). Kids are under 5 years old are free of charge.
If you not only visit Hue Tu Duc Tomb but also other attractions such as Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue Imperial Citadel, Khai Dinh Tomb, Minh Mang Royal Tomb, etc. You should save your money by buying combo tickets. For more information about the Hue Entrance fee in 2022, please refer to our article below
How to get to Tu Duc Tomb Hue?
It is quite easy to reach Tu Duc Tomb Vietnam because nowadays, there are a lot of means of transport from Hue city center. You can drive a scooter with helmets, ride a bike, book a grab bike, or Hue Private Car.
Furthermore, if you would like to enjoy the rich history, interesting information, stories of Tu Duc Tomb and the Nguyen Dynasty, you should book Hue City Tour Half Day/ Hue City Tour- Private Tour with an experienced local guide via Hoi An Private Taxi Travel. When you book the Hue Tours from us, all the transportation, entrance tickets, lunch, etc are included.
What should you prepare for visiting?
To enjoy the Tomb of Minh Mang vs Tomb of Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, etc. On your Hue City Tour, you should bring hats, sunglasses, sun cream’s, raincoats, or umbrellas depending on the weather.
Get some general information about the Royal Tomb before you take the tour.
Plus, you should wear polite clothes which cover your knees, chests, full-charged camera.
Hoi An Private Taxi Travel
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