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Khai Dinh Tomb: Discover the most unique mausoleum architecture
29
Nov
Nov
The Tomb of Khai Dinh Hue is the most unique architectural work in the mausoleum works of the Nguyen kings. The mausoleum is designed elaborately, splendidly, and extremely sophisticatedly in the interference of East-West architecture. Khai Dinh Tomb is really an ideal destination for those who love art and history. Let’s explore with Da Nang Tours City.
About Khai Dinh Tomb
- Address: Thuy Bang, Huong Thuy, Thua Thien Hue.
Khai Dinh Tomb or Ung Lang is the resting place of King Khai Dinh – the 12th king of the Nguyen Dynasty. The mausoleum is located on Chau Chu mountain, in the territory of Thuy Bang commune, Huong Thuy town, Thua Thien Hue province.
Ceramic mosaic is a type of decoration that is widely applied in Hue royal architecture such as: Thai Hoa Palace, Kien Trung Palace, Thai Binh Palace, etc.Above all, King Khai Dinh’s Tomb is a unique architectural work that has been achieved. It is the pinnacle of ceramic mosaic art in Hue.
After ascending the throne, King Khai Dinh paid great attention to the construction of palaces, mausoleums, and mansions for himself and the royal family. Compared to the tombs of the previous king, Khai Dinh tomb has a much more modest area (117m x 48.5m). However, this is a very elaborately built project and takes the most effort and money.
Unlike the mausoleums of the previous Nguyen kings, which were built according to traditional styles and techniques. The architecture of Khai Dinh Tomb in Hue was built in a modern way with cement, iron, and steel materials. It was the king who sent people to France, China, and Japan to buy porcelain and glass to design the work.
The mausoleum was built in 11 years and took two Nguyen kings, Khai Dinh and his son Bao Dai, to complete. This is the result of the integration and interference of many Asian, European, and Vietnamese architectural lines in one building. It is both classic and modern at the same time.
How To Get To Khai Dinh Tomb
Khai Dinh Tomb is located outside the Imperial City of Hue, about 10 kilometers southwest of the city center. With such a distance, you can completely choose a car, taxi, motorcycle, etc. to move here.
Motorcycles, cars: the way to Khai Dinh Tomb is very simple. You just need to drive in the direction of Highway 49, and you will see a signboard to enter the mausoleum. From here, you follow the instructions.
Bus: You take the bus route south of Dong Ba Market – Tuan Market and vice versa. This bus route has a stop at Khai Dinh Tomb.
You can see the Google map here.
TICKET PRICE TO VISIT THE MAUSOLEUM
Because Khai Dinh mausoleum belongs to the historical and cultural relics of the complex of Hue monuments, you need to buy a ticket to visit. The ticket price to visit the Khai Dinh Tomb is equal to other relics, specifically as follows:
- Adult ticket price: 150,000 VND/time
- Child ticket price: 30,000 VND/time
✔ Book tour: Hue Tour From Da Nang
Best time to visit Khai Dinh Tomb
Hue often has rainy and stormy times at the end of the year, and the summer is quite hot. Therefore, the most appropriate time to visit the mausoleum as well as participate in Hue tourism is in January and February. At this time, Hue weather is quite pleasant, very suitable for you to move as well as visit and admire the scenery.
In particular, if you go on the New Year’s holidays of the year, you will have the opportunity to visit the Khai Dinh Tomb for free. If you want to save money, pay attention and follow news about these historical sites. With an area not too large, it only takes one to two hours to explore every place in the mausoleum.
Discover Khai Dinh Tomb – The tomb has the most unique and beautiful architecture of King Nguyen
Khai Dinh Tomb is a harmonious combination of many different architectural schools. The overall mausoleum is a rectangular floating block with 127 steps. Surrounding the mausoleum are green hills and streams. These are the elements of feng shui: pre-trial, post-occipital, left dragon, right white tiger, Minh Duong, water condensate, creating a majestic natural scene.
Tam Quan Gate
From the ground, you have to climb 37 steps to reach Tam Quan Gate. Tam Quan Gate is located on the first floor of the mausoleum and includes two main works, Ta Tong Tu and Huu Tong Tu. This is a place to worship the gods and goddesses who have contributed to the country.
The project has the participation of many good artisans and craftsmen in the country. The architecture of Tam Quan Gate is a unique blend of European modernity and Vietnamese classicism.
Nghi Mon and Bai Dinh courtyard
Continue 29 steps at Khai Dinh Tomb, and you will come to Nghi Mon and Bai Dinh courtyards. Stepping into the mausoleum, you will see two rows of statues of soldiers and courtiers, each recreating an adoration ceremony of the Nguyen Dynasty. These statues are all sculpted at 1:1 scale.
The octagonal Bi Dinh is located in the middle of the end of Bai Dinh yard. In Bi Dinh, there is a 3.1-meter-high stone stele engraved with the merits of King Khai Dinh, written by King Bao Dai. The two sides of Bi Dinh are two pillars, each representing two bright candles that light the way for the king’s soul to the afterlife.
Thien Dinh Palace
Thien Dinh Palace is located at the highest point and is the burial place of King Khai Dinh’s body. This is the place with the most unique design and the highest artistic value. The bow has a rectangular shape, and the base is lined with marble. The entire interior is decorated with reliefs made from porcelain and glass and is extremely sophisticated and beautiful. It has reached the pinnacle of Hue ceramic mosaic art.
This work consists of five consecutive parts: on the two sides are the Ta and Huu Truc rooms for the soldiers to protect the mausoleum; on the front is the relic citadel; in the middle is Buu Tan, the king’s statue; and at the bottom is the grave. The three naves will overwhelm you with the magnificence and sophistication of the reliefs made of porcelain and colored glass.
Khai Thanh Palace
Khai Thanh Palace is the place where King Khai Dinh’s altar is located and is cast in concrete. King Khai Dinh’s body is located right under this altar. On the side is a picture with the name “Khai Thanh
In particular, the Buu canopy on the bronze statue weighs 1 ton but looks very soft, light, and elegant. Below Buu Tan is a statue of King Khai Dinh, cast in 1922 in France at the request of the king.
On the ceiling of the three spaces between the palace is a painting called “Cuu Long An Van,” which means “nine dragons hidden in the clouds.” Artisan Phan Van Tanh is the person responsible for creating the masterpieces of art in the mausoleum.
King Khai Dinh’s statue in the tomb
In the Khai Dinh Tomb, there are two king statues, including a statue of a king sitting on a throne and a statue cast in France. Khai Dinh was the first Vietnamese king to order the French to make himself a portrait statue. The gold-plated bronze king statue was cast in 1992 in the correct ratio of 1:1.
Statue of the king in a standing position. The king’s right hand relaxed slightly forward; his left hand wore a high-floating flower ring and held the sword in the scabbard. In this statue, the head of the king wears a traditional turban hat; inside, he wears a royal robe, a Western-style outerwear embroidered with dragons, clouds, and waves.
The bronze statue in the Khai Dinh Tomb is a valuable Nguyen king artifact.Through this, we can vividly imagine the appearance of this king during his lifetime.
Some pictures of King Khai Dinh’s mausoleum
- Read more: Hue Travel guide
The above is all the most useful information that you need to know before visiting the Khai Dinh Tomb. Coming here, you will learn about Vietnamese history and admire the unique architectural beauty of the mausoleum. Khai Dinh Tomb deserves to be a top destination in Hue that anyone must visit at least once in their life.