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Tomb of Tu Duc
Location: Tomb of Tu Duc is located in a
narrow valley in Duong Xuan Thuong Village (currently Thuong Ba Village, Thuy
Xuan Commune, Hue City)
Characteristic: It is one of the most beautiful works of royal
architecture of the Nguyen dynasty. The tomb lies in a boundless pine forest,
8km from Hue city-centre. Its construction started in December 1864 and finished
in 1867.
On an area of about 12ha wide, nearly 50 constructions were built on terraces of
various levels (about 10m difference). All constructions include the word Khiem
(Modesty) in their names. The tomb is divided into two main parts:
The temple area:
Entering Vu Khiem entrance, there is Luu Khiem Lake. On the lake are Xung Khiem
Pavilion and Du Khiem Pavilion where the Emperor used to come to admire flowers,
compose poems, read books, etc. Then, three Thanh stone steps to Khiem Cung Gate
lead to Hoa Khiem Palace, which used to be the Emperor's working place, and is
now the altar devoted to the Emperor and the Queen. On both sides are Phap Khiem
House and Le Khiem House for the military and civil mandarins. Behind Hoa Khiem
Palace is Luong Khiem Palace, which was also the Emperor's resting place, and
was later used to worship Mrs. Tu Du (Tu Duc's Mother). On the right of Luong
Khiem Palace stand On Khiem Palace, where the royal utensils are kept. On the
left of Luong Khiem Palace is Minh Khiem Theatre. Then, comes Chi Khiem, the
altar to worship the Emperor's wives, Tri Khiem Palace and Y Khiem Palace were
the accommodations of the Emperor's concubines.
The tomb area:
On the left of the temple is the necropolis itself slopping upward with the
Honour Courtyard, the Stele Pavilion, and the sepulture. Right behind Bai Dinh (Honour
Courtyard), with two rows of magnificent military and civil mandarins, is Bi
Dinh (Stele Pavilion) with the biggest stone stele in Vietnam. It is inscribed
with Khiem Cung narrative, composed by the Emperor himself, writing about his
life and imperial cause as well as his misadventures and diseases, etc. On the
hill, opposite the semi-circular Tieu Khiem Tri Lake is the Buu Thanh brick
wall, in the middle is a stone house, where the Emperor was buried. Tu Duc’s
tomb is not only one of the most beautiful works of the Nguyen Dynasty, but it
is also romantic scenery of mounts and lakes.
Source: VNAT |
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Visited: 1967