Featured with elaborately designed, sophisticated and artistic architecture, Khai Dinh Tomb (Ung Lang) has become one of the favorite places when coming to Hue.
The following article provides some information about the Tomb of King Khai Dinh Hue, hopefully will be useful for visitors in the upcoming trip.
Table of Contents
Where is Khai Dinh Tomb?
As one of the 7 most beautiful mausoleum systems in Hue, Khai Dinh Tomb or Ung Lang is located in Thuy Bang commune, Huong Thuy district, Thua Thien Hue province, located on Chau Chu mountain, about 10km from Hue city center. Google Maps
Guide to move to King Khai Dinh’s mausoleum
Personal vehicles: You just need to drive in the direction of Highway 49 to see the sign to enter the mausoleum. From here you follow the instructions.
Besides, the bus moving to the mausoleum is also extremely convenient. You pick up the bus route south of Dong Ba market – Tuan market, with a stop at Khai Dinh Tomb.
Explanation about Khai Dinh Tomb
Khai Dinh Tomb or Ung Lang is the resting place of King Khai Dinh – the 12th king of the Nguyen Dynasty.
With unique architecture, King Khai Dinh’s Tomb is a work that has reached the pinnacle of porcelain mosaic art in Hue.
The architecture of Khai Dinh Tomb in Hue was built in a modern way with cement, iron, and steel materials. The king himself sent people to France, China, and Japan to buy porcelain and glass to design the work.
King Khai Dinh ascended the throne in 1916 at the age of 31. Immediately after ascending the throne, he built many palaces, mansions and mausoleums for himself and the royal family such as Kien Trung Palace, An Dinh Palace, Truong An Gate, etc. Hien Nhon gate, Chuong Duc gate, especially Ung Lang.
History of Khai Dinh Tomb
On September 4, 1920: Khai Dinh Tomb was started to be built under the command of the Pre-Army Governor Le Van Ba with the participation of many famous artisans across the country at that time.
November 6, 1925: King Khai Dinh died and was buried in Ung Lang. Construction of the mausoleum was continued and completed by King Bao Dai.
1931: Tomb of King Khai Dinh was completed after 11 years of construction.
Ticket price to visit Khai Dinh Tomb
Because Khai Dinh Tomb belongs to the historical and cultural relic of the complex of Hue monuments, there is an entrance fee.
Specifically:
- Adult ticket price: 150,000 VND/time
- Child ticket price: 30,000 VND/way
Tour Visit Khai Dinh Tomb: Hue City Tour
Architecture of Khai Dinh Tomb: Unique and impressive
The whole of the mausoleum is a rectangular floating block reaching 127 steps high, with Thien Dinh palace as the center. Mountains, hills and streams of a large area around the Mausoleum are used as feng shui elements: criminal record, post-occipital, left dragon, right white tiger, clear path, water convergence, giving Khai Dinh mausoleum a natural landscape. majestic nature.
Compared to the mausoleums of the previous kings, Khai Dinh’s tomb has a much more modest area, with the size of 117 m × 48.5 m, but it is extremely elaborate and time-consuming.
To build the mausoleum, Khai Dinh let people go to France to buy iron, steel, cement, Ardoise tiles…, let ships go to China and Japan to buy porcelain and colored glass… to build works on this hill.
The architecture of Khai Dinh Tomb does not follow the principles of a certain school of architecture, but rather a bold combination of many architectural schools from Hinduism, Buddhism, Gothique to Roman… specifically:
- Those tower-shaped gate pillars are from Indian architecture
- Pillars in the form of Buddhist statues
- The surrounding fence is shaped like skinny crosses
- The stele house with its octagonal columns and arches is designed in a variant Roman style.
What is inside Khai Dinh Tomb?
Triple gate
Located on the first floor of the mausoleum, Tam Quan gate consists of 2 main works, Ta Tong Tu and Huu Tong Tu, which is a place to worship the gods who have contributed to the country.
To get to Tam Quan gate, you have to pass 37 steps. The architecture of Tam Quan Gate is a unique blend of European modernity and Vietnamese classicism.
Nghi Mon and Bai Dinh yard
Moving through the next 29 steps, you will come to Nghi Mon and Bai Dinh courtyard. In the mausoleum you will see two rows of statues of soldiers and courtiers recreating an adoration ceremony of the Nguyen Dynasty.
These statues are all sculpted in a 1:1 scale
Thien Dinh Palace
Have you ever thought: What is inside Khai Dinh Tomb that attracts so many tourists? and the answer is:
Located at the highest position and the burial place of King Khai Dinh’s body, Thien Dinh Palace has the most unique design and high artistic value. The bow has a rectangular shape, the base is lined with marble.
The entire interior is decorated with reliefs made from porcelain and glass and is extremely sophisticated and beautiful.
This work consists of 5 consecutive parts: the two sides are Ta and Huu Truc, the room for the soldiers to protect the mausoleum, the front is the relic citadel, in the middle is Buu Tan, the statue of the king and the grave at the bottom.
Khai Thanh Palace
As the place where King Khai Dinh’s altar is located, Khai Thanh Palace is cast in concrete. King Khai Dinh’s body is located right under this altar. The decorative decorative motifs around also bring a golden color like the palace. Above is an inscription with the name Khai Thanh Dien, below this palace is placed the body of the king.
Bronze statue of King Khai Dinh inside Khai Dinh Tomb
As a precious artifact about the Nguyen kings, the bronze statue of King Khai Dinh inside Khai Dinh Tomb helps future generations have a vivid picture of the king’s appearance in his lifetime.
Experience visiting Khai Dinh Tomb
- It is recommended to visit Hue and Khai Dinh Tomb around January and February. At this time, the weather is pleasant, not too harsh, the transportation will be convenient.
- Visiting time takes about 1-2 hours, so you can arrange a route to visit other places at the same time.
- Note the slope of the steps, which are built quite steeply
- Refer to the beautiful photo angles before going to the mausoleum to get the best frames.
Review of Khai Dinh Tomb in Hue from tourists
Khai Dinh Tomb “modern architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty”
Khai Dinh Tomb – The most impressive of all the mausoleums in Hue, beautiful from the location to every detail in the mausoleum.
Taking these pictures is also hard work wearing the super hot sun in Hue because there is not a shade in here to cover.
Ung Lang …
Step up 37 steps, the majestic Four Gods of Long Chau
Next 29 steps, the yard of worshiping stone Van Vo – Linh Thuc
Next 15 more steps, Khai Hoang Palace is here.
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