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, Vietnam.
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
Honor 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.
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Source: Vietnam Administration of Tourism |