Explore The Architecture Of Khai Dinh Tomb In Hue Vietnam
Located about 10 km from the center of Hue, Khai Dinh tomb is the last architectural work of the Nguyen Dynasty and is one of the most outstanding constructions thanks to modern materials and styles.
This article is a complete travel guide to the tomb of Khai Dinh in Hue, Vietnam. It includes tips on how to get there, the entrance fee, and things to see at the construction.
About King Khai Dinh
Emperor Khai Dinh (1885 – 1925) was the eldest son of King Dong Khanh and Queen Huu Thien Thuan. His birth name was Nguyen Phuc Buu Dao, then changed to Nguyen Phuc Tuan.
He ascended the throne on May 18, 1916, and was the 12th king of the Nguyen Dynasty. He was on the throne for ten years.
About Khai Dinh tomb
Located in Chau Chu village, Huong Thuy Town, Thua Thien Hue province, the tomb of Khai Dinh is the resting place of Emperor Khai Dinh, the 12th king of the Nguyen Dynasty.
The construction began on September 4, 1920, and took 11 years to complete. The process involved many famous craftsmen and artisans with a large scale of foreign materials.
Although it has the smallest area, the Khai Dinh tomb is the most effort-consuming and expensive tomb of the Nguyen Dynasty.
King Khai Dinh asked the government to increase the tax to 30% nationwide to build the tomb. Due to this action, King Khai Dinh was severely condemned by history.
How to get to Khai Dinh tomb
The tomb of Khai Dinh is located on the side of Chau Chu Mountain, southwest of the Imperial City of Hue.
If you ride a motorbike or car, you can go straight along Highway 49 and reach Khai Dinh Tomb.
You can take the south bus route to Dong Ba – Cho Tuan and vice versa, stop at the Khai Dinh bus stop.
Best time to visit Khai Dinh tomb
The best time to visit Hue Vietnam is from January to February.
It is the most suitable time to visit historical sites such as Hue Imperial city and the tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty.
How long does it take to explore Khai Dinh’s tomb?
It takes about 1-2 hours to visit all the must-see in Khai Dinh Tomb.
However, you should combine other nearby attractions in one day, such as Minh Mang tomb, Imperial city, and Thien Mu pagoda.
Khai Dinh tomb entrance fee
The entrance ticket for Khai Dinh tomb is listed below
- 100 000 VND per adult
- 20 000 VND per child
The monument is open for visitors from 7 am to 5 pm. To reach the tomb, you will need to walk 127 steps.
Best places to stay in Hue
Staying at the center of Hue is the best option as the attractions are quite near each other.
If you’re looking for a party hostel in Hue, Vietnam Backpacker Hostels Hue is a great choice.
Rosaleen Boutique Hotel is highly recommended if you’re looking for a relaxing vacation in Hue. Besides an outdoor swimming pool, the hotel offers a tasty breakfast and excellent service.
Things to see at Khai Dinh tomb
The tomb Khai Dinh is an intersection of the cultures between the East and West, reflecting the sumptuous preference of the king during his lifetime.
Different architectural styles can be found at every corner of the tomb, including various architectural styles of India, Buddhism, Romanesque and Gothic.
The entrance
The entrance of the tomb of Khai Dinh has 37 steps, decorated with dragon statues.
The fence resembles a series of Holy Crosses, while the stupas-shaped pillars are influenced by Hinduism architecture.
Tam Quan gate
Tam Quan Gate is located on the first floor of the Tomb of Khai Dinh, including the worshiping places for the soldiers. To get to the Tam Quan gate, you must pass 37 of the 127 steps of the tomb.
Bai Dinh yard
The construction was built with modern materials such as iron, steel, cement imported from France.
In Bai Dinh yard, two rows of soldiers are sculpted in the right 1: 1 ratio on both sides of the yard.
The court of worship of soldiers, elephants, and horses was made of rare stone.
Thien Dinh temple
Thien Dinh temple is the main building of the Khai Dinh tomb. It’s the burial place and has a unique design and the most artistic value to this day.
The building is located on the fifth floor – the highest position of the tomb.
It has a rectangle, marble base, with the entire interior of the palace is decorated with porcelain and glass reliefs imported from China and Japan.
Khai Thanh temple
The tomb of Khai Dinh is located in the middle of Khai Thanh temple, which is also the room with the most beautiful decorations.
On the tomb is a statue of King Khai Dinh sitting on a throne made of gold-plated copper cast in France. The remains of King Khai Dinh were placed under this altar.
The ceiling of the temple is awe-inspiring with dragon paintings.
The items
Visitors can also see valued collections in the corner of the temple.
For example, the collections range from paintings, tea trays, crowns, or even modern items such as an alarm clock, a tennis racket, and a kerosene lamp.
