I had been told in advance that there are seven emperors' tombs in Hue, and if you only see one, make sure it's Khai Dinh. I think that was good advice. Both the exterior and exterior are spectacular, a unique and elaborate design. Hue is an OK city, but the best attractions are seen via a tour. My friend and I booked an all-day tour, which included a dragon boat, the pagoda, the Citadel and Khai Dinh's tomb, plus one other tomb. It was a smart investment. All were terrific.
I like the Architecture.The side walls is very beautiful. The ceiling of the palace is decorated with nine intricate dragons.
There are about 3 sections of stairs that need to be climbed to get to the very top, but it is well worth the climb. Wear comfortable shoes. The architecture of this tomb is so different than a few of the others that we viewed that were in terrible disrepair.
The Tomb is located in Chau Chu mountain near Hue.. It was built for the Emperor Khai Dinh twelfth king of the Nguyen dynasty. Took 11 years to complete, 1920-31.
The tomb's surface area is much smaller than the tombs of his predecessors. This building is more elaborately designed than others and is a rectangular building leaning against Chau Chu Mountain. The side walls are formed by the biggest sculptures of dragons in all of Vietnam. There are 12 stone statues representing bodyguards. The Khai Thanh Palace at the top level features intricately designed glass and porcelain decorations on the walls. It is breathtaking. At the back of the palace is a temple containing the grave, an altar to him as well as a statue.
This was our last stop in Hue on a day tour from Hoi An. You climb up 127 steps to the main building, a dull concrete exterior. And then what a surprise on entering, stunning porcelian walls, a bronze statue of the second last Emporer above his tomb and the beautiful elaborately painted artwork on the ceiling. Make sure you have your camera handy.
The Tomb of Khai Dinh is located outside Hue. Khai Dinh was the 12th Emperor. The Vietnamese believe he was homosexual, but their dislike for him was due to his appeasement of the French. They viewed him as a French puppet. His excesses remain visible in the opulence of his tomb, which he commissioned between 1920 and 1931.
Khai Dinh designed much of the tomb, which combines eastern and western features. There are 122 steps to ascend to get to the tomb. These are adorned with the largest dragon sculptures in Vietnam. A courtyard is located midway to the top, featuring statues who stand guard over the tomb.
The tomb is an elaborately designed, almost gaudy compilation of porcelain and glass figures. It features 3-D images that leap from the pillars and walls. The colorful, vibrant tomb is as excessive as the ornate uniforms he designed for himself as Emperor. While a burden to his countrymen (a thirty percent tax was levied to pay for this tomb), it is certainly worth the five bucks it cost to visit. Be prepared to walk the steps...there are plenty.
