Thua Thien Hue - Sight Seeing
Some of the highlights to explore in the area
Hue
The provincial capital of Thua Thien Hue is one of the imperial capitals
of the country that has been kept almost intact. It is known worldwide
thanks to its royal architectural complex located in magnificent landscapes
along the Perfume River. The royal architectural complex dedicated to
the 13 Nguyen Kings clutters clusters of royal palaces, citadels, temples,
shrines, pagodas and mausoleums.
Hue's royal complex has been officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Hue Imperial
City
Construction of the Imperial City started in 1805 under the reign of Gia
Long King and was completed in 1832 under the reign of Minh Mang King.
The city was built on the northern bank of the Perfume River
Royal Citadel
The outermost boundary has a perimeter of 9,950 m. The citadel has ten
gates opened to road travelers and two gates of waterways.
Imperial
Enclosure
The Imperial Enclosure is the second rampart with a perimeter of 2,450
m. Ngo Mon is the main entrance gate of the city and was formerly reserved
for the passage of the kings. This is among the few ancient infrastructures
that have remained almost intact.
Forbidden Purple
City
Formerly it was strictly reserved for the private use of the kings and
their families. The Forbidden Purple City is almost isolated from the
outside world.
Thai Hoa
Palace
This Palace is the most important building of the whole capital where
organized ceremonies of the court were held.
The Temple
This was one of the many shrines and temples dedicated to the kings and
royal members of the Nguyen Dynasty. It was built in 1921 to worship Gia
Long King and was later used to worship other kings as well.
Nine Dynastic
Urns
The Nine Dynastic Urns was castled between 1835 and 1837. Each urn symbolize
a king's sovereignty and the whole row represents the power and stability
of the Nguyen dynasty.
Hien Lam
Pavilion
Hien Lam Pavilion is a memorial built to remind younger generations of
certain individuals to the Nguyen dynasty.
Cung That
Cung That was reserved for the private use of the kings and their families.
This area was an important component of the Hue Imperial City.
Royal Tombs
There are eight royal tombs in Hue, being the final resting places of
the Nguyen Kings. Construction of the tombs was very meticulous and started
while the kings was still alive. Most of the tombs face the southwest,
direction of the Imperial City.
Tiger Fighting
Arena
This structure was formerly reserved for animal fights between tigers
and elephants to entertain kings and high ranking officials. The last
animal fight organized at the arena was in 1904 during the reign of Thanh
Thai King.
Thien Mu
Pagoda
This pogada, also known as Linh Mu Pagoda, is one of the most beautiful
and ancient architectural structures for worship in Hue. The pagoda, built
in the 14th century, is connected to a legend with a fairy lady and was
therefore named Thien Mu (fairy lady from heaven).
Perfume River
or Huong River
This river owes its name to the fact that it flows through many forests
of aromatic plants before reaching Hue, bringing a pure and fresh aroma.
When the night comes, the surface of the river glistens under the moon
and the songs of the boat rowers can be heard, breaking the silence.
Ngu Binh
Mountain
Hue's landscape is magnificent surrounded by the Huong River, also called
the Perfume River, and Ngu Binh Mountain. The old capital is sometimes
called Huong-Ngu City, in reference to the beauty of the mountain and
the river.
Duong No
Village
Duong No is the village where President Ho Chi Minh spent this childhood.
This village was founded by the Vietnamese a long time ago. Back its beginnings,
Duong No was already a prosperous and industrious village from where literary
and military traditions took their roots.
Bach Ma
National Park
The French transformed Bach Ma into a summer resort in the early 1930s.
The area comprises 139 villas, plus buildings such as the post office,
the bank, the tennis court, etc. Unfortunately, the war and the lack of
maintenance has allowed it to fall into disrepair. Covering 22,030 ha
and comprising many natural resources, within the boundaries of the park
there are 124 wildlife species. They include tigers and monkeys. Bach
Ma National Park is also home to 330 odd species of birds known to inhabit
Vietnam. More than 1,150 species of plant have been discovered in the
park.
Thuan An
Beach
Thuan An Beach is located by the Thuan An Estuary, where the Huong River
flows into Tam Giang Lagoon, and then into sea. At the beginning of the
19th century, King Minh Mang named it "Thuan An" Estuary when
he built Tran Hai Part, and established a defensive bastion.
Lang Co Beach
Lang Co Beach stretches for 10 km along National Highway 1A, near Hai
Van Pass and Bach Ma National Park. The fine sand descends towards the
sea in a gentle inclination, so it is very convenient for tourists of
all ages to enjoy the sea and the sun.
Mineral Stream of My An
This will be the first tourist center in the central part of Vietnam that
is centred on medical treatment by mineral water.