Khai Dinh Tomb

Khai Dinh Tomb is one of the tombs in the magnificent system of royal tombs, where the kings of the Nguyen dynasty are buried, and the pride of Hue City. Today, let’s explore every nook and cranny of Khai Dinh Tomb with Deluxe Group Tours, from its long history and outstanding architecture to nearby tourist destinations where you can experience it all.

Khai Dinh Tomb

1. Unveiling the rich history of Khai Dinh Tomb

1.1. Khai Ding King

Khai Dinh King’s given name was Nguyen Phuc Buu Dao, born on October 8, 1885. He was the 12th ruler of the Nguyen dynasty. He ascended to the throne in 1916 at the age of 31, ruling from 1916 to 1925 during the period of French colonization. He held the position for nearly 10 years and passed away at the age of 40.

Khai Dinh came to power during the decline of the feudal era, yet he oversaw the construction of many extravagant palaces, residences, and lavish tombs, such as the Kien Trung Palace and the An Dinh Palace, Truong An Gate, Hien Nhon Gate, Chuong Duc Gate, etc. These constructions have possessed remarkable cultural and artistic treasures so far.

He was the last king to build his tomb. In 1920 at the age of 35, he began constructing the Khai Dinh Tomb, also known as Ung Lang, as his final resting place. Five years after the start of construction, Khai Ding King passed away. It took another 6 years after his death, totaling 11 years, for the Khai Dinh Tomb to be completed in 1931 by his son, Bao Dai King.

As the second king to officially travel abroad, he came into contact with the Western world, particularly the French. This exposure significantly influenced the king’s aesthetic sensibilities. In his attire, rituals, language, and behavior, he exuded the refinement of a monarch influenced by French culture. Consequently, his tomb also reflects a blend of architectural styles, showcasing the fusion brought about by these influences.

King Khai Dinh passed away on the 20th of September in the year At Suu, equivalent to the 6th of November, 1925, at the age of 41. After his death, he was buried at the Khai Dinh Tomb, located in the village of Chau Chu, Huong Thuy town, Thua Thien Hue province.

1.2. Khai Dinh Tomb building process

The Khai Dinh Tomb is also known as the Ung Tomb. It is located on the slope Chau Chu Mountain, Thuy Bang Commune, Huong Thuy Town, Thua Thien Hue Province. It is approximately 10 kilometers away from the city center.

Originally, the Khai Dinh Tomb in Hue was constructed as a resting and relaxation place for King Khai Dinh, the 12th emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. Simultaneously, it served as his burial site after his passing. It is considered the most outstanding architectural tomb and also the final resting place of the Nguyen dynasty.

Though the Khai Dinh Tomb is small compared with other tombs in Hue, it’s miles well-known because it’s the most grandiose and costly royal tomb, in addition to being the most time-consuming to assemble. This is due to its meticulous design and the need to ship materials from diverse nations. The Khai Dinh Tomb has thus ended up being one of the highlights of the system of royal tombs of the Nguyen dynasty.

The construction of the Khai Dinh Tomb began on September 4, 1920, under the supervision of the Imperial Commander-General Le Van Ba. However, the king passed away after 5 years of construction when the tomb was still incomplete. It took an additional 6 years until 1931 for the tomb to be fully finished.

In 1993, the tomb of King Khai Dinh was recognized by UNESCO as part of the Complex of Hue Monuments, a World Cultural Heritage Site. Since then, it has emerged as one of the most beloved tourist destinations in Hue.

2. Getting to Khai Dinh Tomb

Khai Dinh Tomb is located approximately 10 km southwest of the city center, Chau Chu Mountain. You can reach the Khai Dinh Tomb using various transportation options:

Personal transportation: If traveling by using a private vehicle, like a motorcycle or car, from the city center, you will head toward Hanoi Road. Then continue straight onto Ngo Quyen Street and proceed toward Dien Bien Phu and Minh Mang Streets until reaching Highway 49. From there, follow the signs and symptoms along the street directly to the destination.
Taxi: Taking a taxi offers comfort throughout your journey, permitting you to relax and enjoy the surroundings without concern about traffic. However, it can be notably steeply priced, with fares starting from 150,000 to 200,000 VND per ride from the city center of Hue to the Khai Dinh Tomb.
Bus: If you prefer a more economical and leisurely option, you can choose to travel by bus, which is both affordable and safe, offering the opportunity to admire the scenery. First, catch a southbound bus to Dong Ba Market – Tuan Market. This route will have a stop directly at the Khai Dinh Tomb, taking you directly to your destination.

Furthermore, to fully explore the beauty and rich cultural heritage of Hue, you can consider the tours combined with various sightseeing spots. These tours often include shuttle services, helping you save time and effort when traveling between locations. Additionally, with this option, you can gain a better understanding of these landmarks through the guide’s introductions. In particular, you can avoid situations like sold-out tickets or long waiting lines to purchase tickets for popular attractions.

You can refer to various tours, such as the Hue City Tour for 1 day, experiencing prominent tourist destinations in Hue, including the Khai Dinh Tomb within a day, or opt for a more unique experience by taking a dragon boat tour like the Hue Boat Tour on the Perfume River.

3. Khai Dinh Tomb’s impressive architecture

The tomb is considered the most outstanding architectural tomb, being the final construction of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802–1945). Despite its smaller area compared to the other Nguyen emperors’ tombs, it measures only 117m x 48.5m, yet it was one of the most intricately designed and constructed with great skill and time-consuming effort.

The overall structure of the Khai Dinh Tomb is built in the shape of a rectangular block with 127 steps. The first 37 steps lead to the Tam Quan Gate, followed by the Nghi Mon and the Bai Dinh Courtyard. Above are two series of terraces separated by 13 steps each that lead to the highest construction, the Thien Dinh Palace.

To build and decorate this tomb, Khai Dinh King had materials imported from France, China, and Japan, ranging from iron, steel, and roofing tiles to ceramics, stained glass, and more.

The Khai Dinh Tomb is indeed a place that preserves many historical and cultural values, serving as evidence of the intersection of various architectural styles such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Roman, and Gothic. This is clearly demonstrated in the tower-shaped gate pillars influenced by Indian architecture, the stupa-shaped pillars typical of Buddhism, and the rows of columns and arched doors in a Romanesque style.

The architectural style harmonizes elements of both Eastern and Western styles, blending classic and modern features to create the rich and distinctive beauty of the Khai Dinh Tomb. Moreover, surrounded by nature, it presents a uniquely majestic and breathtaking scenery.

In addition to its distinctive architecture, the Khai Dinh Tomb is also renowned for its intricate ceramic mosaic art, featuring meticulously crafted paintings and patterns. This is a testament to the excellence of the Hue royal court’s architectural artistry, along with the creativity and talent of the artisans specializing in ceramic mosaic work during that era.

4. Uncover Khai Dinh Tomb

Exploring the Tomb of Khai Dinh King is an adventure through ancient people’s wisdom, culture, and artistry. Embark on this journey to delve into the culture and breathtaking artistry of the tomb complex.

4.1. Tam Quan Gate

The Tam Quan Gate stands out with its imposing and majestic architectural style; even from the gate, you can sense the grandeur of the entire structure. To reach this gate, you need to ascend 37 steps out of a total of 127 steps leading to the tomb.

The Tam Quan Gate, located on the first floor of the mausoleum, serves as the main gateway to enter deep into the Khai Dinh Tomb. Additionally, the complex includes two temple areas known as Ta Tong Tu and Huu Tong Tu, dedicated to honoring the heroes who contributed to the nation.

The pillars of the Tam Quan Gate are constructed in the Hindu architectural style, adorned with relief sculptures of dragons and phoenixes, showcasing the unique cultural convergence and Vietnamese-Indian architecture. Especially noteworthy are the meticulously carved dragon corridors. Gazing upon the majestic gate wings, you will sense the power, grandeur, and magnificence of the entire structure.

4.2. Nghi Mon and Bai Dinh Courtyard

From the Tam Quan Gate, if you ascend an additional 29 steps, you will reach the area of Nghi Mon and the Bai Dinh courtyard, located on the second floor of the Khai Dinh Tomb in Hue.

Here, you will be overwhelmed as you admire the statues of mandarins, military officials, and soldiers sculpted to resemble real people, reenacting a royal court session of the Nguyen Dynasty. In total, there are 24 stone statues of mandarins, generals, courtiers, elephants, and horses, meticulously crafted on a 1:1 scale, showcasing incredibly intricate details.

According to ancient beliefs, the tombs of emperors must be adorned with numerous statues of soldiers, horses, and courtiers. They were meant to accompany the Emperor into the afterlife and assist him in governing the country in the other world. Therefore, most of the mausoleums of the Nguyen Dynasty kings have a Bai Dinh area featuring statues depicting a royal court session.

However, not all the statues in the tomb are exactly alike. For example, in the horse statues, on average, the height of the horses exceeds two measures, and they are intricately carved to resemble real horses. Additionally, the decorative elements, such as saddles, reins, and bells, are crafted with great skill. Depending on each king’s era, the horses may vary in body shape, from slim to stout or tall to short. For instance, the stone horse in the tomb of Emperor Thieu Tri has a small stature and a cheerful face, while the stone horse in the tomb of Khai Dinh appears solemn.

The horse statue in Thieu Tri Tomb The horse statue in Khai Dinh Tomb

A special feature of the courtyard featuring statues of mandarins, military officials, elephants, and horses in the Khai Dinh Tomb is that they are not made of stone like in other tombs, but rather constructed from faux stone cement.

4.3. Bi Dinh

Bi Dinh is octagonal and constructed with reinforced concrete, situated right behind the Bai Dinh. Inside are stone stele standing at 3.1 meters tall and rows of octagonal columns and arched doorways in a Romanesque style variation. The Bi Dinh is also a testament to the fusion of Eastern and Western influences, blending classical and modern elements within the overall architecture of the Khai Dinh Tomb.

The stone stele inside the Bi Dinh, also known as the Khai Duc Thanh Cong stele, is inscribed with praises for the virtues of the deceased emperor by his descendants. However, the inscriptions on these steles are written in classical Chinese characters, whereas King Bao Dai was not proficient in Chinese characters like he was in French, as his father sent him to study in France from a young age. Therefore, the texts on these steles were not personally written by King Bao Dai but by a close court official. The inscriptions recount all the architectural works built within the tomb complex, followed by King Bao Dai’s portrayal of his father’s character and life.

On the left and right sides of the Bi Dinh are two symbolic pillars called Tru Bieu, representing two candles lighting the soul of the king in the afterlife.

4.4. Thien Dinh Palace

The Thien Dinh Palace is located on the fifth floor, in the highest position, and also serves as the burial place of King Khai Dinh.

The interior of the Thien Dinh Palace is adorned with the finest materials, such as glass and porcelain. Notable items made from these materials include sets of paintings symbolizing happiness and prosperity, crowns, sets of trays for tea, and many others. In addition, the Thien Dinh Palace also features some modern items, such as oil lamps, alarm clocks, and tennis rackets.

4.4.1. Khai Thanh Palace

The Khai Thanh Palace, the forecourt of the Thien Dinh Palace, is where the altar of King Khai Dinh is located. The altar is cast in concrete, painted a bronze color, and entirely adorned with porcelain mosaic art.

Furthermore, the Khai Thanh Palace also serves as the resting place for the remains of King Khai Dinh. The king’s remains are preserved beneath the statue of the king at a depth of 9 meters.

Particularly, the bronze parasol above the bronze statue, despite weighing nearly 1 ton, appears remarkably delicate, light, and graceful. The parasol, adorned with 99 dragons, safeguards the Emperor from all directions. Especially, the beautiful ceramic inlays create the illusion of being made of silk with soft, flowing, and vivid curves. It is considered a masterpiece of ceramic art.

4.4.2. Ceramic mosaic art

It is the most uniquely designed and artistically valuable part of the Khai Dinh Tomb, especially because it showcases the exquisite art of ceramic mosaic from that era. Every detail and image inside the palace is depicted using this technique. The intricate enamel pieces, meticulously crafted, enhance the brilliance and grandeur of the tomb, leaving you awe-struck upon stepping inside.

The pinnacle of ceramic mosaic art at the Khai Dinh Tomb is the three largest “Cuu Long An May” (nine dragons hidden in clouds) panels in Vietnam, adorning the ceiling of the Thien Dinh Palace. The artist Phan Van Tanh is the creator of these three most renowned relief panels in Vietnam.

With his exquisite ceramic mosaic technique and extraordinary creativity, he breathed life into seemingly lifeless ceramic pieces, transforming them into unique and vibrant works of art. The three “Cuu Long An May” panels in the Thien Dinh Palace depict the majestic images of nine dragons coiling amidst the clouds, symbolizing the power and authority of the Nguyen royal family.

4.5. Khai Dinh King’s Statues

Inside the Khai Dinh Tomb, there are two statues of King Khai Dinh. One is a seated statue on a golden throne in the Khai Thanh Palace, crafted by two French sculptors and installed in 1920 at a 1:1 scale with a local Hue artisan later gild. The other statue is a standing one, cast by a craftsman from Quang Nam in Hue. Initially placed in the An Dinh Palace, it was moved to the Thien Dinh Palace in 1975.

5. Essential Visit Khai Dinh Tomb Tips

Plan your visit to Khai Dinh Tomb with essential tips, from these below experienced advice to must-know details.

The price of ticket fees for touring the Khai Dinh Tomb in Hue is 150,000 VND per person and 30,000 VND per child.
When exploring this place, you ought to be aware of the steepness of the steps to ensure protection and keep away from injuries.
To seize the stunning photos, you ought to search for lovely spots before coming into the tomb.
Since it’s a tomb site, you should select suitable and respectful apparel.
Walk lightly, communicate softly, keep away from laughing or making loud noises, and behave with courtesy toward others.
Always deliver a hat, cap, or umbrella, and convey along the water for a snug journey.

6. Recommend Nearby Attractions:

Khai Dinh Tomb becomes even more enticing with nearby tourist attractions. Explore the top destinations near Khai Dinh Tomb now.

Minh Mang Tomb: The Minh Mang Tomb is the burial place of King Minh Mang, the second king of the Nguyen dynasty. Situated on Cam Khe Mountain, it’s approximately 12 km from the city center of Hue. The Minh Mang Tomb appears as one of the most lovely royal tombs of the Nguyen dynasty, boasting majestic and splendid architecture.
Tu Duc Tomb: The Tu Duc Tomb is the burial site of King Tu Duc, the fourth king of the Nguyen dynasty. Located on Thuan An Mountain, it’s approximately 7 km away from the city center of Hue. The Tu Duc Tomb is known for its picturesque and romantic scenery.
Ngu Binh Mountain: Ngu Binh Mountain is a mountain placed on the right bank of the Perfume River, about 4 km south of the city center. Ngu Binh Mountain is taken into consideration as an image of Hue and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Hue.

To explore Khai Dinh Tomb, a unique and historically significant tourist destination, consulting travel experiences is crucial. With my own experience here, I have created this helpful travel guide to ensure you have the best experience when visiting Khai Dinh Tomb. Discover the fascinating treasures hidden within this magnificent mausoleum!

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