Information and facts about Khai Dinh Tomb in Hue

Hue is ancient captital of Vietnam where the rich histories of the kings preserve until nowadays. Especially, the city was ruling by Nguyen dynasty during 143 years by 13 kings. And there are many fascinating buildings related to the emperors’ stories for visitors discover. In this article, we are introducing you the most impressive royal tomb which you should not miss out is Khai Dinh Tomb. This is the most expensive tomb and spent the longest period to build compare to other King’s mausoleums in this former capital of Vietnam.

Where is Khai Dinh Tomb and Google Map

Locating in the mountain hills of Hue city, this is the nearest tomb from the center compare to other tombs in Hue. Chau Chu mountain in Thuy Bang commune, Huong Thuy town is the address of Khai Dinh Tomb.

This is the final art works of emperors in Vietnam during 11 years in construction. It also being called a fanciest tomb and also spent longest time to build in Hue city. Only being away 10km from the heart of Hue, this tomb has leave strong impression to worldwide travelers about the architectures and history.

How to get to Khai Dinh Tomb?

Thanks to the convenient address which is located in the facade of Hue, it is super easy to find this mausoleum. You can have many options of vehicles to select as a travel transfer method for visiting Khai Dinh Tombs. The following recommendations of different transports visit the tomb is below:

Travel by private car/taxi:

Visiting Khai Dinh Tomb by private car or taxi is the ideal choice for visitors who want a comfortable and flexible experience. Using a private car or taxi, you can be proactive in planning and depart at the time that best suits your schedule. This means of transportation not only brings convenience but also helps you avoid the inconvenience of having to wait or travel according to fixed schedules of public transportation.

Furthermore, local drivers are often experienced and knowledgeable about the area, he/she can provide useful information and suggest interesting stops along the way. When you come to Khai Dinh Tomb, you will have plenty of time  to enjoy the unique architectural beauty and surrounding natural scenery. Traveling by private car or taxi truly provides a comfortable, private and memorable tour.

Travel by motorbike:

Hue is a small city which is very comfortable and convenient to travel around by motorbike or scooter. You can rent a motorbike for one day exploring the city. The cost approximately around 10 – 15 USD/ day, the price, depends whether you will rent automatic or manual motorbike. Or if you can’t ride scooter but still prefer this way of travel, you can book through “ Grab app” for a scooter transfer with professional driver.

Travel by bycicle:

It’s a good way to exercise your body if you travel by bycicle to Khai Dinh Tomb. The duration will be around 30 – 40 minutes to reach the destination. You can rent a bycicle at many shops in Hue with the cost ranging from 7 USD – 9 USD per/ day. You can walk around tourist area in Hue at Pham Ngu Lao, Nguyen Cong Tru or Chu Van An street to ask for bike rental. In addition, you even can contact online to us to reserve a bicycle for your exploration. We provide all the services to travelers.

Biography of Khai Dinh King

Khai Dinh King is the 12^th king of Nguyen dynasty in Hue, Vietnam. He was born in 1885 and died in Nov 6^th,1925. His period became emperor was 9 years ( from 1916 to 1925), he was the king whom made an advocate of cooperation with the colonial power, France. During the time he ruled the nation, Khai Dinh had strong influence in Western culture, this shows clearly in his mausoleum design when you pay a visit to his tomb.

Khai Dinh king was the eldest son of emperor Dong Khanh. He was preceded as a king in 1916 by Thanh Thai emperor ( 1889 – 1907) and Duy Tan emperor ( 1907 -1916). Khai Ding thought Vietnnam must develope mordernize like France or other Western countries. Therefore, he was very closed to France and receive many gifts from foreign countries. He was also the first king in Nguyen dynasty enter visiting Europe when he attended a colonial exposition at Marselle in 1922 and advocated an autonomous Vietnam associated with France.

Khai Dinh Tomb Information

Khai Dinh Tomb history

Khai Dinh Tomb is a final resting place in Nguyen dynasty, it is also called “ Ung Lang” in Hue. As we mentioned above, this tomb tooked the longest period to build compare to other royal tombs in Hue. 11 years of hard works from labors and emperors’ staffs have impressed thousands of travelvers come to visit. Many imports materials to build the tomb are mostly from abroad, Khai Dinh king asked the staffs to went to China, France, Japan, etc…. to order constructions’ materials. For example, the iron, steels, cement, ardoise title, etc… are from France; porcelain are from Japan and China.

In order to have the money to build the tomb, the king increased 30% tax to locals. The people didn’t appricate this law from Khai Dinh as they had to work extremely hard in the past. During the time of construction, Khai Dinh king died before it completed. Then, the son, Bao Dai king, continue to build the tomb for his father until 1931. Nowadays Khai Dinh king left an extraordinary mausoleum to all visitors who visit Hue. It also has earned tremendously income to the government daily to yearly.

Khai Dinh Tomb becomes the most luxurious and splendid tomb in Hue. The tomb is the combination of European and Vietnamese architecture. The tomb is also incorporating of Hindu, Buddhism, Roman and Gothic architecture elements. Beside the royal tomb, Khai Dinh king also built many lavish and magnificent palaces, mansions, and mausoleums to serve himself and the royal family. Especially, Khai Dinh Tomb is the place hardly affect by typhoon and storms because of the quality of materials construction.

Khai Dinh Tomb Architecture

Comparing to other king mausoleums in Hue, Khai Dinh Tomb is much smaller size, only 117mx48.5m. It has the rectangular structure resting upon Chau Chu Mountain on the outskirts of Hue. This burial site was constructed using Western materials like slates, cement, and wrought iron.

The tomb is a blend of diverse cultures and influences from some countries such as France, Vietnam, China and other architecture styles. The most impressive architecture of this destination is the porcelain decoration in inside Thien Dinh palace building. The labors had to work meticulously to build such a masterpiece. The elaborate stone carvings, cemaric mosaics and gold leaf embellishment are incredible.

In total, Khai Dinh Tomb has 127 steps, you will fist climb 38 steps to see the iron gate. The next will be 29 steps to reach courtyard and 29 steps to see Tam Quan gate, followed Nghi Mon and Bai Dinh courtyard. On the top, it is the Thien Dinh palace which is the highest building in Khai Dinh Tomb. This special building where the locals and visitors know and learn impressive architecture by mosaic and king’s burial place.

The architecture of Khai Dinh Tomb is a perfect combination of Asian and European styles from classical to mordern. The building carries such rich historical values and arts for all visitors to discover. You will be amazed when you visit this tomb in Hue.

Best time to visit Khai Dinh Tomb

From January to February is a suitable period to visit Khai Dinh Tomb because the weather is quite pleasant. You will get cool temperature for your visit. Other months also fine to visit except September to December which are the rainy season in Vietnam. The best way is checking weather forecast carefully before your trip to Hue. Sometimes, the weather might change suddenly. We recommend you visit in the summer time to get panoramic photos at Khai Dinh Tomb.

The top five attractions in Khai Dinh Tomb should discover

Tam Quan Gate

Overall, Khai Dinh has 127 steps, the first 67 steps will lead you to Tam Quan gate. This gate was built with a typical style of ancient Vietnamese architecture. This entrance is also a highlight impression of Hindu-style pillars. And, it is a mix between Vietnamese and Indian cultures in terms of building style. Tam Quan Gate stands out with its majestic and superficial architecture. The large stone gate adorned with dragons and phoenixes that symbolize power and good luck to people. Therefore, many visitors tend to take photos here.

Nghi Mon and Bai Dinh Yard

Continuing cilmb 29 more steps, you will visit Nghi Mon and Bai Dinh Yard where all impressive statues of mandarins, martial arts officials, servants, elephants, and hores. They are delicately in a ratio 1:1. These statues were made with a belief that they will serve the king in the afterlife.In total, there are 24 stautues stand in the yard, they also show heavily influence of Indian architectures.

Stone Stele Pavilion

Bi Dinh is called stone stele pavillion in English. An informative history of biopraphy about Khai Dinh king is written clearly in stone stele in the count yard of the royal tomb. It is containing a stone stele 3.1meter hight. It wrote mostly about Khai Ding king’s achievements in the past. His son, Emperor Bao Dai, constructed to honor his fater until today.

In addition, you also will see the two pillars which are called Bieu pillars, they represent for two candles illuminating the king’s soul in the afterlife.

Thien Dinh Palace

Thien Dinh Palace is the highest building in Khai Dinh Tomb. This is the main attraction of the whole tomb construction. You will spend around 30 minutes to discover this place with many historical facts about Khai Dinh king and the tomb.

The place is unique with 5 consecutive parts, including two sides Ta,Huu Trục room, Khai Thanh palace, and the middle is Buu Tan. Addtionally, you will pay attention to the altar which is completed with crockeys with detailed mosaic styles. In inside, you also visit a small canopy above the bronze statue of Khai Dinh king. In addition, a sunset emblem in behind is also show that the king passed away.

The most impessive of the whole building is mosiac arts, it have made visitors feel like soft, elegant and graceful curves. Moreover, there are two bronze statues at Thien Dinh palace, one is standing and one is sitting. The statues were made by France with the ratio 1:1 of Khai Dinh king. Noticeably, this is the only tomb in Hue where visitors know where is the king’s body. Under the sitting statue 9 meter depth is where the coffin and king body.

Khai Thanh Hall

Khai Thanh Hall belongs to Thien Dinh palace and visitors will amazed by the interior and exterior design. In front of Khai Thanh palace, travelers will see the portrait of Khai Dinh king in his altar. The entire of Khai Thanh hall is decorated beautifully with porcelain and glass. The art of mosaic like the paintings, it has four seasons the year decoration in the wall and other meticulious iterms.

The artist Phan Van Tanh is mainly responsible for all the designs in Khai Dinh Tomb. He painted the “ Nine dragon hidden in the clouds” impressively by his feets. Hence, the ceiling painting become a special art in this tomb.

In addition, the standing statue was made from a native worker in Quang Nam. Orginally, it was from An Dinh palace and then it was moved to Thien Dinh palace in 1975. The size is real with 160 cm tall, it is depicting maritial looking Khai Dinh in full regalia clutchinh a sword.

The bronze statues of King Khai Dinh

Many statues are showing at Khai Dimh tomb for visitors to discover their distinctive stories. Especially, two bronze statues of emperor have catched strong impression to many visitors. One is seated on the throne in Thien Dinh palace and other standing nearby.

The seated statue was made in Paris and delieved to Vietnam. The orginional designers are from France by two artisans. It sculpted with the real size of the king in 1920. And, other standing statue was made by a Quang Nam artisan. In 1975, this statue is moved to Thien Dinh palace.

Khai Dinh Tomb Entrance Fee

Khai Dinh royal tomb open daily to welcome visitors. Kindly take note that the official hours opening is from 7:00am to 5:00pm. In order to enter the mausoleum, you must buy the entrance ticket. The cost is 150,000 VND for aldult and children from 7 – 12 years old is 30,000 VND. Especially, it is free entrance for children under 6 years old.

Conclusion

Paying a visit to Khai Dinh Tomb is worth for every traveler, fascinating and informative stories about the kings in the past are waiting you to explore and learn. Beside Khai Dinh Tomb, there are also many wonderful attractions in Hue you can visit in a day which are Minh Mang tomb, Vong Canh hills, Tu Duc tomb, Thien Mu pagoda, Insence villages, Thanh Toan bridge, etc….Do not forget to contact Explore Vietnam Travel for more travel information and services in Vietnam. We will guarantee your holiday satisfaction.