About location, entrance fee and opening hour
Location: Chau Chau Hamlet, Thua Thien Hue Province
Situated roughly 10 kilometers from Hue's center, the Khai Dinh Tomb is the last architectural creation of the Nguyen Dynasty. Due to its creative application of Western materials and ideas, it is recognized as one of Vietnam's most exemplary structures.
At the time, feng shui masters pinpointed the exact placement of the tomb. The mausoleum is surrounded by natural features like hills and streams, which was also done in accordance with the concepts of geographical feng shui. It produced the breathtaking and astounding scenery that we see today.
Entrance fee:
Entry to the Khai Dinh tomb costs 150,000 VND for adults and 30,000 VND for children.
Opening hours:
The mausoleum of emperor Khai Dinh is open to visitors from 7 AM to 5 PM. You'll need around an hour or two to explore the tomb to its fullest. You will therefore have plenty of time to see other Hue sights on the same day, like the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue Imperial City, and Minh Mang Tomb.
The highlights of Khai Dinh Tomb
The long-standing history of Khai Dinh Tomb in Hue
Khai Dinh was the final imperial king of Vietnam, ruling from 1916 to 1925. But he was one of the most despised rulers in Vietnam because of his close ties to France.
The building of Khai Dinh began on September 4, 1920, and was finished ten years later. Using a variety of exotic materials, numerous well-known artisans and craftspeople worked on the project. Thus, the mausoleum of emperor Khai Dinh was the most expensive and labor-intensive mausoleum of the Nguyen Dynasty even though it had the smallest total area.
Like other Vietnamese rulers, Khai Dinh took considerable care when constructing his tomb. Historians chastised the king for raising the national tax rate to thirty percent in order to finance the construction of the tomb. After eleven years of building, this monument was completed in 1931 by his heir, Bao Dai.
Explore the general architecture of Khai Dinh Tomb
Khai Dinh tomb shows that he was greatly influenced by European architecture, having visited Paris not long before his death.
The opulent taste of the monarch, which combined aspects of Eastern and Western culture, is evident in the mausoleum of emperor Khai Dinh. There is a distinctive architectural element from India, Buddhism, Rome, and even the Middle Ages hidden in every corner of this burial place.
The mausoleum of emperor Khai Dinh is a rectangular building located on the outskirts of Hue, on Chau Chu Mountain. Western building supplies, including as wrought iron, cement, and slates, were used to build this burial site.
The majestic exterior of the tomb has a Gothic vibe to it because it is nearly entirely composed of weathered black concrete.
The largest dragon carvings in Vietnam's history adorn the exterior as well. More detailed sculptures of guards, laborers, and animals can be found within than in any other Hue tomb from the Nguyen Dynasty. Additionally, a biography of Khai Dinh is inscribed.
What to see in Khai Dinh Tomb?
Tam Quan Gate
There are 127 stairs at Khai Dinh Tomb, 37 of which go to the Tam Quan Gate. The traditional entrances found in old Vietnamese architecture are similar to this gate. Notably, the gate's Hindu-style pillars are a striking illustration of the amazing architectural fusion of Indian and Vietnamese traditions.
Thien Dinh Palace
Thien Dinh Palace is the focal point of Khai Dinh Tomb. Notable for its avant-garde architecture and excellent artistic qualities, it is the king's final resting place. The fifth floor of the tomb is where this building is located.
Here, under a cement dome speckled with gold, is a massive golden statue of King Khai Dinh. The most beautiful aspect of Thien Dinh Palace is the royal crypt, located around 18 meters beneath the monument. This is where the king slept. A life-size bronze statue of the king perched atop a coffin adorned the entire ornate mausoleum.
Khai Thanh Hall
Part of Thien Dinh Palace is Khai Thanh Hall, another attraction of Khai Dinh Tomb. You will be in awe of the hall's breathtaking grandeur and intricate interior design. You will be in awe of the Khai Thanh palace's breathtaking magnificence and ornate decor the moment you set foot inside. The four seasons are shown in murals that cover four sides of the hall. A genuinely unique painted ceiling is another feature. The only surviving ceiling painting in Vietnam is this one.
Nghi Mon and Bai Dinh Yard
It will take you an additional 29 steps to see Nghi Mon Area and Bai Dinh Yard after you pass through Tam Quan Gate. Numerous life-size statues of warriors, elephants, horses, and royals may be found here. The idea behind the creation of these statues was that they would serve the king in the afterlife. As a result, they were painstakingly detailed and sculpted with a variety of facial expressions.
At the heart of Nghi Mon Area is also an octagonal gazebo that holds a 10-ton stele honoring the life and accomplishments of Khai Dinh.
The bronze statue of King Khai Dinh
Two well-known life-size sculptures of the king can be found at Khai Dinh Tomb in Vietnam: one is situated in Thien Dinh Palace, seated on the throne, while the other is standing close by.
Vietnam received the statue, which was made in Paris and is seated. The figure and the throne were carved by two French artists in 1920, and the gold inlay was later done by Hue workers. An artisan from Quang Nam created the standing statue. This statue was moved to Thien Dinh Palace in 1975 from its original location in An Dinh Temple.
Reviews of clients on Khai Dinh Tomb
“ I went to mausoleum of emperor Khai Dinh on a drizzly day, accentuating the mausoleum's magical and mysterious beauty. King Khai Dinh's mausoleum has modern architecture and stone paintings are carefully and meticulously made. The grounds of the mausoleum are quite small so it is quick to visit and learn about it. If you want to save money, you should buy combo tickets online to get cheaper prices. The day before, I went to the Citadel and bought a ticket at the gate but didn't know there was a combo. The next day, when I went to the Khai Dinh Tomb, I found out. The ticket price I bought to enter the mausoleum was 150000VND/person. Parking on the right side of the road is only 2000 VND/motorbike. Everyone here is very friendly and hospitable.” Review of Lily from Google Map
“ Khai Dinh Tomb makes me feel quite impressed with its elaborate motifs and black and gold tones creating a solemn, cozy space but no less majestic and magnificent. Add to your list for Hue What to do” Review of Hamlet from Google Map
“Khai Dinh Tomb is truly as luxurious and magnificent as everyone told me. Actually, at first I saw that the outside of the mausoleum was black and not wide and had no koi pond or forest like other villages, which made me put the mausoleum as the last place to go. But really, when I entered the inside of the mausoleum, I was overwhelmed by the sparkle of each piece of porcelain here. The mausoleum that was built 11 years ago is indeed different. Well, you should buy a combo to go to 3 mausoleums that is valid for 2 days from the day you buy the ticket to make it cheaper. If you have time here, you should hire a tour guide below. I don't know, I just went to listen to it because he spoke well and was interesting” Review of Bruce from Google Map
Overall, Khai Dinh Tomb is an important work of art and architecture that adds to and diversifies Hue's collection of royal tombs. The majesty and sovereignty of this Emperor are depicted throughout the building of the mausoleum of emperor Khai Dinh. It is therefore imperative that anybody interested in Vietnamese history, architecture, or culture pay a visit to the mausoleum of emperor Khai Dinh for Hue What to do.
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