Day Trip to Hue
November 23, 2008
Like a scene from "Silent Hill".
Hai Van Pass
Anyway, today I went to Hue. I originally had an overnight stay at the city planned, but 2 stays prior to my vietnam flight I changed my mind thinking that it would i'd be so tired when I get to Hoi An. I was right.
Just a day trip on a private car and I was dead-tired at the end. I booked a private Hue tour for $95 with Green Field Hotel here in Vietnam. I thought it would be a better option for me since I want to see the places I want to see at my own convenience.
Hue is like a 3 1/2 hr drive from Hoi An. The tour guide - Anh picked me up at the hotel and we went off at around 730AM. Anh is such a nice guy by the way.
a not-so Resident Evil.
Hai Van Pass.
So, he gave me an introduction to the tour. Enumerating the places we will go to, he said "On the way to Hue we will pass by The Marble Mountain, China Beach and Hai Van Pass... blah blah blah. In Hue we will arrive around 1030, we go first to The Citadel, have lunch, then to the Royal Tombs and the "Park Garden".
"Park Garden? That's not part of the itinerary." I said to myself. It does not say "Park Garden" on my travel voucher. I got a bit concerned and thought this was some kind of scam. And dude, I don't want to spend some time in a Garden... with flowers all around.
As we were passing Marble Mountain. He directed my attention to this Pagoda and said "See the PAK GADA there?" Right then I realized that after the Royal Tombs we will head on to the Thien Mu Pagoda.
The Citadel
Driving by the Danang countryside en route to Hai Van Pass is I think one of the highlights of this trip. The view is just amazing. As we headed up the mountain, we rolled down the windows, it started to get cold and the next thing I knew, we were inside the clouds! That was really an awesome experience. On a sunny day, one could get to see the coast of Danang, but who needs that when you can spend time inside a cloud right?
Once in Hue, the Citadel took my breath away. Man, the place was so big! Too bad there were areas in bad condition, but restoration is currently underway. Hopefully one day this place wil regain it's former glory.
Lunch got me a little confused. I thought I only had to choose from the menu they gave me, apparently It was a set menu featuring Hue's famous dishes.
Khai Dinh's tomb.
We headed for Thien Mu Pagoda after lunch. I thought the Pagoda was the one I keep seeing on pictures. Apparently, it's just the tower. The Pagoda is behind it. As for the Royal tombs, we were supposed to go to 3 tombs, but I was a bit tired already by the 2nd tomb and it started to rain mid-afternoon, that I had to call it off and head back to Hoi An.
According to the things I've read about the Royal Tombs, the one's i've been to are the best ones to visit. First was Tu Duc's - which was elegant garden, as well as a really magnificent lake and pavilion. The Tomb of Khai Dinh, on the other hand, is more modern with a mixture of both eastern and western architectural elements.
On the way back to Hoi An, we passed by the tunnel. That was long tunnel. I fell asleep halfway through it.
p.s. check back for more pictures soon...
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Imperial Citadel of Hue
If Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the cultural and financial capitals of Vietnam respectively, then Hue is it's intellectual capital. And at the center of it all is The Imperial Citadel. A huge complex that contains the Forbidden City, royal palaces, pagodas and tombs.
Most impressive and the most famous landmark in the complex is the Ngo Mon Gate - the majestic entrance to the Citadel. Across it is the Cot Co (Flag Tower) where the Viet Cong flag briefly flew during the Tet Offensive in 1968.
The Citadel is pleasant area to explore by foot or by bike as larger vehicles are not allowed inside the complex. The areas within the Citadel that should not be missed are the following:
Dien Thai Hoa (Palace of Supreme Harmony): Being the throne palace, this is one of the most important structures in Hue. This is where major ceremonies are held in the past.
The Mieu (Dynastic Temple): Where the anniversaries of the Emperors are still being celebrated until today.
The Nine Dynastic Urns: Hue craftmanship at it's finest. Each is dedicated to an emperor. If you notice, they all have slightly different handles and feet.
The Forbidden Purple City: Destroyed by wars, only a handful buildings remain in the heart of the Imperial City. It is said to have contained the residential palaces, and the living quarters for the nine ranks of concubines.
The Royal Library: This elegant little building is now a concert and theatre venue.
The Citadel is quite unusual since there's not quite a place where one can find sacred temples, beautiful palaces coexisting with moats, bastions and massive ramparts. Although much of the Citadel has been ravaged by wars, restoration is under way to reveal how grand it once was.
Most impressive and the most famous landmark in the complex is the Ngo Mon Gate - the majestic entrance to the Citadel. Across it is the Cot Co (Flag Tower) where the Viet Cong flag briefly flew during the Tet Offensive in 1968.
The Citadel is pleasant area to explore by foot or by bike as larger vehicles are not allowed inside the complex. The areas within the Citadel that should not be missed are the following:
Dien Thai Hoa (Palace of Supreme Harmony): Being the throne palace, this is one of the most important structures in Hue. This is where major ceremonies are held in the past.
The Mieu (Dynastic Temple): Where the anniversaries of the Emperors are still being celebrated until today.
The Nine Dynastic Urns: Hue craftmanship at it's finest. Each is dedicated to an emperor. If you notice, they all have slightly different handles and feet.
The Forbidden Purple City: Destroyed by wars, only a handful buildings remain in the heart of the Imperial City. It is said to have contained the residential palaces, and the living quarters for the nine ranks of concubines.
The Royal Library: This elegant little building is now a concert and theatre venue.
The Citadel is quite unusual since there's not quite a place where one can find sacred temples, beautiful palaces coexisting with moats, bastions and massive ramparts. Although much of the Citadel has been ravaged by wars, restoration is under way to reveal how grand it once was.
Ngo Mon Gate
Royal Library
gate
another gate
5 of the 9 dynastic urns
Iconic symbol of Hue
Standing on the left bank of the Perfume River is the seven-story octagonal tower of the Thien Mu Pagoda that is lovely symbol of Hue.
The tower, Thap Phuoc Duyen, which translates to The Source of Happiness Tower dominates most of the area. People often mistake it to be the pagoda itself, but it is not. The Pagoda is behind it. There are two pavilions close by. One shelters a huge bell, while the other, a stele on top of a tortoise that tells of the story of buddhism in Hue.
The main sanctuary houses a bronze laughing buddha and Three statues namely A Di Da, Thich Ca, and Di Lac. All three are permutations of the buddha.
There's a monk quarters and a pine tree forest at the back, as well as a shrine. The Shrine quite a beautiful spot within the site with all those leave-less frangipani and other ornamental plants.
The pagoda is one of the most well-maintained structures i've seen in Vietnam and is very welcoming to visitors.
The tower, Thap Phuoc Duyen, which translates to The Source of Happiness Tower dominates most of the area. People often mistake it to be the pagoda itself, but it is not. The Pagoda is behind it. There are two pavilions close by. One shelters a huge bell, while the other, a stele on top of a tortoise that tells of the story of buddhism in Hue.
The main sanctuary houses a bronze laughing buddha and Three statues namely A Di Da, Thich Ca, and Di Lac. All three are permutations of the buddha.
There's a monk quarters and a pine tree forest at the back, as well as a shrine. The Shrine quite a beautiful spot within the site with all those leave-less frangipani and other ornamental plants.
The pagoda is one of the most well-maintained structures i've seen in Vietnam and is very welcoming to visitors.
the entrance to Thien Mu Pagoda
The Shrine behind the main sanct…
