Tu
Duc's tomb is located in a narrow valley in Duong Xuan Thuong village (currently Thuong Ba
village, Thuy Xuan Commune, Hue City). It is one of the most beautiful works of royal
architecture of the Nguyen dynasty. The tomb lies in a boundless pine forest, 8 km from
Hue.
Its construction started in December 1864 and
finished in 1867. |
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Inside the surrounding wall
about 12 hectares wide, nearly 50 constructions were built on terraces of various levels
(about 10m difference). All constructions include the word Khiem (Modesty) in their names.
The tomb is divided into two main parts:
The temple area:
Entering Vu Khiem entrance, there is Luu Khiem
lake. On the lake are Xung Khiem Pavilion and Du Khiem Pavilion where the Emperor used to
come to admire flowers, compose poems, read books, etc.
 Then, three Thanh stone steps to Khiem Cung gate lead to Hoa Khiem Palace,
which used to be the Emperor's working place, and is now the altar devoted to the Emperor
and the Queen. On both sides are Phap Khiem House and Le Khiem House for the military and
civil mandarins.
Behind Hoa Khiem Palace is Luong Khiem Palace,
which was also the Emperor's resting place, and was later used to worship Mrs. Tu Du (Tu
Duc's Mother). On the right of Luong Khiem Palace stand On Khiem Palace, where the royal
utensils are kept. On the left of Luong Khiem Palace is Minh Khiem theatre. Then, comes
Chi Khiem, the altar to worship the Emperor's wives, Tri Khiem Palace and Y Khiem Palace
were the accommodations of the Emperor's concubines.
The tomb area:
On the left of the temple is the necropolis itself
slopping upward with the Honour Courtyard, the Stele Pavilion, and the seplucre.
Rightbehind Bai Dinh (Honour
 Courtyard), with two
rows of magnificent military and civil mandarins, is Bi Dinh (Stele Pavilion) with the
biggest stone stele in Vietnam. It is inscribed with Khiem Cung narrative, composed
by the Emperor himself, writing about his life and imperial cause as well as his
misadventures and diseases, etc. On the hill, opposite the semi-circular Tieu Khiem Tri
lake, is the Buu Thanh brick wall, in the middle is a stone house, where the Emperor was
buried.
Tu Duc’s tomb is not only one of the most beautiful works of the Nguyen dynasty, but
it is also a romantic scenery of mounts and lakes.
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