Khai Dinh Tomb Hue

Khai Dinh Tomb Hue

Khai Dinh Tomb, Hue is the final resting place of Khai Dinh, Emperor of Vietnam who ascended to the throne in 1916 and ruled until 1925. Located on the slope of Chau Chu Mountain (also called Chau E) the location of the tomb was selected by none other than the king himself. The tomb is located 10km from Hue and represents a fusion of traditional Vietnamese style and modern influence.
The construction of the tomb began in 1920 and lasted for 11 years, completing in 1931. The tomb's architecture incorporates many finer points of European architectural style and is almost entirely made of concrete.
Though Khai Dinh Tomb is much smaller compared to those of the preceding emperors, (surface area: 117m * 48.5m), what it lacks in size is more than made up by the intricate architectural detailing that has gone in the construction of the tomb, intermingling many architectural trends: Asian and European as well as modern and ancient.

The overall tomb construction has been shaped as an emerging rectangular structure with 127 steps, leaning against the mountain. To enter the tomb area, you have to climb a 37 steps gate with the biggest dragons in the country forming the side walls to the entrance. The courtyard houses two rows of left and right altars built in accordance to the traditional configuration of "double storeys with eight roofs", with the rafters made of reinforced concrete.

On climbing 29 further steps, you will reach the imperial audience court, which houses the octagonal stele monument, made of reinforced concrete in the centre. There are two rows of statues on both sides of the courtyard, facing towards the centre of the court. Theses statues are similar to those of the other tombs. However, in addition to these statues Khai Dinh Tomb has six more couples representing bodyguard soldiers looking over the court centre.

All these statues are made of stone, a material used rather sparingly in the construction of Khai Dinh Tomb as most of the construction has been done with reinforced concrete. Two high and majestic pillars flank the courtyard on both sides.

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