Not only in the top 4 most beautiful mausoleums of Hue, Gia Long Tomb is also the resting place of the first king of the Nguyen Dynasty – the last feudal dynasty in Vietnamese history.
Gia Long Tomb is also known as Thien Tho Lang. This is also the work with the furthest location in the Nguyen Dynasty mausoleums in particular and Hue tourist attractions in general.
But this place has many special and attractive points that make you not regret the time and effort to go far to visit. First of all, the road to come here is quite poetic and still has wild features. The second is the simple beauty that harmonizes with the nature of the resting place of the monarch. This is also the only tomb where the king and queen are buried in Hue, creating a beautiful image of a faithful husband and wife, which is difficult to see in other royal tombs.
Tomb of King Gia Long seen from above. Photo: thienvientour
Join LuhanhVietNam to discover the beauty of King Gia Long’s mausoleum, thereby understanding more about the life of the founder of the Nguyen Dynasty!
Where is Gia Long Tomb located?
Location: Dinh Mon village, Huong Tho commune, Huong Tra district, Thua Thien Hue province.
The tomb of King Gia Long is actually a complex of mausoleums of many people in the clan, the central area is the tomb of the king and his wife – Queen Thua Thien Cao.
The only double burial in the 7 mausoleums of the Nguyen Dynasty kings. Photo: vntrip
This famous king’s mausoleum is located on a large flat hill, in an area with 42 hills, large and small, each with its own name, the largest of which is Dai Thien Tho mountain which is a criminal record. . 7 smaller mountains behind as the posterior occipital. To the left and right, there are 14 mountains corresponding to “Tang dragon fruit” and “Huu white tiger”. The whole mausoleum is located between the two lines of left and right, according to the ancients, this is the location that attracts all good things.
Signpost to Thien Tho Tomb. Photo: traveloka
However, Gia Long’s tomb is located far from the city, in an almost isolated hilly area. To get to this place, you have to go about 20 km to the West. Previously, there were only one means of transport coming here via waterway. But now, the locality has built a small pontoon bridge connecting the two banks of the river. After crossing the pontoon bridge, visitors go about 4km further to Thien Tho mausoleum.
If you prefer to go to the mausoleum by going down the Huong River , you can choose to take a boat about 18km and then dock to visit the mausoleum. Another way is to go by road from the city center about 16km, then turn to Kim Ngoc wharf, then go a few more kilometers on the forest road to the tomb of King Gia Long. When you see two majestic and majestic pillars appear in front of your eyes, you have come to the area of the king’s mausoleum. Visitors should show respect when passing through this area.
Fresh air, quiet space. Photo: huesmiletravel
As the first royal mausoleum of the Nguyen Dynasty, it has many differences, such as no La citadel around, far from the center. However, in return, the way to the tomb of King Gia Long passes through a large pine forest, the wild but poetic landscape creates a fresh and quiet atmosphere.
According to the Hue travel experience of many tourists, this is the most romantic way to the mausoleum compared to other mausoleums.
The best time to visit Gia Long Tomb
If you wonder which season is the most beautiful to travel to Hue , the answer is from February to April every year because this is when the weather in Hue is quite pleasant, not too hot or rainy. With Gia Long’s mausoleum, too, the last time of the Lunar New Year is the best time to check-in this place. And as suggested by L. Cadière more than 60 years ago (and now), you should visit Thien Tho mausoleum in the afternoon. Because of the special position of the mausoleum as well as the structure of the mausoleum, sunset is the moment when visitors can admire the beautiful scenery across the lakes and then look towards the tomb.
Tomb of King Gia Long is always open for free. Photo: traveloka
It will be difficult for anyone to ignore each golden sun shining through the rustling pine shade that is reflecting on the peaceful lake surface, sometimes rippling. That scene further exalted the majestic and magnificent beauty of the tomb of the first king of the Nguyen Dynasty. The complex of works shows the majesty and solidity in harmony with the beautiful and poetic beauty of the landscape, and there are quiet hills and mountains that make the background more blurred.
You should visit Gia Long’s mausoleum in the afternoon. Photo: thuthienhue.gov
Construction process of Gia Long Tomb
The tomb of King Gia Long is the place where the king personally scouted, approved the location and then carried out planning and design. He is also the supervisor of construction progress in a land that is considered “to have concentrated all the good influences radiating from the surrounding mountains”. This place is considered by feng shui experts as a land where “a good influence will last for ten thousand years” (according to L. Cadière).
The process of building the mausoleum was not too long, but it also took place for 6 years, starting from 1814 – the time when Queen Thua Thien Cao died to 1820. According to history books, right before his wife died. , the king sent the mandarins in Kham Thien Giam to choose land for her burial.
Lost in a dark place. Photo phuot3mien
Gia Long mausoleum structure
King Gia Long’s Tomb is a complex of Nguyen royal tombs planned in an area of more than 28 square kilometers, including the central area of the tomb of the king and queen, surrounded by many other tombs, including:
– Tomb of Quang Hung of Queen Thai Tong Hieu Triet, the second wife of Lord Hien Vuong Nguyen Phuc Tan.
– Tomb of Vinh Mau of Queen Anh Tong Hieu Nghia, wife of Lord Nghia Vuong Nguyen Phuc Thai.
– Tomb of Truong Phong, resting place of Tuc Tong Hieu Ninh Emperor Nguyen Phuc Thu.
– Tomb of Thoai Thanh of Mrs. Hung To Hieu Khuong Empress, second wife of Nguyen Phuc Con, and mother of King Gia Long.
– Hoang Co mausoleum of Thai Truong Princess Long Thanh, is the sister of King Gia Long.
– Thien Tho Tomb of King Gia Long and his first wife.
– Thien Tho Huu Mausoleum of Queen Thuan Thien Cao, this is the second wife of King Gia Long, and also the mother of King Minh Mang.
The central structure of Gia Long’s mausoleum. Photo: phuot3mien
This large mausoleum complex is divided into 3 main areas:
The middle part or main central area of Thien Tho mausoleum is the tomb of King Gia Long and Queen Thua Thien Cao. As soon as visitors pass through the courtyard with rows of majestic stone statues, you will enter 7 levels of the sacrifice courtyard, also known as Buu Thanh at the top of the hill.
The way to visit the tomb of the king and queen. Photo: vntrip
Buu Thanh has two stone tombs built in the form of stone houses and are buried according to the concept of “Can Khon, a union of virtue”. This is not only a beautiful image, showing the faithful happiness of the king and queen, but also the difference that makes Gia Long Tomb different from Minh Mang , Tu Duc, Khai Dinh,…
Thien Tho Lang. Photo: phuot3mien
The impregnated area with Minh Thanh Palace as the center is located to the right of the king’s mausoleum. This is also the shrine to worship the first Emperor and Empress, inside there are also many memorabilia associated with the war life of the king who was born in the Nguyen Dynasty such as belts, hats, and saddles.
A masterpiece between nature and ancient architecture. Photo: huesmiletravel
Bi Dinh is located to the left of the mausoleum with the remaining vestiges of a large stele, delicately and sharply carved, recording and praising the merits of King Gia Long named “Thanh Duc Than Cong” written by King Minh Mang.
Minh Thanh Palace. Photo: vntrip
The area is also adjacent, located between the paths that are full of grass and interspersed forest flowers, creating a lonely and poetic scene. Especially, the resting place of Mrs. Thuan Thien Cao Queen and Gia Thanh Palace – the place to worship the woman who gave birth to the best ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty – king Minh Mang, is located in a rather secluded but deep location. settle.
Tomb of Thien Tho Huu. Photo: traveloka
Discover the architectural beauty of Gia Long’s mausoleum
Gia Long Tomb does not follow the principle of symmetry like Minh Mang or Dong Khanh tombs, nor is it a resting place for the king to rest and relax when visiting the mausoleum while in office. Overall, the works in the mausoleum are arranged horizontally with the central area being the tomb of the king and queen.
Nghi Dinh. Photo: vntrip
This is also the only mausoleum where the king and queen are buried under the concept of “Chan Khon, the union of virtues”. The two right and left sides are Minh Thanh Palace, respectively – the place to worship the king and queen and Bi Dinh. Most of the main and auxiliary works in the mausoleum are simple, not fussy but exude majesty and certainty.
The mausoleum has a monumental but simple architecture. Photo: phuot3mien
Right in front of the mausoleum, there is a large lotus pond with bright pink colors, adding beauty to the lonely scenery of this place. Because it is located quite far from the center and the road is not as convenient as other mausoleums, the number of visitors to the mausoleum is less. So if you have the opportunity to travel to Hue, remember to arrange a time to check in to Gia Long’s mausoleum and don’t forget to greet the guards, cum “guides” here. Because of the absence of guests, they greatly appreciate those who come to visit.
Main door system of Minh Thanh Palace. Photo: vntrip
If you spend time talking with the uncles, you will also hear more interesting stories about King Gia Long and the queens and concubines who were born and died with this famous king.
Dragon in front of Minh Thanh Palace. Photo: traveloka
It can be said that Gia Long Tomb is a beautiful picture, harmoniously combining the simple but majestic beauty of the mausoleum with the quiet but poetic natural landscape. Please spend at least once here, visit the king’s grave and meditate a little, reflect on the merits and honors of the famous king who gave birth to the last feudal dynasty of Vietnam.
Photo: Internet