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Dragon
Tu Duc TombHue served as the capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 under 13 emporers of the Nyguyen Dynasty. Hue is worth visiting for the royal tombs and for the Citadel.
The royal tombs range from large extensively landscaped palace and pavillion complexes with lakes, like Tu Duc Tomb, to the imposing, mainly stone mauseleum of Emporer Khai Dinh.
Tu Duc, 4th Emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam, reigned from 1847-1883, the longest reign of any monarch of the Nguyen dynasty. Although he had over a hundred wives and concubines, he was unable to father a son (possibly he became sterile after contracting smallpox). Thus, it fell to him to write his own epitaph on the deeds of his reign. He felt this was a bad omen, but the epitaph can still be found inscribed on the stele in the pavilion just to the east of the Emperor's tomb.
Tu Duc began planning his tomb long before his death in 1883. The major portions of the tomb complex were completed from 1864-67, along with future temple buildings that served as a palatial retreat for Tu Duc and his many wives during his lifetime. Construction of the tomb demanded
so much corvee labour and extra taxation that there was an abortive coup against Tu Duc in 1866. This was put down, and for the remainder of his life, Tu Duc continued to use the tomb's palace buildings as his place of residence.
Amenities for the living are unmatched at any other tomb in Vietnam. Here, the Emperor could boat on the lake and hunt small game on the tiny island in the lake's middle. He could recline at Xung Khiem Pavilion and recite or compose poetry in the company of his concubines. After trips on the lake, the boats would moor at Du Khiem Pavilion, from which the Emperor and his entourage could walk directly west into the palace area of the tomb.
After the Emperor's death in 1883 his adopted son Kien Phuc took over as the Nguyen Emperor. Perhaps because he only ruled seven months before dying, a separate tomb was not established for him. Instead, he was laid to rest in a small corner on the grounds of Tu Duc's tomb. Between the tombs of Tu Duc and his son is the tomb of Empress Le Thien Anh, Tu Duc's primary wife.
Interestingly,
Corner roof detail
Tu Duc Tomb. Note the fantastic wire whiskers on the dragon despite the grandeur of the site and the amount of time Tu Duc spent here, he was actually buried in a different, secret location somewhere in Hue. To keep the secret safe the 200 laborers who buried the king were all beheaded after they returned from the secret route. To this day, the real tomb of Tu Duc remains hidden for future generations to discover.
Emperor Khai Dinh was the 12th Emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam.
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Laurie/Mum
non-member comment
Swan-song?
Or should I say, Dragon-song or Turtle-song? Love the photos of dragons and especially the one of you, Dave , with your turtle. Going to miss your 'blogs', my trips wih you around the world have been much appreciated.........thanks.........Mum