A Day at the Beautiful Hue Imperial City

One of the reasons for visiting Hue for me, was to experience culture and history, something that is lacking in the young city of Da Nang. From prior research I knew there was a vast ancient city here and I was eager to explore it. A day at the beautiful Hue Imperial City was just what I imagined it to be.

Entry

Don’t make the mistake I made, and rock up to any of the huge gates of the city. There is only one that is open for entrance, and it is the largest one facing the river. Ticket booths flank either side, and the entrance fee is 200,000 dong or $11 CAD.

This first gate is two stories and is absolutely gorgeous. Feel free to climb around the various levels and have a peek in the rooms to see the throne chair, bell and large gold seals.

Temples

Inside the Imperial City that was constructed in 1803, are various temples, houses, a theatre, palace, grand hall, royal pond, royal gardens and treasury.

One the map you are given when you purchase your ticket, are all of these things laid out in an easy-to-understand format. At the temple entrances you will be required to remove your shoes and some do not allow photos to be taken inside.

Theatre

I loved this building with its rich deep crimson colours and display cases full of masks and costumes. The stage has a beautiful glass dragon mural that undulates in the light as you walk by.

Try to go upstairs to the upper level and have a peek down at the seating and room. It offers a unique view of this special building.

Closed for reno’s

Arguably, the two best and largest buildings inside the Imperial city are completely closed to the public and are undergoing restorations. These are the palace and the grand hall. Peeking through a tiny hole in the fence, I marvelled at the absolutely stunning site I was able to see of both. It was a disappointment not to see these.

Royal Pond and Garden

Both beautiful areas however you can tell they have been neglected for decades. They were first constructed in the early 1800’s, and have since fallen into disrepair.

A large portion of the garden consists of bonsai trees planted in containers that are raised above a grass lawn. There is a gorgeous pagoda at the pond, a tranquil place for a rest in the shade. This section might come into a spectacular moment when these plants are in bloom in the spring time.

Info to Know

The city is huge. Visitors are going to be walking a lot. Toilets are plentiful and are clean and western style. There are two cafés on site which I was grateful to find. Also vending machines, strategically placed for when you are feeling parched.

When you are ready to leave, do not return to the main entrance where you came into the City. You cannot get out here! Visitors will have to walk to either the western or eastern gates to exit. This is not a short walk so at the end of a long and tiring visit, may not be the most pleasant news to hear.

I was inside the city for four hours and would have spent much longer if I had access to the palace and hall. There are multiple places to rest and enjoy every moment inside this magical ancient city.