The Gia Long Tomb, in peaceful majesty, is hidden among the rolling green hills overlooking Hue, Vietnam. This imperial tomb, the residence of Emperor Gia Long, is a lesson in understated beauty. Less ostentatious than later Nguyen monarchs’ lavish displays, this tomb coexists harmoniously with the environment, highlighting simplicity and peace. A visit to the Gia Long Tomb Hue is a tranquil journey into history, in which the gentle whispers of the past echo across the grounds, providing an insight into early Nguyen Dynasty architecture and philosophy that is otherwise hard to attain.
Overview of Gia Long Tomb
Gia Long Tomb is situated on the flattest and highest hill of Thien Tho Son Mountain, some 20 km west of Hue city center. It is located in Dinh Mon Village, Huong Tho Commune, Huong Tra District, Hue City.
With an area of over 28 km², the tomb complex consists of several excellent architectural works, creating a majestic and imposing landscape. From the base of the Truong Son mountain range to the Ta Trach River, a branch of the Huong River, the complex is located in a beautiful natural setting.
One of the most impressive aspects of it is the way the architecture integrates with the surrounding nature. Gia Long’s burial ground is encompassed by 42 named mountains, making this tomb the largest Nguyen Dynasty burial ground in Hue.
Besides, the tomb is a perfect blend of classic imposing natural landscape and typical Nguyen royal mausoleum architecture. This blending of Feng Shui elements and masterpiece landscape architecture has made Gia Long Tomb Hue a piece of art of cultural and historical value.
History and construction of Gia Long Tomb
Emperor Gia Long, born Nguyen Phuc Anh in 1762, was the founder of the Nguyen Dynasty – the last feudal dynasty in Vietnamese history. He was crowned emperor in 1802 by the title “Gia Long” and ruled Vietnam until his death in 1820. Notably, during his rule in 1804, the official national title “Vietnam” was established.
Empress Thua Thien Cao, who was born Tong Thi Lan, was the daughter of Song Guogong Tong Phuoc Khuong. She was described as being gracious, charitable, and beautiful, entering the imperial palace at the young age of 18 and becoming one of Gia Long’s consorts. Throughout his reign, she remained a faithful companion, advising him through numerous historical problems.
Their graves together are a symbol of their enduring love and dedication. Together they weathered inconceivable hardship, so their story is an everlasting testament to commitment. After death as well, Emperor Gia Long desired the presence of his favorite wife, and their grave sites are thus a unique and extremely symbolic structure within Hue’s imperial tombs.
The Gia Long Tomb Hue took six years to be constructed from 1814 to 1820. It started following the death of Empress Thua Thien Cao on February 21, 1814, when Emperor Gia Long directed mandarins of Kham Thien Giam to select a resting site for her. Over time, the site developed into a big mausoleum complex with an 11,234.40-meter perimeter.
Other than Emperor Gia Long’s own mausoleum, the complex also features the tombs of other royal family members. Because of this, the tomb complex developed over centuries, with buildings being added at various times between the 17th and 19th centuries. Though ravaged by wars over the ages, including those of the Vietnam War, this tomb complex is still a revered heritage site. In 2020, there was a restoration program initiated by the Hue Monuments Conservation Center with an outlay of over 40 billion VND in order to ensure this valuable history.
Architecture and layout of Gia Long Tomb
The emperor’s mausoleum sits atop a gigantic, flat hill. In front of it stands the Dai Thien Tho Mountain, and behind it are seven mountains that form a protective barrier. On either side, 14 mountains are arranged symmetrically, called “Ta Thanh Long” on the left and “Huu Bach Ho” on the right. It is divided into three distinct areas:
The central area – The tombs of the Emperor and the Empress
The tombs of Emperor Gia Long and Empress Thua Thien Cao are located around the complex. In the center of the complex stands Buu Thanh, situated at the summit of the hill, after a courtyard lined with gigantic stone statues and seven layers of ceremonial platforms. Within Buu Thanh, there are two stone tombs included in a stone chamber, symbolizing the concept of “Can Khon” – the harmonious union of virtues, representing a profound image of loyalty and happiness.
The worship area – Minh Thanh Court
Located to the right of the Gia Long Tomb complex is the ritual area, with the Minh Thanh Court in the middle. This court is the central shrine of worship for the first Emperor and Empress. “Minh Thanh” can be translated as “brilliant perfection” or “to be completed in the future,” which refers to the unfinished decorations of the palace, which lacked painted ribs and fine gilding, as interpreted by scholar L. Cadière. Earlier, Minh Thanh Court was occupied by various remnants of Emperor Gia Long’s war life, including saddles, hats, and belts.
The left area – Bi Dinh and the Stele Pavilion
Bi Dinh is situated on the left side of the mausoleum, and this now houses a gigantic stele upon which is inscribed the epitaph “Thanh Duc Than Cong” (Sacred Virtue and Divine Achievements) written by Emperor Minh Mang himself as an inscription to his father. The epigraph is exceedingly sculpted in flawless precision with masterful expertise in art.
Visitors are able to walk into the neighboring tombs via shaded paths filled with pine and wildflowers. The most well-known of these is Thien Tho Huu Mausoleum, Empress Thuan Thien Cao’s tomb, which occupies a peaceful yet highly symbolic location. Another notable structure is Gia Thanh Court, an architectural parallel to Minh Thanh Court, serving to honor Emperor Minh Mang’s mother, the most successful emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Visiting Gia Long Tomb: What to know
The entrance fee of the Gia Long Tomb Hue is 150,000 VND/adult and free for children.
The most ideal time to visit the Thien Tho Royal Tomb complex is during summer, when the vibrant lotus flowers bloom, filling the air with their sweet scent. The site is particularly lovely during the late afternoon, with breathtaking sunsets.
When the sun goes down behind the hills, the golden light casts shimmering splashes of light dancing on the rippling waters of the lake, fringed by the rustling pines. Such a serene landscape helps tourists best enjoy the majesty and serene beauty of the mausoleum.
Read more: Phu Cam Cathedral – a unique architectural imprint in the heart of the ancient capital
How to get to Gia Long Tomb
To arrive at Gia Long Tomb, tourists will have several options. One of the lovely methods to arrive there is by dragon boat trip on the Perfume River for a distance of approximately 18 km and then docking near the mausoleum. Tourists can also go there in a private car or motorbike by driving approximately 16 km via road and then passing through Kim Ngoc Wharf.
Then, a short stroll on a forest path leads you to the entrance of the tomb, marked by two huge stone pillars. There were 85 such pillars scattered throughout the mausoleum complex in the beginning, but over time and due to the vagaries of history, a few remain today.
- The pontoon bridge: A pontoon bridge has been established to grant tourists access, to a picturesque view of the environment. Pedestrians, motorcycles, and bicycles are required to pay a small toll of 5,000 VND to cross.
- The lotus-filled lake and alternative route: Aside from the pontoon bridge, visitors can also reach the site via the Huu Trach Bridge linking the villages of La Khe Bai and La Khe Trem. This is a much longer route, though, and entails an additional 10 km of travel after crossing the bridge.
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Gia Long Tomb is an extraordinary and unique experience, which echoes the emperor’s desire for a harmonious and peaceful eternal rest. Its vast complex, which was meant to blend with nature, offers a quiet and contemplative space. It is an invaluable window into the early Nguyen Dynasty, showing the vision and legacy of the emperor. Visitors leave with a deep respect for the tomb’s history and serene beauty, and it is a truly memorable and enriching experience.
