The imperial citadel and An Dinh Palace including lunch
Join us for a captivating half-day tour exploring the imperial grandeur and rich cultural heritage of Hue.
Your guide will collect you from your hotel and take you to the renowned Imperial Citadel, Kinh Thanh Hue. This magnificent complex, built in the early 1800s and inspired by the Forbidden City in Beijing, was the residence of the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam’s last royal family. Today, the citadel is listed on the UNESCO world heritage list and stands as an impressive testament to Hue’s heyday. Here, you can experience ancient walls and splendid palaces that tell tales of a bygone era. The citadel comprises three areas: The Outer City, the Imperial City, and the Forbidden Purple City, which was the emperor’s private domain. Although many buildings were damaged during the Indochina and later Vietnam War, they have been meticulously restored since.
The tour then continues to the secluded An Dinh Palace. Built at the beginning of the 1900s as a residence for the imperial family, the palace combines Vietnamese imperial architecture with elegant European elements. Inside, you can admire impressive murals, gold ornaments, and ornate details, while the surrounding lush gardens exude tranquillity and grandeur.
As a special highlight, you will meet Dr. Thai Cong Nguyen, the former head of Hue’s Preservation Centre and a key figure behind the city’s recognition as a UNESCO world heritage site. He will share unique insights with you into the work of preserving the historical legacy of the Nguyen Dynasty.
The day concludes with a delicious lunch at your guide’s home, where authentic Hue dishes are accompanied by fascinating stories that live within the home’s historic setting.
You will then be driven back to the hotel.
Duration: approximately 4.5 hours
This tour is exclusively for TourCompass’ own guests.
We recommend booking this tour when arranging your holiday.
Per person from: £116 |