What to See in Hue Forbidden Purple City?

Today, visitors can go to these standing monuments and sites to visit in Hue’s Forbidden Purple City:

– Kien Trung Palace: this is the last palace in the Hue’s Imperial City about both location and age. It’s constructed from 1921 to 1923 by request of Khai Dinh king. Therefore, its architecture and decoration have a fusion between eastern and western elements, making it different from other palaces. His son Bao Dai king and his family stayed here until the fall of Nguyen dynasty in 1945. In 2019, this palace was reconstructed and after 5 years, it’s opened to the public, becoming a must see building. See more information & details

– Truong Lang (the Long Corridors): these covered corridors connect major buildings inside the Forbidden Purple City, with a total length of nearly 1km. During past wars, all of them were destroyed, and in 2016, the most important corridors are restored (around the palaces, from palaces to western residences). During the day, many visitors come here to take pictures, with traditional costumes. Along the corridor between Kien Trung Palace and Dien Tho Palace, the biography of all Nguyen kings are introduced.

– Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theatre: this theatre was built in 1826, in Minh Mang king’s reign, to serve entertaining performances for emperors, high-ranking mandarins, royal family members, and ambassadors. The most popular one is Tuong singing (referring to Vietnamese classic opera). Nowadays, Nha Nhac (court music), a Unesco-recognized intangible cultural heritage is performed here. See more information & details

– the West House of Can Chanh Palace (Ta Vu): this house was built in 1819, by Minh Mang king, as a side building of Can Thanh Palace (Palace of the Audience). If stand behind Thai Hoa Palace, it’s on the right hand side. It’s restored 2 times in 1899, and in 1923 before the 40th birthday anniversary of Khai Dinh king. Nowadays, this house exhibits Hue’s cultural heritages, such as the Complex of Hue monuments (world heritage site), court music, literature on imperial architecture. Visitors can have a seat and watch a video about the royal music here. Outside, there is a shop selling souvenirs, cold beverages, and books.

– the East House of Can Chanh Palace (Huu Vu): this house was built in 1819, by Minh Mang king, as a side building of Can Thanh Palace (Palace of the Audience). If stand behind Thai Hoa Palace, it’s on the left hand side. It’s restored 2 times in 1899, and in 1923 before the 40th birthday anniversary of Khai Dinh king. Nowadays, this house is a shop selling souvenirs, cold beverages, and books as well as a studio where visitors can rent fake royal clothes to wear and take a picture while sitting on a throne. The photography service costs from 120,000 VND/photo.

– Thai Binh Pavilion (Pavillion of the Peacefulness): this 10-meters-tall pavilion was built in 1887, under Dong Khanh king’s reign, for emperors to relax or read books. It’s restored in 2010. The highlight here is sophisticated ceramic mosaics. A short walk from here, visitors can go to lakeshores or beautiful gardens.

– Nhat Thanh Pavilion: this tall pavilion is next to Thai Binh Pavilion and Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theatre. It’s built in 1841 by Thieu Tri king, but was destroyed in 1947 and 1968. It’s restored in 2018. In the past, kings, queens, empresses, and other royal family members came here to read books, write poetries, chant,…

– Thieu Phuong Garden: this tranquil royal garden is next to Thai Binh Pavilion and Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theatre. It’s built in 1828 by Minh Mang king, and improved in 1841 by his first son Thieu Tri king. It comprises many mini landscapes arranged along a network of corridors like a swastika symbol (卍).

– bronze urns: there are 7 ancient bronze urns (about 300 years old) in the Hue Forbidden Purple City, all casted by Nguyen lords. According to local stories, techniques to make these urns were introduced and developed by a Portuguese man. He also helped the lords to produce weapons in the past. The urns symbolize the power of kingship and strength of the nation. In 2016, they are recognized to be Vietnam’s national treasure.

– tennis court of Bai Dai king:

– foundation of Can Chanh Palace (Palace of the Audience): this palace was built by Gia Long king in 1804, and used for meetings between the king and mandarins on 5th, 10th, 20th, and 25th days of each lunar month. As same as Thai Hoa Palace that lies in its front, Can Thanh Palace is the finest royal building in Hue’s Imperial City and Forbidden Purple City, but sadly, was destroyed in 1947. The city and historians are going to restore it in the near future.

– foundation of Can Thanh Palace: this palace was built in 1811 by Gia Long king, and destroyed in 1947 by fire. During its life, it serve as the residence of the king. So, it stands behind Can Chanh Palace where he meets up mandarins, and in front of Khon Thai Palace where his wife lives (should be the imperial noble consort or hoang quy phi). Not far away, there are residences for his children (princes and princesses), a theatre for entertainments, pavilions and gardens to relax. A covered corridor connects the palace with Dien Tho Residence where his mother lives.  

– foundation of Khon Thai Palace: this palace was built in 1804 by Gia Long king, and destroyed in 1947 by fire. It served as the residence of hoang quy phi (the imperial noble consort, king’s wife).