Trip Planner:   Asia  /  Vietnam  /  Thua Thien - Hue Province  /  Hue  /  Imperial City

Imperial City, Hue

4.2

#1 of 33 in Historic Sites in Hue

Historic Site Tourist Spot Must See

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A listed World Heritage Site, Imperial City (aka the Purple Forbidden City) stands as a testimony to the power and wealth of the last imperial Vietnamese dynasty. Situated on a riverbank, the complex features the remains of an imperial palace, Buddhist temples and pagodas, tombs of Nguyen Kings, courtyards, and gardens. It is encircled by a moat and two rows of fortification walls. Over the years following the demise of Vietnamese monarchy, the site was significantly ruined by cyclones and termites. However, it suffered the severest damage during the Vietnam War--look for the holes in the stone walls made by bullets and grenades. The highlights include a flag tower and 10 lavishly ornamented gates. Using our world travel planner, Hue attractions like Imperial City can form part of a personalized travel itinerary.

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Imperial City Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

10,454 reviews

Google

4.4

• By AndrewH6332

  Must visit if you want to know more of the ancient history of Vietnam. Get a good guide too. Most structures are in their original state, and left me in awe! So much fine craftsmanship to build every ...  more »

• By anais L

  Nous avons fait la visite à 15h (attention fermeture à 17h), il y avait moins de touristes, nous étions presque seuls au coucher du soleil (17h30). L architecture est magnifique. Compter 2h de balade ...  more »

  We made the visit at 3pm (attention closing at 5pm), there were fewer tourists, we were almost alone at sunset (5.30pm). The architecture is beautiful. It takes 2 hours to take a pleasant ride.
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• By Trevor Smith

  Superb example of previous cultures and regimes at this stop. Great citadel/fort, and many temples, pagoda and gardens. Thien Mu pagoda on the banks of the Perfume River a must see. Plenty of nearby shops, cafes and restaurants as well as all the usual tourist trappings await you. A great day out. Recommended.

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• By Jan Bieron

  The entrance fee is 150k dong and they will probably not let you come back once you left because the machine at the entrance eats your ticket. The city is ENORMOUS and it takes hours to completely explore the area. It consists of segments separated by high walls, the segments being dedicated to different functions and family members. There is a feeling of peace and serenity despite crowds of tourists visiting (try to avoid Friday though, that's when it's most popular). Some areas still haven't been completely renovated which only makes you appreciate all the work they've put in since the war ended. Overall, I recommend the visit if you have the time and patience to spend around 2-4h.

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