The Forbidden Purple City
Once the actual home of the emperor and his concubines, this second sanctum within the Citadel is a large open area dotted with what's left of the king's court. Almost completely razed in a fire in 1947, a few buildings are left among the rubble. The new Royal Theater behind the square, a look-alike of the razed original, is under construction. The partially restored Thai Binh Reading Pavilion, to the left of it as you head north, is notable mostly for its beautifully landscaped surroundings, including a small lake with stone sculpture, and the ceramic and glass mosaic detailing on the roof and pillars, favored by flamboyant emperor Khai Dinh.
Catch a performance of the Royal Traditional Theater at the Hue Monuments Conservation Center. Eight performances daily, from 9am to 4pm, highlight the ancient art of nha nhac, courtly dance, at a cost of 20,000 VND.
Once the actual home of the emperor and his concubines, this second sanctum within the Citadel is a large open area dotted with what's left of the king's court. Almost completely razed in a fire in 1947, a few buildings are left among the rubble. The new Royal Theater behind the square, a look-alike of the razed original, is under construction. The partially restored Thai Binh Reading Pavilion, to the left of it as you head north, is notable mostly for its beautifully landscaped surroundings, including a small lake with stone sculpture, and the ceramic and glass mosaic detailing on the roof and pillars, favored by flamboyant emperor Khai Dinh.
Catch a performance of the Royal Traditional Theater at the Hue Monuments Conservation Center. Eight performances daily, from 9am to 4pm, highlight the ancient art of nha nhac, courtly dance, at a cost of 20,000 VND.
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