Tu Duc Tomb

After our rice every way lunch, we boarded our bus and headed to the Tu Duc Tomb.  It seemed strange to me that such a grand palace like structure is the Tomb, but there were quite a few luxurious (at least at that time) amenities at this location.

This is the entry into the grounds.

It is beautiful, especially the wood structures as well as the lake with its own island in the center.  There were small animals roaming around.  The grounds were vast.

The tomb (where he is not buried) is being renovated like quite a few of the historical sites in this country.

Here you can see the stele where the emperor listed his accomplishments.

There were these great mosaic pieces all made from broken pottery which added quite a bit of color to the stones.

We walked by these stone figures and were informed that the people and the horses were only this height.  It is hard to believe how small people and animals were considering the grand expanses of the structures.

We also saw these great wood structures that have endured time especially the gates.

There were also buildings for royal living.

The thrones (very tiny).

The bed (very hard).

There is even a separate residence for the concubines.

With their own private garden.