To be honest, visiting the Hue Citadel wasn't on my to-do list for this trip, but since it's included in the tour package, it was again, a nice bonus. While researching on how to visit the place and getting tickets to go in, it was also kinda confusing. So I was glad the tour covered this attraction. But knowing how it was like now, I think it's a place you could easily visit on your own, once you know the entrance. It wasn't as huge as the Forbidden City in Beijing, so it's easily manageable for a half day or at least a 2 hour self discovery tour.
Here is our group walking in towards the imperial city.
I found these gate post very unique here in Hue. There are often found in royal venue marking a boundary from one area to the next one. I don't recall seeing these in China although they looked rather Chinese. The wordings on them are in fact, Chinese. Ancient Vietnam was very close to China and it's culture I guess. Often in temples, you could also see Chinese character there.
There are different characters on the front and the back of the gate. These are similar to those in Chinese gates too. But the colours of the gate in Vietnam is more interesting, showing blue green, white and yellow. I like these colour combination better.
Inside there are sculptures of mystical creatures, just like those in China. I am not sure what creature this is, a Kirin perhaps? Or a Lion? Phoenix?
Pretty Vietnamese lady posing for a photo with their signature hat on the balcony of one of the building.
The area inside was rather wide, first greeted by the large space area where kids were seen running around. It looked like a stage area, or maybe just a square for parades to take place? A common ground. We walked pass this area and into more intimate venue.
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