When I woke up this morning it was raining heavily. I waited until it had settled down a bit then got on the bike and headed to my next goal, Hue city.
I’m sure I’ve said it before but it bears repeating, this is a really gorgeous country to ride through. Sure, sometimes you will be on the noise and crowded expressway racking up the miles, but as soon as you get into the countryside, the landscape becomes really photogenic. So, despite the rain, I stopped a few times to take pictures
Leaving Danang
Flooded road that I had to pass, kind of scary
On the way up to the mountains north of Danang
Overlooking the coast
The mountain road
About 50 kilometers into my journey I was stopped, apparently I was entering a section of road not permitted for motorbikes so I had to divert, taking a road over the mountains instead of a tunnel through them. When I reached the pass at the top I was met by the sight of some ruins and had to stop (the convenience of riding a motorbike). I couldn’t find much information but they seem to have been part of some kind of guardpost over the pass.
Photos of the guard post at the pass
For anyone who wants to know it is here
I think it’s pretty cool but not worth a trip on it’s own.
By lunch time I reached Hue, chexjiwx in to my hostel then went out to see the main sight of the city, the Citadel. Hue used to be the imperial seat during the Nguyen dynasty and this has an imperial palace today called the Citadel. It’s actually a very large area spanning several city blocks but the main. Attraction is the palace which is far smaller but also more interesting. It is kind of similar to the Forbidden City in Beijing but much more broken since it was damaged by bombs during the war.
The entrance to the Citaldel
The main palace gate
One of the palaces inside
Beautifully decorated corridor
The corridor from the outside
The courtyard of one palace
The emperor’s reading pavilion
Some small pavilions
Entrance to a ruined palace
Part of the gardens
Royal theater
A small pavilion and garden
Gate through the willows
I just like the look of this wall
A temple, apparently in active use
Lavishly decorated gate
This temple had a slightly different design
These lavish gates are really cool
Temple dedicated to the Nguyen emperor’s
The nine imperial urns
The other citadel gate, mix between old and modern
The flag tower at the front of the Citadel
Looks kind of ominous with the dark clouds
I spent a good three hours just walking around and expiring. You could of course get a guide but I think it’s more fun to see things on my own. The entrance ticket for the palace was quite expensive but I think it’s money well spent. That’s all for my first day in Hue.
