C峄璦 Ng峄� M么n (Meridian Gate), Hue

Meridian Gate (Cua Ngo Mon) is the grand main entrance to the Imperial City of Hue and a defining symbol of Vietnam鈥檚 Nguyen dynasty heritage. Constructed in 1833 during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, the gate served as both a ceremonial entryway and an architectural statement of imperial authority. Inspired by Chinese fortress design, it was carefully aligned with the 鈥渕eridian line鈥� of the citadel, reflecting the Confucian principles of order and symmetry that shaped royal planning.

The structure consists of a U-shaped base made of stone and brick, topped with the elegant two-story pavilion known as the Lau Ngu Phung (Five Phoenix Pavilion). This upper wooden structure鈥攐nce reserved exclusively for the emperor and royal court鈥攚as used for important occasions, such as troop reviews, royal proclamations, or public ceremonies during festivals. Flanked by bastions and flaring eaves, the Meridian Gate strikes a balance between military might and aesthetic refinement, combining watchtower utility with graceful ornamentation.

In contrast to its commanding size and royal function, only the emperor could use the central passage; mandarins and officials entered through the side arches, reinforcing the rigid social hierarchy of the imperial system. Today, visitors can walk through the same gates once reserved for the elite, pausing to admire the gate鈥檚 symmetry, dragon carvings, and yellow-glazed roof tiles鈥攕ymbols of imperial power.

A visit to the Meridian Gate offers more than an entry into the citadel鈥攊t provides a vivid introduction to the ceremonial grandeur and deeply structured society of Vietnam鈥檚 last imperial era.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Hue. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Sight Name: C峄璦 Ng峄� M么n (Meridian Gate)
Sight Location: Hue, Vietnam (See walking tours in Hue)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Hue, Vietnam

Create Your Own Walk in Hue

Creating your own self-guided walk in Hue is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Hue Introduction Walking Tour

Once the seat of the imperial dynasty in the heart of Vietnam, Hue is chock-full of stories. During feudal times, for nearly 150 years 鈥� from 1802 to 1945, the city served as the national capital. The royal lifestyle and customs have had a strong impact on the lifestyle of locals, and this impact can still be felt today.

First cited about 200 BCE as the seat of the Chinese military authority... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

Imperial City Walking Tour

The Kings of the Nguyen Dynasty built their feudal capital along the fertile banks of the Perfume River, whose steady flow, centuries on, still sets up a languid pace that the rest of the city is happy to follow.

Situated within the walls of the Royal Citadel, The Imperial City in Hue is one of, if not the most prominent landmark in Vietnam, renowned for its wonderful collection of oriental... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles

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