C峄璾膼峄塶h (The Nine Dynastic Urns), Hue

Located in the courtyard facing The Mieu (The Temple of Generations) within Hue鈥檚 Imperial City, the Nine Dynastic Urns (Cuu Dinh) stand as monumental bronze tributes to the Nguyen emperors. Cast between 1835 and 1837 under Emperor Minh Mang, these grand urns were inspired by the legendary Nine Tripod Cauldrons of China and symbolize the power, permanence, and unity of the dynasty. Each urn is dedicated to a specific emperor, named in order from Gia Long to Minh Mang, and aligned with the ancestral tablets inside the temple.

Weighing between 1,800 and 2,600 kilograms each, the urns are not only massive in scale but also rich in symbolism. Every urn is adorned with intricate reliefs鈥攅mblems of Vietnam鈥檚 natural wealth and cultural identity. These include depictions of mountains, rivers, animals, plants, and celestial bodies. For example, the Cao Dinh (Highest Urn) features images representing the sun, stars, and sacred creatures, reinforcing its association with imperial supremacy and cosmic harmony.

What makes the Nine Dynastic Urns particularly compelling is how they reflect the Nguyen Dynasty鈥檚 worldview. Rather than mere decorative pieces, they embody a political message: linking the emperor鈥檚 legitimacy to the natural and spiritual order of the land. The urns鈥� placement in front of the royal temple reinforces their function as eternal guardians of dynastic memory.

Visitors to this site will find the urns remarkably well-preserved, allowing for close inspection of the detailed motifs. Their craftsmanship and symbolism offer insight into 19th-century Vietnamese statecraft and aesthetics, making the site a highlight of Hue鈥檚 historic complex.

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峄璾膼峄塶h (The Nine Dynastic Urns)
Sight Location: Hue, Vietnam (See walking tours in Hue)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Imperial City Walking Tour

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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