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OverviewHue is a city of a historical past and yet very present and lovely. Our ride to Hue brought us back to what we envisioned Vietnam to be. Rice paddies, old trains, beautiful rolling countryside, and factories as well. And Hue itself was both a window into the past as well as the adaptation of the Hue population after tumultuous times. The serene city of Hue straddles the Perfume River, which has been given UNESCO World Heritage Site status. On the western bank of the river is the vast Imperial City, which housed generations of the country's emperors, and inside this complex is the Purple Forbidden City, the private imperial enclosure. Your ride from Chan May is one of lovely scenery. Small villages, rice paddies, old stores, a relic of a train, and oxen bathing in the river will most likely be some of the views you will have during your ride During your ride you will learn how Hue served as an imperial capital to the Nguyen Lords, a feudal dynasty which reigned from the 17th to the 19th century. The remains of the Citadel with its splendid emperors' tombs, ancient pagodas and the remains of the Citadel itself, will easily bring you back to the past. Beginning with a 10-minute cyclo ride to the Imperial Citadel, which is also a listed UNESCO site, which will give you a bird's eye view of life in Hue today. Later, drive to An Hien garden house, situated 30 minutes out of town and originally the residence of Emperor Tu Duc’s 18th daughter. The house is an excellent example of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Massive pillars support a large tiled roof, with the family altar in the middle. A large rectangular lily-pond is designed to keep out evil spirits. Garden houses are an important heritage of the lives of former aristocrats in Hue as most garden houses have a connection with the Imperial Court. Lunch will be at one of the best restaurants in the city - and it will be followed by a drive to the elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb. From the outside the tomb looks weathered and ordinary, though very large. You will be stunned by the richly decorated interiors loaded with ornate murals and mosaic scenes created with fragments of porcelain. More questions about what you have seen in Hue will come to you as you return to Chan May to reboard your ship. The different time of day on your return will bring you a totally new scene of rural life. - You will be enjoying multiple forms of transporation. A very small gratuity, even a couple of dollars, is most appreciated by the cyclos driver. - You may be required to remove your shoes in temples. If you have an aversion to this, we suggest surgical booties. - You will have to dress respectfully in temples. - Gratuities are not included - The drive to Hue takes approximately 1.5 hours each way. - Please note there is surcharge pricing for all National and New Year holidays as well as peak season. You will be notified of any increased costs prior to confirmation. Contact ShoreTrips with any questions. - We will need the following information at the time of booking: Each passenger's full name as it appears in their passport; Citizenship; Date of birth; Passport number; Passport issue date; Passport expiration date. Days offered: 7 days a week Departures:
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