Cung Tr瓢峄漬g Sanh (Grand Queen Mother鈥檚 Residence), Hue

Nestled in the tranquil northwest corner of the Hue Imperial Citadel, the Grand Queen Mother鈥檚 Residence (Cung Truong Sanh) or Longevity Palace offers a peaceful counterpoint to the grandeur of other royal palaces. Built in 1821鈥�1822 during Emperor Minh Mang鈥檚 reign as an elegant garden retreat, its name means 鈥淧alace of Long Life,鈥� reflecting a wish for longevity and well-being for the empress dowagers. Originally, it featured winding paths, artificial hills, a crescent-shaped lake, and pavilions鈥攁 serene sanctuary where queens and grand queens could stroll and relax amidst nature.

Over time, Grand Queen Mother鈥檚 Residence evolved from a garden to a residence and workspace for successive royal matriarchs, including queens and grand empresses such as Tu Minh and Le Thien. The layout spans roughly 126 脳 85 meters and includes about ten structures enclosed by a brick wall, with the main gate鈥攂uilt in traditional tam quan (three-entrance) style鈥攍eading into a courtyard paved with distinctive Bat Trang tiles from a 2005鈥�2007 restoration campaign. Thanks to minimal damage during wars, many original features survive, offering today鈥檚 visitors an authentic glimpse into Nguyen-era royal life.

For tourists exploring Hue, Grand Queen Mother鈥檚 Residence is a must-visit for anyone interested in royal architecture, history, and serene landscapes. It lies just behind the Dien Tho Palace and north of Noi Kim Thuy Lake, making it easy to include in a walking tour of the citadel. As you wander through the shade of ancient trees, past lotus ponds and elegant pavilions, the palace whispers stories of imperial grace and family life far removed from the formal protocols of court.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Hue. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: 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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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Cung Tr瓢峄漬g Sanh (Grand Queen Mother鈥檚 Residence)
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.

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

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

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