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Located right next to the romantic Perfume River, the ancient An Hien garden house was built in typical Hue architectural style preserving so much cultural value in Hue. Learn more about this famous ancient garden house with Izitour through the article below!
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1. Introduction to An Hien garden house
An Hien Garden House is situated at 58 Nguyen Phuc Nguyen Street, Xuan Hoa Village, Huong Long Commune, Hue City. It has the facade facing the Perfume River and right next to Da Vien Bridge. With this convenient location, you can see a glimpse of Thien Mu Pagoda in the distance and easily visit many famous attractions in Hue. After more than a century, An Hien garden house still retains its distinct beauty with the aristocratic architecture of traditional houses. If you have the opportunity to travel to Hue, don't miss the chance to visit this peaceful garden house of An Hien.
Entrance ticket price to An Hien garden house
As one of the most beautiful traditional garden houses in Hue, An Hien garden house always welcomes a large number of visitors every year. With an entrance fee of 20,000 VND/person, you can comfortably admire and explore this famous ancient relic.
2. History of the An Hien garden house
Constructed in the late 19th century, An Hien garden house was firstly owned by the 18th princess of King Duc Duc. In 1895, the entire property belonged to Mr. Pham Dang Khanh, the son of a great minister in Gia Long's time.
In 1920, Mr. Khanh passed this place to Mr. Tung Le, a famous wealthy man in the area with a kind heart. Until 1936, the house was officially sold to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Chi - a mandarin of Ha Tinh province. After his death in 1940, his wife Dao Thi Xuan Yen continued to manage the house.
Currently, this garden house is inherited by his daughter-in-law Phan Thi Hoang Oanh and four grandchildren. Although many years have passed, the house still retains the original landscape and ancient architecture.
3. Discover the most unique garden house in Hue
The house’s surroundings
This garden house was built on an area of 4,608 m2, facing to the south. Many fresh green trees are planted around the house. Right at the garden gate is an ancient arch built of brick and mortar. Along the entrance is a dirt road about 34 m long with two rows of tall green trees planted intertwined.
As you turn left toward the garden house, you will see an ancient wall decorated with the word "Tho" meaning to prevent all bad things from entering the house. In front of the house is a rectangular lotus pond built according to the ancient garden house architecture following the concept of feng shui.
The distinctive architectural style in Hue
The 135m2 wide large complex is tree-lined built in the oriental architectural style, of which a house comprises 3 main compartments and 2 auxiliary. The central compartment is the worship area and the two adjacent compartments are the place to welcome guests. Similarly, the two auxiliary compartments are divided into accommodation for men on the left and women on the right.
All the windows of the house are made of wood with the main column system delicately carved with extremely sophisticated ancient motifs. The roof is covered with many layers, covered with dragons on both sides and lotus flowers on top of the roof. The house is decorated with many old utensils from wooden tables and chairs, tea cabinets to tea sets. The interior is well arranged according to the feng shui elements of traditional Vietnamese architecture.
Valuable heirlooms at the An Hien garden house
A Hien garden house still preserves many ancient heirlooms of the Nguyen dynasty. Particular is the four-word horizontal painting "Van Vo Trung Hieu" hanging in the centre, given to the owner by King Bao Dai in 1937.
Special flowers and exotic fruits
An Hien garden house attracts tourists not only by the ancient features of the countryside house, but also with the poetic natural landscape. The orchard is abundant in all four seasons. You will have a chance to taste the fresh flavours of fruits from all over the country such as lychee, mangosteen, jackfruit, grapefruit,...
Listening to the Hue folk songs
One of the outstanding activities in An Hien garden is enjoying the Hue song's rhythm. When you have the opportunity to visit this garden house, spend time among the serene atmosphere to chill. In the middle of an ancient house, sipping a cup of fragrant hot tea while enjoying Hue's unique traditional melodies, what could be more wonderful.
4. Extra notes while visiting the An Hien garden house
For beautiful approriate photos amidst the ancient space of the An Hien garden house, Izitour recommends you take some notes:
- Choose approriate clothes such as traditional Vietnamese "ao dai" or comfortable clothes
- For women, you can bring Vietnamese traditional conical hats and silk scarves as accessories
- Take advantage of the sunshines in the garden and courtyard to capture the best photos
- Don't forget to charge your phone and camera
Come to Hue not only to enjoy Hue's famous specialties, but also to find relics that preserve the long-standing culture. In the middle of the bustling and noisy city, An Hien Garden House is always a famous tourist spot that you cannot ignore in your itinerary in Hue.
To discover Hue with a local tour guide:
>> The Best of Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang for Family in 04 Days
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