Today we were able to visit two beautiful but very different cities. We landed in Da Nang and then proceeded to drive to Hue, the Imperial city. This drive was the first that time we saw evidence of the war. There were bunkers still standing in the rice patties. The guide spoke to us about the lingering damage of agent orange.
The following two pictures show the typical countryside which features rice patties along the road and evidence of fishing where there is water.
Hue is the Imperial City because the emperors lived and died here until the last one abdicated in the 1940s. We first went to the Royal Citadel which is set on a plan similar to the Forbidden City in Beijing except again the evidence of the War was here as most of the structures had been bombed and there was no money to restore the Palace. Even with that we were able to view the lay out of the citadel and imagine its original beauty as we saw some small parts that have been restored.
Next stop was the Heavenly Lady Pagoda which provides a wonderful view of the Perfume River and houses an exceptional collection of bonsai.
In Hue we began to explore the handicrafts of the country as they are created in various villages. Here we visited the incense village where hats from coconuts are also created.
From Hue we drove to Hoi Ann which is rightly famous for its beauty. This city was initially an important trading port but now is a charming town whose architecture reflect Japan, India, China and Portugal as inhabitants from these countries lived and worked here. The symbol of the city is the Covered bridge built by the Japanese. But also lovely here is the Phuoc Kien Temple. People from all over now flock to this city to enjoy it's charms and the beauty of the river and lanterns that illuminate it at night.
The following two pictures show the typical countryside which features rice patties along the road and evidence of fishing where there is water.
Hue is the Imperial City because the emperors lived and died here until the last one abdicated in the 1940s. We first went to the Royal Citadel which is set on a plan similar to the Forbidden City in Beijing except again the evidence of the War was here as most of the structures had been bombed and there was no money to restore the Palace. Even with that we were able to view the lay out of the citadel and imagine its original beauty as we saw some small parts that have been restored.
Next stop was the Heavenly Lady Pagoda which provides a wonderful view of the Perfume River and houses an exceptional collection of bonsai.
In Hue we began to explore the handicrafts of the country as they are created in various villages. Here we visited the incense village where hats from coconuts are also created.
From Hue we drove to Hoi Ann which is rightly famous for its beauty. This city was initially an important trading port but now is a charming town whose architecture reflect Japan, India, China and Portugal as inhabitants from these countries lived and worked here. The symbol of the city is the Covered bridge built by the Japanese. But also lovely here is the Phuoc Kien Temple. People from all over now flock to this city to enjoy it's charms and the beauty of the river and lanterns that illuminate it at night.
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