Group Tour of Hue City
Explore the imperial city of Hue on this fascinating day trip! Meet your guide at the local pier before taking a traditional dragon boat cruise down the Perfume River, soaking in the beautiful riverside landscape surrounding you. Your boat ride ends at the Thien Mu pagoda, standing atop a hill by the river. Explore the seven-storied medieval monument and enjoy panoramic views of the Perfume River flowing beneath. Drive over to the famous UNESCO World Heritage ‘Complex of Hue Monuments’, which houses the Imperial Citadel, and admire its intricate architecture. Stroll through the royal gardens, stopping at the old royal court, as your guide shares historic trivia. Visit the royal antique museum before dropping by the bustling Dong Ba market for a feel the pulsating city. (Duration: 4 hrs; Time: 0800 hrs; Shared Activity; Fitness level: Easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes).
Hidden Charms of Rural Hue by Bike
Drive out for a few miles from Hue to explore charming suburbs that are rich in ancient culture and architecture. Hop onto a bicycle for a 10 mile long leisurely ride, enjoying the fresh air of the verdant countryside and exploring the small 100-year-old village of Thuy Bieu. The village is surrounded by the Perfume River on three sides, and is dotted by old garden houses (Ruong houses) and large Thanh Tra gardens (a specialty Pomelo related to grapefruit, which used to be given only to royal families). Pass by rice fields, family temples and bamboo orchards observing the different means of livelihood of the local people. You could also stop at a handicraft workshop where necklaces are being made out of aloeswood. Visit the home of a family who has been in the craft of making incense sticks for generations. Understand the traditional techniques and how they strive to keep the craft alive. After a brief stop at a silk painting workshop, visit the Voi Re temple – the temple of elephants – where the king’s war elephants were buried and worshipped. Move to the Ho Quyen (Tiger Fighting Arena) that was built in the mid 1800s by Emperor Minh Mang where elephants and tigers fought to death to entertain the royal family. Explore on your own for a while, before heading back to Hue. (Duration: 4 hrs; Time of Day: 0800 hrs or 1300 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness Level: Leisure biking for 10 miles approx; Seasonal/Open/Close Dates: The tour is closed during Tet holidays. Please note that a vehicle is always available as a back-up if you don’t wish to ride a bicycle)
En Route Activity: Marble Mountain Visit
En route from Hue to Hoi An, discover some of Vietnam’s treasured architecture. Your first stop is at Rong Cao, the Dragon Bridge, Da Nang’s treasured architectural symbol, also a pyrotechnic attraction every weekend. Visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture showcasing a splendid collection of rare artifacts and paraphernalia from the Cham culture. Head to the Cao Dai temple and admire the ornate interiors with gilded letters, carved pillars, and a dominating all-seeing eye. Explore the city’s periphery for a unique cultural experience at Nui Ngu Hanh Son, a cluster of five marble and sandstone mountains representing the five elements. Stop by at Non Nuoc, a charming village of local marble sculptors and craftsmen at the foothills. Discover historic caves, temples, tunnels, and peaks with figurines and statues carved out of stone. As you climb the meandering stairways dotted with beautiful 17th century pagodas, be rewarded with an excellent vantage of the surrounding beaches of Da Nang, the city below, and other rock faces. (En route Activity from Hue to Hoi An; Time of the Day: Morning or Afternoon; Duration: 3 hr; Private Activity)
