The Tomb of Khải Định - Vietnam

A blend of European and Vietnamese design features can be seen in this hillside monument. While the interior of the tomb resembles explosions of colorful ceramic mosaic, the majority of its massive façade is coated in black, worn concrete, conveying a surprisingly Gothic feel. Known for being a French puppet, Khai Dinh ruled Vietnam as its penultimate monarch from 1916 until 1925.

His extravagant tomb, located in Chau Chu village 10 kilometers from Hue, was built over the course of 11 years.

The Hue tombs give the impression of a vanished, almost magical realm, with their moss-covered castles tucked away in the hills and their faded stone soldiers bravely guarding the dead. The different personalities, ideologies, and objectives of the Nguyen Dynasty's rulers were reflected in the designs of their own graves.

There are steps leading to the Honour Courtyard, where Mandarin honor guards with a blend of European and Vietnamese elements stand. The magnificent main building, Thien Dinh, is three flights of stairs higher. Murals depicting the Four Seasons, Eight Precious Objects, and the Eight Immortals adorn the walls and ceiling. A gilt bronze statue of Khai Dinh, who is thought to have been homosexual despite having one heir, is located beneath a sparse, gold-speckled concrete canopy. The monument was cast in Marseilles. He is buried 18 meters beneath the statue. A 12-language audio guide is available for 70,000d.