Hue , Day 4

Day 4, after breakfast, we left Hoi An for Hue. It took approximately 3 hours car distance from Hoi An to Hue.

Along the way to Hue, we stopped by Marble Mountain. Marble Mountain also known as five elements mountains, which is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills located between Hoi An and Hue. The five mountains are named after the five elements : Kim (metal), Thuy (water), Moc (wood), Hoa (fire) and Tho (earth). 

All the mountains have cave entrances and numerous tunnels, and it is possible to climb to the summit of Mt. Thuy. Tourists can either choose to use the lift up to the summit of Mt. Thuy or walk the stairs. My family and I chose to walk up the stairs. It's tiring yet fun, as we can burn some fats in this cold weather. At the top of Mt. Thuy, there is Tang Chon Cave, where there are some Buddhist sanctuaries within the mountains.

After visited the Marble Mountain, we continued our journey to Hue. Upon arrival, we checked in to our hotel and took our lunch. Then, we departed to Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. 

In the evening, my parents took a stroll around Hue. 

At night, we walked around our hotel, food hunting for Bun Bo Hue. Bun Bo Hue is ubiquitous in and around the city, where there are many homes double as shops and restaurants : business in the front, family in the back. Bun Bo Hue is also called Pho. Bun Bo Hue is a round rice noodles, as opposed to pho's flat ones, mixed into a stock made from beef or pork bones, flavored with lemongrass, annatto seeds, ginger, fermented shrimp paste, sugar and chillies. Mung bean sprouts, lime wedges, green and white onions, mint and sawtooth herb are offered alongside.