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Old Seoul
The central and northern neighbourhoods are probably the most interesting
areas of Seoul; their olde-worlde atmosphere is in stark contrast to the surrounding
modern city. The whole area was once reserved for the nobility, and is home
to most of Seoul's royal palaces, as well as numerous tiny alleyways with traditional
tile-roofed homes. Some of the traditional homes have beautiful stained-wood
doors graced with ornate brass doorknocks. You can walk around the quaint residential
area and the Gyeongbokgung Palace in about an hour, starting at Gyeongbokgung
Station.
Also in this area are several teashops and galleries, such as the Yoon, Hyundai,
Kumho, Kukje and the wistfully named Growrich. They all feature the work of
local contemporary artists, and it's worth your while to have a little explore.
You can check out the National Folk Museum while you're here too.
Joseon Dynasty Palaces
The palaces still standing in Seoul were built during the 500-year Joseon
dynasty, beginning around the late 14th century. The emperors built a string
of palaces and monuments to their own greatness, and although the number left
standing has diminished over time, the remainder will keep even the most ardent
royal watcher busy for a few days. They are all square, built on a north-south
axis and are surrounded by high walls - the layout owes a great deal to Chinese
geomancy.
Today's royals live at Changdeokgung Palace, and you can visit it only
on a guided tour. The paparazzi will be disappointed - parts of the palace
grounds are off limits, but a tour is worthwhile if only to see the beautiful
Biwon (Secret Garden) - 32 hectares (79 acres) of ponds, pavilions, ancient
gnarled trees.
The Deoksugung Palace is the smallest of the palaces in Seoul, but
it has served as the royal residence twice in its history; once for 15 years
after the 1592 sacking of the capital, and again from 1897 to 1907 by King
Gojong. The entrance to the palace is through the Daehanmun Gate opposite the
Seoul Plaza Hotel.
Changdeokgung updated!
One of the five palaces of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), was constructed
in 1405, as an auxiliary palace. In contrast to Gyeongbokgung, the main palace,
the complex's layout is free from symmetrical or lineal arrangement of structures
and instead is designed in accordance with the surrounding topography. Notably
a hill and two flat areas to both sides of it were taken into consideration
when determining the layout of the main gate, main hall and inner hall. Since
the Three Kingdoms period construction techniques accounted for terrain features.
The builders of Changdeokgung, fully employing the ancient techniques, created
a structure which is uniquely Korean in terms of design.
Changdeokgung has undergone a number of repairs and reconstructions due to
fire; yet it was never reduced in size. Of the three palaces that burnt down
during the Hideyoshi invasions of 1592-1598, it was the first to be restored--beginning
in 1606--and thus served as the main palace for almost 270 years. Built from
the mid-Joseon to the modern period, the buildings within the complex demonstrate
the styles of different periods. The oldest structure in the complex is Donhwamun
Gate. Other ancient buildings include Injeong-jeon (used for congratulatory
ceremonies and the reception of foreign envoys), Seonjeongjeon (used to discuss
national affairs) and Daejojeon (the queen's residence). In addition, the back
garden (Huwon) served as a recreational area for Joseon kings. It is a fine
example of ancient Korean landscaping with a lotus pond, trees--some now over
300 years old--and a pavilion all arranged in harmony with the natural surroundings.
Changdeokgung makes an invaluable contribution to our understanding of traditional
architecture, landscaping and history.
Source: www.korea.net
Yeouido Island
Yeouido is the administrative and business centre of Seoul, and touted as
the city's answer to Manhattan. During the week there's little to see, as the
office buildings fill up and the streets are eerily deserted. On Sunday the
enormous Riverside Park is packed with picnickers frolicking in the swimming
pool; in spring, autumn and winter the pool becomes a roller/ice rink.
At the far northwestern end of the island is the ugly National Assembly building,
which may not be worth the effort unless you are interested in contemporary
Korean politics. The Korea Stock Exchange is also here. Sunday services at
the Full Gospel Church are a huge multimedia event, and with about 50,000 of
the faithful, the church claims to have the largest congregation in the world.
The glamorously named KLI 63 building, with 60 storeys above ground and three
below, is Korea's tallest, and houses an aquarium, an Imax theatre and an observation
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