On our last day we also visited the N Tower Seoul also know as Namsan Tower or Seoul Tower. It is located on Namsam Mountain in downtown Seoul and the easiest way to get there is via a cable car. The Tower was built in 1969 as a Television Communications Tower and then opened to… Continue reading Seoul: N Tower
Category: South Korea
Seoul: National Museum of Korea
Enough about food, back to some culture! During out stay in Seoul we also visited the National Museum of Korea, which is truly amazing. Not just because of its collection, but also its architecture and size. Our travel guide said that it's one of the top 10 biggest museums in the world, and I can… Continue reading Seoul: National Museum of Korea
Seoul: Gyeonbokgung Palace
Gyeonbokgung Palace is the most famous of all palaces in Seoul. I've visited it last July and enjoyed it very much as you can gather from my previous blog posts (general info about the palace, Gwanghamun Gate, Geunjeongjeon Hall, Gangnyeongjeon and Gyotaejeon, Amisan and Hyangwonjeong and finally Geoncheonggung and Gyeonghoeru). This time it was much… Continue reading Seoul: Gyeonbokgung Palace
Seoul: Deoksugung Palace
Deoksugung Palace is right in the city centre (like all the other palaces) and was originally built as a residence for Prince Wolsan, the elder brother of King Seongjong, in the 15th Century. After all other palace buildings were destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasion of 1592, King Seonjo (1567-1608) established a temporary residence… Continue reading Seoul: Deoksugung Palace
Seoul: Changdeokgung Palace
Changdeokgung Palace is one of the five palaces built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. Construction of Changdeokgung Palace started in 1405, and was completed in 1412. At Changdeokgung Palace there are things to see such as Donhwamun Gate, Geumcheongyo Bridge (which is the oldest bridge still in existence in Seoul, built 1411) and… Continue reading Seoul: Changdeokgung Palace
Seoul: Unhyeongung Palace
In January I visited Seoul for the second time - and while it was very cold (around minus 10 degrees) I really enjoyed it. My parents came along for the five day trip and they also had a great time in Seoul! On the first day we decided to start with one of the many… Continue reading Seoul: Unhyeongung Palace
Seoul: Bongeunsa temple
Just north of the COEX Center (and next to the flat of our friends), lies Bongeunsa. This is a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of crowded city life. The temple is a major centre for the Seon (Zen) sect of Buddhism, which focuses on meditation. Established in 794 by Yeon-hoe , the temple… Continue reading Seoul: Bongeunsa temple
Seoul: Geoncheonggung and Gyeonghoeru, Gyeongbokgung Palace
Geoncheonggung was a private royal residence built by King Gojong. He resided there from 1888 to 1896. Demolished completely by the Japanese government in 1909, the residence was accurately reconstructed to its former design and open to the public in 2007. It is very different in style, to me looked a little more Japanese. It… Continue reading Seoul: Geoncheonggung and Gyeonghoeru, Gyeongbokgung Palace
Seoul: Amisan and Hyangwonjeong, Gyeongbokgung Palace
After visiting the living quarters from the king and queen we went to a famous garden called Amisan. The garden is created from an artificial mound and has four hexagonal chimneys, constructed around 1869 in orange brick and decorative roof tiles. The chimneys represent the different elements and amidst the flowers and plants are wonderful… Continue reading Seoul: Amisan and Hyangwonjeong, Gyeongbokgung Palace
Seoul: Gangnyeongjeon and Gyotaejeon, Gyeongbokgung Palace
After the throne hall we went into through a gate into the next section called Gangnyeongjeon. This is a complex with many houses, used as the king's main sleeping and living quarters. The building contains the king's bed chamber and was first constructed in 1395, the fourth year of King Taejo. Destroyed during the Japanese… Continue reading Seoul: Gangnyeongjeon and Gyotaejeon, Gyeongbokgung Palace