13.12.10

Gyeongbokgung Palace-경복궁

So, I've decided that now that I've been here a year, it really is about time for me to go see all the touristy sights around Seoul.

I started with Gyeongbokgung, one of the big palaces in Seoul.

When you go out of the subway to get there you end up in a big median facing a statue of King Sejong. He invented the Korean alphabet and is just generally really well liked here.



To my right was the American Embassy, which I think I maybe wasn't actually allowed to take a picture of. It's not a very pretty building but I guess it's good that I finally know where it is!



Then we discovered that there is a massive "Story of King Sejong" museum beneath his statue. I actually didn't figure out much of his story from the museum but I did get to write my name in hangeul (the Korean alphabet) on a piece of rice paper. Tourism!



Then you have to cross a massive road to go through Gwanghwamun, the main gate of the palace.



When we were there, there were many people in what I assume were traditional costumes doing something with flags. I think it was maybe something like a changing of the guards.



We showed up too late for me to dress up in Hanbok and take pictures so I had to settle for this picture of me as a guard.



The grounds were really pretty. I especially liked all of the carp in this reflecting pond.



Most of the buildings looked more or less the same to me but I do really like the colors in Korean traditional architecture.



Here I am with my zodiac statue.



More reflecting pond action.



I liked this pagoda or whatever it is.



Evidence that I am in Asia!



And some more.



So now I've done something cultural in Korea. Mostly, I just wish I had done all of this when the weather was better and the scenery greener but oh well.

No comments:

Post a Comment