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SEOUL
ATTRACTIONS
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Seoul is the
capital of Korea with over 600 years of history. It is the heart
of Korea’s culture and education as well as politics and
economics. It's unique in that historical sites such as
Gyeongbokgung Palace and modern cultural facilities coexist in
harmony. Seoul is a world-class city with numerous amenities and
shopping districts such as Myeong-dong and Apgujeong. |
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Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung was the
main palace during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). One of five
palaces in Seoul, it has a 500 year history. It was built by the
founding King of Joseon dynasty, Lee Seong-Gye, in 1395 as he moved
the capital city from Gyeseong to Seoul. Located in the northern part
of Seoul, it is sometimes called “Bukgwol.”
Gyeongbokgung is 5.4
million square feet and rectangular in shape. On the south side is
the main gate Gwanghwamun. To the north, Sinmumun, east, Yeongchumun,
and west, Geonchunmun. In the palace are the Jeongak buildings such
as Geunjeongjeon, Gyotaejeon, Jagyeongjeon, Gyeonghoeru, and
Hyangwonjeong. Geunjeongjeon, the main hall, was where inquiries and
morning sessions were held. In the front courtyard, three granite
walkways are present. The slightly more elevated middle walkway was
for the King. The ones on the side were for his court. In the yard,
Pumgyeseoks stand on each side. Jagyeongjeon and Gyotaejeon were the
King’s mother and Queen’s sleeping quarters. Jakyeongjeon is famous
for it’s flower wall and Sipjangsaeng guldduk (chimney). The guldduk
is recognized as the most beautiful made in Joseon period, and is
listed as National Treasure no. 810. Gyotaejeon was the Queen’s
personal living area, and the wall and the rear entrance overlooking
Amisan Mountain are particularly eye-catching.
What adds to the
elegance of Gyeongbokgung is its lotus pond. Gyeonghoeru and
Hyangwonjeoung. Gyeonghoeru was where foreign dignitaries met and
special festivals were held when good events occurred in the nation. Hwangwonjeong
is behind the sleeping quarters, and is in the back courtyard. It
also has a lotus pond, but has a distinct feminine feel to it compared
to Gyeonghoeru’s. Its architecture makes great use of the surrounding
Amisan’s geography, and the area blends in beautifully, a great
example of traditional Korean palatial structure. There is also the
library, sujeongjeon, and the King’s work quarters, Sajeongjeon.
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Seoul Olympic Museum
The Seoul Olympic Museum was established
to remember the success and significance of the 88 Olympics. It is
located in the Olympic Park, a three-story building with a B1
floor. On the 1st floor when you enter the lobby there is a figure
called 'Once again, Asia's Dragon flies to the sky'. Past the lobby,
the first exhibit hall you meet is the Place of Peace. Here you can
learn the origin and history of the Olympics from long ago. You can
view the 100-year history of the modern Olympics as well. You can
learn about the behind-stories of the games and more about the games
themselves. On the 1st floor there is also a special exhibit hall and
a museum shop. If you go up to the second floor you can see the whole
ceremony of the 88 Olympics from the Olympic Flame relay, the Opening
ceremony, the games, to the Closing ceremony. And you will be able to
learn about the world’s reactions on Korea’s Olympics, and meet the
Olympic heroes, the mascots of the 88 Olympics, Hodori and Hosuni. You
can also watch a 70mm film at the Simulation Theater (100 seats) on
the video on the Seoul Olympics. There is a Cafeteria on the 2nd
floor for relaxation, so let's not forget that. The 3rd floor is a
library floor, composed of an Audio & Video library and a Document
library. You can view the Olympic related documents, videos, films
and other records. Last but not least, you can visit the Sports
Experience Hall on the basement floor. You can play games of weight
lifting, volleyball, soccer, skiing, snowboarding, shooting and
compare the game machines and your personal experience.
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Namsan Park
Mt. Namsan (265m above
sea level) is a symbolic mountain located at the center of
Seoul. Although not so high, because of its location and view at the
top, Mt. Namsan is very popular as a resting site. At the top of Mt.
Namsan, there are various facilities such as Palgakjeong (octagonal
hall), Seoul Tower, Maritime Aquarium, fountains, botanical gardens
and Namsan Library. You may take a cable car to the top or walk up
the stairway path. Other than this path, there are many other
walkways to Namdaemun, Haehyun-dong, Taegyero 3(sam)-ga, Jangchung
Park, Itaewon, Huam-dong etc. The driving courses here are also
popular to couples.
Namsan Park is a
historical site. You will find Bonghwadae (beacon mound) at the top
because it was once the center of capital defense. During the Joseon
Dynasty (1392-1910) the capital was changed to Hanyang,(current Seoul)
and to protect the city from invasions, castle walls were built on the
4 major mountains like Mt. Bukaksan, Mt. Inwangsan, Mt. Naksan and Mt.
Namsan. On Namsan peak, five beacons were built to report the news
from local governments to the central government with a five-signal
system.
Also on the top of Mt.
Namsan, there is the Palgakjeong Pavilion, which has a fantastic view.
At Seoul Tower (479.7m), you can view the whole landscape of Seoul and
the West Sea beyond Incheon. The rotating restaurant in the Seoul
Tower has an excellent view of Seoul. Because night view is excellent
from Mt. Namsan, you should try having dinner at the tower and enjoy
the night view of Seoul. It would be great as well to visit Namsangol
Traditional Korean Village which is a village of 5 traditional Korean
houses.
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Lotte World
Lotte World is the
place to be for entertainment and sightseeing in the center of the
city. It is a theme park filled with thrilling rides, an ice rink,
different kinds of parades, a folk museum, walk trails by the lake,
and much more. About 6,000,000 visitors come here every year, and
about 10% of the visitors are foreigners. The structure inside makes
use of the natural sunlight, and it is open for visitors 365 days a
year, regardless of the weather.
Lotte World is divided
into ‘Adventure’ inside the building, and ‘Magic Island’ outside
beside Seokchonho Lake. Lotte World Adventure has streets representing
different countries, with different kinds of facilities and souvenir
shops. You can enjoy fantastic parades, numerous films, laser shows,
and foods of different nations, even during holidays. On the other
hand, Magic Island situated outside the building has magic castle,
thrilling high-altitude free fall amusement rides that you can only
experience outside the building, and the pleasant trail walks around
the lake. One of the major reasons tourists are attracted to Lotte
World is the amusement rides. The Gyro Drop and Gyro Swing are the top
crowd pleasers – you can free fall 70 meters, or taste the thrilling
sensation of being inside a tornado.
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Changdeokgung Palace
Changdeokgung Palace
is composed of the public official space, the king’s residence and the
rear garden. Changdeokgung Palace is the only palace that preserves
the architectural style of the Joseon Dynasty. The rear garden used
to be the king’s resting place where 300-year-old trees, pond and
pavilion are harmoniously organized with nature itself.
Past Donhwa Gate and
into the palace, Geumcheon Bridge appears from the right. Constructed
during the 11th year of King Tae-Jong’s (1411) reign, this stone
bridge is the oldest of it’s kind that remains in Seoul. The entrance
of Injeongjeon (the royal audience chamber) is at the end of the
bridge and the ridge of this chamber’s roof is unusually decorated
with flower patterns. These patterns were attached by the Japanese to
disgrace the royal family and cannot be found at any other
ridge. There are nine statues each on the eves of Injeongjeon. These
statues prevent evil spirits from entering, and the number of statues
differ – five statues for each eve at Jinseonmun, and seven for
Donhwamun. Behind the right door of Injeongjeon, there is the king’s
official chamber called Seonjeongjeon. Blue tiles were used only for
the palace, which gives an explanation for the blue tiles of the
Presidential Residence of Korea. The cement road between the walls of
Changdeokgung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace lead to Huwon
garden. Buyongjeong and Johapru here frequently appear in photos
introducing Korea. The garden is formed in the shape of the Korean
alphabet ‘ㄷ’ with a pond in the center. Also, one must pass Bulo gate
made of a big stone into the ‘ㄷ’ shape to step out of the palace and
reach Yeongeongdang, the 99-room house of the highest ranking
nobleman.
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Information provided by
Korean National Tourism Office
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