Viewing entries tagged
sightsee

28 Photos Around Gyeongbokgung Palace

Comment

28 Photos Around Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace in front of the Bukhansan Mountain.

Gyeongbokgung Palace in front of the Bukhansan Mountain.

Changing of the Guards Ceremony held daily for visitors.

Changing of the Guards Ceremony held daily for visitors.

Rooftop of Geunjeongjeon, the Throne Hall where the king oversaw events and greeted officials.

Rooftop of Geunjeongjeon, the Throne Hall where the king oversaw events and greeted officials.

Doorway to Taewonjeon Shrine, which accommodates the portrait of King Taejo.

Doorway to Taewonjeon Shrine, which accommodates the portrait of King Taejo.

Child playing camel with her mother near the palace entrance.

Child playing camel with her mother near the palace entrance.

Full view of the Geunjeongjeon Throne Hall.

Full view of the Geunjeongjeon Throne Hall.

On the west of the Throne Hall.

On the west of the Throne Hall.

A lonely shot of the Geunjeongjeon Throne Hall during its closing hour.

A lonely shot of the Geunjeongjeon Throne Hall during its closing hour.

Looking towards Geunjeongmun, the third inner gate.

Looking towards Geunjeongmun, the third inner gate.

Pond of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion with Bukhansan Mountain.

Pond of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion with Bukhansan Mountain.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in winter.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in winter.

Frozen pond in front of the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion.

Frozen pond in front of the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion.

The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion towards the end of winter.

The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion towards the end of winter.

Standing in the middle arch of Gwanghwamun where the king once walked, looking towards the first inner gate Heungnyemun.

Standing in the middle arch of Gwanghwamun where the king once walked, looking towards the first inner gate Heungnyemun.

The National Folk Museum of Korea in the distance. It houses nearly 100,000 artifacts from the traditional Korean lifestyle.

The National Folk Museum of Korea in the distance. It houses nearly 100,000 artifacts from the traditional Korean lifestyle.

The National Folk Museum of Korea with the Hyangwonjeong Pond.

The National Folk Museum of Korea with the Hyangwonjeong Pond.

The two-story Hyangwonjeong Pavilion sits on a man-made island.

The two-story Hyangwonjeong Pavilion sits on a man-made island.

Jangandang, where King Gojong used to reside.

Jangandang, where King Gojong used to reside.

Walking through the Geunjeong Gate towards Heungnyemun.

Walking through the Geunjeong Gate towards Heungnyemun.

The traditional and modern architecture mash-up. From the raised platform of the Throne Hall looking south, you'll see the tall buildings lined up next to Gwanghwamun Plaza.

The traditional and modern architecture mash-up. From the raised platform of the Throne Hall looking south, you'll see the tall buildings lined up next to Gwanghwamun Plaza.

Statue of King Sejong, the fourth ruler of the Joseon Dynasty famed for his contribution in creating the Korean language.

Statue of King Sejong, the fourth ruler of the Joseon Dynasty famed for his contribution in creating the Korean language.

The very happy man acting as a royal guard. Feel free to stare at him all day. Just don't touch him.

The very happy man acting as a royal guard. Feel free to stare at him all day. Just don't touch him.

The lion-unicorn, known as "haitai," sits in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace to protect the city from natural disasters.

The lion-unicorn, known as "haitai," sits in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace to protect the city from natural disasters.

The statue of the legendary Admiral Yi Sun-Sin, who never lost a naval battle in his life. In the Battle of Myeongnyang, his ships were outnumbered 13 to 133. Who won? Yi Sun-Sin.

The statue of the legendary Admiral Yi Sun-Sin, who never lost a naval battle in his life. In the Battle of Myeongnyang, his ships were outnumbered 13 to 133. Who won? Yi Sun-Sin.

Two women walking and talking. Not the first time seeing people carry boxes on their head.

Two women walking and talking. Not the first time seeing people carry boxes on their head.

Street food sold on a triangular island surrounded by roads. Target customers: pedestrians on the way or from Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Street food sold on a triangular island surrounded by roads. Target customers: pedestrians on the way or from Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Chestnuts: one of the healthiest winter street foods. That and sweet potatoes.

Chestnuts: one of the healthiest winter street foods. That and sweet potatoes.

Bandaged tree with crutches. During winter trees are wrapped to prevent being frostbitten.

Bandaged tree with crutches. During winter trees are wrapped to prevent being frostbitten.



Comment

14 Memorable Photos from Bukchon Hanok Village

2 Comments

14 Memorable Photos from Bukchon Hanok Village

Walking in Bukchon Hanok Village is a relaxing and magical experience for both tourists and locals alike. The neighborhood contains an estimated 900 Korean traditional homes (called hanok). Come on a sunny day to enjoy a view of the Namsan Tower at the photo hotspot. Or visit on a snowy winter afternoon for an added layer of romance.

bukchon hanok village sign

When skies are clear even on a cold winter day, you can see the famous Namsan Tower from Gahoe-dong Alley. The street is easily filled with a hundred tourists at any given time. On the snowy day I went, a maximum of ten people walked up the popular street.

bukchon namsan tower
It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how many people pass by this bike, it doesn't get stolen. Faith in humanity restored. Partially.

It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how many people pass by this bike, it doesn't get stolen. Faith in humanity restored. Partially.

The electricity pole caught red-handed shaking its hip. It's not the first time to see many wires come together in the streets of Seoul.

The electricity pole caught red-handed shaking its hip. It's not the first time to see many wires come together in the streets of Seoul.

The view of Namsan Tower from Gahoe-dong Alley at sunset.

The view of Namsan Tower from Gahoe-dong Alley at sunset.

The following photo looks like a car commercial. I cringe. But it proves that people inhabit these old traditional homes.

The following photo looks like a car commercial. I cringe. But it proves that people inhabit these old traditional homes.

View standing from the edge of Bukchon-ro 5na-gil.

View standing from the edge of Bukchon-ro 5na-gil.

The building which houses the Glass Dish Museum and Silk Road Museum located on Bukchon-ro 5na-gil.

The building which houses the Glass Dish Museum and Silk Road Museum located on Bukchon-ro 5na-gil.

Couple rings, couple t-shirts, couple undies... and even a viewpoint just for couples. This country is made for lovebirds.

Couple rings, couple t-shirts, couple undies... and even a viewpoint just for couples. This country is made for lovebirds.

On the stroll to the famous Gahoe-dong Alley.

On the stroll to the famous Gahoe-dong Alley.

Hungry? Walk up from the Gahoe-dong Alley and turn to your left. You might get lucky and encounter the baked sweet potato man! He'll have his truck of other winter favorite produce ready for your taste buds.

sweet potato man
Drool. If baked sweet potatoes were a person, I'd marry them. Unconditional love to the maximum. Well... as long as Mr. Sweet Potato remains sweet. Otherwise he'd be just a potato.

Drool. If baked sweet potatoes were a person, I'd marry them. Unconditional love to the maximum. Well... as long as Mr. Sweet Potato remains sweet. Otherwise he'd be just a potato.

Another shot from Bukchon-ro 5na-gil. Looking towards Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Another shot from Bukchon-ro 5na-gil. Looking towards Gyeongbokgung Palace.

On the walk back to Insadong. A tree admiring its naked self on the mirror. Dang girl, look at those curves!

On the walk back to Insadong. A tree admiring its naked self on the mirror. Dang girl, look at those curves!

Directions to Bukchon Hanok Village (the Information Box where you pick up a helpful map): Exit 2 at the Anguk Station. Walk one block and look to your right.

To walk through Bukchon Hanok Village, watch KWOW episode 134 below:



2 Comments