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East Asia 2018, Day 8: Seoul, Day 2: Part 1

Traditional Beauty in Seoul

Welcome to my 2nd day in Korea!  I had another full day in Seoul.  And that has resulted in another day that I’ve split up into 2 parts.  Funny how that didn’t happen at all in Taiwan, but so far I’m 2 for 2 in Korea.

Bukchon Hanok Village

A residential beauty in Bukchon Hanok Village.

I started off the day exploring Bukchon Hanok Village.  Just to the east of Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village has to be one of the world’s most beautiful residential neighborhoods.  It’s a 600-year-old hillside neighborhood packed with traditional Korean houses.

A very cool lamppost in Bukchon Hanok Village.
Because Bukchon Hanok Village is on a hill, it’s easy get a view of a number of houses.

Bukchon is the name of the area where the village is located.  Hanok is the word for the traditional Korean house.

Quite the attractive hanok.
Bukchon Hanok Village’s hillside setting affords spectacular views of Seoul, including N Seoul Tower.
A cute corner lot.
This hanok comes with lovely landscaping.

I probably could’ve wandered around Bukchon Hanok Village for hours.  But it was time to move on.

Changdeokgung

Another palace, another impressive entrance gate, this time it’s Donhwamun at Changdeokgung.

It was an easy walk further to the east to Changdeokgung.  Changdeokgung is another of Seoul’s 5 grand palaces.  It’s the only 1 of the palaces that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  I’m surprised that Gyeongbokgung, Seoul’s grandest palace, isn’t also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  But one thing that Changdeokgung has got going for it over Gyeongbokgung is how it is more integrated into nature.  It was built as a secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung.  And who’s to stop a royal dynasty to have a 2nd palace about a 15-minute walk away from the 1st one?

Guemcheongyo at Changdeokgung is the oldest bridge in Seoul, built in 1411.
Injeongjeon is Changdeokgung’s throne hall.
More of that traditional architecture I can’t get enough of. And just like at Gyeongbokgung, green is the predominant color.
The spectacular throne room at Injeongjeon. There’s our friend, the screen with the 5 peaks motif.
Another royal hall at Changdeokgung.
Really, can you blame me?
Some casual lying-about furniture fit for a king.
Another green beauty at Changdeokgung.

The Secret Garden

Juhamnu Pavilion at Buyongji Pond at the Secret Garden.

There’s 1 thing Changdeokgung has that Seoul’s other palaces don’t have:  the Secret Garden.  This made Changdeokgung the most beloved palace.

Smaller pavilions at Buyongji Pond in the Secret Garden.
The gate at Juhamnu Pavilion.
I couldn’t resist taking a pictures of these trees in the Secret Garden.
Another secret little pond.
A pretty little pavilion in the Secret Garden.
Another gorgeous spot in the Secret Garden.
A brilliant spring display in the Secret Garden.
On the way back to the main part of Changdeokgung from the Secret Garden, I passed by the Chinese juniper, a Korean Natural Monument. Changdeokgung’s Chinese juniper is believed to be 750 years old.

Changgyeonggung

Japanese kerria, aka Japanese rose, on the grounds of Changgyeonggung.

I left Changdeokgung through the back entrance to directly enter Changgyeonggung, another of Seoul’s 5 grand palaces.  Changgyeonggung and Changdeokgung are adjacent, joined at the backside.  Because I entered Changgyeonggung from Changdeokgung, I saw the rear part of it first.  I exited it through the main entrance gate.

Rock garden at Changgyeonggung.
Brilliant spring display at Changgyeonggung.
Placenta chamber of King Seongjong. According to Korean tradition, royal placentas were given elaborate burials.
Chundangji Pond at Changgyeonggung.
Changgyeonggung’s octagonal 7-story pagoda was made in China in 1470.
Relaxing Gwandeokjeong Pavilion at Changgyeonggung.
A lacebark pine at Changgyeonggung.

Having wandered through the back part of Changgyeonggung, it was time for me to see the main halls in the front part.

Myeongjeongjeon, a National Treasure, is Changgyeonggung’s main hall. The current structure was built in 1616, making it the oldest main hall of Seoul’s palaces.
A carved stone on the king’s walkway up to Myeongjeongjeon. The king was carried in a palanquin over the walkway.
Yes, I’m still enthralled by the exquisite detail of the traditional architecture.
This hall contains a very large version of the now familiar 5-peak screen.
Beautiful detail, along with the 5-peak screen again, at the throne at Changgyeonggung.
With the Royal Culture Festival going on, I was able to see a lot of reenactment of traditional ceremonies, complete with traditional costumes.
A traditional processions comes through the main gate at Changgyeonggung, while it was time for me to move on to the rest of the day’s attractions.

[Factual information is primarily gathered from Wikipedia, so you know it must be true.]

Related posts:

East Asia 2018, Day 8: Seoul, Day 2: Part 2 East Asia 2018, Day 7: Seoul, Day 1: Part 1 East Asia 2018, Day 10: Seoul, Day 4 East Asia 2018 Food Diary, Day 10

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