5 days in Seoul, Korea-5/17-5/22/2023

Day 1
Arrival/Korean BBQ
Day 2
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Insa-Dong
Hoa's Birthday at Mr. Ahn's Craf Magkeolli
Day 3
Changdeokgung Palace
Secret garden
Jongmyo Shrine
Dinner at Kyoyan Siksa
Day 4
Meyeong-Dong Cathedral
Hop on Hop off bus
Gwanjang Market
Cheonggyecheon Stream
Dinner at Yakitori Mook
Day 5
War Memorial Museum
Lotus Lantern Festival
Bukchon Village
Hongdae street
Dinner at Dono & Cocktails

Day 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace -5/18/2023

Gyeongbokgung Palace located north of Gwanghwamun Square, is one of the most iconic sights in all of Korea. It was the first and largest of the royal palaces built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty. Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Kings of the Joseon dynasty, the Kings' households, as well as the government of Joseon and is also the largest of the Five Grand Palaces (the others being Gyeonghuigung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace).

Gyeongbokgung was destroyed and rebuilt throughout history and much of the palace was dismantled and torn down by the Japanese occupation (1910-1945). The Palace was designated as a cultural property and from 1968 to 2010 different parts of Gyeongbokgung were restored at various time to its original form. The Korean government has invested lots of time and effort into rebuilding, restoring, and maintaining the palace for future generations.

The entrance to the Gwanghwamun square.

 

We were lucky to arrive during the changing of the royal guards ceremony and that why you see so many people gathering behind the gate, in the main square.

 

 

Gwanghwamun gate was rebuilt many times over the years but remains an icon of Seoul.

 

Visitors wearing colorful hanbok (Traditional Korean clothes).

 

The outfits are so colorful and so pretty to watch.

 

 

Gyeongbokgung's royal guards in front of the 3 arched gate.  The center arched gate was used by the King and the two other arched gates were used by the crown prince and royal officials.

 

Closer look at the royal guards.

 

In the Joseon dynasty, the royal guards of the palace were gatekeepers and were responsible for guarding the main gates of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

 

The royal guards working in shift and were in charge of opening and closing Gwanghwamun gate.

 

The royal guards changing ceremony held at Gyeongbokgung Palace are reenacts of the guard-changing procedure that took place during the Joseon dynasty, along with the reproduction of costumes and weapons, based on historical records.

 

There are two performances per day: 10:00am and 2:00pm.

 

The performance is about 20 minutes long.

 

It is really wonderful to see them perform the ceremony.

 

The uniforms are also very colorful.

 

 

 

This is the end of the performance.

 

Visitors hanging around a bit to see the royal guards leave the area.

 

After the change of the royal guards we decided to rent a Hanbok outfit for the both us.

 

Hoa decided to dress as a King.

 

I selected a nice blue dress.

 

NEXT...Geunjeongjean Hall

 

 

 

Home

Travel

Our house

Birthdays

Photo Gallery

 Mon  petit coin