Korea Chronicles: Gyeongbok Palace II

first posted on July 9, 2014

It's been exactly a month now since my trip to South Korea and it feels like ten days there passed by too quickly. If not for the photos, I would think that everything was just a dream - it wouldn't be too impossible because I truly have a very vivid imagination. haha. Anyway, I'm not quite done with Day 5. Gyeongbokgung is such a pretty place - the area is huge and every corner is interesting and quite lovely. Let me share some photos that I took inside and around the palace after the Royal Guards Changing Ceremonies. 

Gyeongbokgung is probably the most visited tourist site in Seoul. Though there was quite a crowd that day, but there definitely was more than enough space  to roam around. Although you'd have to wait for people to move if you'd like to avoid photo bombers. It takes timing. 

In 1867, 330 buildings within the palace grounds were restored (including the palace walls, outer and inner quarters) and in 2009, 40% of the original structures were restored and maintained. I have no idea how huge the entire compound is, but you can see a lay-out of it, here.

In Photos: 

1/2/ Roof Details (Throne Hall Compound - Geunjeongjeon Hall)

This hall is the largest and the most formal among all the halls in Gyeongbokgung. This is where the King used to receive guests and audiences. Looking at the colors used to paint the palaces/shrines in Korea, green, red and pink have always stood out and the paintings always include flowers. By the way, this hall is the first you'll see after entering the two main gates - Gwanghwamun being the main entrance. 

3/ A photo in front of one of the quarters/buildings around the palace. Across this building is a modern cafe and souvenir shop. There were a lot of pigeons in this area too.

4/ A view from the bridge that connects the first inner gate, Heungnyemun, and Geunjeongjon Hall.

5/6/7 Inside Geunjeongjeon Hall

8/ A closer look of a roof in one of the quarters inside Gyeongbokgung

9/ A door in Geunjeongjeon Hall. In Bongeunsa, I was told that temples do not have walls; instead they have numerous doors. It seems that the same thing applies in Geunjeongjeon Hall. 

10/ Blue sky. The clouds look like a question mark to me or a light bulb. What do you think? :D

11/12 Gyeonghoeru Pavilion 

This was built on a pond in the west side of the living quarters. The current structure was built in 1867 and originally, there were walls around the pond but they were torn down during the Japanese occupation. I'm not sure if tourists are allowed to go inside; it would have been nice to see the view of the palace grounds from there. 

Gyeongbokgung has a nice site, here. Check it out.