Seoul is the capital of South Korea and is located in north-western Korean Peninsula. South Korea is surrounded by the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan. Seoul represents 0.28 per cent of the area of the entire peninsula or 0.61 per cent of South Korea. It has a population of 9,736,027 on an area of 605.21 square kilometres. The Han River flows through the city and along it are numerous city parks. In this article, we give you travel tips on what to do in the South Korean metropolis and how to best spend your time in Seoul’s districts where the historical and modern parts intertwine with a modern living. The capital consists of twenty-five districts.
The palaces of South Korea and its capital, Seoul, are tourist attractions every traveller can visit when visiting the South Korean capital. During the Joseon dynasty, from fourteenth to twentieth century (1392–1910), quite a few palaces were built, such as the Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Gyeonghuigung. They represent over five hundred years of South Korea’s tradition. With their typical Asian style, the life of South Koreans and the Joseon dynasty, these South Korean palaces, which are cultural attractions, depict the development of the city of Seoul.
The Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1404 and became the main royal palace for the Joseon dynasty. With the building’s central part that links the Gwanghwamun, Heungnyemun and Geunjeongmun gates and the Sajeongjeon, Gangnyeongjeon and Gyotaejeon palaces, the planners took into account the geometric order of the construction and built it symmetrically. The building has seen a few changes from its construction to the present day, since it had to be renovated a few times due to sieges. It now houses the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum of Korea.
The Changdeokgung Palace is the second palace that was built after the first one, that is the Gyeongbokgung Palace. It was built as a secondary palace to be used in case a war or natural disaster occurred. It thus became an important place for kings of the Joseon dynasty who ruled at the time and made important decisions for the nation. The building is enriched with typical geometric invariants of continuous mapping that create a feeling of harmony of the decorative motif with the repetition of the colourful patterns.
The Changgyeonggung Palace was built in 1418 when King Sejong paid tribute to the previous King Tejong. In order to express independence, he built the palace facing eastwards and dedicated the Naejeon hall as a living area, with which it became the residential living area of the Changgyeonggung palace. The main entrance was named Honghwa, which means to encourage the harmony or inspire the public through acts of virtue. Entering through the main gates, one sees the Okcheongjo bridge adorned with carved symbols that are meant to ward off evil spirits.
The Deoksugung Palace was originally called Gyeongungung, but was renamed Deoksugung in 1907 when King Gojong was abdicated, leaving the throne to King Sunjong. It’s quite special among the South Korean palaces, since its exterior has a modern western-style garden with a typical fountain. The palace was built on flat terrain and is surrounded by the Hanyang City Wall that used to protect it from intruders. Just like the other five palaces in Seoul, the Deoksugung Palace was also severely damaged in colonial wars. Only a third of the original building has been preserved after the attacks.
The Gyeonghuigung Palace was also known as the large palace by Saemun Gate or the Western Palace. It got its name from the city it was built in. The palace was renamed Gyeonghuigung in 1616. During the Japanese occupation, between 1910 and 1945, it was completely destroyed. Despite its reconstruction in 1990, the attempt to rebuild back its 17-century appearance failed. The palace houses the Seoul Museum of History and the Seoul Museum of Art. The palace hosted Prada’s Transformer in 2009, a modern design exhibition titled Below the Waist.
Seoul, with its typical culture and tradition, is interesting for travellers who for various reasons wish to explore Asia. It shows visitors its thousands of years of history. The city was founded by the ancestors of South Koreans along the Han River. Of course, it should be noted that this Asian metropolis now presents an excellent opportunity for those who want to experience the modern world where there’s something for everyone. So, why not spice up your trip with Seoul City 1-Day Tour & Nanta Or Korean Folk Village Option VIP Travel which will let you discover Seoul’s major attractions. Or you can plan some morning recreation and explore the city with We Ride Korea – Seoul Highlights: E-bike Tour.
You can also read the A Trip to South Korea travelogue which holds information about things to see in South Korea and its capital as well as highlights things to note when travelling to an Asian country. I LOVE SEOUL TOUR Lctd in collaboration with GET YOUR GUIDE presents a day trip to South Korea’s demilitarised zone where you’ll learn about the war between North and South Korea. Paju is home to Dora Observatory where you can experience the view of the former war zone through Seoul: South Korea Demilitarized Zone Half & Full Day Tour. This includes tickets, a transfer, a guided tour, a lunch and a shooting experience.
History buffs and art enthusiasts will love the National Museum with its six permanent exhibitions in the following galleries: Prehistory and Ancient History Gallery, Medieval and Early Modern History Gallery, Calligraphy and Painting Gallery, Sculpture and Crafts Gallery, Asian Art Gallery and Donation Gallery. If you’re more into the modern animated film art and would like to visit an exhibition with animated heroes of the American Marvel Entertainment as well as DC Comics, then the Figure Museum W will be the perfect choice for you and can be found in Seoul’s most famous district – Gangnam (Gangnam-gu).
When planning a trip, we often find ourselves in a dilemma that can impact the rest of the travel plan at the given moment. Useful travel articles, travel documentaries, travel guides and great books about our chosen destination can help us understand the destination country and our own planning better and faster. Lonely Planet and its Pocket Seoul edition can make your trip to Seoul much easier. It holds many useful tips on how to save money, where to stay, what to see, where to go shopping etc. The book introduces the city through sixteen colourful maps of districts and colourful photos of attractions, helping you experience Seoul even before you set out on your journey.
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