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Ibike
Korea People-to-People Program
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 Photo essay: Seoul
Walking Tour
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Sample the sights of the ancient and modern capital of South Korea.
Points of Interest: Lots of temples and historic sites, museums and markets. |
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This days pictures are
from a walk around Seoul to "feel the pulse of the city." It is quickly
evident that it has a lot! It is steeped in history and full of energy and
creativity. If you are up early in Seoul you will
see people gathering for a session of Tai-chi and stretching. |
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The current Korea House was
constructed in 1980. it is the work of Shin Eung-Soo, a great carpenter artisan,
as well as important cultural asset. Historically, it was the private
residence of one of the six most royal subjects of the Joseon Dynasty. |
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Namsangol Hanok (traditional)
Village, Seoul, was created to preserve the national heritage by moving some of
the Joseon's yangban (noble class) houses still remaining in the capital to a
central site. |
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Namsangol Hanok (traditional)
Village, consists of the parental houses of Queen Yun, consort to King Sunjong;
Shrine house of Haepung Buwongun (title given to a king's father-in-law) Yun;
House of Bumadowi (title given to a king's son-in-law) Bak; House of Owijang
(Commander of Five Commanders') Kim; and, House of Dopyeonsu (Master Architect)
Yi. |
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This is one of the interiors, with
period pieces at Namsangol Hanok (traditional)
Village, Seoul |
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Seoul Railroad Station:
this Renaissance-style building and its
Byzantine dome were constructed in 1926. The initial development of the
Korea rail system was started during the Japanese occupation. The system
now include a comprehensive system of local, regional and high speed inter-city
trains. |
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 Namdeamum (South Gate).
It was literally the south gate to the city but has
long since been engulfed by it. In 2004, it sat inside a traffic circle (left) with five
lanes of traffic continually swirling around it. By 2006 it had been "rescued"
(right). Traffic is diverted to one side, pedestrians have access to the
gate and there is a regular "changing of the guard" ceremony. |
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Namdaemun Market, seems to have
everything. Among the clearly identifiable sections are the fish arcade,
vegetable arcade, jewelry arcade, ginseng arcade, clock arcade and folk craft
arcade to name a few. |
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The shop has an enormous number of
hair accessories, with the dominate color of pink, Namdaemun Market, Seoul |
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This shop is one of several that
grind pepper in enormous quantities so that people don't run short of the main
spice for kimchi. Namdaemun Market, Seoul |
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This shop has dried fish -- bagged
and hanging -- ready for sale. Namdaemun Market, Seoul |
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Hanbok shop, Namdaemun Market, Seoul.
It is interesting that hanbok fashion changes over time, both the style of cut
and color. This year the reds seem a bit more rust color and the is less
of the light green and pink of past years. |
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A strikingly out of
character building, just outside of Namdaemun
Market is the neo-French Renaissance-style chateau, designed by
the Japanese architect Tatsuno Kinko, in 1911. At the time is was the main
office of the Bank of Joseon. After liberation it became the main office
of the Bank of Korea. It stands as and example of one of the many ways the
Japanese disregards (and often aggressively destroyed) the existing physical history and
culture of Korea during their occupation (1910-1945). From the same era is
the near by City Hall (lower left). |
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 Deoksugung
(Palace)
was originally (1454) a royal villa, but in 1593, when the Japanese burned the
main
palace, this became a temporary palace. From 1623 to 1897 it was not used as
a palace.
 After being forced to give up his throne in 1910,
by the Japanese, Emperor Gojong
secluded himself here until his death in 1919. It is the smallest and
probably simplest palace in Seoul. One item of more interest is a sun dial
(upper right), with
 instructions.
There is a colorful changing of the guard ceremony at 10:30, 14:00, 15:00. |
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This brightly, traditionally attired, all-girl marching, horn, flute, shell and
drum corps joined other traditionally attired groups for a parade through Seoul,
but I never learned the occasion. |
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At Gwanghwanum Public
Square is the "zero milestone" for South Korea. Previously, this was the
location of the Bumingwan multipurpose theatre. Historically, it was a
venue for pro-Japanese rallies after the October 20, 1943, Imperial Order #48
requiring military-age college and high school students to serve in the Imperial
army. In July, 1945, a group of Korean independence fighters threw a bomb
at a group of pro-Japanese sympathizers standing here. |
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A
really fantastic pedestrian
and environmental quality
project in the heart of Seoul is the restoration of Cheonggyecheon.
Historically, kids played in the stream and women did laundry on its banks.
After the Korean War people seeking a better life in Seoul built makeshift
houses along the stream. Projects in the 1960's to encase the polluted
stream and build an elevated highway over it became the measure of progress of
the day. Forty years later local priorities changed to placing a great
values on
 aesthetics and environment. The day lighting of the stream
and installation of riverside walks, waterfalls and public art was completed in October 2005.
The water is now crystal clear. |
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Heungnyemun (Gate), Gyeongbokgung
(Palace). Gyeongbokgung, built in 1395, was the primary palace of the
Joseon Dynasty. While it has a resemblance to the Forbidden City in
Beijing, much of it has been destroyed through history, it was never as large as
the Forbidden City because Korea was generally subservient to China and had to
show deference. |
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Geunjeongmun (Gate), Gyeongbokgung
(Palace). There are three roads leading to the gate. Only the king
could use the middle roadway. On special occasions the military (to the
left) and civil servants (to the right) would line up in front of the gate to
pay their respects to the king as he passed. The post indicate where each
rank is to stand. |
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 Geunjeongjeon, considered the
greatest building of Joseon architecture. It is the main building of
Gyeongbokgung. It is the place where ceremonies of the state, such as new
year's greetings to the king by civil and military officials, were held, and
where foreign envoys were received. It is believed to be in a very
auspicious locations; surrounded by four mountains and with a stream running
through the grounds.
 Behind
the throne (right) is a picture showing a red sun and a white moon, above five
mountain, a waterfall and the ocean (the realm) and pine trees (a sacred tree).
This is the symbol of the emperor and traveled with the him. The sun and
the moon in particular represent all of
 nature
(yang and ying), and the king and queen, respectively.
On the ceiling (right) is a watchful gold dragon, another symbol of the emperor.
He was also likened to a dragon. |
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Symbols of the Korean
zodiac guard the palace. These posts feature monkeys and
roosters. |
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Interior of Sajeongjeon,
the royal office, Gyeongbokgung. |
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Gyeonghoeru pavillion is where official
banquets were held and foreign envoys were entertained. King Taejong dug
the pond and the pavillion was built in 1412. Gyeongbokgung |
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Figures guard the building.
Gyeongbokgung. There is always an odd number, and the more the number of
figures, the more important the building. |
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History of hanbok exhibit, National
Folk Museum, Seoul |
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Display of 23 types of kimchi in the
kimchi exhibit, National Folk Museum, Seoul. Red pepper was introduce to
Korea, from Europe via Japan, in the 17th century, revolutionizing kimchi.
There are now 160 types of kimchi. |
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Hand-on children's museum, next to
the National Folk Museum, Seoul. |
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 Bukchon
(north village): a residential area of high government officials during the
Joseon Period. Now known for a few remaining "Hanok", traditional Korean houses. |
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Donhwanmun Gate, the oldest palace gate among those
remaining in Korea.
Injeongjeonmun Gate |
  Changdeokgung
& Secret Garden: Initial the 2nd palace, but it was the first rebuilt after the
Imjin Invasion (1592-98) and was the main palace until until 1865, in the late
Joseon Dynasty.
Buyongji pond is created to mimic earth, the square pond, and the universe,
the round island. The building on the hill was used to store the royal archives. |
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Injeongjeon Hall |
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Nakseonjae living quarters |
Euiduhap, where the Prince Hyomyeong enjoyed reading
and contemplating nature |
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 Tapgpol
(Pagoda) Park was the first modern park in Seoul. It is the site of a
Joseon era temple, Wongak-sa. The park gets it name from the ten-story
pagoda that was moved to the park. It is historically prominent because it
is the birth place of Korea's modern Independence Movement. On March 1,
1919, during the
 Japanese
occupation,
 400-500 students gathered
here to hear the first reading of the Korean Declaration of Independence. |
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"Uiam" Son Byeong-Hui was
a Chondokyo (Donghak) leader, independence activist and educator. Headed the
group of 33 men that represented the people during the March 1 Movement. |
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Jogyesa Temple,
headquarters of Korean Buddhism. |
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Insadong: Traditional an
area of antique and rare book dealers, calligraphy shops and tea rooms,
patronized by seniors, aristocrats and artists. Gentrification and modernization
is pushing them out. |
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 The
monument (left) is at Ri Insik's house, where general, civil servant and
activist Min Young-Hwan (b. 1861) committed suicide on November 30, 1905, after
leading resistance to capitulation to the invasion by the Japanese. The
statue of Min (right) is near Bongeun-sa. |
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The Bosingak Bell Tower
was originally built in 1396. The bell was rung to signal the opening and
closing of the city gates and to alert citizens when there was a fire. The
tower, itself, was burnt down several times and rebuilt. |
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 Bongeunsa was built in 794
south, across the river from old Seoul. It is now totally engulfed by an
urban environment, but still is a refuge of tranquility. The dominant
statue is Mireukdaebul (Buddha of the Future State).
 It is the largest Buddha in
Korea. The statue symbolizes hope for Maitreya to arrive and save all of
man kind. Bongeunsa offer temple stay programs, which provide relaxation
and a chance to experience the culture through experiencing the daily life of a
monk. |
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Namdeamum (South Gate).
It was literally the south gate to the city but has
long since been engulfed by it. In 2004, it sat inside a traffic circle (left) with five
lanes of traffic continually swirling around it. By 2006 it had been "rescued"
(right). Traffic is diverted to one side, pedestrians have access to the
gate and there is a regular "changing of the guard" ceremony.
Deoksugung
(Palace)
was originally (1454) a royal villa, but in 1593, when the Japanese burned the
main
palace, this became a temporary palace. From 1623 to 1897 it was not used as
a palace.
After being forced to give up his throne in 1910,
by the Japanese, Emperor Gojong
secluded himself here until his death in 1919. It is the smallest and
probably simplest palace in Seoul. One item of more interest is a sun dial
(upper right), with
instructions.
aesthetics and environment. The day lighting of the stream
and installation of riverside walks, waterfalls and public art was completed in October 2005.
The water is now crystal clear.
Geunjeongjeon, considered the
greatest building of Joseon architecture. It is the main building of
Gyeongbokgung. It is the place where ceremonies of the state, such as new
year's greetings to the king by civil and military officials, were held, and
where foreign envoys were received. It is believed to be in a very
auspicious locations; surrounded by four mountains and with a stream running
through the grounds.
Behind 
nature 
Bukchon
(north village): a residential area of high government officials during the
Joseon Period. Now known for a few remaining "Hanok", traditional Korean houses.
Changdeokgung
& Secret Garden: Initial the 2nd palace, but it was the first rebuilt after the
Imjin Invasion (1592-98) and was the main palace until until 1865, in the late
Joseon Dynasty.
Tapgpol
(Pagoda) Park was the first modern park in Seoul. It is the site of a
Joseon era temple, Wongak-sa. The park gets it name from the ten-story
pagoda that was moved to the park. It is historically prominent because it
is the birth place of Korea's modern Independence Movement. On March 1,
1919, during the
Japanese
occupation,
400-500 students gathered
here to hear the first reading of the Korean Declaration of Independence.
The
monument (left) is at Ri Insik's house, where general, civil servant and
activist Min Young-Hwan (b. 1861) committed suicide on November 30, 1905, after
leading resistance to capitulation to the invasion by the Japanese. The
statue of Min (right) is near Bongeun-sa.
Bongeunsa was built in 794
south, across the river from old Seoul. It is now totally engulfed by an
urban environment, but still is a refuge of tranquility. The dominant
statue is Mireukdaebul (Buddha of the Future State).
It is the largest Buddha in
Korea. The statue symbolizes hope for Maitreya to arrive and save all of
man kind. Bongeunsa offer temple stay programs, which provide relaxation
and a chance to experience the culture through experiencing the daily life of a
monk. 