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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 mismatch to anything
around, on the edge of Namdaemun
Market is this quite different, French Renaissance-style building, 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 history and
culture of Korea during their occupation (1910-1945). |
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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 palace in Seoul.
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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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. |
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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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 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, 
himself here until his death in 1919. It is the smallest palace in Seoul.
There is a colorful changing of the guard ceremony at 10:30, 14:00, 15:00.
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.
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. 