Monday, October 24, 2011

Gyeongbokgung Palace Tour

On Sunday we took a day trip to Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul.  What a thrill it was to step out into a place filled with so much history!  Somewhere around six centuries ago, the founder of the Joseon dynasty designated Seoul as the capital of Korea.  It was the perfect choice because of its central location on the peninsula, and it has remained so ever since.  As I understand it, Gyeongbokgung is the largest of five preserved and restored palaces in Seoul.  It is also the birthplace of the Korean alphabet, Hangul.  The palace itself and the view beyond it is breathtaking.  I'll let the photographs speak for themselves.


One of the gates

Traditional drum

Wow

Ornate eaves

This is a "Heavenly Deer."  It looks like nothing like a deer, nor is it very heavenly.

I loves me those mountains

Yet another scenic view

A place where affairs of state were attended to

Columns and ceiling decor

Peaceful Reflecting Pool

Can I live here, please?

The guardian mountains

A part of the king's personal quarters

Ceiling detail

Little carved animals sitting on an eave

Young girls wearing traditional hanbok

Garden

Can't lie...I'm really proud of this picture 

Colorful painting inside the gate

The Main Gate

4 comments:

  1. Love these pictures, Laura! Keep up the awesome blog posts!
    XOXO,
    Ayannah :)

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  2. Yes! Lindsey said to check here, and I'm so glad I did! Love hearing/seeing what you all have been up to. You are PRAYED FOR!

    Love,

    Helene & Jay

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  3. Awesome pictures. Makes me want to visit Asia even more.

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  4. Love the pictures! Hope you are having a blast. Just wanted to let you know I finally did my first post last night! And another today... man I'm on a roll :) Miss ya!

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