We flew to Seoul, the capital and largest city of South Korea, for a 3 day getaway. Seoul is located on the Han River and is in the centre of the Korean Peninsula. It is the economic, political and cultural centre of South Korea. It is also one of the major business hubs in Asia and is home to some of the world's largest companies like Samsung, LG and Hyundai. Seoul is a very modern city with a population of 11 million people. We found it to be a clean city, with low crime and it reminded us a lot of Japan in the sense that it is a very homogeneous society. The weather in Seoul was very cold (between zero and nine degrees celsius) and grey. The short time that we spent in Seoul was a good introduction to South Korea and the Korean way of life.
Seoul Subway
Like Japan, Seoul has an extensive subway system, which we found to be very efficient and convenient. It is said to have the 3rd largest subway system in the world.
Seoul Subway
Like Japan, Seoul has an extensive subway system, which we found to be very efficient and convenient. It is said to have the 3rd largest subway system in the world.
Deoksugung
Also known as The Palace of Virtuous Longevity, this palace was built during the Joseon dynasty and it symbolizes the modern history of Korea. When we arrived at Deoksugung, we got the opportunity to watch a reenactment of the changing of the guards ceremony. It was an impressive ceremony with the participants dressed as Joseon-era soldiers and bandsmen.
Also known as The Palace of Virtuous Longevity, this palace was built during the Joseon dynasty and it symbolizes the modern history of Korea. When we arrived at Deoksugung, we got the opportunity to watch a reenactment of the changing of the guards ceremony. It was an impressive ceremony with the participants dressed as Joseon-era soldiers and bandsmen.
War Memorial and Museum of Korea
This museum documents the history of warfare in Korea and has a section dedicated to the Korean War that was fought between 1950-1953. During the Korean War, 21 countries took part in the UN operation to help South Korea after it was attacked by North Korea. It was a war in which many soldiers and civilians lost their lives.
This museum documents the history of warfare in Korea and has a section dedicated to the Korean War that was fought between 1950-1953. During the Korean War, 21 countries took part in the UN operation to help South Korea after it was attacked by North Korea. It was a war in which many soldiers and civilians lost their lives.
Namsangol Hanok Village
The Namsangol Hanok Village is home to five different stone, wood and tile houses from the Joseon era. These houses once belonged to kings, queens, noblemen and common people from this era. These houses were moved to this central location from different parts of Seoul. After these houses were moved here they were restored. We were struck by the simplicity of the architecture, as we expected some of the houses (especially those of the kings and queens) to be very grand.
The Namsangol Hanok Village is home to five different stone, wood and tile houses from the Joseon era. These houses once belonged to kings, queens, noblemen and common people from this era. These houses were moved to this central location from different parts of Seoul. After these houses were moved here they were restored. We were struck by the simplicity of the architecture, as we expected some of the houses (especially those of the kings and queens) to be very grand.
Time Capsule for the Seoul Millennial
On 29th November 1994, a time capsule containing 600 articles was buried at the Namsan Village. The burying of this time capsule marked the 600th anniversary of Seoul's designation as the capital of South Korea. This time capsule will be opened on the 29th November 2394 to celebrate Seoul's 1000 Years.
On 29th November 1994, a time capsule containing 600 articles was buried at the Namsan Village. The burying of this time capsule marked the 600th anniversary of Seoul's designation as the capital of South Korea. This time capsule will be opened on the 29th November 2394 to celebrate Seoul's 1000 Years.
N Seoul Tower
The N Seoul Tower is perched on Namsan Hill and offers panoramic views of the city (when the weather is good that is). Unfortunately on the day that we visited the N Seoul Tower, it was overcast and very hazy, so we decided to skip going inside the tower as the views would not have been very good.
The N Seoul Tower is perched on Namsan Hill and offers panoramic views of the city (when the weather is good that is). Unfortunately on the day that we visited the N Seoul Tower, it was overcast and very hazy, so we decided to skip going inside the tower as the views would not have been very good.
Gyeongbokgung
Also known as the Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven, this palace was originally built in 1395 by King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty. It served as the main palace of the Joseon dynasty until it was burnt down in 1592, when the Japanese invaded Seoul. The palace lay in ruins until 1867, when Prince Regent Heungseon Daewongun started to rebuild it. The end result was a grand palace with 330 buildings that included offices, residences, pavilions and royal gardens. In 1911 with the Japanese occupation of Korea, Gyeongbokgung, which was a symbol of national sovereignty was demolished. The rebuilding and restoration of Gyeongbokgun to its former glory has been ongoing since 1990.
Gyeongbokgung reminded us a little of The Forbidden City in Beijing, but on a smaller scale (it is still massive). On the day we visited Gyeongbokgung, we arrived in time to watch the changing of the guard ceremony with all the participants dressed in Joseon-era uniforms.
Also known as the Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven, this palace was originally built in 1395 by King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty. It served as the main palace of the Joseon dynasty until it was burnt down in 1592, when the Japanese invaded Seoul. The palace lay in ruins until 1867, when Prince Regent Heungseon Daewongun started to rebuild it. The end result was a grand palace with 330 buildings that included offices, residences, pavilions and royal gardens. In 1911 with the Japanese occupation of Korea, Gyeongbokgung, which was a symbol of national sovereignty was demolished. The rebuilding and restoration of Gyeongbokgun to its former glory has been ongoing since 1990.
Gyeongbokgung reminded us a little of The Forbidden City in Beijing, but on a smaller scale (it is still massive). On the day we visited Gyeongbokgung, we arrived in time to watch the changing of the guard ceremony with all the participants dressed in Joseon-era uniforms.
Korean BBQ Dinner
On one of the evenings we decided to have Korean BBQ for dinner. Korean BBQ involves cooking beef over coals at the table. Our set meal included beef, kimchi, fish cakes, tofu in a spicy broth, rice and vegetables. We both enjoyed the beef (Korean and US beef), but some of the other food was a little too spicy for our liking.
On one of the evenings we decided to have Korean BBQ for dinner. Korean BBQ involves cooking beef over coals at the table. Our set meal included beef, kimchi, fish cakes, tofu in a spicy broth, rice and vegetables. We both enjoyed the beef (Korean and US beef), but some of the other food was a little too spicy for our liking.
Hyundai Department Store Food Court
The Hyundai Department Store is in the COEX Mall, a huge mall with shopping and entertainment attractions that include food courts, a huge department store, four hotels (including the Intercontinental Seoul Grand where we stayed), the COEX Convention Centre and the World Trade Centre. We visited the basement of the Hyundai Department Store and found this wonderful food hall with a vast selection of food. This food section reminded us a lot of the Depachikas in Japan (food halls in department store basements). Like the Depachikas in Japan, the Hyundai Department Store Food Court had a selection of high quality foods, snacks and fruit, all beautifully packaged. In addition to Korean favourites like Kimchi and seaweed, we surprisingly saw lots of western foods and snacks like bagels, cupcakes, waffles, Portuguese custard tarts, hamburgers and donuts.
The Hyundai Department Store is in the COEX Mall, a huge mall with shopping and entertainment attractions that include food courts, a huge department store, four hotels (including the Intercontinental Seoul Grand where we stayed), the COEX Convention Centre and the World Trade Centre. We visited the basement of the Hyundai Department Store and found this wonderful food hall with a vast selection of food. This food section reminded us a lot of the Depachikas in Japan (food halls in department store basements). Like the Depachikas in Japan, the Hyundai Department Store Food Court had a selection of high quality foods, snacks and fruit, all beautifully packaged. In addition to Korean favourites like Kimchi and seaweed, we surprisingly saw lots of western foods and snacks like bagels, cupcakes, waffles, Portuguese custard tarts, hamburgers and donuts.
