Days after saying 안녕하세요 Annyeong Haseyo Korea, being a holiday today, it was time to head out of Songdo, to Seoul, to explore some of the historical treasures of Korea.
And today, we headed to explore the Changdeokgung Palace...
Changdeokgung Palace is set within a large park in the Jongno-gu district of Seoul. Jongno had been the center of the city for over 600 years, ever since the Joseon dynasty established their capital here.
Changdeokgung is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the Joseon Dynasty that ruled the Korean peninsula from 1392 to 1897. The palace was the second Joseon palace built after the construction of Gyeongbukgung Palace in 1395, the palace I had visited in April.
School kids wait to enter the Changdeokgung...
The palace was established in the midst of strife within the Joseon Dynasty, by King Taejong...
Walking in, into the palace premises...
And passing by this peaceful stream...
The weather was great to roam around as it wasn't too sunny!
The Chongjon Hall or the coronation hall...
Interior of the Chongjon Hall...
During the Japanese invasion in 1592, the palace was burnt down and damaged extensively but was reconstructed in 1609 by King Seonjo and King Gwanghaegun. The palace burnt again in 1623 during a revolt against Gwanghaegun.
Changdeokgung Palace was home to the royal court until 1868, when the neighboring Gyeongbokgung was rebuilt. Korea's last emperor, Sunjong lived here, imprisoned under the Japanese colonists, until his death in 1926.
Simplicity and harmony seem to be the name of the game in the design of the palace, as the buildings were built around various natural features - streams, hillocks and ancient trees...
Idyllic and tranquil...
The modern skyline of Seoul in the background reminded that I wasn't the Joseon era...
Heading into the Secret Garden or the Biwon (비원)...
Every listens in rapt attention as our guide tells us about the history of the garden...
Located behind the Changdeokgung Palace, this 78 acre oasis of pristine, idyllic beauty was originally constructed for the use of the royal family. The garden has a lotus pond, pavilions and landscaped lawns.
The garden is a veritable treasure housing over 26,000 species of trees in the garden, some of which are over 300 years old. This garden for the private use of the king had been called Geumwon (금원) or the Forbidden Garden) because even high ranking imperial officials were not allowed access without the king's permission.
Buyongjeong Pavilion and the Buyeongji pond...
People pause to pose!
Flags on the backpack, probably tell where this guy has traveled...
This is so serene...
...and poetic...
The lotus pond...
I could stay here a whole day...
Ducks in the pond...
Such is the beauty of the place that it has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site!
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