Showing posts with label Palaces. Show all posts

Seoul Palaces: Unhyeongung 운현공

I was lucky that the AirBnB (Lovely Lavinia) that I stayed in was near to one of the palaces - Unhyeongung.

History
Unhyeongung is the home of Emperor Gojong, 26th king of Joseon Dynasty. The earlier buildings were either destroyed or damaged, but some of the construction remains. The remaining structure includes: Norakdang Hall, Noandang Hall, Irodang Hall and Sujiksa.

Seoul Palaces: Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁

Tour
English : 1100H, 1330H, 1530H (1 - 1.5hrs)
Start in front of Gyeongbokgung Info Counter inside Heungnyemun Gate    


Information :
Closed on Tuesday
November to February : Closed at 1700H
March to May, September to October : Closed at 1800H
June to August : Closed at 1830H
Final admission is 1 hour before it closed
Admission cost: ₩3,000 (recommended to get the Integrated Palace Tickets if you're going to visit most of the palaces)

Website: http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/main/main.jsp

Direction: Gyeongbokgung Palace Station, Exit 5
Go up the stairs and you will be in between National Palace Museum of Korea and Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Being the main royal palaces of the Joseon dynasty and the largest and grandest of all the main palaces, Gyeongbokgung seems to be the best choice if you can only choose one out of the many palaces in Korea to go to.

Built in 1394 by King Taejo, founder of Joseon Dynasty, the palace was named Gyeongbokgung which also means "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven". Sadly, due to war, the original buildings were demolished. The buildings you see now are mainly the the efforts to reconstruct Gyeongbokgung Palace since 1990.

Guards can be seen standing outside the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, like those you see at Buckingham Palace, except that those at Gyeongbokgung will be in Korean traditional royal guard uniform. (duh!)

Royal guards outside Gyeongbokgung
Main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace

Integrated Palace Tickets

One of the thing that Korea fasinated me most about Korea is the combination of modern and history in its landscape and the vibrant color combination used in their Hanbok and Royal Palaces.

So Korea's Royal Palaces is a must go for me in my itinerary. If you're interested in Korea Royal Palaces like me, then you definitely have to get the Integrated Palace Tickets



This ticket costs 10,000, which costs cheaper than if you purchase the admission tickets separately and the tickets are valid for 1 months (some says 3 months) after purchase. Tickets can be purchased at any of the following Palaces.