Gwanghwamun is the main gate of the palace. The king used the central arch, while the crown prince and officials entered through the openings on either side. The gate pavillion housed a bell, which announced the time of day. The original gate had been moved to the north of Geonchunmun, the east gate of the palace, when the headquarters of the Japanese Government-General in Korea was built right behind Gwanghwamun in the 1920s. Bombed during the Korean War(1950-1953), the pavilion of the original gate was destroyed and the stone foundation was severely scarred. Gwanghwamun was rebuilt in 1968 as a concrete structure and restored in 2010.
We enter Gyeongbokgung and there is a event. The event named Hoeryeyeon is the re-enactment of a royal banquet which held in January of 1433 for Joseon's ruler Sejong and his subjects including 400 musicians and dancers. Because of Hoereyeyeon, we do not see inside Geunjeongjeon, but it is good chance to see traditional festival.
Geunjeongjeon
Geunjeongjeon is the Throne Hall, where the king granted audiences to his officials, presided over large official functions and met foreign envoys. Geunjeongjeon is the largest and most formal hall in Gyeongbokgung.
Behind Geunjeongjeon, there is Gyotaejeon. Gyotaejeon is for the queen. The queen live in Gyotaejeon for most of her life as the queen. The wall of Gyotaejeon is special pattern. This wall has flower pattern, so it is called not the wall but the flower wall.
After we saw Gyotaejeon, we went to see Geoncheonggung.
In 1873, when King Gojong built Geoncheonggung, he had a pond dug to the south, with an islet created in the middle. A two-tier hexagonal pavilion, built on the islet, was named Hyangwonjeong and the wooden bridge leading to it was called Chwihyanggyo.
Hyangwonjeong is the only building which have the second floor in Gyeongbokgung.
Because Hyangwonjeong have ondol in the first floor, people can take a walk at Hyangwonjeong
in the cold winter.
Gyeongbokgung is the great place to learn Korean traditional culture and to experience palace. It is very meaningful experience to go to Gyeongbokgung.
When I was young, I visited Gyeongbokgung several time. However, I feel new to visit Gyeongbokgung. I can see beautiful pattern and learn each palace's meaning. Especially, Hyangwonjeong is so beautiful. It is great time to let Radim know traditional King's living. :)
ReplyDeleteMany foreigners I know went to this place earlier when all the plants and trees were still "sleeping". When we went there, it was a beautiful weather and all the plants and trees were green. It was a beautiful scenery. We found a tour guide - she was speaking only in Korean. But my group members helped me to understand, so I actually learned something new :)
ReplyDeleteDuring this trip we also so the presidential palace which is actually right next to it. After the tour, we had some nice Korean food. Don't ask me what because I don't really remember the name, but it was some kind of fish-snake ;)