Gyeongbokgung 경복궁 @ Seoul 서울- Korea Trip Day 2

Day 2: Gyeongbokgung/Gyeongbok Palace 경복궁
How to get there from Myeongdong:
From Myeongdong station (Line 4), take the subway towards Chungmuro and exit at Chungmuro station. Take the transfer route to Line 3 and exit at Gyeongbokgung station.

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It was one of the sunniest day during our entire trip and we decided to visit the famous historical tourist site, Gyeongbokgung. Built during Joseon Dynasty in 1395, Gyeongbokgung is the largest palace of the 'Five Grand Palaces'. If you are not a fan of historical places, at least pay a visit to the iconic Gyeongbokgung to experience the Dae Jang Geum 大长今 era. Yes, you can even see a huge wall poster of Lee Young Ae inside the palace as Dae Jang Geum is unarguably the most popular Korean historical drama of the Joseon Dynasty.

The map of Gyeongbokgung. Although the Korean royal palace is not as massive as Forbidden Palace in Beijing, the view is still very breathtaking.

Even the architecture at Gyeongbokgung subway station has a very strong historical influence.

Seoul has a very comprehensive subway network but you still have to walk a lot before you are able to see the daylight at the station's exit.

Once we exited the station, we were welcomed by this breathtaking view of the palace. It was the tip of an iceberg as this was only a tiny corner of the palace compound.

The side entrance of Gyeongbokgung.

Aside from China tourists, there were many Korean high school students who visited the palace.

Make sure you arrive at the palace early because you will be able to see the guard changing ceremony at around 11am. Here's a royal guard banging the drum with a slow rhythm to start the ceremony.

Royal guards marching through the gate towards the spectacle crowd.

The royal guards exiting the main entrance.

We quickly followed the guards to the main entrance because that's where you will be able to take photos with the guards.

Guards standing still at the main entrance. Poker face to the max.

 Guards taking their positions.

Once the ceremony ended, tourists were allowed to take pictures with the guards at the main entrance but strictly no selfie (this was mentioned in a TV programme that I watched previously. The guard will block your camera with his hand if you attempt to take a selfie). The royal guards seem to take their job seriously so don't fool around with them.

Hastily snapped this and immediately fled from the scene because there were many other tourists lining up (or not) to take a photo with the guards.

Heading towards the ticket office after the ceremony to purchase our entrance tickets.

The entrance fee was 6000 won for two persons.

Some important ancient symbols carved on the stairs. There were many tour guides explaining the historical background in English and Chinese so you can stop by and listen to their storytelling for free. Haha.

The beautiful ceiling of the entrance gate protected by a layer of net.

Geunjeongjeon (근정전, 勤政殿) is the hall where the king had formal meeting with his officials.

Was frowning in all the photos taken at Gyeongbokgung because of the glaring sun.

The stone-paved courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon is lined with two rows of rank stones where the court officials stood according to their ranks. According to some random tour guide, this particular rank stone was also where the number one scholar used to stand before meeting the king. 

The juxtaposition shot of the modern and ancient buildings.

Hubby with super thick mushroom hair before his life changing haircut at Ehwa. Hahaha. Will be blogging about his transformation in the next next next post.

This was me still looking pretty white and fair before getting tanned as a result of the sun exposure. Bad consequence of forgetting to apply sunblock.

Outside Gyeongbokgung. We turned left upon exiting the palace and walked towards Samcheongdong which I will be blogging next.

So stay tune!

by

CYK & CSY