Jeonju 2019: Gyeonggijeon Shrine (경기전)
Across the street from Jeondong Cathedral is Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Jeonju’s most important historic site. The shrine honors King Taejo, the founder of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty…
Suwon 2019: Haenggung Palace
After finishing my walk along the walls of Hwaseong Fortress I walked over to Haenggung Palace. As I was getting close to the palace I…
Suwon 2019: Hwaseong Fortress, Part 2
Having left the rest area at Hwaseong Jangdae, I started along the stairs that would take me back down the mountain. Though I still had…
Suwon 2019: Hwaseong Fortress, Part 1
Suwon’s biggest attraction is Hwaseong Fortress, which formed the walls that surrounded the old city. Hwaseong’s walls were finished in 1796 and they remain a…
Suwon 2019: Paldalmun Gate
About 30 km (19 miles) south of Seoul is the city of Suwon. In the late 1700s one of the kings of the Joseon Dynasty…
Seoul 2019: Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁) Part 1
On my final day in Seoul I visited Changdeokgung Palace up in the northern part of the city. Changdeokgung is located east of Gyeongbokgung Palace…
Continue reading → Seoul 2019: Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁) Part 1
Seoul 2019: Sungnyemun Gate (숭례문)
Right next to Namdaemun Market is Sungnyemun Gate, which is unofficially called Namdaemun Gate but the Korean government refers to it as Sungnyemun to help…
Seoul 2019: Gyeongbokgung Palace, part 2 (경복궁)
I continued my tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace by next visiting the Jibokjae, which roughly translates to “Hall of Collecting Jade”. This was the king’s personal…
Continue reading → Seoul 2019: Gyeongbokgung Palace, part 2 (경복궁)
Seoul 2019: Gyeongbokgung Palace, part 1 (경복궁)
Once the changing of the guard ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace had concluded the crowds dispersed and I bought my entry ticket for the paid area…
Continue reading → Seoul 2019: Gyeongbokgung Palace, part 1 (경복궁)
Seoul 2019: Bosingak Belfry (보신각)
Not too far from Jogyesa Temple I came across the Bosingak Belfry, which is a large bell pavilion. It was originally built in 1396 during…
