Changdeok Palace - Donhwamun Gate

Donhwamun gate is the entrance to this magnificent cultural site. 


"The Donhwamun (Hanja: 敦化門) is main entrance to the Changdeokgung palace. When it was first built, there was a white granite substructure, on the top of which a two-storied gate building was erected. This is a typical structure of the entrance to our palace that was transmitted from the Three Kingdoms period. Unfortunately, now, the substructure has disappeared; only the two-storied building remains. This is quite different from the structure of the Gwanghwamun, the main entrance to the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty, which was erected on the structure with three open arches on the ground.

As one may observe, the Donhwamun is elegant but simple because it was built as an entrance to a separate palace of the Changdeokgung palace.

The Donhwamun was set on fire by the Japanese invaders, but it was reconstructed as it had been by King Seonjo in 1607. It's the oldest entrance to remain in Seoul. Only the threshold of the entrance was reconstructed so that an automobile could pass through it easily."
Text from Deviant Art

Adults: 3,000 Won -  Child: 1,500 Won

Changdeok Palace

Wonderful.


This is certainly a MUST if you visit Seoul.

Changdeok Palace is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and I would agree. If you are interested in UNESCO and sites in Eastern Asia please visit UNESCO's site.

"In the early 15th century, the King Taejong ordered the construction of a new palace at an auspicious site. A Bureau of Palace Construction was set up to create the complex, consisting of a number of official and residential buildings set in a garden that was cleverly adapted to the uneven topography of the 58-ha site. The result is an exceptional example of Far Eastern palace architecture and design, blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape."

UNESCO text

We arrived at 8 am in the morning and the area was deserted - Changdeok Palace did not open until 9 am - this gave me the opportunity to wander around it, I did not mind waiting. Changdeok Palace complex is bigger than I had imagined and I could not give it the respect that it deserves in one single post, so I will separate them individually.

Blue Pearl Hotel

Blue Pearl Hotel was visited late at night so I could not tell you everything about it. But the facilities in the room were more than adequate, the water was hot, there were amenities, there was a separate shower and bath, there were plenty of TV channels (only 2 channels for our child though), the free wireless internet was adequate - a very comfortable stay.

We did have a funky toilet but we could not figure out the instructions.


The location in the city was very convenient if you need to be in the city early the next morning - we did.


I felt that it was more of a 'business' hotel than a hotel for tourists. The breakfast was very similar to a standard hotel BUT the service was far better.

Seoul Tower - promise for Endless Love

"From old times, there was a story that if lovers make a wish at a shrine on Nam-Sam (Mt.South), it comes true.

Since that, this place became a symbol of the promise of an everlasting love for couple who hang a lock together.

"A Lock of Love"


already made famous by media, is not just expressing couples' love by hanging locks, but meaning endless love with experiencing an unforgettable moment in the place you can see a view of Seoul.  Now N Seoul Tower is the icon of love and friendship with family and friends as well as love stories (A Lock of Love). We will remember your precious moment @ N Seoul Tower."

This was where we visited... A lovely place for people who are together.

Seoul Tower - teddy bears

If you enjoy looking at teddy bears then this exhibition is just for you.  Adjacent to the lobby of the Seoul Tower is a large area dedicate to them.

My family were enthralled by the variety of positions that the teddy bears were organised in and many scenes reflected the History of Korea and then a more Modern Korea.

Seoul Tower

After the shopping we drove through the ever darkening streets of Seoul and we soon found ourselves at the bottom of a very steep hill.  The bus took us some way up and then we all disembarked and walked up the rest - stopping periodically to take some photographs.

The view was obviously 360 degrees but you could not really see very much but there were a plethora of intersecting roads and street lights.

As we approached we found that Seoul Tower was a very big attraction for the local people as well as the tourists.

We entered inside the tour and went up as far as we could go... then we visited the two exhibits...