Changdeok Palace - The Secret Garden

"The Secret Garden is a huge tract of land within the walls of the Palace. 
This was the space for the King to contemplate and learn."
(text from john80)

We did not have time to visit this area of land but after viewing the videos available it may well have been something that we  should have visited.

Changdeok Palace - Central Palace

This is a building which is central to part of the larger Changdeok Palace. 

Changdeokgung Palace - painted patterns

From once being a Primary School Teacher in the United Kingdom i am swiftly aware of the patterns that we see around us.  Here is a little different because they are painted so beautifully and (as indicated previously) so beautifully maintained.

Changgyeong Palace - no birds?

The palace is a beautiful piece of architecture and the gardens match - beautiful.

But there are no birds - is this their only protection?

Changgyeong Palace - living in

It is easy to forget that the Changgyeong Palace (there are a number of different spellings) was actually a palace that was lived in. 

There are rooms for the King and the Queen to live in.

For what I saw there was a European influence - the writing cabinet AND the Asian influence - the mother of pearl furniture.

This is similar to the Chinpracha House in Phuket Old Town.

Changdeokgung Palace - Huijeongdang front porch

This is the porch that I believe leads to the Queen's residence.

Huijeongdang front porch at Changdeokgung palace in Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace - Deajojeon Queen's residence.

The King and Queen lived in Changdeok Palace but they each had separate residences.

this is Daejo-jeon Hall

Deajojeon (or Daejo-jeon) is a building that has none of the ostentation that the previous buildings had - but we were unable to enter inside BUT still beautiful - how often does the roof get painted?

Deajojeon, residence of the queen, Changdeokgung in Seoul

Changdeok Palace - Injeongjeon Palace

Injeongjeon Palace was a large building with two sets of Ranking Stones in front and was reached by walking through a specific gate - which can be seen in the photograph above.

"Injeongjeon Palace is also known as the Throne Room which was used for holding the most formal of state events such as audiences with ministers, coronation ceremonies and receptions of foreign envoys.  This hall may be smaller than it's Gyeongbok Palace counterpart but it is suitably dignified for it's function."

Text from their brochure

There is only one room inside, despite it looking like there are two floors, and there is the throne room inside which I would imagine would have looked stunning originally. I have to admit that the ceiling needs a little clean - but a wonderful place to visit.

On returning to Thailand I did find a website which allows you to investigate Cangdeok Palace and have a 360 degree view - here it is below.

Injeongjeon (throne hall), Changdeokgung in Seoul


Interior of the Injeongjeon (the throne hall), Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul

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...

Seoul - shopping

We were left to our own devices for the evening - Shopping - now this did not appeal to me much so I watched...

The streets were like a standard street - there was even a 'Lush' shop. I found that the price of a lot of the cosmetics (and similar materials) was a lot cheaper in Korea than they were in Thailand - so the coach was filled with happy shoppers with lots of bags.

There were a number of stalls selling foods - looking similar to Thailand, but I did not know what a lot of the items were. I found that there were a number of food items which were deep fried which made it nigh impossible to ascertain what it was....

Seoul - a coffee shop

After our trip to Neverland Jemma was ready for a sleep and I needed some caffeine.


I was directed into a building and ushered carefully to a coffee shop.  Wow, there was no smoking ban - but i needed to sit down.

The latte was wonderful and for a while the Internet worked...


Met a younger American gentleman who had also escaped the West - wished him luck and drank my coffee whilst Jemma slept...

Todai buffet

Todai restaurant was again something different - this restaurant was on the top floor of what I think was a department store. The restaurant served a mix of Asian foods...


The capacity of the restaurant seemed very large - it seemed as if we were carefully seated away from the 'standard' guests but what did I care?


Jemma was calmly asleep in my arms and I wasn't really hungry - but what I did eat was tasty!


 

Everland - the Flume ride

this photograph is the property of coasterforce - used with permission

No photographs from me for this one but Jemma loved the ride and wanted to go again!!

A 'roadtrip' through the country

After the excitement of the rides it was time for a little peace and quiet as we drove through the country side - really quite lovely.

Everland - space ride & rollercoaster

I want this one - and Jemma meant the space ride....


Jemma enjoyed this one.

BUT this was not a real rollercoaster :-(

Everland - rollercoaster & spooky house

The rollercoaster, which was made with smaller children in mind, was enjoyed by Jemma, so much so that we went twice and this did not seem to satisfy her...

The spooky house was TOO scary...

Everland - pony rides and walking the dog

Where do I start?

We entered as a large group and went to take the cable car ride so that we could have an idea of how large Everland was - cable car rides are always fun.


Jemma wanted to have a go on everything - suppose so did I...


The first was the safari drive (see previous post) but the first wish was to have a go for a ride on the horse - Jemma had a ride on a pony. Jemma then decided that she MUST have a pull along dog - daddy gave in rather swiftly - but it beats having a real dog to take care off.