The first part of yesterday's adventure started off by visiting Bukchon Hanok Village. Hanok is the word for traditional Korean houses like this...
Here is a bit more information about the area:
"The hanok in Bukchon includes styles from different periods, starting from the end of the 19th century to present. The thoroughfares in the area, with their modern, high-rise buildings, are typical of the rest of Seoul. However, by stepping into the narrow alleys off these streets you will enter an entirely different world, where the eaves of closely clustered hanok almost touch each other overhead. This stark contrast between modernity and tradition mainly results from the city government's all-out drive to develop the Gangnam area in the 1970s. In recent years, greater efforts have been made to preserve the hanok and revive this part of Korea's cultural legacies."
After spending a few hours exploring the alleyways and houses in Bukchon, I headed over to one of Korea's five royal palaces, Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Gyeongbokgun Palace was originally built by King Taego, the founder of the Joseon dynasty, and served as the principle palace until 1592 when it was burnt down during Japanese invasions. It wasn't begun to be rebuilt until 1865.
It is a pretty impressive site with all its ornate and grand architecture.
1 comment:
jimbo, i've got to give you credit, you are doing things that 99.9% of people only dream about. i hope your having fun visiting catlin and learning about another culture. your resume is getting quite impressive. you never know where your career may take you. (U.N.?) LOVE DAD
(p.s. come home soon, we miss you)
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