So I have been told by a friend that Deoksugung Palace is quite a popular place for Korean couples to date at – I can see why so. It’s really a beautiful place that emits this tranquil vibe that just gets everyone into the ‘chillax moment’. The weather on that day did also play a very important role which is why I can safely say I LOVE KOREA!! What more can I ask for – Good weather, good companions (Mom and Yu-In) and good location!
You MUST check out the stone wall lane that is right next to the palace which leads you to Seoul Museum of Art and Chongdong Theater.
Deoksugung, also known as Gyeongun-gung, Deoksugung Palace, or Deoksu Palace, is a walled compound of palaces in Seoul that was inhabited by various Korean royalties until the colonial period around the turn of the 20th century. It is one of the “Five Grand Palaces” built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. The buildings are of varying construction, including some of natural cryptomeria wood, painted wood, and stucco. Some buildings were built in Western style.
In addition to the traditional palace buildings, there are also forested gardens, a statue of King Sejong the Great and the National Museum of Art, which holds special exhibitions. The palace is located near the City Hall Station. Deoksugung, like the other “Five Grand Palaces” in Seoul, was intentionally heavily destroyed during the colonial period of Korea. Currently, only one third of the structures that were standing before the occupation, remains. Deoksugung was originally the residence of Prince Wolsan, the older brother of King Seongjong. This residence became a royal ‘palace’ during the Imjin war after all of the other palaces were burned in 1592 during the Imjin wars. King Seonjo was the first Joseon king to reside at the palace. King Gwanghaegun was crowned in this palace in 1608, and renamed it Gyeongun-gung (경운궁, 慶運宮) in 1611. After the official palace was moved to the rebuilt Changdeokgung in 1618, it was used as an auxiliary palace for 270 years and was renamed Seogung (West Palace).
In 1897, after the incident when Emperor Gojong took refuge in the Russian legation, he returned to this place and named it Gyeongungung again. Expansion of the facility followed after his return. After Emperor Gojong abdicated the throne to Emperor Sunjong, he continued to live in this palace. The palace was then renamed Deoksugung, as a reference to a wish for longevity of Emperor Gojong. Emperor Gojong died in Hamnyeongjeon.
How to get there: City Hall Subway Station. At either Exit #2 (Subway Line 1) or Exit #12 (Subway Line 2) walk for about 2 – 5 minutes.
After a good 3 days of getting used to this wonderful country, Korea, I’m slowly beginning to fall in love with the sights and flavours on what it has to offer – a little spicy and memorable! I’d be splitting Day 3′s worth of sights into 2 post as it’s too image heavy!
Breakfast to start the day off – Nongshim ramyeon + Maxim’s coffee style!
Off we head to Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) located at “Gyeongbokgung Palace Station” #Exit 5.
Opening time of the area is from 07:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
National Palace Museum of Korea – Closed every MONDAY
Gyeongbokgung Palace – Closed every TUESDAY
The National Folk Museum of Korea – Closed every TUESDAY
A stretch of stairs awaits as you climb your way up!
Entry price is KRW 3,000 but do look out for a combined ticket price of 10,000 (If I didn’t remember wrongly) if you plan to visit more than 2 palaces located within Seoul. That ticket would allow you access to the 5 palaces (Changdeokgung Palace (including Huwon, Secret Garden), Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace) and Jongmyo Shrine) + it’s valid for ONE whole month upon purchase! So definitely keep a lookout for that!
I don’t know if this is the usual height of the guards in the past but I’m very sure they are HUGE looking – Mom and myself is around 161cm, so yes, you can do the proportion breakdown on your own. Ps, we didn’t dare to stand near him either, he has this fierce aura, okay lah, I coward, that explains the gap between us!
Signs of SPRING!
I really mean that everything I see is such a scenic worthy view - mountains, trees, water + good air! This is especially interesting for an urban person who grew up in concrete walls!
See, this is what I mean, I wished I could PAINT/DRAW something like this! This is located at the courtyard itself, which brings me to think, life in a palace back then isn’t that bad of an idea – at least you can get to enjoy such wonderful views while you slog like crazy.
It’s my very first time seeing a cherry blossom flower in person which got me very excited since I’ve read seen it only in storybooks or films. I can only describe it as an alluring flower, a very sweet danity one too! Trust me, I’m not a huge fan of the colour pink but surprisingly I’m attracted to it!
MUST TAKE PHOTO WITH FLOWER!!
Made new little cute friends!!
Inner courtyard
Just had to snap a photo Korean policemen (경찰)
Then the highlight of visiting Gyeongbokgung has got to be the changing of guards that is displayed hourly from 10 AM – 3 PM, so don’t miss it.
Goodbye and hello.
Colours of the flags.
‘Fashion statement’ shoes, I like!
Here’s what to expect during the changing of guards ceremony.
Be prepared to spend a few hours here as there is just too many courts to explore and sadly we had to move on but what greeted us was just simply too beautiful and it’s moments like this that I wished Singapore is a country with 4 seasons!!
After a long break from updating the holiday post of Day 01 in Korea, I’m back with Day 02 of my experience in this wonderful country!
So Day 02 in Korea started out at 11AM by heading over to Yoido Full Gospel Church located by the Han River at Yeouido which is an island itself, so the journey over to this area is noticeably longer in time, crossing over a few major train lines. Definitely took more than an hour from where we stayed at Jongno, thankful for the interesting sights that got me fascinated.
Simple yet such a dynamic church that preaches about the Three-fold blessing (the blessing of the spirit, soul and body).
Hearing Pastor David Yonggi Cho himself preach, once again made me remember the faith and trust I have for the Lord!
I was just wondering what’s the sitting capacity of 1 service like this?
As this was the ‘main’ service that Pastor Cho preaches personally while the rest of the other services were done by the associate pastors, so that explains the packed congregation.
I was a little excited when I saw the various camera crew around! Hehehe!
Hang out a little while by the Yeouido Park before we headed off to have a hearty lunch of Samgyupsal!!
Made new friends that Kellie was also hosting at the same time that we were in Korea. It was nice having extra friends during this trip + they were FUN people, I LIKE!
One of the few highlights of this trip was to FINALLY got our hands on KRISPY KREME(sssssss) and yes, this was Mom’s first bite into the yummy doughnuts that I could have it all day long!!
So I was told that due to the space constraints, Korean drivers do park their vehicles at ANY available possible space, even if it means to ‘mount curbs’!! *salute*
Bus routes are clearly stated on each bus stop and thus making travelling around easier despite not knowing how to read Hangul.
A meal that I’ve been waiting for as long as I can ever remember being introduced to Korean food! Yeap, SAMGYUPSAL which is also known as BBQ Pork! A highly recommended meal that I would say for any Korea trip! Those juicy succulent pork that is filled with flavours while you wrap them in lettuce – PERFECT combination of soft + crunchy!! Ooooo!
This particular place that we went to called 흑돈가 (Heukdonga) is famous for it’s black pork which originates from Jeju Island – it’s softer and of course YUMMY-ier as compared to the usual pork!! Purely writing this post has already gotten me all drooling and dreaming of the taste.
Totally appreciative of those pipes that sucks up all the fumes + smell emitted during the BBQ process. Even the chinese believes that food taste even tastier when it’s cooked with coal, yes, this has been proven even here in Korea.
Let the feasting begin…
Very nice unnis would come over and help us mend the pork just in case we were noobish or too engrossed in conversation and might have ended up with burnt pork instead!!
Rounds of Makgeoli (Yup, yet again!!). You cannot get sick or Makgeoli, can you?
Nice banchan that came along with the orders. I especially like this spicy tofu that was cold and tasty.
YUMS!! *faints* The wrap could be made up of green leafs like Lettuce, Perilla, Mustard Greens or anything else. I particularly like how the perilla leaf that has a slight minty taste + the juicy meat goes perfectly well together. Mind you, not everyone has a liking for these leaves but you’ll grow to like the taste after a few chews.
After parting ways with newly made friends, Mom and myself headed back to Yeouido Park to enjoy the rest of the evening.
It was starting to get cold, not that I mind, but the cold sea breeze made me just want to sit somewhere with a hot cup of coffee.
True enough while walking around, we found an outdoor concert that was about to start. With my very limited K-Pop knowledge (then), I have no idea who was singing but with the massive crowd, I believe it should be someone popular?
Funky lift experience!! :D
Obligated tourist shot with MRT lines.
Trains are generally wider as compared to what we have in Singapore which makes moving around even while standing easier. Yes, I DO NOT need to have someone breathe down my neck!!
Who knew this little fellow would be my saviour in time to come during the trip!! That would be on another story!
Nice way to end Day 02 with sights of my eye candy!!
