Explore South Korea: Cheongwadae Sarangche and Gyeongbok Palace

Cheongwadae Sarangche and Gyeongbok Palace

Day03: May 30, 2014

Newly Renovated Cheongwadae Sarangche

After exploring the Nami Island, got up the Seoul Tower and wandered at the EverlandTheme Park, it was time for us to learn about the history of Seoul and Korea.

From the hotel we traveled to a place called Cheongwadae Sarangchae. 

Fountain Infront of Cheongwadae Sarangche

According to Visit Seoul, Cheongwadae Sarangchae is a historical memorial museum where visitors can learn about the past, present and future visions of Seoul and Korea. Originally the home of the public information hall of Cheongwadae (the Blue House, the Korean presidential residence) called “Hyojadong Sarangbang”, it re-opened with its present name in January 2010 after extensive renovation.

Exploring Inside the Museum

Cheongwadae Sarangchae is a two-story building, with exhibition halls related to culture and tourism on the first floor and halls related to the national vision on the second floor.

From Cheongwadae Sarangchae, we traveled to Gyeongbok Palace. It was near Cheongwadae Sarangche.

Gyeongbokgung, also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, is a royal palace located in northern Seoul, South Korea. First constructed in 1395, later burned and abandoned for almost three centuries, and then reconstructed in 1867, it was the main and largest palace of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty. The name means "Palace" [Gung] "Greatly Blessed by Heaven" [Gyeongbok].

In the early 20th century, much of the palace was destroyed by Imperial Japan. Since then, the walled palace complex has been gradually restored back to its original form.

As of 2009, roughly 40% of the original number of palace buildings still stand or have been restored.

In 1989, the South Korean government started a 40-year initiative to rebuild the hundreds of structures that were destroyed by the colonial government of the Empire of Japan, during the period of occupied Colonial Korea (1910-1945).

In 1995, the Japanese General Government Building, after many controversial debates about its fate, was demolished in order to reconstruct Heungnyemun Gate and its cloisters. The National Museum of Korea, then located on the palace grounds, was relocated to Yongsan-gu in 2005.

By the end of 2009, it was estimated that approximately 40 percent of the structures that were standing before the Japanese occupation of Korea were restored or reconstructed. 

As a part of the phase 5 of the Gyeongbokgung restoration initiative, Gwanghwamun, the main gate to the palace, was restored to its original design. Another 20 year restoration project is planned by the South Korean government to restore Gyeongbokgung to its former status.(Wikipedia).

From Gyeongbok Palace, we traveled back to the city and headed on to the duty free mall for some souvenir shops.

Instead of staying at the duty free mall, some of us decided to get to the plaza and explore the area. It so happened that there was a Korean Costume photo booth open and it was for free. We lined-up with other tourists for photo shoot.

Central Plaza

Korean Costume Photo Booth

Korean Costume Photo Booth

I must say that the place and the structures were all very well restored by the Korean government. The ambiance inside the complex made me feel like I was inside one of the Chinese movies of ancient setting.

From the central plaza, we visited a nice Korean restaurant nearby and had an early dinner. We had a toast for a nice travel experience in South Korea!

까지 우리는 다시 만날!
kkaji ulineun dasi mannal !
Till we meet again !

--o0o--

Day 01 - Explore Nami Island and Seoul Tower 
Day 02 - Explore The Everland Theme Park