The second day of our trip, Sunday July 5th: We spent most of the day at two massive palaces: Changdeokgung (which is only available to tourists via guided tours at specific times) and Gyeongbokgung.
We were fifteen minutes late for the English tour at Changdeokgung, but we sweet-talked our way in anyway :D
The main hall of Changdeokgung
self-explanatory
The king's carriages would pull up here and drop off important people
Glimpses of modern Seoul over the trees
The building at the top of the hill was King Sejong's royal library. People would come from all over to study there...and it's also where students would take exams in front of the king. No pressure there...
The big gate in the middle was for the King's use only...the two smaller gates on the sides were for servants.
A study room for one of the princes. It's the only building at this particular palace that faces north, which is apparently good for studying.
This gate is pretty awesome. Whoever passes through it will never grow old...and also gets to make a wish. Can't beat that!
Leaving the 'secret garden' area
This tree is believed to be several hundred years old. Our guide told us the only way they could tell for sure was to cut it down, a process that seems a bit counter-productive in my opinion.
Gyeongbokgung :easily the most impressive-looking palace we saw that weekend.
Mountain overlooking the palace.
Pagoda in the distance
Me in front of the main hall
The courtyard for this palace was huuuuuuuuge and could easily accommodate hundreds of people for ceremonies, coronations, etc.
This is what my throne would look like if I were a Korean king...
A view of the courtyard facing away from the main hall
The ceiling of the main hall was incredibly ornate and beautifully painted.
Some more of those mysterious and decorative chimneys
Ancient Seoul vs. Modern Seoul
The hall behind me was built literally right on this huge pond. It was used by the king to entertain important people...and it looked like a postcard.
A lotus blossom growing in the pond.
Another view of the hall
Cool buildings in the distance
One of the main gates
If you've seen The Ring, you understand this picture. If only my hair was black!!
My all-time favorite place in this particular palace. The little pagoda is built on an island and the only way to reach it is to venture over the small wooden footbridge. I want one of these in my backyard at home...
Another view
A spring flowed into the pond, first going through this little rock basin. It felt realllly good on my feet but it was also super cold.
The water also tastes good too!
There's the pagoda!
Mountain overlooking the palace.
Pagoda in the distance
Me in front of the main hall
The courtyard for this palace was huuuuuuuuge and could easily accommodate hundreds of people for ceremonies, coronations, etc.
This is what my throne would look like if I were a Korean king...
A view of the courtyard facing away from the main hall
The ceiling of the main hall was incredibly ornate and beautifully painted.
Some more of those mysterious and decorative chimneys
Ancient Seoul vs. Modern Seoul
The hall behind me was built literally right on this huge pond. It was used by the king to entertain important people...and it looked like a postcard.
A lotus blossom growing in the pond.
Another view of the hall
Cool buildings in the distance
If you've seen The Ring, you understand this picture. If only my hair was black!!
My all-time favorite place in this particular palace. The little pagoda is built on an island and the only way to reach it is to venture over the small wooden footbridge. I want one of these in my backyard at home...
Another view
A spring flowed into the pond, first going through this little rock basin. It felt realllly good on my feet but it was also super cold.
The water also tastes good too!
There's the pagoda!And that concludes our 3-part Seoul series! We'll be posting about our trip to Japan as soon as we get back, I'm sure. 안녕히 가세요 (goodbye) for now!
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