Changgyeong Palace was the third palace compound built during the Joseon Dynasty after Gyeongbok Palace and Changdeok Palace. Many Kings preferred to stay at Changdeok Palace and the number of royal family members increased, filling the palace to its capacity. Therefore, King Seongjong had Changgyeong Palace built next [...]]]>

Changgyeong Palace

Changgyeong Palace was the third palace compound built during the Joseon Dynasty after Gyeongbok Palace and Changdeok Palace. Many Kings preferred to stay at Changdeok Palace and the number of royal family members increased, filling the palace to its capacity. Therefore, King Seongjong had Changgyeong Palace built next to Changdeok Palace.

Changgyeong Palace was built in 1483 and then destroyed in 1592-8 during the Japanese invasion. In 1616 the palace was rebuilt only to be burnt down, rebuilt, destroyed again and again until finally the palace was demolished by the Japanese Occupation Government to make way for a museum, zoo and botanical garden. In 1983 the zoo and museum were removed and restoration work began on Changgyeong Palace.

Changgyeong Palace is quite small compared to the other main palaces but has a tranquil vibe to it. About 70% of the compound is made up of open green spaces, trees and a pond. After viewing the palace you could easily spend the next few hours wandering around and finding little pockets of history throughout the compound. With the inexpensive entrance fee of 1,000 won you can find people who come here to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Seoul, relax, read a book or even go power walking or jogging. East of the palace you will find Chundangji. Chundangji used to be a rice paddy that the King personally plowed however it was turned into a pond. Near to the pond you will see a giant greenhouse. It was designed by a Japanese architect and built by a French building company in 1909. At that time it was the largest conservatory in Asia and rare plants were exhibited.

Opening Hours / Admission:
Closed every Monday.
November – March: 09:00 ~ 17:30
April – October: 09:00 ~ 18:30
Ticket booths close one hour before closing.

Admission:
Adults: 1,000 won
Children: 500 won

How to get to Changgyeon Palace:
Take line 4 to Hyehwa station and leave exit 4. Take a look at the map below for more details.

Unhyeongung Palace also known as Unhyeongung Royal Residence is the palace that King Gojong lived in before he acceded to the throne. The palace was built in 1864 and in 1869 more buildings were added. Although being the house of a high ranking official, Unhyeongung is similar to an inner palace. However, unlike the other [...]]]>

Unhyeongung Palace

Unhyeongung Palace also known as Unhyeongung Royal Residence is the palace that King Gojong lived in before he acceded to the throne. The palace was built in 1864 and in 1869 more buildings were added. Although being the house of a high ranking official, Unhyeongung is similar to an inner palace. However, unlike the other main palaces Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung, Unhyeongung is simple in design and use of colour. It was at this residence on March 21st, 1866 that the Royal wedding ceremony of King Gojong and Empress Myeongseong took place. A reenactment of this ceremony takes place twice a year. The next reenactment will be on Sat, Sept 24 at 14:00.

Unhyeongung was damaged during the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War. The Unhyeongung Royal Residence seen today is a much smaller version of the majestic structure that it used to be.

Unhyeongung Palace is a great place to see the living arrangements of the King, Queen, family and servants. A lot of the rooms at Unhyeongung Residence have been set up to show what it looked liked when the King and Queen resided there. Also at Unhyeongung you can find an Artifact Exhibition hall and Project Exhibition Hall. At the Project Exhibition Hall many events are held here monthly e.g Ceramics Exhibition, Hanji Craft Exhibition, Culture class Exhibition and many more. Like most other palaces you can try on some traditional Korean clothing.

Opening Hours / Admission:
Closed every Monday.
November – March: 09:00 ~ 18:00
April – October: 09:00 ~ 19:00

Admission:
Adults, 25 to 64: 700 won
Youths, 13 tp 24: 300 won
Under 12, Over 65: Free
From 12 – 13:00 everyday the palace is open for free so people can relax during their lunch breaks.

How to get to Unhyeongung Palac:
Take line 3 to Anguk station and leave exit 4. Unhyeongung will be right in front of you.

Jongmyo Park is located right in front of Jongmyo Shrine. The park is full of retired old men about 3500 per day playing board games such as GO. Underneath the park there is a huge underground parking lot. Inside the park there are plenty of benches, trees, water fountains, a small pond [...]]]>

Jongmyo Park

Jongmyo Park is located right in front of Jongmyo Shrine. The park is full of retired old men about 3500 per day playing board games such as GO. Underneath the park there is a huge underground parking lot. Inside the park there are plenty of benches, trees, water fountains, a small pond and a statue of Lee Sang-Jae. Lee Sang-Jae was a South Korean patriot who was heavily involved in the resistance of the Japanese Colonial Rule. The statue was erected on April 10th, 1986 to commemorate his glorious achievements.

Currently part of the park has turned into an archeological site. The park is located in front of Jongmyo Shrine which was built over 600 years ago and recently they have discovered many artifacts buried in the park. Some of the artifacts are displayed in the park accompanied with pictures of the excavation under the tittle “Street Museum”.

The park has in the recent past been involved in scandal.  Police cracked down on a ring of elderly women who were soliciting prostitution in the park for the elderly men. Although most of the prostitutes have moved on, you can still see some elderly women looking for some customers.

How to get to Jongmyo Park:
Take line 1, 3 or 5 to Jongno 3 (sam)-ga station and leave exit 11 and follow the map below.

City Hall in Seoul is a governmental building for the Seoul Metropolitan Government. It is located next to City Hall Station. The building was built by the Japanese occupation government in 1926. After liberation from Japan, it served the Seoul city government. In front of City Hall building is the City Hall Plaza. It is [...]]]>

New City Hall Exhibition under construction

City Hall in Seoul is a governmental building for the Seoul Metropolitan Government. It is located next to City Hall Station. The building was built by the Japanese occupation government in 1926. After liberation from Japan, it served the Seoul city government. In front of City Hall building is the City Hall Plaza. It is an open area that has become famous for public rallies or celebrations. The most famous was of the huge gathering to support the South Koreans during the Japan – Korea World Cup of 2002.

In 2008 construction began on a New City Hall building. Seoul City Hall will consist of the existing structure which will be renovated and a newly constructed building. See below for pictures. Some 40 percent of the New City Hall building has been earmarked for a cultural space meaning it will truly be a place for the citizens of Seoul. The new building will be an eco-friendly building. Construction is expected to finish in May 2012.

Currently in front of the construction site at City Hall plaza you can find a small exhibit about the history and future of City Hall. At the exhibit the staff can speak English and there are a few useful free guide books. Also, it’s possible to get your picture taken for free with different Korean cultural backgrounds and email to your computer.

Opening Hours / Admission:
The Exhibit is open from 10:00am – 19:00 and closed on Mondays.

Admission is free.

How to get to City Hall Seoul:
Take line 1 or 2 to City Hall station and take exit 5.

This monument was erected in memory of over 4,300 elite Korean students of colleges and universities in Korea and Japan who were coercively inducted into the Imperial Japanese Army under the name Special Student Volunteers toward the end of World War 2.

Most of the them refused to comply and deserted the Japanese Imperial [...]]]> This monument was erected in memory of over 4,300 elite Korean students of colleges and universities in Korea and Japan who were coercively inducted into the Imperial Japanese Army under the name Special Student Volunteers toward the end of World War 2.

Most of the them refused to comply and deserted the Japanese Imperial Army. Some were caught, imprisoned or executed and others were wounded, killed or went missing in action.

This monument has the names of 2,700 of those whose life or death struggle against the war has been confirmed. The monument stands in front of Tong Sung High school. It was here that the forced inductees underwent military training just before they were driven to the battlefield. This monument is a reminder of the struggle against the Japanese and a hope that history will no be repeated.

How to get the Il Nyum Bi Monument:
Leave exit number 1 at Hyehwa station on Line number 4. Head straight for 2 minutes and the monument will be on your right.