South Korea

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace Address Seoul, Jongno-gu, 1 Sejong-no Type Palaces/ Fortresses/ Gates Inquiries -Travel phone +82-2-1330 (English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese) -Administration Office +82-2-732-1931 (Korean) - +82-2-734-2457 (Korean) Homepage http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/ (English, Korean)

Introduction

Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also commonly referred to as the “Northern Palace” because it is located more toward the north, compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeongheegung (Western Palace). Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful and remains the grandest of all the five palaces. The premises were destroyed by fire at the time of the Japan's occupation of Korea during 1592-1598. However, all of the palace's 7,700 rooms were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun in the years of King Gojong (1852~1919) . Remarkably, the most representative edifices of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonghoe-ru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond are still relatively in tact. Woldae and the sculptures of Geunjeongjeon (The Royal Audience Chamber) represent the past sculpture art which was the trend back then. The National Palace Museum of Korea is located south of Heungnyemun Gate, and the National Folk Museum is located east within Hyangwonjeong. Jongmyo Royal Shrine Jongmyo Royal Shrine Address Seoul, Jongno-gu, 1-2 Hunjeong-dong Type Monuments/ Historical Sites Inquiries -Travel phone +82-2-1330 (English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese) - +82-2-765-0195 (Basic English, Korean) Homepage http://jm.cha.go.kr/ (English, Korean) Introduction Jongmyo Royal Shrine is the primary place of worship for the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. It was built when the first King of the Joseon Dynasty, Lee Sung-Gye(1335-1408) founded the Joseon Dynasty. Jongmyo Royal Shrine is registered as World Cultural Heritage because the tradition and customs such as the memorial services and traditional music are very well preserved. There is a trifurcated paths in front of the main gate of Jongmyo Royal Shrine. The middle path between the slightly raised roads is for the dead kings, the east road for the king and the west road for the prince. The road in the middle is connected to Jeongjeon, and the roads on both sides are linked to a room for preparing a memorial service after performing their ablutions. After properly preparing the body and mind, the king and the prince move to Jeonsacheong. Jeonsacheong is where foods for the memorial ceremony are prepared. With the yard in the center, the buildings of Jeonsacheong are square-shaped. The main building, Jeongjeon is where mortuary tablets of kings are preserved and memorial services are held. Only this place has maintained its tradition so far, even though enshrining successive kings was originally handed down from China. Jeongjeon has 19 rooms where each room worships each king. There is Gongshinjeon within a wall of Jeongjeon which enshrines the sincere lieges. The music of Jongmyo Royal Shrine memorial services is produced by instruments, singing, and dances that date back from over 500 years ago. The melody is also handed down in the same as it once was during this time. This ceremony is the oldest complete ceremony in the world and is held on the first Sunday of May, yearly. It is a great chance to see the grandeur of a traditional ceremony. Seokguram Grotto (Mt. Tohamsan) Seokguram Grotto (Mt.Tohamsan) Address Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongju-si, Jinhyeon-dong Type Temples/ Religious Sites Inquiries -Travel Phone +82-54-1330 (English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese) -Bulguksa Temple Tourist Information Center +82-54-746-4747 (English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese) Introduction Seokguram, located on Mt.Tohamsan, is the representative stone temple of Korea. The official name of Seokguram, National Treasure No. 24, is Seokguram Seokgul. Designated as World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995, it is an artificial stone temple made of granite. The construction started with Kim Dae-Seong (700~774) in 751 during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (742~765) of the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.~A.D. 935) and it was finished twenty-four years later in 774, during the reign of King Hye-Gong (765~780). Seokguram is known to have been built with Bulguksa Temple. According to the history book Samgukyusa of the Goryeo Dynasty (the country that unified the Korean peninsula at the end of the Silla Dynasty, 918~1392), Kim Dae-Seong had built Bulguksa for the parents who were alive, and Seokguram for the parents of his former life. Seokguram is an artificial stone temple made of granite, and is located on the eastern peak of Mt. Toham. Inside the round-shaped main hall, there are the Bonjon Statue, Bodhi-sattva and his disciples. Seokguram was built to preserve these statues. The Bonjon figure wearing a generous smile is seated on the stage engraved with lotus flower design. The rounded ceiling looks like a half-moon or a bow and has a lotus flower decorated cover on it. As the sunrise from this spot is so beautiful, many people climb the mountain at daybreak. Asan Spavis Asan Spavis Address Chungcheongnam-do, Asan-si, Eumbong-myeon, 288-6, Shinsu-ri Type Hot Springs/ Bath Houses/Spas/ Jjimjilbangs Inquiries -Travel Phone +82-41-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) Homepage http://www.spavis.co.kr/ (Korean) Introduction Spavis located in Asan is water park resort accommodating up to 3,000 people and contains both indoor and outdoor spa facilities. Through all seasons outdoor facilities offers open-air spa pool, while indoor facilities offer many health benefits such as 7-8 water physiotherapy facilities including the Bade Pool. Moreover, leisure facilities such as family pool, jasmine pool, cave pool, sauna, health promotion center and 35583 sq. ft. area of outdoor swimming pool are popular. Oedolgae Rock Oedolgae Rock Address Jeju-do, Seogwipo-si, Cheonji-dong Type Rare Animals/ Plants/Spectacular Cliffs & Rock Formations Inquiries -Travel phone +82-64-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) - +82-64-735-3543 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) Homepage http://cyber.jeju.go.kr (English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese) Introduction Oedolgae sits not far from the shores of Sammaebong Seougwipo City. It is an amazing rock 10 meters in circumference and 20 meters in height and is also known as the Changgun Rock. It is surrounded by beautiful islands such as Bum Island, Sae Island and Seonnyu (fairy) Rock. Oedolgae was also a filming location in 2003 TV drama series, 'Daejangguem' where Hansangoong (Mee Kyung Yang) faced her death under a false accusation while being carried on Daejanggeum's(Young Ae Lee) back. Fantastic rocks of Oedolgae and fields of reeds in the extensive ranch is a perfect place to go trekking. The sunset of Bum Island, which can be seen from Oedolgae, has long been an essential stop for tourists going to Jeju Island.