Korea (South)

Seoul

The capital city of Seoul contains some 11 million people and is the home of major corporations, banks, government offices, leading schools and universities, theatres and entertainment. There is a rich and satisfying variety of things to see and do for locals and visitors alike.

Seoul was the seat of government in the Paekche Kingdom, more than 1,500 years ago, but the city's true beginnings occurred in 1394, when it became the capital of the new Choson Dynasty.

The vestiges of the Choson Dynasty, famous for its cultural achievements, are still prominent features of the city's architectural landscape. They include five huge city gates, other pieces of the original ten mile city wall, four major palaces and a garden with royal ancestral shrines. These and other treasures give colour and charm to modern Seoul, which today is a thriving busy modern city that cares very much for its precious legacy which is preserved behind the ancient city walls.

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A 'must see' is Toksugung Palace opposite City Hall. The palace complex is filled with commanding structures such as Taehanmun, the main gate, Chunghwajon, the throne room or audience hall and Sokchojon, the first Renaissance-style building in Korea, which now houses a cultural institute offering monthly public audio-visual programs. The palace and grounds are open all year round.

The 40 acre Kyongbokkung Palace was built in 1394 in the third year of the Choson Dynasty and is a most impressive building with a throne room and audience hall. Kyonghoeru, is a spacious two storey pavilion which overlooks a picturesque man-made pond north-west of the throne hall, while Hyangwonjong is a secluded pavilion nestled in the middle of a pond at the northern end of the palace complex where the royal family once enjoyed special private occasions. The Kyongbokkung Palace grounds contain the National Folk Museum and a ten storey stone pagoda which is one of the most beautiful stone structures in Korea.

Close by, near the Kwanghwamun Gate, which was the original entrance to the palace, is the National Museum of Korea which houses five storeys of artefacts covering 5,000 years of Korean history and culture.

Ch'angdokkung Palace, just east of Kyongbokkung Palace, is also a popular destination with visitors. It is known for its Secret Garden or Piwon which consists of 78 acres beautifully landscaped with pavilions, ponds and wooded areas.

Ch'anggyonggung Palace, adjacent to Ch'angdokkung Palace, is another well preserved royal complex with magnificent gates and elaborate bridges. The Chongmyo Shrine located across the street from the palace is a heavily-wooded garden with buildings containing the royal ancestral tablets of the Choson Dynasty.

East Gate, or Tongdaemun, part of the ancient city wall is surrounded by a market offering a variety of fascinating bargains, and South Gate, Namdaemun also has an excellent market selling every imaginable type of product.

For a different perspective on the city, Seoul Tower on the mountain's summit provides a panoramic view, as well as a restaurant. Finally, visitors can relax and take a ride in a river boat on the Han-gang River through the city and enjoy a view of Seoul's modern skyline and Mount Namsan as they travel between Youido Island and Chamshil.

Outside of Seoul are attractive rural districts and the two large cities of Inch'on and Suwon in Kyonggido province. In Kwach'on, the Korean Folk Village re-creates the lifestyle of several centuries ago in a living museum. Near the port area of Inch'on it is possible to feast on seafood and catch excursion boats to some of the beautiful outlying islands.