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  2. SEOUL 2016

Seoul 2016, Palace compound

Touring the Gyeongbokgung palace
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  • Map of Palace area

    Map of Palace area

    IMG_4209 Palace area and Bukchon Hanok

  • Gyeongbok Palace map

    Gyeongbok Palace map

    Gwanghwamun is the main entry gate. Heungyemun is the second gate. Geunjeongmun is the third gate. Geunjeongjeon is the main throne hall of Gyeongbok Palace.

  • This gallery focuses on Gyeongbokgung Palace

    This gallery focuses on Gyeongbokgung Palace

    Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395, is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty. It was destroyed by fire during the 1590s and abandoned for two centuries. In the latter half of the 19th century, all of the palace's 7,700 rooms were restored. In the early 20th century, much of the palace was systematically destroyed by Imperial Japan, which annexed Korea in 1910. Restoration of the Palace began in 1990.

  • We entered through this gate from the parking lot

    We entered through this gate from the parking lot

    IMG_4210 entry gate from parking

  • Gwanghwamun, the main entry gate

    Gwanghwamun, the main entry gate

    Seen from the road in front of and Gwanghwamun Square facing the gate. Not my photo, as we did not approach through the main gate. North mountain is behind.

  • The inside (back) of Gwanghwamun, the main entry gate.

    The inside (back) of Gwanghwamun, the main entry gate.

    The Korean War (1950–53) completely destroyed the wooden structure of Gwanghwamun, the main entry gate, and its stone base lay in complete disrepair and neglect. Gwanghwamun underwent a major restoration project from December 2006 to August 2010. The gate was moved to its original location and reconstructed in wood. It was rotated to align the gate with the main north-south axis of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

  • Royal Guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun Gate

    Royal Guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun Gate

    IMG_4215

  • Aliza with guard

    Aliza with guard

    IMG_4217 Aliza with guard

  • Check out the ceiling!

    Check out the ceiling!

    IMG_4218 guard at Gwanghwamun Gate

  • Jesse with guard

    Jesse with guard

    IMG_4219 Jesse with guard

  • Heungyemun, the second gate

    Heungyemun, the second gate

    IMG_4220 comes before 4214

  • Looking through Heungyemun (second) gate to Geunjeongmun (third) gate

    Looking through Heungyemun (second) gate to Geunjeongmun (third) gate

    IMG_4228

  • Climbing the stairs to Heungyemun (second) gate

    Climbing the stairs to Heungyemun (second) gate

    IMG_4222

  • Looking back from Heungyemun (second) gate to Gwanghwamun, the main entry gate

    Looking back from Heungyemun (second) gate to Gwanghwamun, the main entry gate

    IMG_4221 looking back at Gwanghwamun Gate

  • Back side of Heungyemun (second) gate

    Back side of Heungyemun (second) gate

    IMG_4227 back of gate comes after 4228

  • Geunjeongmun (third) gate

    Geunjeongmun (third) gate

    IMG_4214 comes after 4220

  • Still going north, through Geunjeongmun (third) gate to Geunjeongjeon, main throne hall of Gyeongbok Palace

    Still going north, through Geunjeongmun (third) gate to Geunjeongjeon, main throne hall of Gyeongbok Palace

    IMG_4230 Gyeongbokgung-GeunJeongJeon

  • South side of Geunjeongjeon, main throne hall of Gyeongbok Palace

    South side of Geunjeongjeon, main throne hall of Gyeongbok Palace

    IMG_4231 Gyeongbokgung-GeunJeongJeon

  • Stairs and balustrade to  Geunjeongjeon, the main throne hall

    Stairs and balustrade to Geunjeongjeon, the main throne hall

    IMG_4232 stair detail Gyeongbokgung-GeunJeongJeon

  • Balustrade in front of  Geunjeongjeon, the main throne hall

    Balustrade in front of Geunjeongjeon, the main throne hall

    IMG_4233 ballustrade detail Gyeongbokgung-GeunJeongJeon

  • Seal in the stairs to Geunjeongjeon, the main throne hall

    Seal in the stairs to Geunjeongjeon, the main throne hall

    IMG_4234seal at stairs Gyeongbokgung-GeunJeongJeon

  • Looking back at the third gate and the city from Geunjeongjeon, the main throne hall

    Looking back at the third gate and the city from Geunjeongjeon, the main throne hall

    IMG_4235 looking back at Seoul from Gyeongbokgung-GeunJeongJeon

  • Inside the main throne hall

    Inside the main throne hall

    IMG_4236 Gyeongbokgung-GeunJeongJeon interior

  • Ceiling of the main throne hall

    Ceiling of the main throne hall

    IMG_4240 ceiling Gyeongbokgung-GeunJeongJeon

  • Ceiling beam details, main throne hall

    Ceiling beam details, main throne hall

    IMG_4244 ceiling detail

  • Sundial on south side of main throne hall

    Sundial on south side of main throne hall

    IMG_4246 sundial Gyeongbokgung-GeunJeongJeon

  • Urn in main throne hall

    Urn in main throne hall

    IMG_4248 urn Gyeongbokgung-GeunJeongJeon

  • IMG_4256 costumes at palace

    IMG_4256 costumes at palace

  • The king was afraid of ghosts and set eunuchs on the roof to ward them off

    The king was afraid of ghosts and set eunuchs on the roof to ward them off

    IMG_4251 eunichs on roof to ward off ghosts

  • Eunuchs on the roof, guarding against ghosts

    Eunuchs on the roof, guarding against ghosts

    IMG_4252 eunichs on roof to ward off ghosts

  • Eunuchs on the roof, guarding against ghosts

    Eunuchs on the roof, guarding against ghosts

    IMG_4258 eunichs on roof to ward off ghosts

  • Inwangsang, the west mountain

    Inwangsang, the west mountain

    IMG_4253 west mountain

  • Looking west

    Looking west

    IMG_4225

  • Leaving the palace compound

    Leaving the palace compound

    IMG_4261 leaving palace compound

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    Looking back from Heungyemun (second) gate to Gwanghwamun, the main entry gate
    Back side of Heungyemun (second) gate
    Geunjeongmun (third) gate