Gyeongbokgung
It was in 1395, three years after the JoseonDynasty was founded by Yi Seong-gye, when the construction of the main royal palace was completed and the capital of the newly founded dynasty moved from Gaeseong to Seoul (then known as Hanyang). The palace was named Gyeongbokgung, the "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven." With Mount Bugaksan to its rear and Mount Namsan in the foreground, the site of Gyeong-bokgung Palace was at the heart of Seoul and, indeed, deemed auspicious according to the traditional practice of geomancy. In front of Gwanghwamun Gate, the main entrance to the palace, ran Yukjo-geori (Street of Six Ministries, today's Sejongno), home to major government offices. Along the central axis upon which Gwang-hwamun Gate stood was the nucleus of the palace, including the throne hall, reception hall and king's residence.
The government ministry district and main buildings of Gyeongbokgung Palace formed the heart of the capital city of Seoul and represented the sovereignty of the Joseon Dynasty. After all the palaces in the capital were razed by the Japanese during the Hideyoshi invasions of 1592-'98, Changdeokgung, a secondary palace, was rebuilt and served as the main palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace was left derelict for the next 250 years. It was finally reconstructed in 1868 by the order of the Prince Regent. The palace the Prince Regent created was markedly different from the original. Some 500 buildings were built on a site of over 40 hectares and constituted a small city. The architectural principles of ancient China were harmoniously incorporated into both the tradition and the appearance of the Joseon royal court. Gyeongbokgung Palace was largely torn down during the Japanese occupation. Eighty-five percent of the restored buildings were dismantled, Gwanghwamun Gate was removed, and an enormous building housing the Japanese Government-General was constructed in front of the main sector of the palace. An effort to fully restore Gyeongbokgung Palace to its former glory has been ongoing since 1990. The colonial Government-General building was removed, and Heungryemun Gate was restored to its original state. The royal quarters and the East Palace for the crown prince were also restored to their original state.
Gwanghwamun
Insa-dong
The office of Chunghoonbu that had been in charge of investigating achievements of public servants throughout the era of the Chosun Dynasty was situated in Kwanhoon-dong. There was also the office named “Leemoon” to protect citizens from plunderers and crack down on those who were indulged into extravagant parties or immoral acts. In addition, a lot of famous people were living at the present Insa-dong area, such as the renowned Confucian Lee Yul-Gok, the General Lee Wan at the era of Hyojong King, and the Confucian Jo Kwang-Jo advocating the King-centered politics at the era of Jungjong King. One of the most impressive events in history that took place around Insa-dong is that the area was the beginning site of the Independence Movement on May 1, 1919 against the Japanese Colonialism. Recently, this area has been filled with art galleries showing unique works, painting shops, book stores selling old books, fancy shops attracting visitors with traditional craftworks, traditional tea shops emitting deep flavor and beautiful tunes of Gayakeum, and drink shops selling Makgulri. Cheonggyecheon Stream
Cheonggyecheon Stream had existed merely as an overpass neglected in 1970 until it was restored in 2005, becoming a haven of natural beauty amidst the bustle of city life. Narae Bridge, expressing a butterfly in flight, and Gwanggyo Bridge, symbolizing the harmony of the past and future, are just two of the more than twenty beautiful bridges featured along the path of the stream. The ‘Rhythmic Wall Stream’, lined with fine marble, various sculptures, and Korea’s 8th stone building, Palseokdam, adorn the Cheonggyecheon Stream. Cheonggyecheon Stream offers many beautiful sights to see and enjoy: The grand fountain, located in Cheonggye Plaza Dapgyonori on the Gwangtong Bridge - a ritual of crossing the bridge on the first full moon of the new year to ensure that for one year, the one who crosses will not have any leg ailments. *A ceramic mural of a king making a grand voyage to Hwaseong, Jeongjobanchando *A colorful cloth wall made of fabrics from Dongdaemun’s fashion district *A cultural wall painting by 5 local artists *A reproduction of an area where folk woman used to do their laundry *A wishing wall, where more than 20,000 people have written their deepest desires *A tunnel fountain *Jonchigyogak, an angle of intersection left behind when the Cheonggye overpass was removed *The aquatic life dwelling among the willows Furthermore, the Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, the Sejong Center, Insa-dong Street, the Changdeokgung Palace, and the Changgyeonggung Palace all lie adjacent to the Cheonggyecheon Stream, allowing visitors to easily visit the tourist sites after a leisurely stroll along the stream.Seoul National Cemetery
The Seoul National Cemetery is the nation's sanctuary where the martyred patriots who sacrificed themselves for the defence and development of their country are resting in peace. It is also full of the spirit of the whole nation and patriotism which saved the nation in the great crisis. This national sanctuary is located on a plot of land measuring approximately 1,430,000㎡(343 acres); and, as though shield by a huge folding screen, the area towards the rear is surrounded by the spiritual Dong Jak bridge-lines, connecting to Mt. Gong Jak, forming the foothills of Mt. Gwan Ak.Towards the front, the cemetery overlooks the silently meandering the Han River. Enshrined here are the remains of approximately 165,000 patriot martyrs and war dead, patriots who fought for the liberation of the country; men of merit who sacrificed their lives for the development of the country and the wellbeing of the people; soldiers, policemen, and reserved army who died glorious deaths to defend their country in times of emergency, including the righteous army who fought against Japan during the Daehanjeguk Period (1897~1910 in Korea).The War Memorial of Korea
The War Memorial of Korea
It began construction in September 1990 and completed in December 1993 for the purpose to collect, preserve, and exhibit data about patriots, foster lessons from the war and patriot spirit, and remember deceased who defended our country. ON 25,000 pyeong of area with two basement stories and four on the ground stories, there are six exhibition rooms including Memorial of patriots, War history, Korean War, Overseas dispatch, Korean Army Development, and Large equipment room. It collects, preserve, manage, exhibit, research, and study about data, does PR and training about events, and also implements war related projects such as publishing diverse periodicals, exhibitions about war, and research on war history.
The patriots’ memorial room is a space to remember patriot spirits and accomplishments of our ancestors who defended our country and meditate our nation’s spirit of self-respect. There are lists of 160,000 war deceased and exhibit statues of patriots. In the war history room, there are military data, armors and devices, and accomplishments of patriots from ancient time to Japanese colonial period which are categorized and exhibited by periods.
N SEOUL Tower
Opened to the public on October 15, 1980, Seoul Tower has been designated as a major tourist attraction where the beautiful panoramic view of Seoul can been seen. The 236.7 meter high Seoul Tower built on the 243m Mt. Namsan has been known as the best tower in Asia. After 30 years of devoted support from tourists, it was remodeled on December 9, 2005 with a magnificent new look. The letter N signifies a 'new' look, and a total construction cost of 15 billion won was invested in to giving Seoul Tower its new look. With the construction of the new lighting system, the appearance, color and pattern of the tower brings change to each season or event. In addition, with the theme of ‘Flower of Seoul,’ lighting with the use of 6 different searchlights from different angles will take place from 7p.m. to midnight. The lobby boasts a Media Zone, a Pavilion Experience Hall, exhibition rooms and performance halls. There is also the N Grill western-style restaurant that revolves 360 degrees every 48 minutes, and Sky Restroom that offers comfort and scenic views of Seoul; both are ideal for couples and friends.UN Memorial Cemetery in KOREA
Here at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea, the only one of its kind in the world, rest heroic braves from a number of UN nations, who sacrificed their lives for world peace and freedom.
Parliament of Korea, in order to honor the services and sacrifices made by the UN forces during the Korean War, volunteered this land for permanent use by UN as a cemetery in August 1955, and the General Assembly accepted the proposal, the UN Resolution #977(X) to establish a United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea in December 1955.
The UNMCK had been managed by UNCURK until UNCURK was dissolved in 1974. Since then, the Commission for The UNMCK consisting of 11 member nations has been managing the UNMCK.
The Cemetery contains the bodies of 2,300 men from Australia (281), Canada (378), France (44), the Netherlands (117), New Zealand (34), Norway (1), South Korea (36), South Africa (11), Turkey (462), the United Kingdom (885), and the United States of America (36), as well as unknown allied soldiers (4) and non-belligerents (11).During 1951 to 1954, remains of about 11,000 men of the UN Forces were gathered here, and remains of soldiers from Belgium, Colombia, Ethiopia, Greece, India, the Philippines, and Thailand (as well as the majority of those from the U.S.A., France, and Norway) were repatriated to their home countries. Plaques bearing particulars of the deceased covers each grave.
The War Memorial of Korea The grounds of the War Memorial of Korea were once the headquarters of the Korean Infantry. Many experts from different fields were consulted numerous times and exhaustive research was done in order to complete the exhibits. This memorial is the largest of its kind in the world. There are 8 main exhibits at the War Memorial: the Hogukchumo Exhibit, War History Exhibit, June 25th War Exhibit, Overseas Dispatched Troops Exhibits, Military Development Exhibit, Large Equipment Exhibit, and the Outdoor Exhibit. The Hogukchumo Exhibit honors the spirit of those who perished fighting on the battlefield. Visitors can learn all about Korea’s war history by visiting the War History Exhibit, June 25 War Exhibit, Overseas Dispatched Troops Exhibits, and the Military Development Exhibit, as well as witness how the Korean military developed over the years. Different kinds of weapons and military equipment are exhibited as well, inside and outside the building. Exhibits inside the building display equipment used during the Korean War in such a way as to invite comparison between the items. Large weaponry and equipment used by different countries during World War II and the Vietnam War are also on display. In the Large Equipment Exhibit on the second floor, many kinds of defense industry equipment and both real and model weapons are displayed. In the Bangsan Equipment Exhibit, you can look at weapons and war equipment produced in Korea. In the War Memorial’s Storage Room, 17,800 files and artifacts of war are preserved. Modern damage control and prevention devices have been installed to keep these materials safe from harm. Besides these, you can also visit the Miniature Exhibit or the Peace Hall. There is a lecture hall at the memorial, and many presentations are held here. If you want to learn more about any specific aspect of war, you can head over to the bookstore to pick up a book or a pamphlet. The shop also sells a variety of military souvenirs that will not only help you remember your time at the memorial but will also remind you of the significant role war has played in world history. The memorial also has a fast food restaurant and stores located outside the building.
Haeundae Beach
It is the best beach in Korean with excellent natural landscape. You may enjoy the beach from July 1 to August 31 every year.
The length of beach is 1.5km, 30-50m of width, and area is 58400m2. The water depth is shallow and sea level change is little. There are a lot of entertainment facilities around the beach that ten thousand people visit here every year.
"Good quality of sand in Haeundae beach"
The luxurious hotels around Heaundae beach have had many experiences with international events such as Busan International Film Festival and 2005 APEC Summit. They have contributed to make Haeundae Beach to become a world class. Sands in Haeundae beach are rough and easy to get rid of when attach on your body. Sands and sea shells from Chuncheon stream were polished through many years of weathering when they got here.
Beautiful night with the theme of light that appreciate romantic beach and beautiful nature
The lights are shed with themes to appreciate romantic beach and beautiful nature. Divers colors of lights are at the plaza, pedestrian roads, and around trees that make mysterious mood.
Demilitarized zone (DMZ)
DMZ is a buffer zone to prevent an armed conflict after the armistice agreement. There is some restrictions on troops staying, weapon disposition, and military installation in DMZ. Once DMZ has been established, what it has already had should be removed. DMZ of Korea is established on 27 July, 1953 in accordance with ‘The Armistice Agreement about military truce of Korea’. It is 248km long and 2km width on each side, south and north. From the law point of view, DMZ is essentially under the control of an international law. Therefore, it is supervised by the organization that is founded by the international law. DMZ, a neutral zone, is composed of 4 elements regardless of its name as follows: demilitarization, certain buffer zone, isolation of military power (troop disposition), and a supervisory organizationWhere DMZ exists is described clearly in the first article, the Military Demarcation Line and DMZ of the Armistice Agreement. The first signboard of the Military Demarcation Line, 0001, was established along Imjin River and the last one, 1292 was set up at Dongho-ri of the east coast. It reaches 248km(155mile) on the ground and 200km on the west coast.
Han River & Han River Cruise – Waiting program
The origin of Han River
During early days of the Periods of Three States, Han River and Imjin River were called as 'Great Water' because it crossed middle area of Korean Peninsula. It was called as 'Arisu' during Goguryeo and 'Ukriha' during Bekje. The name 'Han River' was started when Bekje began accepting Chinese culture as it traded with 'Dongjin.'
The name Han River was called as 'Han Su' in Chinese style. It was also called as 'Gyeong-gang' during Joseon Dynasty. Ancient names were gradually disappeared and it was finally called as 'Hansu' or 'Hangang'.
'Han Gang (river)' was originated from 'Hangaram' as 'Han' means big, wide, and long. 'Garam' means big and wide river in ancient word.
History of Han River cruise
Han River cruise was launched in October 25, 1986. Saehangang 1 and 2 had the first sailing at 9am and announced the era of Han River cruise.
Light construction was completed on August 1, 2005 around Haeundae beach. They were lighted on at the opening day of the 10th Sea Festival. The lights were installed from Chosen Hotel to Hankook condo around Haeundae beach and Moon Welcoming Road with 1.6km of length. They are lighted on from sunset to mid night and 2am during summer. Hongdae tour (Free market) – Waiting program
The free market is a spontaneous arts market and festival where diverse artists and citizens meet and communicated together. The free market shows an alternative of production and consumption as it destroy distance between arts and people. The artists bring their artworks and show them to people or communicated with other artisits freely. People meet artists and artworks and enjoy diverse world of creation. They get motivation and power to participate as an artist. Anyone can participate as an artist at the free market with their own artworks. They can make a little change in their life.
The artworks at free market are "living creations" that we can produce and consume in our daily life. They are different from general art pieces or handicrafts.
Freemarket is not fleamarket.
Fleemarket is where people sell or buy used goods but freemarket is an art market where has created goods and creaion activites. Outside the playground is just shops not related to freemarket.