Thursday, March 31, 2011

Gyeongbok Palace

Originally built in the 1300s, the Japanese razed it in the early 1900s. Today they are rebuilding it and it is open to the public. I went on a brief tour with a group from base.
Right in the middle of Seoul, so from some angles you catch the high rises that have been built around it.
The details are what make it amazing. The five colors represent safety and power and are only allowed on royal palaces and temples.
State receptions and dinners were hosted here at the Pavilion.
Main palace throne room. Unlike European palaces, this should more be described as a complex because there are multiple buildings instead of just one big mega-building that houses everything.
What's the advantage of having smaller buildings? Central heating. Yes, the Koreans had central heating under their floors in the 1300s.
My camera skills are not doing justice to the magnificence and attention to detail that they built into this palace. So you will have to come and see it for yourself.

1 comment:

Karolyn said...

It looks amazing. You are so lucky to be able to see so many incredible places.