IF YOU have been watching sageuks or Korean historical dramas, you are probably familiar with Korea’s history, including its dynasties. During the Joseon dynasty in the 14th century, the kingdom’s culture, literature, science and technology flourished.
It was during this time when King Taejo, the founder and first ruler of Joseon, moved the capital of the kingdom to Hanseong, now modern Seoul, South Korea. In the capital, he built the main Royal Palace, which is called Gyeongbokgung Palace, which means the "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven."
As the biggest among the Five Grand Palaces of Joseon, Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must-visit attraction when you travel to Seoul. Not only will you get a glimpse of Korea’s past, but also see the grandeur of their kingdom.
Gwanghwamun Gate
One of the familiar parts of Gyeongbokgung is the Gwanghwamun Gate, which is the main gate of the palace. There are three arches at the gate that serve as a passage to the palace grounds. The ceiling of these arches has an intricate painting of a pair of Phoenix that can take your breath away. It has a pavilion on top of these arches. The gate guards wear colorful traditional garbs that have also become an attraction to visitors.
Heungnyemun and Geunjeongmun Gates
Once you enter through the main gate, you can see a lot of things as you walk towards the second and third inner gates. There is a tiny stream located in this area. Yeongjegyo is the tiny bridge that connects to the Geunjeongmun gate, which is the third inner gate that leads to the Geunjeongmun Hall or Throne Hall compound.
Geunjeongjeon Hall
The Geunjeongjeon Hall is where the throne of the king is found. This is where he grants an audience to his officials. The hall is high-ceiling with beautiful patterns and a seven-clawed dragon right at the center. There are many stone sculptures of animals around the hall. The throne, which is often referred to as the Phoenix Throne, is placed at an elevated area in the middle with a backdrop of five mountains and the sun and the moon.
Gyeonghoeru Pavilion
Among the many buildings and quarters in Gyeokbokgung Palace, the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion is one of the scenic spots that stand out. This is because it is built on a pond that provides a tranquil landscape in any season. This used to be the setting of celebrations, especially when the king hosts foreign dignitaries or court officials.
There are also living quarters, offices, gardens, social halls, and other buildings found around the palace complex. It’s interesting to note the architecture and designs of the structures, as well as to know the uses of certain elements and meaning of the symbols during Korea’s historical era.
And if you just stop to look around, the palace landscape is even strengthened by the formidable Mount Inwangsan at the backdrop, which has become a favorite of many hikers because of the view of Seoul it provides.
All photos are by this author unless otherwise stated. Claire Marie Algarme blogs at http://firsttimetravels.com. Follow her as @firsttimetravel on Twitter and Instagram and like her Facebook page First-time Travels blog.