Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Neighbourhood Top Five
palaces, fronted by the grand gateway Gwanghwamun where you can watch the changing
of the guard.
Discover Huwon, the serene traditional garden hidden behind
Changdeokgung
(
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cluster of traditional-style homes.
and epicentre of the spectacular Lotus Lantern Festival in May.
Explore: Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Although their size and splendour have been greatly reduced from their heyday in the 18th
century, Seoul's royal palace compounds, in the district of Jongno-gu, provide a glimpse
of what it was like to live at the power- ful heart of the old city. The area is also referred to
as Gwanghwamun after the majestic gate to the main palace of Gyeongbokgung and the
elongated square that has recently been created in front of it.
Save for the odd painted screen and altar, the large palace buildings are mostly empty
allowing you to appreciate the Confucian ideals of frugality, simplicity and separation of
the sexes in the architecture as well as the gardens.
Between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, stroll around Bukchon ('north village')
which covers several smaller areas including Samcheong-dong and Gahoe-dong, famous
for its traditional houses. Centuries ago this is where the
yangban
(aristocrats) lived but
most estates were divided into plots in the early 20th century to create the smaller
hanok
you can now view around Gahoe-dong. West of Gyeongbokgung smaller clusters of
han-
ok
can be found in Tongui-dong, a popular location for small commercial art galleries.