Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
granite archway modelled after the Arc de Triomphe. Built by the Independence Club in
1898, it stands where envoys from Chinese emperors used to be officially welcomed to
Seoul. A tribute of gold, tiger skins, green tea, ginseng, horses, swords, ramie cloth, straw
mats and eunuchs would be handed over by the Koreans. This ritual symbolised Chinese
suzerainty over Korea, which only ended when King Gojong declared himself an emperor
in 1897.
GILSANG-SA
TEMPLE
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( 3672 5945; www.gilsangsa.or.kr ; Seongbuk-dong; 10am-6pm Mon-Sat; Line 4 to Hangsung University,
Exit 6) This delightful hillside temple once housed the elite restaurant Daewongak, where
gisaeng (female entertainers accomplished in traditional arts) performed. In 1997 the
property was donated by its owner, a former gisaeng, to a Buddhist monk to be turned into
a temple. It's beautiful to visit at any time of year, but particularly in May when the
grounds are festooned with lanterns for Buddha's birthday. There's a small teahouse and
the temple offers an overnight Templestay program on the fourth Saturday and Sunday of
the month; CLICK HERE for details. A shuttle bus runs to the temple from near the subway
exit at 8.30am, 9.20am, 9.40am, 10am, noon, 1pm, 3pm and 4.30pm.
HOUSE
CHOI SUNU HOUSE
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( Seongbuk-dong; 10am-4pm Tue-Sat Apr-Nov; Line 4 to Hangsung University, Exit 6, then bus 1111 or
2112) The charming hanok home of a former director of the National Museum of Korea
and academic on Korean arts is now looked after by the National Trust of Korea. Built in
the 1930s, it follows a traditional pattern with a box of outer walls containing the L-
shaped inner and outer wings of the home and gardens. Find it off the main road behind
some flower shops near the cafe Chocolate Con Churros.
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