Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung was the main palace during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). One of five palaces in Seoul, it has a 500 year history. It was built by the founding King of the Joseon dynasty, Lee Seong-Gye, in 1395 as he moved the capital city from Gyeseong to Seoul. Located in the northern part of Seoul, it is sometimes called “Bukgwol.”
Gyeongbokgung is 5.4 million square feet and rectangular in shape. On the south side is the main gate Gwanghwamun. To the north, Sinmumun, east, Yeongchumun, and west, Geonchunmun. In the palace are the Jeongak buildings such as Geunjeongjeon, Gyotaejeon, Jagyeongjeon, Gyeonghoeru, and Hyangwonjeong. Geunjeongjeon, the main hall, was where inquiries and morning sessions were held. In the front courtyard, three granite walkways are present. The slightly more elevated middle walkway was for the King. The ones on the side were for his court. In the yard, Pumgyeseoks stand on each side. Jagyeongjeon and Gyotaejeon were the King's mother and Queen's sleeping quarters. Jakyeongjeon is famous for it's flower wall and Sipjangsaeng guldduk (chimney). The guldduk is recognized as the most beautiful made in Joseon period, and is listed as National Treasure no. 810. Gyotaejeon was the Queen's personal living area, and the wall and the rear entrance overlooking Amisan Mountain are particularly eye-catching.
What adds to the elegance of Gyeongbokgung is its lotus pond. Gyeonghoeru and Hyangwonjeoung. Gyeonghoeru was where foreign dignitaries met and special festivals were held when good events occurred in the nation. Hwangwonjeong is behind the sleeping quarters, and is in the back courtyard. It also has a lotus pond, but has a distinct feminine feel to it compared to Gyeonghoeru's. Its architecture makes great use of the surrounding Amisan's geography, and the area blends in beautifully, a great example of traditional Korean palatial structure. There is also the library, sujeongjeon, and the King's work quarters, Sajeongjeon.
There are many designated Cultural Assets in the Palace. Many of these were collected from all over the nation, such as Gyeongcheonsa's 10-story stone tower (No. 86), Beomcheonsa's Jigwangguksa-Hyeonmo tower (No.101), and Borugak's Automatic Clock and Heumgyeonggak's Water Clock and Cheonsang Clock.
In 1910, when the Korea-Japan Treaty was signed, Japan tore down all the Jeongak buildings in the south area and built their Command Center on the spot. The Japanese building has now been dismantled and the palace is in the process of being restored.


National Folk Museum

The National Folk Museum displays the lifestyle of ancient Koreans. There are 20,000 vestiges, with a total of 4000 folk relics. In the Center Hall there are traditional culture or folk related exhibits. The “Hall of Korean Lifestyle” shows the lifestyles of Koreans from pre-historic times to the Joseon Period (1392~1910). You can compare the cultural characteristic and vestiges by period and you can see the development of pottery, agricultural implements and prints. The 2nd Exhibition called ‘Hall of Koreans at Work‘ displays tools for farming, hunting, fishing, along with clothes and houses. It includes handicrafts, accessories, dishes, kimchi and jangdokdae. The 3rd Exhibition is called the ‘Hall of a Korean Life Cycle‘ and presents the life of an ancient Korean from birth to marriage to death. Outside the museum is more interesting than inside. The Jejudo Island sculptures such as Dolharubang, windmills, treadmills and sheds are displayed outdoors. The National Folk Museum hold a ‘Korean Folk Concert' every Saturday at the auditorium. The National Folk Museum designates the first Sunday every month as ‘Visit the Museum' Day in admission fee is waived.
Insa-dong

Insa-dong, located in the middle of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional items come and go. There is one main road in Insa-dong with a labyrinth of alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, traditional teahouses, and cafes. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each store brings it's own uniqueness. The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of Korean traditional fine art from paintings to sculptures. The more famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center. The best way to visit these galleries is to use the “art center bus.” It will take you to over 10 of the most famous galleries at a very reasonable price. The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect compliments to the galleries. At first they might be hard to find, but if you take the time to stroll around the twisting alleyways, the “looking” in itself can become fun. If you had to choose just one teahouse from the hundreds that are here, Gwicheon would be the place to go. Poet Cheon Sang-Byeong's wife is the proprietor of the tea house. The shop isn't very big, but you can see pictures and books of famous poets. You might even run into one. Mokwacha is their best tea and it is famous for its fragrance. Every Sunday from 10:00 ? 22:00, some streets are blocked off from traffic and it becomes a place cultural space. This is when the stores will set up booths outside. Not only the stores that are here, but all kinds of people come here during this time and set up shop, such as Korean candy merchants and old fortune tellers. There are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular with foreign tourists. This is where they can experience and see Korean traditional culture firsthand, and also purchase pieces of fine art. On the street you can eat Korean taffy and traditional pajeon (Korean pancake), and see many foreigners lost in all the joyous festivities of the street.