I would like to name the day we visited the Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Namsangol Traditional Village as the “Seoul-is-covered-in-fog” day. Our short stay was timed in spring but hubby and I did not expect such a nebula all throughout the city. Is Seoul normally foggy this season? Maybe or maybe not, I would like to know.
Gwanghamun Gate 광화문, the main and the largest gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.Geunjeongmun 한국어 or the The Third Inner Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.Geunjeongjeon Hall 근정전, the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace and the 223rd national treasure of South Korea, is where the King officially conducts the state’s affairs and official meetings.The number of figurines on the roof indicate the importance of the building with 9 being the most important. Geunjeongjeon Hall 근정전 had 7.
Not-quite-the-Iron-Throne.
The throne similar on the 1000 Won note. The five mountains with sun and moon indicate royalty. The five mountains represent the five that surround Seoul.
Not-quite-the-Iron-Throne-either but I like this better.
The throne inside Geunjeongjeon Hall 근정전 at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.The golden dragon on the ceiling of Geunjeongjeon Hall indicates royalty.Gyeonghoeru 경회루 or the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, is the Royal Banquet Hall where special state banquets were held inside the Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea. This is the country’s National Treasure No. 224.The inner courtyard at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.Random door with character at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.Sujeongjeon 수정전 used by the cabinet of the Joseon Dynasty at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.The inner courtyard at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.Taewonjeon 태원전 or Taewonjeon Shrine at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.Beautiful random courtyard at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.Random spring beauty at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.Random spring beauty at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.A beautifully detailed roof at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.View of the National Folk Museum as seen inside the Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.Wonderfully crafted courtyard at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.The Governor-General’s Residence at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.Hyangwonjeong 향원정 or Hyangwonjeong Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.Hyangwonjeong 향원정 or the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion built on an artificial island on a lake named Hyangwonji 향원지 at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea. Hyangwonjeong translates as “Pavilion of Far-Reaching Fragrance”.View of the National Folk Museum as seen inside the Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.
It is also “My-husband-is-popular-and-adored-by-Korean-kids” Day. Don’t ask me why because I also have no idea. Random kids just come up to us to talk which I found very cute and amusing. Here is a proof!
Korean kids being friendly to my husband at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.
And my “YEY-bean-paste-pot” and “LOOK!-korean-drama-actress” day. You can tell how huge a fan I am of Korean cuisine and Korean drama!
Fermented soy paste in clay pots at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.Behind us are fermented soy paste in clay pots at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.A poster of Dae Jang Geum 대장금 (The Great Jang-geum), or the Jewel in the Palace, at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.
Kiss-and-make-up day!
At Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.With the Royal Guards or “Wanggung Sumunjang”at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.Selfie photos collage taken at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.
Despite the overcast, however, what we saw and experienced at the Gyeongbokgung Palace was remarkable. Gyeongbokgung literally means the “Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven” and it is truly living up to its name until this day. While it is mostly a reconstruction after the city was razed by the Japanese in the late 16th century, the palace stands out in its beauty and above all, its grandeur. It is the largest palace of the Five Grand Palace built by the Joseon Dynasty and one day is not enough to enjoy the entire palace. Be warned as well that it is one of the most visited places by tourists so be prepared with rubbing shoulders with strangers. Known as National Historic Site No. 117, Gyeongbokgung Palace requires a loooooot of (enjoyable) walking but will reward each tourist with loads of unforgettable memories :)
A crowded Geunjeongmun 한국어 on a spring day.Full view of Geunjeongjeon Hall 근정전 and a gathering tourists at Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁 in Seoul, South Korea.
Thank you. It was indeed interesting to know what those little figurines mean. We learned it on our second day of stay in Seoul, so for the rest of our stay, we had fun counting figurines in every palaces we visited :)
i am uniquely and wonderfully made. 
Absolutely amazing pictures!
Also did not realize what the little figurines meant. That is pretty interesting. :-)
Thank you. It was indeed interesting to know what those little figurines mean. We learned it on our second day of stay in Seoul, so for the rest of our stay, we had fun counting figurines in every palaces we visited :)
Brings back some wonderful memories for me. Thanks for sharing.