Gyeongbokgung 경복궁 (景福宮) | Must-visit in Korea

Gyeongbokgung 경복궁 (景福宮)161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South KoreaOpening hours: 0900-1700 (closed on Tuesdays)
Directions:
Gyeongbokgung Palace Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 5 OR Gwanghwamun Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 2
Admission Fees:
Adults (ages 19-64): 3,000 won / Group (over 10): 2,400 won Children (ages 7-18): 1,500 won / Group (over 10): 1,200 won
Hi lovelies, I'm finally back to writing about my Korea trip which is way overdue. January has been a real busy month for me at work, both over at my day job as well as working on articles for SweetestSins' clients. I finally have some time to go through my half-written drafts sitting there just to be completed. 
Everytime I do travel posts, be it the must-visit or the must-eat, it makes me miss that country so much that I would get an air ticket and fly there immediately if I could. Isn't it ironic that when we were younger, we had plenty of time on hand but financially, we weren't independent enough to travel a few times a year but as we grow older, the finance part is not so much of a problem but we don't have that time flexibility we used to? #woesofgrowingup  
When I was in Korea, I stayed in Myeongdong 명동 (明洞). Myeongdong 명동 (明洞) is the equivalent of Taiwan's Ximending (台湾西門町) and Hong Kong's Mongkok (香港旺角). For those of you whom are staying in Myeongdong 명동 (明洞), here a mini-guide on getting to Gyeongbokgung 경복궁 (景福宮) from Myeongdong 명동 (明洞) via train.  
Getting to Gyeongbokgung 경복궁 (景福宮) from Myeongdong 명동 (明洞)
via subway
1) Take Line 4 to Chungmuro 충무로 (忠武路), 1 station away.

We were quite impressed by Seoul subway, they play music when the train is approaching the station and when it reaches the station.

Interior of Seoul Subway

See those shelves on top of the train cabin? The Koreans use them to put their grocery bag, briefcase or shopping bags! How convenient and brilliant this is, isn't it?

2) When you arrive at Chungmuro station 충무로 (忠武路), go to L2 to change to Line 3.

Did I mention that you can easily spot vending machines in Seoul subway? How convenient it is! And.. eating is allowed on Seoul subway! I seldom see the Koreans eating on the train though, most of the time they have a cup of coffee instead.  

Vending machine inside Chungmuro subway station

3) Take the northbound train Line 3 towards Daehwa 대화역 (大化驛).
You can easily identify this as Korea subway list down the names of preceding stations as well as stations ahead.
For instance, Euljiro 3 (sam)-ga 을지로3가역 (乙支路3街驛) is the next station on the northbound train Line 3 from Chungmuro 충무로 (忠武路). The next station is denoted by the symbol of an arrow.

Hence, you can be sure that you are taking the right train to Gyeongbokgung station 경복궁 (景福宮) if it shows at the platform the next station is Euljiro 3 (sam)-ga 을지로3가역 (乙支路3街驛).

Priority seats

The priority seats in Seoul subway are heated! Maybe its because it was Winter when we were there. Be sure not to take the priority seats even though its empty because its meant for the elderly or needy. Even during peak hour period, no one sits on the priority seats apart from the elderly. Gotta give the Koreans thumbs-up for this!
There are LCD screens on Seoul subway that shows the side that the cabin door opens.

After 4 stops, we reached Gyeongbokgung station.

We were greeted by a small kiosk that sells snacks and drinks as well as newspapers and magazines. I must admit that I'm tempted to get a little something each time I see vending machines or small kiosks like that in the subway platform. Seriously, how come the Koreans don't get fat when food and drinks are so conveniently available?

Kiosk in Gyeongbokgung station platform

Look what greeted us when we came out of the subway at Gyeongbokgung station platform. The first thing that came to my mind was, "Is this a museum?" because it looked more like one than a subway station platform. 

Horseback-Mounted Terracotta Figure (side view)



Horseback-Mounted Terracotta Figure (front view)

Horseback-Mounted Terracotta (Silla 5th-6th century)
This horseman, found alongside another terracotta horseman (National Treasure No. 91, appears to be the latter's retainer. The pair provides an interesting insight into the clothing and riding customs of the Silla Kingdom.

After exiting Gyeongbokgung station, we were walking towards Exit 5 to Gyeongbokgung Palace when I saw another monument which got me really excited. I guess you can tell how much of a history geek I am from that, no? Don't judge me but I love to watch documentaries especially on history and extreme topics.
This monument happens to be.. Pullomun!

Pullomun

Well, not quite actually because its.. a replica of Pullomun.


Pullomun

Pullomun
This gate was made of monolith in imitation of Pullomun in Changdokkung. It has a legend that once one passes through the gate, he would not be old forever.

I'm not sure if I got too excited over the fact that I am in Korea finally (been wanting to visit Korea since forever - had to give it a miss since Uni started earlier than I thought it would, gave exchange program a miss because it clashed with my Uni semester) or that I was tired from the 7 hour flight from Singapore with a 2 hour stopover in Hong Kong which makes the total travel time 9 hours (gasps!), but I only read the 2nd sentence that says, "It has a legend that once one passes through the gate, he would not be old forever." Immediately after reading that, I walked pass it with my eyes gleaming with joy only to shatter when Ebony said to me, "Jie (sister in Mandarin), imitation la (slang)" which meant I will grow old anyway. I think its worth to visit Changdokkung during my next trip just to check out the original Pullomun.
This was the breathtaking sight that greeted us after we came out of Gyeongbokgung station exit 5.

I was like, "Eomma 엄마, I feel like I'm being transported back to Joseon Dynasty!"
25 November 2012Forecasted temperature: 7°C | -2°CActual temperature: 7°C | -4°C


We entered Gyeongbokgung from the side instead of the front gate as the subway station exit was closer to the side gate.
If you are as much as a Korean drama fanatic as I am, Gyeongbokgung would not be foreign to you because it is the filming location for Korean dramas such as Queen In-hyun's Man 인현왕후의 남자 (仁顯王后의男人) and Monstar 몬스타.

Although its quite sunny that day, we were freezing literally especially when the wind blows because it was only 7°C and we only had a coat/windbreaker on top of our long sleeve tops and jeans on.
Got our admission tickets and off we went into Gyeongbokgung Palace. There were a lot of counters so we didn't have to queue. Yays!

Gyeongbokgung palace entrance ticket: Adult KRW 3000, Child KRW 1500

with Mommy and Ebony

Heungnyemun (The Second Inner Gate)

We entered Heungnyemun (The Second Inner Gate) after getting our tickets and was greeted by yet another breathtaking scene.

Heungnyemun
The corridors extending out from Heungnyemun form an enclosure. In the middle of this enclosure is Geumcheon Stream, which was designed to flow through the palace from the west to the east after coming down from Mt. Baegak. A bridge called Yeongjegyo is located at the center of this stream. A stream is a must in all Joseon royal palaces

Pretty autumn leaves

Mandatory touristy photo

Geunjeongmun Gate 근정문, Sanye 산예 and Geumcheon Stream 금천



Geunjeongmun Gate 근정문 (The third Inner Gate)

Geunjeongmun 근정문 was used for small audiences between the king and his civil and military officials. It was also where coronations were held. The coronation of King Danjong(1452-1454) was the first to be held here. When ceremonies were held at Geunjeongmun, the officials above Rank 2 stood to the north of Yeongjegyo and those below Rank 3 lined up to the south of the bridge. Sanye 산예 An imaginary animal watching the waterway to repel the evil spirits.

I think the cooling weather plays a part in making us feel very relaxed. Before we realised, we spent almost half an a day in Gyeongbokgung. There's so much to explore and I bet no one can finish touring Gyeongbokgung in a day. 
We were touring Gyeongbokgung when we heard Korean folk music and it drew us to the main gate, Gwanghwamun for the royal changing of guards ceremony. 

Changing of guards ceremony

Every hour from 10:00 to 15:00

Main gate, Gwanghwamun 광화문 (光化門) 

Try spotting the guard on top.

In the midst of the royal guards changing ceremony, I was drawn to the ceiling mural at Gwanghwamun 광화문 (光化門). Upon closer inspection, this is how it looks like. 

Ceiling mural painting

I was telling Eomma how much it reminds me of Chinese paintings except that bolder colors were used.

Gwanghwamun 광화문 (光化門)

These very adorable little Korean girls in front of us were very excited to watch the changing of royal guards over at Gyeongbokgung. Just look at their faces and you will know!

Mommy and I with Gwanghwamun 광화문 (光化門) royal guard

Did I mention how poised these royal guards are? They didn't move an inch or smile even when some kids went up to disturb them.

Gwanghwamun 광화문 (光化門) royal guard

After the changing of guards ceremony, we continued to explore Gyeongbokgung.
Saw this little Korean boy whom looked very cute in his winter jacket and sneakers. So #ootd that I had to take a picture of him. 

Here's my #ootd which pales in comparison with the Korean boy's.

Geunjeongjeon 근정전 (勤政殿)

Geunjeongjeon 근정전 (勤政殿) 

Geunjeongmun was used for small audiences between the king and his civil and military officials. It was also where coronations were held. The coronation of King Danjong (1452-1454) was the first to be held here. When ceremonies were held at Geunjeongmun, the officials above Rank 2 stood to the north of Yeongjegyo and those below Rank 3 lined up to the south of the bridge.

The throne inside Geunjeongjeon Hall

Interior of Geunjeongjeon Hall

Ceiling of Geunjeongjeon Hall

bronze Censer 향로

Censer 향로
Whenever the king sat on the throne for official functions, incense sticks were burned in the censers located on the left and right of the hall.

Geunjeongjeon Hall platform

Sajeongjeon Hall 사정전 and dragon in the clouds painting

Sajeongjeon Hall 사정전

Council Hall where the king routinely discussed national affairs with his court officials.

 Jagyeongjeon

Jagyeongjeon 

Jagyeongjeon, located to the east of the living quarters, was built for the Dowager Jo, posthumously given the title of Queen Sinjeong. She was the adoptive mother of young King Gojong.

Took this photo to show you guys how low the door is!

Gyotaejeon Compound seen from Jagyeongjeon Hall

Gyotaejeon 교태전

The arrangement of the rooms in Gyotaejeon 교태전, the queen's living quarters, is similar to the king's quarters. The only difference is that there is no stone veranda in front. The structures of the buildings are also the same ; no ridges decorate the top of the roofs, and inside are two parallel beams.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion 경회루

Built on the pond west of Gangnyeongjeon, the king's living quarters, was where the king threw feasts for foreign envoys or his court officials. The name means that the king is capable of handling national affairs only when he has the right people around him, it was used on joyous occasions.

We were feeling cold so we stopped by Shop & Cafe Burdeulmaru for a hot drink. 

Shop & Cafe Burdeulmaru

Shop & Cafe Burdeulmaru menu

Our drinks (KRW 3000 each) with our oversized muffin (KRW 2000)

Me with my cappuccino

Seriously, all you need during Winter is a cup of hot drink and some sweet treats to warm you up and keep you full at the same time so that you won't feel cold.
If you are visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, I suggest you head over to Tosokchon Samgyetang 토속촌 삼계탕 (土俗村参鸡汤) for some Samgyetang 삼계탕 (Chicken stew with Ginseng) and Haemul Pajeon 해물파전 (Savoury pancake with spring onion). Tosokchon Samgyetang was frequented by the late President, Roh Moo-hyun.
If you are interested, Gyeongbokgung provide free guided tours. We didn't opt for this as we prefer to tour Gyeongbokgung ourselves.

Free Guided Tours
English : 11:00, 13:30, 15:30
Japanese : 10:00, 12:30, 14:30
Chinese : 10:30, 13:00, 15:00
- Tour starts in front of Gyeongbokgung Information Center inside the Heungnyemun Gate.
- Tour lasts for an hour to an hour and thirty minutes.
- Groups with 10 or more people must make a reservation in advance.
- Total number of group participants for a tour is limited to 30.
- Individuals less than 10 people can join the same tour without a reservation.
- Both the reserved groups and unreserved individuals are guided together by only one guide at a time.

You can also try on traditional costumes for free at Gyeongbokgung and have your picture taken. Make sure you head there early to register as it was full when we reached there about 10plus. We were told to come back at 1pm to register for the next batch but when we came back after lunch at about 1.15pm, we were told that we would have to wait till 4pm for our turn so we decided that we would give it a miss. 

Free trying on traditional costumes
Gyeonghoeru at Gyeongbokgung Palace
9:30 to 17:00
Guards’ costumes and hanbok available

You might be interested in these posts:
✈ How to get to Myeongdong from Incheon Airport
✈ Tosokchon Samgyetang 토속촌 삼계탕 (土俗村参鸡汤) | Must-eat in Korea
✈ Zaza Backpackers Hostel & Guesthouse review (자자 백팩커스) (ザザ バックパッカーズ ホステル) (萨萨背包旅馆)
✈ Air Tickets and accommodation booking for my 7D Korea Free and Easy Trip in Nov/Dec 2012 (Includes Zaza Backpackers Hostel & Guesthouse pricing and facilities)
-------------------- CONNECT WITH --------------------SWEETESTSINS