Seoul - Chungdeokgung, Gyeongbokgung and Daenamun Market

/On our most recent trip to Seoul we actually visited some tourist destinations; namely the two main palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. While in Seoul we took the opportunity to visit the famous Daenamun Market. Back in Gunsan we were planning a Halloween party and we needed some materials for our costume, so we thought Daenamun would be the place to get what we needed. Unfortunately, the market is about the size of a small city and we were unable to find the items we needed. But, I did buy a hat so it wasn't a total bust. After the market we had a few hours to kill before we had to meet up with Jess and Brandon so we squeezed in a visit to Changdeok Palace (gung). This palace was the secondary palace to the Joseon royal family and is home to the scenic 'Secret Garden'. To entre Changdeokgung it is required that you join a tour group. As it turns out our tour guide proved to be almost as interesting as the palace. She was pretty much the funniest Korean I've encountered.


The shoe district of Daenamun Market. Its hard to tell but this backalley is about a kilometer long.

The Han River cutting through Daenamun. The market also includes the massive strip malls on either side of the River.

Our lovely tour guide at Changdeokgung. As I remember it she was making some sarcastic comment about the archway above. The archway called the "Eternal life" archway.

(Brydie and Kev)

The many sites of Changdeokgung.

The 'Secret Garden' at Changdeokgung. My camera was acting up and the colour in this picture turned out a little washed out.

Jess and X at a martini bar in Itaewan.

After the bar, we saw an amazing fireworks show on the banks of the Han River. The show was actually part of the world fireworks championships. We saw China and Italy perform.

/The next day we visited Gyeongbok Palace (gung) which was the primary palace to the Joseon family.

The secondary front gate at Gyeongbokgung.

Kev and me posing with the guards. Note the sly look of the guard on the left.

The changing of the guards at Gyeongbokgung.

The Main building at Gyeongbokgung.

The Pagoda temple.

A 'Taek Gung' demonstration at the foot of the Pagoda temple. Taek Gung is a really amazing acrobatic martial art.

A ceremony at Gyeongbokgung.

The many sites of Gyeongbokgung.

/After the palace we met up with Jess and Brandon and strolled the posh district of Insadong.

A trial performance in Insadong.

Dinner out in Insadong. (Brydie, Kev, Brandon, Jess and me). The food was incredible and the floors were heated.