A G: Seoul Day 3 Part 2 by Aaron - Cheongwadae / Blue House 青瓦台，Gyeongbok Palace 景福宫，Cheonggye Plaza 清溪广场，City Hall 首尔市厅

Seoul Day 3 Part 2

Cheongwadae /Blue House 青瓦台，Gyeongbok Palace 景福宫，Cheonggye Plaza 清溪广场 (李舜臣將軍銅像、世宗大王像)，City Hall 首尔市厅

~ Aaron

Trip to Asia: Day 1 - Seoul / Hong Kong
Day 2 - Hong Kong
Day 3 - Macau / Zhuhai
Day 4 - Yangshuo
Day 5 - Guilin
Day 6 - Beihai
Day 7 - Sanya
Day 8 - Sanya
Day 9 - Sanya
Day 10 - Sanya
Day 11 - Haikou
Day 12 - Zhuhai
Day 13 - Hong Kong / Seoul
Day 14 - Seoul

Hotel at Myeong-dong 明洞, Jongmyo Shrine 宗庙, Changdeokgung 昌德宫
Changyonggung 昌庆宫, Bukchon Hanok Village 北村韩屋村, National Folk Museum of Korea
Blue House 青瓦台, Gyeongbokgung 景福宫, Cheonggye Plaza 清溪广场, Seoul City Hall

This 3rd day in Seoul was amazing. The Blue House is where the ruler of Korea lives. The Gyeongbokgung has an interesting history. The Sejong Boulevard was very amazing. The river that goes through all of Seoul was beautiful. The City Hall is a great glass building.

Walking towards The Blue House

from Bukchon

walking towards

the Blue House

Government building besides

the Blue House

Government building beside the Blue House

The Blue House 青瓦台

The Blue House

At the Blue House

The Blue House is perhaps the most important building in all of Korea. It is named after the blue tiles that make up its roof. The Blue House now consists of the Main Office Hall, the Presidential Residence, the Press Hall, and the Secretariat Buildings. It was initially a royal villa, but it was rebuilt many times. Eventually, it became the capital of some places in Korea. In 1948, President Syngman Rhee called the building "Gyeongmudae". He used it as his office and residence, and the name was changed to “Blue House” in 1960.

Gyeongbokgung 景福宫

景福宫

神武门, entrance to 景福宫

across street of the Blue House

神武门

景福宫

From 景福宫 viewing 5 story pagoda, Korean Folk Museum

凤阳门，咸和堂

A pavilion at

景福宫

长安堂

财成门

舍元殿

交泰殿

庆会楼

勤政殿

Roof of 勤政殿

兴礼门

光化门

光化门，景福宫

The Gyeongbokgung was very large. It was built 3 years after the Joseon Dynasty was founded. It was constantly expanded, until its destruction in 1592. After being left for well over 250 years, it was completely restored with 330 buildings and many gardens. It covered a total of 4,657,576 square feet. The palace was destroyed again in the early 1900’s, and is still going under reconstruction today.

Sejong Boulevard 世宗大道

Cabbage flower pot

at Sejong Boulevard

Sejong Boulevard

see 光化门 behind us?

Statue of Sejong

Statue of General Li

纪念碑殿

At Sejong Boulevard

Statue of Sejong

The Sejong Boulevard was excellent. It stretches for over a mile, and has a few interesting statues along the way. It was bestowed by King Sejong, and there is a statue of him along the road. Underneath it is a large stone with the entire Korean alphabet carved on it. Further down, at the crossroads, stands the statue of a naval war hero of Korea.

Cheonggye Plaza on Sejong Boulevard

清溪广场

清溪川 meets Sejong Boulevard

清溪川

One of the bridges of 清溪川

Seoul City Hall on Sejong Boulevard

Seoul City Hall

The Cheonggyecheon has a very awesome history. Many people started migrating to Seoul in the 1950s, and eventually the stream had too much junk floating in it. A project to cover the stream in concrete and build a bridge over it started in 1958. Finally, in 2003, the Seoul mayor of the time decided to destroy the bridge and the concrete, and restore the stream completely. In just 2 years, the stream was ready to be opened to the public.

This last day in Seoul was fantastic. The Blue House is a very famous building in Korea. The Gyeongbokgung was outstanding. The Sejong Boulevard had lots of history. The Cheonggyecheon is a pretty spot where modern times and nature combine. This day was extremely wonderful!