Changdeokgung Palace Tour & Dongdaemun at night



After a relaxation time at Jimzilbang, we head off to our next destination,
Changdeokgung Palace. Just feel that this is very arty..like a shout out,
"Space, i need space.."



We are near the Museum of Korean Art



As we near the Changdeokgung Palace, I spotted a hilly area nearby



We had missed the last palace guided tour, so remember to check the timings
of the guided tour before making your trip down. Nevertheless the place is filled
with people (see the group of 고등학생) at around 4pm.

The grand entrance




And we managed to get someone to take a picture for us at Changdeokgung palace.

 

At the sideyard of the Changdeokgung palace.

Today there are 13 buildings remaining on the palace grounds and 28 pavilions
in the gardens.

Sunsetting soon!



Injeongjeon Hall (National Treasure) - the throne hall of Changdeokgung,
it was used for major state affairs including the coronation of a new king and receiving
foreign envoys. We believed that those are names engraved on the stones
in running order (according to Agnes-ssi) 



Agnes-ssi at Injeongjeon Hall

The interiors of Injeongjeon Hall, which we are not allowed to go in.

Injeongjeon Hall (National Treasure) - the throne hall of Changdeokgung

The huge vase sitting there (there were many in each hall)
is to hold water so as to quickly put off the fires when
necessary (as explained by Agnes-ssi).

A cafe blended in the palace exterior. To rest tired feet. And there is a bookstore
too where Agnes-ssi bought a History book and i bought a Korean language
Essential book = )

Seonjeongjeon Hall - An office for ruling officials, the king
held daily meetings with ministers, reported on state
affairs and seminars here.

At the entrance of Seonjeongjeon Hall

The interior where the king and his minister sits.

I love this picture. Look through the gates and you'll see a
painting.

Huijeongdang Hall - Originally the king's bed chamber, it became his workplace
after Seonjeongjeon was deemed too small for conducting routine state affairs.
The original Huijeongdang was destroyed by a fire in 1917.

The reconstructed structure is completely different from the original due to
recent Western influences. Wooden floorboards and carpets, glass windows,
and chandeliers can be seen inside the building. We were hoping to see his chamber
bed, unfortuately, there was no opening to peep at the interiors.

Agnes-ssi resting feet at the palace

You may wondering why i had a tired face, that's because the weather is turning
chilly again, as sunset nears.

The huge pillars were built to support the structures. By the way i was joking with
the two girls that i can so imagine the courtgirls playing badminton at this empty
field, like a perfect place for it!

There are so many side doors. Wonder where they lead to?

Another of my favorite. Look at those beautiful autumn leaves...
정말정말 에뻐요!

I look totally, tourist HAHA

Imagine the court people have to climb those stairs every
day...

An interesting discover of how the sticks support
the trees.

There were small windows/ doors with little steps.
Suspect this may be the kitchen where they cook and
chamber maids would bring out the plates of sumptuous
food!

Puzzled again ~



Green doors everywhere



The green door may lead to a basement = )

The interiors of the room. Wooden floorings.

We saw water in the vase. So maybe we were right.

Daejojeon Hall - Official residence of the queen

Daejojeon Hall - Destroyed by fire in 1917, it was rebuilt
with materials taken from Gyeongbokgung.
Daejojeon was used as a residence for the last empress
of Joseon.

Oppostie the queen's residence is Huijeongdang Hall, which was originally
the king's bed chamber

Caught Ligna-ssi in action!

두사람을 뭐해요?

Time for phototaking! 2 person is good = )

Three persons is better! = D We always do such stuff, even in the palace
hahaha

This is the book i mentioned i bought in Changdeokgung palace.
It's really useful for beginners

Look at the little stuff they have in there.
Absolutely appropriate for shoppaholics!

We had such a hard time finding Dongdaemun Market!
Had asked at least 5 people then finally managed to get there.
They had a whole stretch of florists, selling flowers and
flower and vegetable seeds. Tempted to buy for mummy!

Settled for a dinner place.

식당에서 우리 첨심머거요.

And they teach you how to cook the rice...

Happy cooking!

Very simple ingredients, rice, seaweed and cheeese (lotsa
of it!)



And they will help you fry rice and mix everything together



Till it becomes like bimbap

배고파~

Ligna-ssi, after tasting the rice recalled that she had this before when she last went
to Korea. Yummilicous rice! Such a huge pan and the three of us looked like
we hadnt any problem finishing it up. It was a little spicy though.
Of course we went shopping at 동대문 시장 after dinner, which was another
whole load of bargaining experience! haha