Gyeongbokgung(경복궁), Seoul

When I was in Seoul, my friend Geunzi brought me to visit a royal palace!
Gyeongbokgung, is the main and largest palace of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the Joseon Dynasty.
Gyeongbokgung, translated in English, means "Palace of Shining Happiness."
 
Directions: Take the subway to Gyeongbokgung Station and take Exit #5.
 
The admission ticket is very cheap!
If I remember correctly, I only paid 3000won! :D
And you can spend 2-3hours walking around the palace.
It's super duper huuuugeeeee~
 
There are also guided tours but that is a separate fee.
 
 
 







This is the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion!
It means, the "Pavilion of Far-Reaching Fragrance".
It is just a small, 2-story hexagonal pavilion.
The pavilion was constructed on an artificial island of a lake named Hyangwonji.
A bridge named Chwihyanggyo connects it to the palace grounds.
 
 


There are seriously so many different buildings for different purposes!
 

 This is the Geunjeongjeon Hall.
It is the throne hall where the king formally granted audiences to his officials, gave declarations of national importance, and greeted foreign envoys and ambassadors.
 


I told Geunzi that this looks like a place where people are beheaded.
And she freaked out.
Okay no it isn't. Haha.
We were actually not sure what it was for. XD
 
 This is the Sajeongjeon Hall!
It is a building used as the main executive office by the king.
The king carried out his executive duties and held meetings with the top government officials here.
 

This is the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. It is a hall used to hold important and special state banquets during the Joseon Dynasty. 
 



You can have a nice view of Mount Bugaksan from the palace grounds!
 



 

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