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Home  >  Seoul • South Korea  >  Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong

Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village and Insadong

Alex Posted onMay 20, 2019 Bukchon Hanok Village, Gyeongbokgung, Insadong, Seoul, South Korea 2 Comments

We made our way towards Myeongdong Cathedral after getting the daily fix at Isaac Toast. The eat-as-we-walk breakfast was such a delightful treat to start the day. Myeongdong Cathedral is located along the busy streets of Myeongdong and it’s said to be the first Western-style building in the country. Its Gothic design is indeed a standout in the area. And the high ceiling interior is fitted with nice stained-glass windows like most Gothic churches. The quiet St. Mary’s garden behind the cathedral is where the believers stop by for quick prayers.

Isaac Toast Bulgogi sandwich

Myeongdong Cathedral of Seoul

Myeongdong-Cathedral-in-Seoul

Prayer at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul

St. Marys garden Myeongdong Cathedral

St. Marys garden of Myeongdong Cathedral

Stepping back in time at the Gyeongbokgung

Visiting Gyeongbokgung (景福宮) is easy, being a short subway ride away from Myeongdong. Gyeongbokgung was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty and known to be the largest of its kind. The palace suffered the ill fate of several destructions due to previous wars and Japanese invasions. Thankfully, the Koreans saw the need to retain this cultural heritage and began a painstaking process for the past 20+ years in restoring Gyeongbokgung. And it will probably take some more years to fully restore all of the buildings.

The main entrance is Gwanghwamun Gate (光化門) with three arched doors and a double roof. We arrived just in time to catch the changing of the Royal Guards which happens twice daily (except Tuesday when the palace is closed). The re-enactment showcases to visitors on how the traditional handover was done in the past.

Gwanghwamun Gate of Gyeongbokgung

Gwanghwamun Gate Changing of Guards at Gyeongbokgung

Gwanghwamun Gate Royal Guard at Gyeongbokgung

The ticket counters will be on the right upon entering from Gwanghwamun Gate. Thereafter, we have to pass the Heungnyemun Gate (興禮門) to the inner courtyard where Geunjeongjeon Hall (勤政殿) is located.

Heungnyemun-Gate at Gyeongbokgung

Geunjeongjeon Hall is the throne hall where the king would handle states affairs and hold meetings. The elaborated ceiling really stands out but it’s a pity that visitors can only admire the grand hall from the outside.

Heungnyemun Gate and Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung

Geunjeongjeon Hall animal statue at Gyeongbokgung

Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung

Geunjeongjeon Hall Ceiling at Gyeongbokgung

Geunjeongjeon Hall side view at Gyeongbokgung

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (慶會樓) sits peacefully on a pond and was used for grand banquets in the past.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion of Gyeongbokgung

There are way too many halls to be explored so we decided to move on to the National Folk Museum due to time constraints. The museum provides a glimpse of the Koreans living in traditional times.

National Folk Museum at Gyeongbokgung

National Folk Museum at Gyeongbokgung

National Folk Museum at Gyeongbokgung

National Folk Museum at Gyeongbokgung

Old Seoul at Bukchon Hanok Village

We continued to Bukchon Hanok Village after a brief lunch stop at Samcheong-dong to fill our stomachs and rest our feet. The uphill village is home to Hanoks, or traditional Korean houses, that are dated back to the Joseon Dynasty. It is well-preserved to showcase the living environment back in the days.

Lunch at Samcheongdong after Gyeongbokgung

The houses are now mostly filled with tea rooms, cafes, restaurants, guesthouses despite being a residential area for some. There are signages and elderly Koreans being deployed to request for quietness in the neighbourhood. I suppose this is necessary especially with the influx of tourists roaming around here.

Quiet Please signage at Bukchon Hanok Village

Quiet-Please elderly at Bukchon Hanok Village

Quiet Please signage at Bukchon Hanok

Bukchon Hanok Village and around

Bukchon Hanok Village

House at Bukchon Hanok Village

Houses at Bukchon Hanok Village

The Arty-farty Insadong

Insadong is commonly known to be the old school art district in Seoul. The street along this Artsy place sells anything from art pieces, traditional Korean paper, paper fans, handicraft, wooden toys, Hangul stamps and more. Similarly, there are plenty of souvenir items which can be found here too.

Shop of Insadong

Shops in Insadong

Shop at Insadong

We also visited the famous Ssamziegil mall which has nice quirky shops and cafes in it.

Ssamziegil mall of Insadong

Ssamziegil mall in Insadong

Ssamziegil mall in Insadong

Ssamziegil mall in Insadong

Ssamziegil mall in Insadong

The roof garden on the top floor is another interesting place where many round-shaped love notes are.

Roof garden of Ssamziegil mall

Roof garden at Ssamziegil mall

Our dinner was at Sinpo Woori Mandoo restaurant which is famous for their handmade dumplings.

Dinner at Sinpo Woori Mandoo Insadong

Dinner at Sinpo Woori Mandoo

Thereafter, we went over to Gwanghwamun square to take some touristy shots before heading off to Ewha Woman’s University Fashion Street. It is, after all, a shopping street caters mainly to the female students from the famous University. Hence, the things sold here are seemingly much more affordable.

Gwanghwamun square during sunset

Ewha Woman University Fashion Street

Ewha Fashion Street

Evisu at Ewha Woman University Fashion Street

What are your thoughts about Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village or Insadong? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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About Author

Alex

A Singapore Travel Blog about one guy, his camera and an irresistible impulse to travel. Join his adventures to find travel reviews and tips @ WanderLex.com. Read more

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2 Comments

  1. Tommy Reply
    May 26, 2019 at 6:56 am

    Hi Alex,

    Beautiful photos!

    Following your blog on Seoul :)

    Planning to go again on our own after our initial trip years back on a group tour.

    Keep blogging!

    • Alex Reply
      June 3, 2019 at 2:18 pm

      Thanks Tommy! I am sure your own trip planning will enable you see more of Seoul. Hope to see your post on that soon :)

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