Susan's Shanghai Blog - Week 36 - Day 5

This was our last day in Seoul, and we didn't do a whole lot, but it was a nicer day and so we did go walk around a bit.  We went by the Unhyeonggung Palace, which was what we were supposed to do the walking tour of the day before.  Unhyeongung Palace is famous as the place where Gojong’s father, Hongseondaewongun, was regent for 10 years and as the place where Emperor Gojong and Empress Myeongseong were married.

These are Chinyeong Costumes.  Garye is a wedding ceremony involving royal familes, and the ceremony involves multiple procedures.  Chinyeong refers to the procedure during which the king visits Byeolgung, which is a special palace designated for royal weddings, to see his wife the queen.  During the proceedings, King Gojong wore a Myeonbok (the most elaborate royal costime worn by kings) while Queen Myeongseong wore a Jeokui (the most elaborate royal costume for Queens).

Heungseon Daewongun (King Gojong's father) worse a Jobok while his wife, Budaebuin, wore a Womsam.

This is Tapgol Park, which was opened in 1897 and is a symbol of Korean resistance to Japanese rule.  On March 1st, 1919, Son Byeong-hui and 32 others signed and read aloud a Declaration of Independence.  They were arrested and locked up in Seodaemun Prison.    Behind this small pavillion you can somewhat see a tall glass building, which houses a 10-tier stone pagoda, which was really interesting to see in person, but we didn't get any decent pictures of it.


 
This is Bosingak, which is a large bell pavilion in the Jongno section of Seoul.  The bell in the Bosingak is what actually gives Jongno it's name, which literally means "bell street".  It was originally built in 1396 but destroyed multiple times and rebuilt.  Under the Joseon Dynasty, the bell was rung several times a day to signal the opening and closing of the city gates, as well as being used as a fire alarm.  Now, it only rings at midnight on New Year's Eve.



This was a really cool building!

Next was the largest Buddhist shine in Seoul, the Daeungjeon, which is within the grounds of Jogyesa.  It was built in 1938 and features scenes from the life of Buddha and carved floral latticework doors, which we took a few pictures of.  They were quite impressive!  We didn't go inside because they were having services when we were there.

There was this huge bell and a smaller bell to one side that has the head of a dragon as the bell hitter.

We did one last meal in Seoul, this time dumplings.  The restaurant is called Sadongmyeonok and it is famous for manduguk, which are these huge dumplings.  We got one bowl with 3 dumplings in a broth, with the multiple sides.  We also ordered a haemul pajeon or seafood pancake.  YUMMY!!!    As we headed out, we grabbed one final picture of them making these massive dumplings.

And there you go .. 5 days in Seoul, South Korea!