Google Maps (Places of interest) - Victor Phua

Also, on that second day, we also visited the Namsangol Hanok Village, a village where Koreans of the olden days lived in. The village is rich and full of traditional culture, such as Korean boys leaving home at 7, during the period where he becomes a man, or even the girls learning how to be like women, at 16 (if I recall correctly).

At the village, not only we looked around the living quarters of the Korean villagers during the older generation, we even tried out hands at some of the traditional and cultural village games that were displayed there.

I am amazed that people could have actually live simple and relaxed lifestyle in the village from the past; as compared to us in a hectic world lifestyle.

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place of interest

Namsangeol

A small village where all the traditional houses are recreated. Shown different plays and acts as such dances in that area. It portrays their culture.


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Gyeongbokgung

Another historical and cultural place which shows the royal palace and their capital. It was then reconstructed ever since Japan strike on their area.


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Namsan Tower

High peak tower that has panoramic view of Seoul. Besides, around the tower, they have recreations for people.


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Google Maps (Places of Interest) - Victor Phua

On the second day, we went to Gyeongbokgung Palace. I am fascinated by the history behind the Palace. It was first constructed in the 1394. It was subsequently destroyed and several areas of the Palace was destroyed by the Japanese when they invaded Seoul during the period of the World War 2. Currently there are projects being undertaken to restore the Palace to its former glory; expect 40% of the Palace to be completed restoration by now. We were shown around the Palace, from the various nobles' living quarters, such as Crown Prince, princesses, servants, and more.

We were also shown the Emperor's Throne room and his founding court room.

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Google Maps (Places of Interest) - Victor Phua

On the first day, we visited the Namsan Tower, aka, Seoul Tower. Upon travelling to the top of the tower, we were greeted with a breathtaking birds eye view of the scenery that were around us. Standing at a great height and at its top, it is rotated in a 360 degrees view. One can see the below landscape as well as the direction and the amount of distance that reflects the country a particular side of the tower is facing; a quite a fascinating attraction.



Outside view from the Namsan Tower.











One side of the 360 degree window that reflects the distance and direction to Singapore.

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Places of Interest

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Namsam Tower

We went to the Namsam tower upon arriving in Korea. Due to its height of 487m above the sea level, we were able to see the entire Seoul city in it. The bird eye view from there was breath taking. Other than the observatory area on the top, there are also restaurants and shops that are within the tower itself, providing a one stop entertainment spot for tourists.

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Gyeongbokgung Palace

Next we visited the Gyeongbokgung Palace. Before that, we were brought to the National Palace Museum of Korea to learn more about the culture and how daily life were carried out in the olden days in Korea. We gathered some basic knowledge on their daily life and moved on the palace. At the palace, we were shown to the King's chamber and the place where he had worked. The tour guide told us that most parts of the palace had been rebuilt due to it being destroyed by the Japanese.

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Namsangol Hanok Village

This place houses the different kinds of traditional houses and buildings. Inside the village, we learned how the olden Korean families lives looked like. For example, to keep themselves warm, they would set up fire place under their hut. Their ancestor hall is another interesting place as the tour guide explained to us why the offerings were given on a daily basis and why it was decorated that way. Along with it they also had traditional Korean games for the tourist to try out.