Today was an eventful day in Seoul filled with travel and tourism. Our group started by taking a walking tour of the Cheonggyecheon Stream. The Cheonggyecheon is a naturally sourced river which flows through the city. Although our visit to the stream wasn’t too long, I was able to observe some wildlife and appreciate the beauty of nature within the city.
Next we walked to the Gyeongbokgung Palace in the Jongno District. We were greeted by an astounding view of ancient palaces intertwined within the busy city. The Gyeougbokgung Palace was built in 1395 and was one of the major palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. These well developed grounds were used as the living quarters for the royal family. As a place of longstanding Korean culture, I was able to observe the traditional changing of the guards while at the palace. The process was methodical and utilized musical components which captured audiences from a variety of different cultures. As I walked along the palace grounds, I couldn’t help but appreciate the scenic views and rich history rooted within the traditional architectures.
Our tour continued with a visit to the Blue House. The Blue House is an extremely well-maintained former presidential residence which now serves as a public park. This park utilizes similar traditional Korean architecture that I observed at the Gyeongbokgung Palace, but differentiates itself through the iconic blue ceramic roofing. The Blue House was filled with lavish furniture, chandeliers, and pristine displays of Korean history. Although the site was fairly crowded, I had the opportunity to walk throughout the halls to observe the blend of modern Korean politics in historical settings.
Finally, our sightseeing ended at the Jogyesa temple. The Jogyesa temple acts as a leading symbol of the emergence of Korean Buddhism, and was specially decorated with lanterns due to the upcoming holiday. Buddha’s birthday is a cultural festival celebrating the birth of Siddhartha Gautama who became Buddha. This occasion follows the lunar calendar in Korea meaning it is celebrated on a different day every year. This year it is celebrated on May 15, so in preparation donation bins and lanterns filled the temple grounds. The temple was filled with sights of people bowing and the sounds of Buddhist prayer.
My time in Seoul so far has been marked by incredible sights and resonant history. I am looking forward to my continued time here in Korea.