Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoul, South Korea

The palace of Gyeongbokgung is an marvelous site to behold, for it is simply massive.

This is a view form inside the south gate. The south gate is the main gate into Gyeongbokgung Palace. Korean Palace construction, dictates that the south gate should always be the main gate and the north gate was to, always, remain closed. All traffic coming in or out of the palace would pass through these three main entrance ways, however, the middle entrance was reserved for the king and the sides entrances for everyone else. This gate is massive and does the rest of the palace justice for it is an impressive edifice blocking ones path, before you come to enter the royal palace of South Korea.

This is a view of the entrance gate to the main inner palace. This is the third gate one encounters upon reaching the palace. The first gate is the one you’re just seen and then you enter a very large court yard, only to be greeted with another gate. Once you pass through this gate and make your way through the second inner court yard you are confronted with this gate! This is the third and final gate, it allows you to enter the inner court yard of the king’s throne. In this photo, you can see the stone paved road leading up to the main entrance way. That road has two levels, the tallest in the middle was reserved only for the king and no one else was allowed to walk on it. The lower was for government peoples and the final dirt is for everyone else.

Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoul, South Korea

This is a shot of the many roof tops that are found in the main centre palace area. It is a wonderful area to visit and is an area where only a hundred years ago I would never have been able to see, for I would not be of the importance required to access such a deep position within the palace. This is the area where the King and his Queen would live, and no one other than servants or guests of the king would be allowed inside. It is a beautiful place to explore.

Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoul, South Korea

This is a photo of the rear of the palace where one finds the rear garden. Beyond the inner wall is the rear garden, where ones a finds beautifully landscaped garden. That garden is just beyond this shot the left. This particular view provides nice detail of the intricate wood work put into the palaces buildings. Most of these buildings were rebuilt in the late 1800's, as the palace was burnt to the ground by the Japanese. However, they have been meticulously reconstructed to show the exacting details of the craftsmanship involved in the construction of the housing. It is a very impressive style of architecture that requires no nails or glues! The palace grounds are an amazing experience.