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Changing of the Royal Guards ceremony at Gwanghwamun gate at the Gyeongbokgung palace, which used to be the main Royal palace in Seoul for most of the Joseon dynasty.
An educational facility built to commemorate Park Gwang-ok in the late Joseon Dynasty in Seo-gu, Gwangju-city, S.Korea
Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea, showcases traditional Joseon Dynasty architecture with its ornate brackets, sweeping tiled roofs, and vivid dancheong colors. Originally built in 1395 and reconstructed several times, it remains one of Korea’s most iconic historical landmarks. Visitors often wear traditional hanbok when exploring the palace grounds, adding to the cultural atmosphere.
Soswaewon Garden is a private garden from the Joseon period where the beauty of traditional Korea is preserved. It was built by Yang San-Bo (1503-1557) after he gave up his success when his mentor Jo Gwang-Jo (1482-1519) was killed during political strife. Soswaewon Garden presents itself as a clean and transparent garden where the righteous enjoy the life of anbinnakdo (being comfortable amid poverty and taking pleasure in an honest lifestyle) surrounded by a bamboo grove.
Including peach trees, various kinds of trees and grass are planted on both sides of the stream while clear water flows down the foot of the garden walls. The log bridge above the valley adds to the charm of the scenery. The harmony between nature and the artificial waterfall is a sight to behold. Soswaewon Garden is 150 meters away from the main road. Passing through the thick bamboo forest, you will find the small valley and Soswaewon Garden on your left.
Thank you (September 20, 2020)
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2wBAJveBsc
One lives in the hope of becoming a memory
Antonio Porchia
© All rights reserved Anna Kwa. Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit written permission
I am following Nature without being able to grasp her ….
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoqDR5Zvu_M
It’s on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way
Claude Monet, (1840 –1926)
French impressionist
© All rights reserved Anna Kwa. Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit written permission
One of the Five Grand Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, Changdeokgung was originally built in 1405, making it over 600 years old. Injeongjeon Hall is the main throne hall where official ceremonies and royal audiences were held.
Visitors are encouraged to wear traditional hanbok, which adds to the unique atmosphere of the palace.
The boater awaits the arrival of a young yangban (nobleman) and his lady friend. A dalliance, a journey ensues within golden hues of an Autumn late afternoon. Dragons fly high in azure skies.
Travel back in time: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ0fDqzeyOo
“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.”
― Lauren DeStefano, Wither
"If you are right with God, He strengthens you for the journey; the Eternal will be pleased with your life." Psalm 37:23
耶和华引领义人的脚步，喜悦他们所走的路。 诗篇 37:23
Vom Herrn werden die Schritte des Mannes bestätigt,
wenn Ihm sein Weg gefällt. Psalmen 37:23
يُثَبِّتُ اللهُ خَطَواتِ الإنسانِ
الَّذِي تُرضِيهِ طَرِيقُهُ. ﺍﻟﻤﺰﺍﻣﻴﺮ 37:23
ا
Haiku at Hana1080's inspiration:
Leaves float to Earth's shore.
Autumn passions upward soar.
Path's cross, water's edge.
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
With most of the world still having border restrictions, we can only for now see and imagine how the rest of the world looks like through the old fashioned way, through photographs. This shot is from my South Korean backlog a few years back.
Geunjeongjeon Hall is contained within Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul. Originally built during the Joseon Dynasty 1395 the building was designated a Korean National Treasure in 1985.
A maze of colour and texture Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbukgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon Dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. Construction began in 1405, and was completed in 1412. The palace was burned down by an angry mob in 1592 when the royal family fled their abode during the Japanese invasion of Korea. It was reconstructed in 1609 by King Seonjo and King Gwanghaegun however burnt back down in 1623 because of political Revolt by King Injo. The palace was also attacked by the Manchu Qing but throughout its history of reconstruction and repair has remained faithful to its original design. It was heavily damaged during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945) and, only about 30% of the pre-Japanese structures survive. Seoul, Korea
www.robertdowniephotography.com
Love Life, Love Photography
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
NB: the protective grille has been removed from the image using software
Sejong the Great was the fourth king of the Joseon dynasty and is widely regarded as one of the greatest rulers in Korean history. He promoted science, agriculture, literature, and education, helping to strengthen Korean culture and improve the lives of his people. Sejong is especially famous for creating Hangul, the Korean alphabet, which made reading and writing accessible to ordinary citizens.
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
Gwanghwamun Gate is the largest entrance to the Gyeongbokgung Palace, located in Seoul, South Korea. Constructed in 1395, this was the main residence for royals during the Joseon Dynasty. The location on a major three-way intersection makes Gwanghwamun Gate amazing to capture at night. This particular photograph was taken right after sunset with a fading blue sky for the backdrop. Since the exposure lasts many seconds, you can see streaks running across the picture which is cars and buses.
In an era of Instagram and other social media apps, getting every angle is every more important for the Generation Z and millennials.
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
My 2025 visit to Seoul allowed me to appreciate the architectural layers and the profound cultural recovery of the royal compound. Passing the first threshold, I encountered Heungnyemun, the gateway that defines the transition into the ceremonial heart of the palace.
Originally erected in 1395, Heungnyemun Gate (흥례문, 興禮門), whose name may be translated as the “Gate of Promoting Courtesy,” serves as the middle entrance of Gyeongbokgung Palace and leads toward the main throne hall. The structure takes the form of a wooden pavilion with a double-tiered roof set upon a finely crafted stone platform. Its beams and brackets are adorned with dancheong, the traditional decorative painting system whose symbolic patterns and mineral pigments both protect and embellish the timber.
The history of the gate reflects the broader fate of the palace itself. The original structure was destroyed during the Imjin War (1592–1598), when Japanese invasions left much of the palace complex in ruins. For more than two centuries the site remained vacant. When the palace was reconstructed in the 1860s under the regency of Heungseon Daewongun, the gate was rebuilt and its name standardized as Heungnyemun. Earlier records indicate that it had once been known as Hongnyemun (弘禮門), and the later change in name may have been intended to avoid the character 弘, which overlapped with the personal name of the Qing emperor Qianlong.
Its most difficult period came during the Japanese colonial era. In 1914 the gate was dismantled as part of the colonial government’s redevelopment of the palace grounds, a transformation associated with the construction of the Japanese Government-General Building, which disrupted the traditional symbolic axis of the royal complex.
The gate seen today is the result of a modern cultural restoration initiative. Following the demolition of the colonial-era structure in the 1990s, a historically informed reconstruction project culminated in 2001, restoring Heungnyemun to its original position using traditional pine timber and granite. Today it once again stands along the palace’s central axis, where visitors often gather to witness the ceremonial changing of the royal guards.
Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Historical Note:
Architecture in Seoul often conceals layers of linguistic diplomacy within its very names. Heungnyemun Gate offers a subtle example. Earlier records refer to the gate as Hongnyemun (弘禮門), but during the 19th-century reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung the first character was changed to Heung (興).
One commonly cited explanation relates to the naming taboo known in East Asia as pihwi (避諱), a cultural practice that discouraged the public use of characters found in an emperor’s personal name. Because the Qing emperor Qianlong was born Hongli (弘曆), some historians suggest the character 弘 may have been avoided in the rebuilt gate’s name.
Whether or not the change was directly motivated by this taboo, the episode illustrates how architecture, language, and diplomacy were often intertwined in the Confucian world. In royal compounds like Gyeongbokgung, even the written name of a gate could reflect the delicate balance between cultural tradition and regional political order.
King Sejong statue in Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul.
King Sejong of the Joseon dynasty, who ruled in the XVth century is considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, monarch in Korean history. Besides his military successes and improvements to economy, he personally created and promoted the modern Korean writing system, wrote poetry and composed music, and supported science and technology. In the foreground, we see a model of the celestial globe made by one of the scientists in his research academy, aptly named Hall of the Worthies.
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is considered the most beautiful of all 5 royal palaces in Seoul. It is the largest and the primary palace of the Joseon dynasty that was established in 1395.
Gyeongbokgung is the largest and most iconic royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, originally built in 1395 in the heart of Seoul. Surrounded by mountains and elegant traditional architecture, it served as the main residence of Korean kings for centuries. Today, the palace is one of South Korea’s most important historical landmarks and a symbol of Korean cultural heritage.
The Royal Guards of Gyeongbokgung Palace, located in Seoul’s Jongno District, are part of a ceremonial reenactment that brings to life the traditions of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). Historically known as "Sumunjang" (수문장), these guards were responsible for protecting the main palace gates, particularly Gwanghwamun, the palace’s most iconic entrance.
Today, the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a meticulously choreographed cultural performance held several times a day in front of Gwanghwamun Gate. The guards wear vibrant traditional uniforms, historical armor, and period hats, all crafted with impressive attention to detail. Each costume reflects specific ranks and roles, and includes authentic replicas of traditional weapons such as halberds and Korean swords (geom).
The ceremony blends traditional music, formal movements, and a solemn atmosphere, allowing visitors to experience a vivid glimpse of Korea’s past. Although the participants are not actual soldiers but trained performers and cultural staff, the commitment to historical accuracy is strict, offering an immersive portrayal of the palace's former security system.
Beyond its visual appeal, the ceremony stands as a symbolic reminder of Korea’s enduring cultural heritage and the central role Gyeongbokgung Palace once held as the seat of royal authority.
Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
When the eyes gets itchy or dry, there is nothing better than help from a loved one to clear all the itches off.
Seoul, Pavilion over the Buyongji Pond in the Secret Garden of the Changdeokgung palace. Located on a hill behind the main palace, the garden has been designed for the private use of the royal family. The "secret garden" is a modern name; it used to be called "forbidden garden" or "inner garden" during the Joseon dynasty.
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Royalty from the Joseon Dynasty was associated with the legendary phoenix. The seat of highest authority was titled "Phoenix Throne" and represented absolute power. In addition, royal tombs had elegant murals depicting the firebird rising from flames. Similar to the Phoenix, palaces in Seoul were subject to death and destruction, yet always seem to be reborn more beautiful than ever.
Gyeongbokgung (Hangul: 경복궁; Hanja: 景福宮), also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395, it is located in northern Seoul, South Korea. The largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Kings of the Joseon dynasty, the Kings' households, as well as the government of Joseon. Gyeongbokgung continued to serve as the main palace of the Joseon dynasty until the premises were destroyed by fire during the Imjin War and abandoned for two centuries. However, in the 19th century, all of the palace's 7,700 rooms were later restored under the leadership of Prince Regent Heungseon during the reign of King Gojong. Some 500 buildings were restored on a site of over 40 hectares.[1] The architectural principles of ancient Korea were incorporated into the tradition and appearance of the Joseon royal court.
Wikipedia.
This was taken handheld as I did not bring my tripod. Leaning on tree trunk for extra stability, hence the unintended leaves on RHS top corner.
I found this breathtaking Cherry Blossom Alley outside the Hahoe Folk Village. This traditional village from the Joseon Dynasty is located in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
Statue of Admiral Soon Shin Yi, who saved Korea from invasion by the Japanese navy during in the Joseon dynasty, is now guarding the gates of Seoul.
Olympus XA2 on Fuji 200
Dongdaemun, also known as Heunginjimun, is one of the Eight Gates of the Fortress Wall of Seoul, located in the Jongno district. Its name means "Great Eastern Gate," and it served as the main eastern gate during the Joseon Dynasty. The original structure was built in 1398 under King Taejo, renovated in 1453, and rebuilt in its current form in 1869. A key feature is its outer semi-circular wall, Ongseong, designed to enhance defense.
The surrounding area is a major commercial and cultural hub. Dongdaemun Market, established in 1905, includes over 30,000 stores and 50,000 manufacturers, offering a wide range of goods including textiles, clothes, and electronics. Traditionally known for night shopping, many shops now operate nearly 24/7.
Nearby is the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), a futuristic cultural complex designed by Zaha Hadid and opened in 2014. It was built on the former site of the Dongdaemun Stadium and played a major role in Seoul being named World Design Capital in 2010. The DDP includes exhibition spaces, shops, a rooftop park, and parts of the restored Seoul Fortress Wall.
The Dongdaemun History & Culture Park, also located on the former stadium site, displays archaeological relics from the Joseon period found during excavation. The park features museums and cultural spaces preserving the site's historical significance.
Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea