Since we had free time on hand it was decided that we catch the guard changing parade at Deoksugung which is located at City Hall station (Line 1,2) exit 2.
Had not planned to come here initially and therefore was a bit unfamiliar with the palace but since this is located on the same line as our accommodation, I figured that it would be great to come here and would not have to change to other subway line to get back to accommodation.
 |
| High rise buildings facing the entrance |
This is the only palace that sits along side with other western style buildings at its surrounding. The East-West fusion is unique to this palace.
 |
| Big drum outside the palace |
Entrance fee is KRW 1,000. Guard changong parade is scheduled at 11:00, 14:00 and 15:30. The palace is closed on every mon.
 |
| Main entrance -Daehanmum |
 |
| With the guard |
The palace orginally belonged to brother of King Seongjong of the Joseon Dynasty and it only became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun ascended to the throne. Since I am watching The King's face, Gwanghaegun rings a bell. Muhaha. Learnt history through TV serials.
 |
| Chunmyong-dang |
The 1st impression of this palace is, it is huge! Perhaps because we live the ever compact Singapore, any place of such vast area is unseen in our country.
Actually I was pretty envy over countries who have such deep history. Always love checking these out when I am in the country. This is also why I would prefer Beijing to Shanghai since the former had more historic sites while Shanghai is a very well developed city.
The thing about the palace various halls are all empty. No furniture were inside the halls. No tables, no chairs, no cupboards, no tables, nothing.
Funny isn't it. I wonder where had all the artifacts went to.
 |
| Throne |
There was only a throne left in 1 of the hall where the king hold audience with his subjects or visitors.
 |
| Ceiling decorations |
Without the furnishings, the palace look kinda sad. It like big empty houses standing on vast land and nothing much to see except for the architectures which we were not very good at admiring. But since we had tons of time to kill before the guard changing parade, we toured the whole palace.
There was this parade square outside the audience hall where stone plates of different ranks of the officials are engraved on it and officials got to line up as per their rank. The smaller the rank, the further they are from the main hall.
 |
| Ranking stones |
There are some display of olden time weapons at one of the gate. One of it that caught our attention is it was able to fire a whole lot of arrows( if I am not wrong) at one go on a cart like vehicle.
The we came across a hall which looks too modern to be in Joseon era. The decoration reminds us a bit like Malay architecture.
But in actual fact this hall which Emperor Gojong use to enjoy coffee with foreign diplomats is built by a Russian architect.
 |
| Jeonggwanheon |
 |
| Random birds in the palace |
We roamed around the palace to wait for time to pass for the guard changing parade. Went out to the main gate to stand a place for a good view of the parade.
 |
| View of City hall from the palace |
 |
| Announcing the start of parade |
The parade starts exactly at 2pm with a announcement in Korea, Chinese, English and Japanese language.
The Royal Guard changing ceremony here reenacts exactly as what it used to be held in the olden Joseon days with guards wearing traditional clothes and carrying traditional weapons and playing traditional instruments.
 |
| Official holding keys of the palace |
It was a grand ceremony and no details were spared as there was an instructor there to guide the performers even as they stood there at ease during part of the ceremony.
 |
| Change of duty in charge |
 |
| Adjusting position of the flag pole |
At least we managed to catch one guard changing ceremony today which was our initial plan. It was great to have spend some time here to check Korean history but be warned about the lack of furnishing.
If you are interested in look at artifacts of Joseon Dynasty, you will get to see more at the National Museum than the palaces.
No comments:
Post a Comment