Seoul Attractions

The Seoul Festival of Lights, organized by The Seoul foundation for Arts and Culture, is the biggest winter festival in Seoul, South Korea.

Title: 2009 Seoul Festival of Lights
Theme: De:Light of Seoul
Slogan: "Seoul, Delightful City"
Period: 12. 19(Sat)2009 ~1. 24(Sun)2010, 37days
Venue: Gwanghwamun Square
Organization: Seoul Metropolitan Government/ Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture
Events: Exbibition of Nam June Paik's "Fractal Turtleship", Large-scale Media Facade and Interactive Media Experience
Details: Site-specific programs that represent the history and significance of Gwanghwamun Square and neighboring major buildings(Storytelling of five-theme zones: History/Culture/Communication/Creation/Repose)


"Seoul, Delightful City"

In December 2009, Gwanghwamun Square transforms itself into the 'Square of Lights'...

The HI SEOUL FESTIVAL is a global city festival where you can experience the true colors of Seoul, one of the most attractive city in the world.

Hi Seoul Festival 2010 will invite the World with motion, bringing Spring.

It begins on the 1st of May down by the Han River basin (main stage), and will spread to the entire metropolitan area of Seoul until the 9th of May.
Every street in Seoul is connected to the festival, with the Han River being the central spot.

This year's theme is "Physical Theatre" which is used to describe any kind of performance that pursues storytelling or drama through primarily and secondarily physical acting/motion. Therefore, the program of the Hi Seoul Festival 2010 will be comprised of 80 domestic and foreign prominent physical theatre troupes, and over 200 performances such as artistic fireworks, big-scale parades and much more...

Nandaemun (or Sungnyemun) is a prime example of the old majestically mixing with the new and the modern. Amidst the hustle and bustle of traffic and the skyscrapers that seem to sprout in the area, it is a refreshing reminder of Korea's glorious past. Namdaemun is a historic city gate, one among the four belonging to the old city walls. It is located right at the heart of Seoul and is considered as South Korea's National Treasure #1. It is also one of the country's most famous and recognizable landmarks.

The Great South Gate, the literal translation of Namdaemun, is actually a large castle stone structure. In its middle, you will see an arched entrance. It has two stories, delineated by a column on top of a platform. The gate was completed in 1398. It was originally called Sungnyemun. Construction began during the reign of King Taejo (of the Joseon Dynasty) in 1395...

No matter where you are in Seoul, look to the horizon and you will be sure to find the Seoul Tower. This landmark stands at the top of Mt. Namsan. This broadcasting tower is 370 meters tall (above sea level) and was erected in 1969. The digital observatory features cutting edge digital equipment such as a high powered telescope. There is also an analogue observatory in the lower floor. Its formal name is "YTN Seoul Tower" but it is usually called the N Seoul Tower. N, they say, stands for "new".

It was only opened to the public in 1980, when it began to gain popularity as a tourist attraction. This is because it gives you great views of the city from its observation deck. When the weather is clear, you can see how the bustling city looks like in its totality. Particularly memorable is the sight of Seoul at night. In addition, you can also visit the exhibition halls that are in the Seoul Tower complex...

The Changdokkung Palace (or Palace of of Prospering Virtue in English) in Seoul, South Korea, enthralls with its secret garden and magnificent architecture of the Joseon Dynasty. For over 250 years, it served as the seat of the royal regime and has largely preserved its architectural style.

The design of the palace was based on the specification from the Three Kingdoms Period. This makes the palace design predominantly Korean, as opposed to the other palaces that had foreign influences. The palace is unique in that it was built to blend with its natural environment. The palace is just gorgeous come autumn when the leaves turn red and gold.

Changdokkung has 41 structures, including the Donhwamun (the gate), Geumcheongyo (the granite bridge) and the Daejojeon (which comprised the private apartments of the King and Queen, plus the rooms where the princes were tutored). Some parts have been rearranged, destroyed and reconstructed, so that the current structures are more of a combination of the Korean and Western styles...

Gyeongbokgung / Kyongbokkung Palace (Heavenly Blessed Palace) in Seoul, South Korea, is among the Five Grand Palaces that was built during the Joseon Dynasty. It is also the dynasty's largest palace, and probably the most beautiful. It is massive and awe-inspiring – with its 330 buildings and over 5,000 rooms. Yes, the Royal family estate is a majestic symbol of power and wealth – it has over 400,000 square meters! It is a treasure trove of architectural structures, gardens, sculpture art and so much more. At present, you can also visit the National Folk Museum of Korea, which is also situated in the compound.

The palace was devastated during the Japanese invasion. Only 10 of the original buildings survived. However, major parts have since been restored.

Here is a lowdown of the major buildings of the Gyeongbokgung Palace:

The Geonchunmun is the east gate of the palace...

Standing proudly at a busy intersection in downtown Seoul is Deoksugung (Toksukung) Palace. It is known for its stately stone-wall road. It was built during the rule of the Choson dynasty.

Its features include the Taehanmun Gate, which is the palace's main gate. Moving inward, you can see the Chunghwa-jeon Hall, which is the throne room of the Palace. It is also an audience hall. Here, people had the chance to seek an audience with the king. Have a glimpse (albeit brief and far from grandiose when compared to the actual ceremony) of what happens during royal ceremonies. In the courtyard, you can stand on the stones that were used as markers to indicate where a certain official is supposed to stand when a royal ceremony is performed. The throne and its surroundings are also very intriguing. Behind the throne, you can see pictures of the moon, the sun and five peaks depicted behind the throne...

The Jongmyo (or Chongmyo) in Seoul, South Korea, is a royal shrine dedicated to the ancestors of the Choson dynasty, starting from King Taejo (who founded the Joseon dynasty). Among Confucian shrines, this is the most authentic and also the oldest. It is well preserved – what you see goes as far back as the 16th century. During the era of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, there were quite a number of shrines similar to Jongmyo. However, only the shrines for the Choson family have been preserved.

The Chongmyo enshrines the kings and queens of the Choson dynasty (that is, all except two). The shrine also preserves tablets containing the teachings of the Choson kings and queens. Through the years, it is the site of ritual ceremonies that can be traced to as far back as the 14th century. The ceremony cleverly combines the elements of music, costumes and dance. The ritual, called Chongmyo Daeje, is currently performed once a year, in May, The Choson dynasty's descendants, all bedecked in colorful and elaborate costumes, meet together at the court...