Hwarangdae Railroad Station was closed in December 2010. Hwarangdae Station was a temporary railroad station built during the Japanese Colonial Rule in 1939. The original appearance has been well preserved however since it’s closure on December 21st, 2010 the building has been left abandoned. The paint is peeling, walls are starting to crack and the [...]]]>

Hwarangdae Station

Hwarangdae Railroad Station was closed in December 2010. Hwarangdae Station was a temporary railroad station built during the Japanese Colonial Rule in 1939. The original appearance has been well preserved however since it’s closure on December 21st, 2010 the building has been left abandoned. The paint is peeling, walls are starting to crack and the inside is gathering dust. It’s hard to think that this building was fully operational and a train station less than 6 months ago. The station was originally called Taereung Station but was renamed Hwarangdae Station after the Korean Military Academy was relocated near by. The station is on the Gyeongchun Line.

If you visit the Korean Military Academy I recommend you visit this station near by. You can feel the history from this station and imagine the people waiting at the platform for their train to arrive.

Here is a video of the station before it closed on December 21st, 2010. See below for photos.

How to get to Hwarangdae Station:
Take line 6 to Hwarangdae Subway station, leave exit 1 and head straight for 7 minutes.

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The National Museum of Korea was founded on December 3rd, 1945 after the liberation from the Japanese Occupation Government. The museum was relocated numerous times over the years due to war and the increase of relics. In the mid-nineties the government decided to build a permanent and dedicated building and [...]]]>

The National Museum of Korea was founded on December 3rd, 1945 after the liberation from the Japanese Occupation Government. The museum was relocated numerous times over the years due to war and the increase of relics. In the mid-nineties the government decided to build a permanent and dedicated building and choose Yongsan Family Park.

On October 28th, 2005 the National Museum of Korea opened it’s doors to the public. The new building with total floor space of 137,542.56 ㎡ makes it one of the top 10 biggest museums in the world. To view all the items and learn about the history of Korea you would need to visit the museum a couple of times. The museum holds many of the National Treasures of Korea and other artifacts. Outside the museum there are a number of open green areas, big ponds, open air theatres and a waterfall.

The museum has 3 floors. Each floor is split up into different sections. Floor 1 consists of the Prehistory, Ancient History Gallery, Medieval and Early Modern History Gallery. Floor 2 houses a gallery made up of donations by individuals and the Calligraphy and Painting Gallery. Floor 3 holds the Sculpture and Crafts Gallery, the Asia Gallery and a small exhibition about the G20 Summit in Seoul 2010. It was here that the G20 members attended their first meeting in Korea, had a banquet and a took a tour of the museum.

Opening Hours / Admission:
Tues, Thurs & Fri: 09:00 ~ 18:00
Wed & Sat: 09:00 ~ 21:00
Sun & holidays: 09:00 ~ 19:00
Closed on Mondays and January 1st. If Monday is a national holiday the museum will stay open and close the following day.

Admission is free to the museum.

How to get to the National Museum of Korea:

Take line 4 to Ichon station, leave exit 2 and head straight.

Changgyeong Palace was the third palace compound built during the Joseon Dynasty after Gyeongbok Palace and Changdeok Palace. Many Kings preferred to stay at Changdeok Palace and the number of royal family members increased, filling the palace to its capacity. Therefore, King Seongjong had Changgyeong Palace built next [...]]]>

Changgyeong Palace

Changgyeong Palace was the third palace compound built during the Joseon Dynasty after Gyeongbok Palace and Changdeok Palace. Many Kings preferred to stay at Changdeok Palace and the number of royal family members increased, filling the palace to its capacity. Therefore, King Seongjong had Changgyeong Palace built next to Changdeok Palace.

Changgyeong Palace was built in 1483 and then destroyed in 1592-8 during the Japanese invasion. In 1616 the palace was rebuilt only to be burnt down, rebuilt, destroyed again and again until finally the palace was demolished by the Japanese Occupation Government to make way for a museum, zoo and botanical garden. In 1983 the zoo and museum were removed and restoration work began on Changgyeong Palace.

Changgyeong Palace is quite small compared to the other main palaces but has a tranquil vibe to it. About 70% of the compound is made up of open green spaces, trees and a pond. After viewing the palace you could easily spend the next few hours wandering around and finding little pockets of history throughout the compound. With the inexpensive entrance fee of 1,000 won you can find people who come here to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Seoul, relax, read a book or even go power walking or jogging. East of the palace you will find Chundangji. Chundangji used to be a rice paddy that the King personally plowed however it was turned into a pond. Near to the pond you will see a giant greenhouse. It was designed by a Japanese architect and built by a French building company in 1909. At that time it was the largest conservatory in Asia and rare plants were exhibited.

Opening Hours / Admission:
Closed every Monday.
November – March: 09:00 ~ 17:30
April – October: 09:00 ~ 18:30
Ticket booths close one hour before closing.

Admission:
Adults: 1,000 won
Children: 500 won

How to get to Changgyeon Palace:
Take line 4 to Hyehwa station and leave exit 4. Take a look at the map below for more details.

Jongmyo Park is located right in front of Jongmyo Shrine. The park is full of retired old men about 3500 per day playing board games such as GO. Underneath the park there is a huge underground parking lot. Inside the park there are plenty of benches, trees, water fountains, a small pond [...]]]>

Jongmyo Park

Jongmyo Park is located right in front of Jongmyo Shrine. The park is full of retired old men about 3500 per day playing board games such as GO. Underneath the park there is a huge underground parking lot. Inside the park there are plenty of benches, trees, water fountains, a small pond and a statue of Lee Sang-Jae. Lee Sang-Jae was a South Korean patriot who was heavily involved in the resistance of the Japanese Colonial Rule. The statue was erected on April 10th, 1986 to commemorate his glorious achievements.

Currently part of the park has turned into an archeological site. The park is located in front of Jongmyo Shrine which was built over 600 years ago and recently they have discovered many artifacts buried in the park. Some of the artifacts are displayed in the park accompanied with pictures of the excavation under the tittle “Street Museum”.

The park has in the recent past been involved in scandal.  Police cracked down on a ring of elderly women who were soliciting prostitution in the park for the elderly men. Although most of the prostitutes have moved on, you can still see some elderly women looking for some customers.

How to get to Jongmyo Park:
Take line 1, 3 or 5 to Jongno 3 (sam)-ga station and leave exit 11 and follow the map below.

One of the four small gates in the historic fortress walls of Seoul. Hyehwamun was built in 1396 in the northeastern part of the walled capital. Its original name was Honghwamun but this had to be changed to the current name in 1511 because the same name was used for the east entrance of [...]]]> One of the four small gates in the historic fortress walls of Seoul. Hyehwamun was built in 1396 in the northeastern part of the walled capital. Its original name was Honghwamun but this had to be changed to the current name in 1511 because the same name was used for the east entrance of Changgyeongung palace. It has also been known as Small East Gate (Dongdaemun). Its gatehouse was built in 1744 and was demolished in 1928, due to damage caused by old age leaving the arched entrance. The gate structure was destroyed entirely during the Japanese Colonial Period to allow for the construction of tram tracks. It was restored in 1992. The current gate is slightly further north from the original site due to road building.

How to get Hyehwamun Gate:
Take line 4 to Hyehwa station and leave exit 1. Keep heading straight and follow the bend in the road to the right and follow the road for about 2 minutes. You will see Hyehwamun on your left.

Ewha Womans University was founded in May, 1886 by Mary F. Scranton. She opened the school in her house in Jeong-dong with only one student. The first student was Kim, a high-ranking official’s concubine, but she left three months later. The first permanent student was a girl (Kkon-nim) from the street whose mother had typhus; [...]]]>

Ewha Womans University

Ewha Womans University was founded in May, 1886 by Mary F. Scranton. She opened the school in her house in Jeong-dong with only one student. The first student was Kim, a high-ranking official’s concubine, but she left three months later. The first permanent student was a girl (Kkon-nim) from the street whose mother had typhus; and her second student was an orphan. In 1887, King Gojong named the school “Ehwa Haktang” or “pear blossom.” In the evenings, the school was the boarding home for the children and on Sundays, the children went to church in nearby Jeongdong Methodist Church.

In 1910, a 4-year college course was established but in 1943 during the Japanese colonial rule, the school was deprived of its name “Ewha” and was downgraded to a 1-year course institute. In 1935, Ewha College was relocated to the current Sinchon campus.

In 1946, one year after the nation’s liberation, Ewha became the first four-year university to be officially accredited by the government. In the 1950s, Ewha boldly introduced disciplines considered unsuitable for women at the time, such as medicine, law, science and journalism.

Currently Ewha Womans University is one of the top ten universities in Korea.
The campus is very beautiful, modern and well-kept. On the campus you can find the Ewha Museum, rest areas, lots of grass and a football field. Ewha Campus center is quite amazing. It is located underground from the B-6 floor to the first floor. See picture below.

How to get to Ewha Womans Unicersity:
Take line to Ewha Womans University station and leave exit 2 or 3 and continue walking straight until you reach the university.

The Seoul Education Museum was opened on June 15th, 1995.  The museum was opened as a specialized museum of education that displays a total of 12,742 items. The museum looks at the role and history of education in Korea from the Three Kingdom period (285 AD) to present.

A lot of changes have taken place [...]]]>

Seoul Education Museum

The Seoul Education Museum was opened on June 15th, 1995.  The museum was opened as a specialized museum of education that displays a total of 12,742 items. The museum looks at the role and history of education in Korea from the Three Kingdom period (285 AD) to present.

A lot of changes have taken place with the education system in Korea in the past 150 years. Many universities began opening in the late 19th century with help from Christian missionaries. Following the Japanese occupation of Korea the education system was changed. The education under Japanese colonial rule focused more on Japan’s history, the Japanese writing system while neglecting Korea’s history and culture. After independence from Japan the U.S heavily influenced the education system in Korea and new laws were brought about such as compulsory education. Tragedy stuck again with the education system as most schools were closed or destroyed during the Korean War.

The museum is quite small (597.07 m2) but still has a good display of books, documents, teaching and writing tools. The museum is a tranquil spot where you can see the role and power of education and how it made Korea the country that it is today.

Opening hours / Admission:
Weekdays: 09:00am – 18:00
Weekends: 09:00am – 17:00
Closed on public holidays and the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month.

Admission is free.

How to get to the Seoul Education Museum:
Take line 3 to Anguk station and leave exit 1. Take your second right and head straight.

Dongdaemun Stadium was located in downtown Seoul. It was demolished on December 18th, 2007 to make way for the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park.

Before the stadium was built it was the location of Seoul Fortress wall and Hadomateo (a military camp site) in [...]]]>

Dongdaemun Stadium

Dongdaemun Stadium was located in downtown Seoul. It was demolished on December 18th, 2007 to make way for the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park.

Before the stadium was built it was the location of Seoul Fortress wall and Hadomateo (a military camp site) in the Jeseon Dynasty. In 1925, as the invasion of Japan’s Imperial Army was in full swing, the castle walls were destroyed to clear way for the stadium. The Japanese army built and opened Gyungsung stadium in 1926 to celebrate the matrimony of  the Japanese Crown Prince.

The stadium became the main venue for sports events in the city including the Gyeongseong-Pyongyang inter-city soccer tournament in the 1930s. The stadium included a multi-purpose athletics stadium, a baseball park and other sports facilities

After the liberation from the Japanese colonial rule, the stadium was the location for mass celebrations, as almost 250,000 citizens gathered at the venue on August 15, 1945, to celebrate the liberation. Gyeongseong Stadium was renamed Seoul Stadium and later became know as Dongdaemun Stadium. It was used to host public ceremonies and government led sports event’s to promote sport’s policies. Additional construction was undertaken in 1962 to modernize the two existing venues as well as create a swimming pool, volleyball courts and soft clay tennis courts. Floodlights were added to the baseball venue in 1966 and the athletics venue in 1968 to allow for nighttime sporting events.

After the construction of Jamsil Stadium in 1980, the Dongdaemun Stadium’s function became limited. The baseball field was only used to host college or high school games and the athletic track / football field served as a temporary parking lot and market.

Finally, on December 18th, 2007 the demolition of Dongdaemun Stadium began ending it’s 83 years with the people of Seoul. To see the development that is currently taking place on the old grounds of Dongdaemun Stadium, click here. Also to find out more information and get a map to visit the Dongdaemun Stadium Memorial, click here.

Gyeonbokgung Palace also know as Gyeonbokgung was constructed in 1394. The Palace was destroyed during the Japanese occupation of Korea. The South Korean Government in 1989 started a 40 year initiative to rebuild or repair the damage that was done during the Japanese occupation.

You can easily spend hours wandering around this Palace. The whole [...]]]>

Gyeonbokgung Palace Entrance

Gyeonbokgung Palace also know as Gyeonbokgung was constructed in 1394. The Palace was destroyed during the Japanese occupation of Korea. The South Korean Government in 1989 started a 40 year initiative to rebuild or repair the damage that was done during the Japanese occupation.

You can easily spend hours wandering around this Palace. The whole area is divided up into different sections. You have the Living quarters, Pavillion, Shrines, Official Quarters, compounds and many more.

Opening Hours:
March through October: 9am to 6pm
November through February: 9am to 5pm
Open until 7pm on Weekends and National Holidays (May to August only).
Ticket booth will close one hour before closing of the palace.
Closed on Tuesdays

Admission:
3’000 Won (Half price for Kids and Teens from 7 to 18)

Free Guided Walking Tours:
English at 11am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm
Japanese at 10am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm
Chinese at 10.30am, 1pm and 3pm

Changing of Guards:
Every hour from 1oam to 4pm

How To Get to Gyeongbokgung Palace:

There are 3 lines located near the Palace. See the picture below for more info.
The easiest way to get there is to take Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung station and leave exit 5.
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For more information visit the official site http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/main/main.jsp

Seodaemun Prison History Hall preserves and displays the suffering and pain of Koreans during the modern period. Here independence activists and pro-democracy activists were jailed by the Japanese during the Japanese rule of Korea and then later it was taken over by the South Korean Government after the Japanese occupation ended in 1945.  The prison [...]]]>

Seodaemun Prison History Hall Entrance

Seodaemun Prison History Hall preserves and displays the suffering and pain of Koreans during the modern period. Here independence activists and pro-democracy activists were jailed by the Japanese during the Japanese rule of Korea and then later it was taken over by the South Korean Government after the Japanese occupation ended in 1945.  The prison opened as Gyrongseong Prison on Oct 21st, 1908 and closed Nov 15th, 1987.

The prison has held many policital prisoners over the years. Most of whom have statues around Seoul now for being patriots and resisting the Japanese Occupation of Korea. Outside the prison in the courtyard you can view the hanging chamber. It was here that many prisoners were executed and their bodies then dumped in a cellar nearby.

Opening Hours:
Mar. ~ Oct. – 09:30 ~ 18:00
Nov. ~ Feb. – 09:30 ~ 17:00
Closed: Jan. 1, Lunar New Year, Harvest Moon Festival (Chuseok), Mondays (If a holiday falls on a Monday, closed the next day.)

Admission:

Adults: 1,500 won – Age 19 to 64
Youths: 1,000 won – Age 13 to 18
Children: 500 won – Age 7 to 12

Directions: How to get to Seodaemun Prison History Hall: Subway line 3, Dongnimmun Station, exits 4 & 5. It is right beside the station exit. You can’t miss it.

View Seodaemun Prison Seoul in a larger map