Changdeokgung Palace

The kings of the Korean Joseon Dynasty built what are refered to as the "Five Great Palaces of Seoul". On Saturday I got to tour one of them: Changdeokgung Palace. It was build in 1405, during the Joseon Dynasty. All the palaces in Seoul were destroyed during the Japanese Invasion of 1592-1598. This particular palace was reconstructed in 1865 and functioned thereafter as the main palace in Seoul until the end of the Joseon Dynasty (1910).

One of the interesting characteristics of Changdeokgung is that it was designed to blend in with the topography of the land instead of disrupt nature. There are 13 buildings on the palace grounds and 28 pavilions in the gardens. The palace occupies 110 acres. Changdeokgung was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. The UNESCO committee inscribing the site stated that the place was an "outstanding example of Far Eastern palace architecture and garden design" being exceptional because the buildings are "integrated into and harmonized with the natural setting" and adapted "to the topography and retaining indigenous tree cover."

Here are my pictures. I went with a group of friends: Fran (Can.), Dan(UK), Glenn(Can.), Andrea(Can.), Jamie(Kor.) & Richard(U.K.)...

Me and my best friend in Korea!

L to R: Dan, Glenn, Richard, Andrea, Jamie, Fran