Gyeongbokgung is regarded as one of the most significant historical palaces in Seoul. Built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty, it was the main royal residence and the heart of the capital. Gyeongbokgung means “Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven,” which shows how big and important it is in terms of culture. The palace complex includes stunning architecture, beautifully landscaped gardens, and the National Palace Museum. It offers a glimpse into Korea’s royal heritage. It’s a place where most people wear traditional hanbok, which adds to the experience and immersion. A beautiful palace that I will have to go back to see again.
“The mountain Bugaksan, behind Gyeongbok Palace is, in turn, at the end of a set of mountain chains that cover the entire Korean peninsula. As a result of the location of the palace, it was perceived that all of the force of this mountain system flowed into the palace where the king was reigning in his halls, thus visibly enforcing perceptions of the strength of the state. Such a vision conformed to the Chinese fengshui principles of geomancy, which were seriously studied in Korea and considered important for the new Chosun dynasty and its state. On a micro scale, this topographical system guaranteed the personal health of the royal family, who lived in the residential quarters at the back of the formal halls, where the flow of mountain force came in direct contact with the family’s daily lives.” (From Gyeongbok Royal Palace to the Chosun Exposition : A Transformation in Space. Wybe Kuitert. 2017)