Korea Trip Day 6

Korean KimChi School

We get to experience Kimchi making lesson to study the Korean culture of Kimchi, one of the most famous of Korean foods. The lesson was conducted by a Korean lady in Korean. Our tour guide acted as the translator, helping her to translate the instructions to Mandarin.

Kim Chi School

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After the lesson is over, nobody wanted to bring back the Kimchi that was made by the tour group members. We left it in the kimchi school and according to our tour guide it would be packed and given to the nearby orphanage and old folks homes.

The Art of Making Kim Chi

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Korean Traditional Costumes – Hanbok

At the same Kimchi School after the kimchi lesson was over, we were allowed to wear the Hanbok, the traditional Korean Costume for photo taking session. We all have fun experiencing the Korean Traditional Costumes.

Everyone was laughing at each other while trying out the Hanbok. Everyone was suddenly transform back to the ancient Korean “Ta Chang Jin” era. All our costumes were chosen and matched by the kimchi school staff.

Ta Chang Jin

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Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup Lunch

Today we will be having the famous Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup or Samgyetang for lunch.

To make samgyetang, a whole young chicken is stuffed with glutinous rice and boiled with Korean Ginseng, dried seeded jujube fruits,garlic, and ginger.

Depending on the recipe, other medicinal herbs such as wolfberry (gugija), Codonopsis pilosula (dangsam), and Angelica sinensis (danggwi) may also be added.

The meal is served with several varieties of Kimchi, pickled garlic, rice & Ginseng wine. If the Ginseng liquor is too strong can pour it into the hot soup to enhance the flavor.

After taken our lunch, we proceeded to visit the Korean National Palace Museum the Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also commonly referred to as the “Northern Palace” because it is the furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeongheegung (Western Palace).

Gyeongbokgung Palace is the most beautiful and remains the grandest of all five palaces in Seoul.

When we reach Gyeongbokgung Palace, we are just on time to witness the changing of Palace guards parade ceremony. The event looks very grand because all the palace guards are in their colorful traditional uniform.

Changing of Palace Guards Ceremony

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Changing of Guard Colors

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The Palace were destroyed by fire at the time of Japanese occupation from 1592-1598. However, all of the palace’s 7,700 rooms were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong (1852~1919) .

The Throne Room

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The Throne

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The Regent Room

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Palace Ground, Very Huge and Grand

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Remarkably, the most representative edifices of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonghoe-ru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond are still relatively in tact.

Woldae and the sculptures of Geunjeongjeon (The Royal Audience Chamber) represent past sculpture of contemporary art.

Palace Garden and Pond

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Palace Garden

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Palace Garden with Beautiful View

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Palace Roof With Beautiful Design

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Korean National Folk Museum

Located inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folk Museum of Korea presents over 4,000 historical artifacts that were used in the daily lives of ordinary Korean people.

Here you can fully immerse yourselves in previous domestic and agricultural lifestyles, and learn about Korea’s cultural beliefs and history.

We then proceeded to another palace, the Changgyeonggung Palace. Located in the heart of Seoul, Changgyeonggung Palace was first built by the 4th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejong (1418-1450), for his retiring father, King Taejong.

It often served as residential quarters for queens and concubines. During the reign of King Seongjong (1469-1494), the palace was renovated and renamed to Changgyeonggung Palace.

It later became a park with a zoo and a botanical garden during Japanese colonial rule. The palace was then relocated in 1983 and regained its old graces after years of restoration.

Chang Gyeong Gung Palace

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Buildings inside the Palace

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National Palace Entrance

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Deoksugung Palace

Located at the corner of Seoul’s busiest downtown intersection, Deoksugung Palace is famous for its elegant stone-wall road. It is also the only palace that sits alongside a series of western style buildings that add to the uniqueness of the surrounding scenery.

Deoksugung Palace originally belonged to Wolsandaegun (1454~1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469~1494) of the Joseon Dynasty.

It became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575~1641) ascended the throne and gave the palace the name Gyeongungung in 1611. There after, the name was then changed back to its original title of Deoksugung Palace.

Another Palace

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Lotte World Theme Park

We proceeded to Lotte World in the late afternoon. This huge theme park contains adventure and thrill rides, bungee jump, swimming pools, a haunted house, restaurants and a hotel.

Located in the heart of the Seoul city, Lotte World is the perfect spot for entertainment and sightseeing. About 6 million visitors visited Lotte World every year and it is open for visitors all year round, regardless of the weather.

Lotte World

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Lotte World Many Rides

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Lotte World Theme Park

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Lotte World is divided into a ‘’Adventure’ theme once you are inside the building, and outside is a ‘Magic Island’ theme next to Seokchonhosu Lake.

Lotte World Adventure has certain districts representing different countries with various kinds of facilities and souvenir shops. You can enjoy watching parades, numerous films, laser shows, and a variety of international cuisines even during the holidays.

Magic Island is situated outdoors, where the dazzling Magic Castle is located as well as thrilling high-altitude rides that you can’t experience elsewhere.