Seoul Photo Gallery - Gyeongbokgung

Noticing many foreigners of all sizes and colours dressed in traditional Korean style walking through Gyeongbokgung's main gate, I can't help but think I could have done the same to save on the 3000 won admission charge. Built for the Joseon dynasty's royal family after the capital moved here in the late 14th century, this is the most popular of the city's 5 palaces. Burned down by the Japanese during their invasion in the late 16th century, what we see today is a lot more recent from the 1860s. The Japanese invaders returned and annexed Korea in 1910, using the palace for police interrogation and torture, and changes were made to the structure to break its Korean styles. Passing through Gwanghwamun, the main gate, where the changing of the guard was finishing up, you enter through more gates to reach the palace's main buildings. The king would enter through the central arch while the others would use the adjacent ones. Geunjeongjeon is the imposing main hall with the royal throne inside where the king received foreign envoys and major events were held. The stones leading to it mark the officials' ranks so they can line up in the right order during official functions. 7 clawed dragons adorn the hall's ceiling.