Young women wear traditional costumes on a spring day in Seoul.
On my first visit to the Republic of Korea or South Korea I have enjoyed learning about the country's culture and history. The history goes back a long way - pottery has been found that dates to about 8000 BCE. The National Museum of Korea opened a huge, new, world-class building in Seoul in 2005 to house the nation's treasures.
Ten-storey pagoda constructed in 1348 and now displayed in the National Museum of Korea.
Buddhism was introduced to Korea in the 4th century CE.
Dragon-shaped ewer, celadon, 12th century in the National Museum of Korea.
Celadon pottery, in the green shades of jade, is still produced today.
In Seoul I visited two areas that preserve older buildings and older building styles. At Namsangol Hanok Village five restored hanok, traditional Korean houses, that were moved from other locations give a sense of daily life in the past. The Village hosts weddings and I happened on one in progress in public view. The groom was Western and the bride Korean. Both wore traditional Korean attire.
One of the houses at Namsangol Hanok Village in Seoul.
Preparations for a tea ceremony in Namsangol Hanok Village.
Traditional crafts including straw weaving are taught at Namsangol Hanok Village.
Another location I visited is Bukchon, a neighbourhood where some traditional houses have been preserved and others built in that style. Many of the buildings house businesses and the area is full of restaurants and craft and gift shops. Lessons in traditional crafts are also offered here.
Bukchon building.
Old style roofs of Bukchon.
Seoul has two remaining palace complexes of the five built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897) and I visited Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO world heritage site. This palace has been destroyed in whole or part and rebuilt several times.
Main gate to Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO world heritage site.
Above two photos: Roof detail at Changdeokgung Palace.
Food is an important part of any culture and in Korea is often delivered to the table still boiling in a metal bowl. Korean food is generally spicy and there are some interesting items on offer at street stalls.
Steaming spicy food is accompanied by various relishes.
Some Korean street food: tiny snails in shells in top photo and silk worm larvae, bottom.
What I enjoyed most in Korea was seeing young people dressed in hanbok, the colourful traditional clothing. There are numerous shops that rent hanbok by the hour. It is mostly young women who dress up but some young men do too. I saw them promenading and taking photos at the historic sites as well as just out and about on the street. I'll finish with a few more hanbok pictures.
