Today we went to Gyeongungung palace. It is usually called the Duksugung palace. But it was originally called Gyeongungung palace. What we first saw was the Daehanmun. There was another gate called Inhwamun but unfortunately it was destroyed. So the Daehanmun is the main gate of Gyeongungung palace.

  We went inside and saw the main building, Junghwajeon. It was very impressive. There were lots of color gold painted. It is because the color gold represents the empire and emperor. And there were dragons instead of phoenixes. And we learned that the place was for important ceremonies such as royal weddings or coronations.

  Behind the Junghwajeon, there were three buildings. It was Seokeodang, Jweukjodang, Junmyeongdang. Sukeodang was the only two storey building in the palace and it had once locked, Inmok the queen mother. It was the order of King Guanghaegun. I thought it looked a bit spooky.

  And beside Junmyeongdang, there was a western styled building called Sukjojeon. It had bedrooms for the king and queen. There were fancy marble pillars and a fountain at the front. It had a living room for government officials too. It is a museum now. But we couldn't visit it so it was a bit dissapointing.

  My favorite place was the Jeongguanheon. It was kind of a cafeteria or resting place for King Gojong. We sat there and rested for a moment. It felt weird to be thinking the king might have sat on the same spot too. The place was prettily decorated with korean and western deseigns mixed together.

  I like to visit Gyeongungung a lot because it is close and it is also nice and cozy. And this time I also learned a lot of meaningful history. So I think this was a very memoraable occasion. I would really love to come back a lot often.