If you want to view a bit of art, culture and history, visit the “Five Grand Palaces” in Seoul (서울).

창덕궁 or Changdeok Palace, means “Palace of Prospering Virtue”. Changdeok Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because the features of the Palace blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Some of the natural features of the palace include a garden and a lotus pond.

창경궁 or Changgyeong Palace contains a bridge and the oldest main hall among all the palaces in Seoul. The bridge is decorated with gargoyles to scare off evil spirits. The bridge serves as a symbolic entryway into the courtyard. This is also the palace where Crown Prince Sado (사도세자) was ordered to die in a rice chest.

덕수궁 or Deoksu Palace is a place rich with history. This was where Prince Gwanghagun (광해군) was crowned. This was also the place where Emperor Gojong (고종) lived when he abdicated his throne to his son. Therefore the name of the palace comes from “Deoksu”, which was named to honor Emperor Gojong and wish him a long life.

경복궁 or Gyeongbok Palace is one of the largest palaces among the five palaces. The palace complex contains a library, the king, queen and servant’s bed chambers, as well as an ancestral shrine. Historically, this is the palace where the last queen of Korea was murdered.

경희궁 or Gyeonghui Palace was often a secondary palace used by Korean kings. In times of emergency, such as wildfires and invasions, Korean kings would come to this palace to seek refuge. A total of ten or so kings have lived here. The palace was heavily destroyed by Japanese occupation, but efforts to rebuild it have continued.