Gyeongbokgung Palace - Seoul, South Korea

In the heart of Seoul, the sweeping tiled roofs of Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) spread out beneath Bugaksan, the forested peak that rises behind it. Built in 1395, it was the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled Korea for over 500 years.

Most of it was torn down during the Japanese occupation in the early 1900s, and much of what you see has since been carefully rebuilt. Today it's full of life again.

Many visitors come dressed in hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, since anyone wearing one gets in free. Several times a day the royal guard changes at the main gate, Gwanghwamun, in brightly colored Joseon-era uniforms with flags, drums and traditional weapons, and the ceremony always draws a crowd.

Did You Know? Gyeongbokgung means "palace greatly blessed by Heaven".

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