2010년 8월 5일 목요일

Jeongdong-gil:intertwining of the old and new

Jeondong-gil (정동길), also known as the ‘Deoksugung Doldam-gil (덕수궁 돌담길, Stone Wall Road),’ is one of the most famous roads in Korea. The street is lined with historical buildings and the natural curviness of the road makes it a great place for a slow drive and an even better place for a walk. The beautiful, tree-lined street is a place sure to stick in your memory, but be careful; there’s an old legend saying that lovers who walk along the road together will eventually break up! This area of town is an extremely popular destination among international visitors, as it is close to the Seoul Museum of Art (서울시립미술관), Chongdong Theater (정동극장), and royal palaces.

DIRECTIONS
Go out Exit #2 of City Hall Station (Subway Lines 1 & 2) and walk straight for less than 100m until you see Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁) on your left. Go through Daehanmun Gate (대한문) to enter the palace, going straight along the left-hand side of the inner palace wall, passing over Geumcheonyo Bridge (금천교). After continuing straight through the small crossroads within the palace, you will see Junghwajeon (중화전) on your right towards the center of the palace grounds. Pass through the gate to Junghwajeon, come out the other side and head straight towards the right-hand side of the palace to Seokeodang (석어당). Hamnyeongjeon (함녕전), Jeonggwanheon (정관헌), and Jeukjodang (즉조당) all are clustered in the same area. Follow the main road along the right-hand side of the palace wall, away from Daehanmun Gate (where you originally entered the palace). Guides maps are available near the palace entrance and each building is no more than 150m from the next. Jungmyeongdang (중명당) is located to the right of Seokjojeon (석조전), one of the largest buildings in the palace, easily identifiable by the large pillars adorning its front. To the left of Seokjojeon is a path leading to Podeokmun (포덕문, located only a mere 20m away), the back gate that will lead you out of the palace.

 
 
Once out of the palace, turn left and follow along the palace wall for 150 meters until you reach the corner of the palace wall and a mini roundabout. The gray cobblestone path up to the Seoul Museum of Art (서울시립미술관) is located almost directly across from this point. Turn left at the roundabout and cross the street at the first crosswalk to go up the gray cobblestone path to the right (100m).The path is located behind the pink sign that reads “Seoul Museum of Art” in English.

Once you’ve checked out the museum’s exhibits, backtrack to the roundabout. Facing the roundabout, take the second street on your left. If you walk on the right-hand side of the road, the Jungmyeongjeon Hall (중명전) is 100m down the first red brick side street, right after the theater (극장), located roughly 50m from the roundabout.


To get to the Former Russian Legation (구, 러시아공사관), make your way back to the main road (where the theater is located) and continue down the street for approximately 200m until you see the Canadian Embassy (a unique building decorated with turquoise and brown geometric designs). Turn right down the side street before the embassy and continue up the hill for approximately 15m until seeing the Russian Legation on your right next to an expansive green lawn.

Go back down the hill to the Canadian Embassy and continue down the street for approximately 220m until the road ends in the “T.” Turn right and cross the street at McDonald’s. After crossing, turn right and go straight for 150 meters, until you see the gate of Gyeonghuigung Palace (경희궁) on your left. After going in and exploring the palace, come back out the same way you came in. The Seoul Museum of History (서울역사박물관) is located to the right of the palace entrance. Here, you may enjoy a range of displays and exhibitions depicting the 600-year history of Seoul.
 
 


Exit #2 of City Hall Station (Subway Line 1, 2) → Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁) (Daehanmun Gate (대한문) – Geumcheonyo Bridge (금천교) – Junghwajeon (중화전) – Seokeodang (석어당) – Deokhongjeon (덕홍전) – Hamnyeongjeon (함녕전) – Jeonggwanheon (정관헌) – Jeukjodang (즉조당) – Junmyeongdang (준명당) – Seokjojeon (석조전)) → Seoul Museum of Art (서울시립미술관)Jungmyeongjeon (중명전) Former Russian Legation (구, 러시아공사관) Gyeonghuigung Palace (경희궁) Seoul Museum of History (서울역사박물관)

댓글 없음:

댓글 쓰기