Myeongdong Cathedral (명동대성당)

Myeongdong Cathedral (명동대성당), or otherwise fully known as the Cathedral Church of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Myeongdong, is a cathedral located on top of a small hill within the Myeongdong district. Constructed in the 19th century and of Gothic Revival architecture design, the cathedral is home to the Royal Catholic Archbishop of Seoul, South Korea. It has also historically been a sanctuary for protesters and activists and remains an iconic landmark in the neighbourhood. Despite being situated in the middle of a bustling concrete jungle (not to mention the popular Myeongdong shopping district), there is a calm and peaceful air within the cathedral grounds.

Entrance to the cathedral

Saint Kim Dae Gon Andrew, First Korean Priest and Martyr

The rear of the cathedral

Myeongdong Cathedral as seen from the street

24/04/12

Seodalsan Nature Observation Road (서달산자연관찰로)

Located within the Sangdo-dong area, Seodalsan Nature Observation Road (서달산자연관찰로) is just exactly what it's called - a nature observation road. More like a nature trail on top of Seodal Mountain, the winding trails embedded within the concrete surroundings of high-rise apartments and typical Korean housing, give an interesting experience. While walking on the trails provided, one can catch views of the neighbouring residential and distant metropolis areas of Seoul while amongst the tall pine trees and flowery bushes and shrubs. One can also find exercise corners and even phytochemical pathways littered with ranks and files of trees that give anyone walking through these pathways a healthy dose of fresh air. The trail also links to Dongjak-dong and passes by the Seoul National Cemetery, another park by itself. 

Nearby high-rise apartments

A view of Heukseok-dong (a neighbouring districts) and the rest of Seoul city across the Han River

The 'phytochemical tree trail'

'Wishing Stone' piles, a common sight at many nature and mountain trails in Korea

27/04/12

Gwanghwamun Square (광화문광장)

Gwanghwamun Square (광화문광장) is an open plaza located just before Gwanghwamun and parallel to Sejong-ro. The plaza showcases a statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin, a brilliant naval commander who was instrumental in defending Korea against the Japanese invasions during the Imjin War. A model of the Kobukson, or Turtle Ship, designed by the admiral himself and used to defeat the Japanese is also displayed here. Further down the plaza lies a statue of King Sejong the Great, who developed the Korean phonetic alphabet known as Hangeul, which has been used ever since.

Below the plaza is an underpass leading to Gwanghwamun Station (Subway Line 5) as well as a Haechi Seoul Shop, which sells many souvenirs of Haechi, a mythical animal and mascot of Seoul.

Admiral Yi Sun-Shin

Kobukson (Turtle Ship)

Haechi, a mythical animal and mascot of Seoul

King Sejong the Great

Korean Hangeul alphabets

Gwanghwamun Square as seen from the end (towards Gwanghwamun)

23/04/12