When thinking about most people’s South Korea bucket lists, you can probably expect to see Gyeongbokgung Palace as one of the main activities. This is something I had planned to do while I was here, just like many others.
Now that it is mid-July, we are experiencing monsoon season, so it has rained quite a bit this past week. Everything is part of the experience of being here, and it's expected when spending a summer in South Korea. Luckily, it hasn't been as bad as I expected.
Since it's been a few weeks, I have mostly learned how to navigate public transportation. I took a bus from my accommodation and traveled for about 40 minutes before arriving near the palace. Just a few minutes away from the main gates, there are multiple shops where you can rent traditional hanboks. Many of them offered different designs and had various hair accessories and bags that you could use during your time at the palace.
Recently, I completed a color analysis, which was something I had been looking forward to. A professional helped me identify my best personal colors, which I kept in mind during my time there. This helped me choose what colors I wanted for the hanbok. I loved being able to individually select my outfit combination. Once I had selected the bottom skirt, I was able to find a matching top jacket with the help of one of the staff members. After I had gotten all dressed up, I decided that I wanted to do something special with my hair. There were a few hairstyles to choose from, and I was also able to select a matching purse to carry around, which completed the look. The hanbok shop even had a backdrop and props that I could use to take photos of myself before I started my adventure down to the palace.
Hair styled at the hanbok rental shop.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is a very famous landmark, and it was built in the Joseon Dynasty. I can see the beauty of this place because it consists of its unique architecture and rich culture, which people from around the world come to visit. I saw how the activity of renting a hanbok and walking around the palace brought others together to connect with the history that is important to South Korea. I’ve realized that this country really does have a lot to offer, more than what meets the eye. There are plenty of different sides to South Korea that you can venture into, and there is something for everyone. I got to immerse myself in a bit of the culture that day and make unforgettable memories.
Sometimes, when planning to travel somewhere, you may hear about or see various places on social media that are must-visit places and turn out to be overrated. First off, I would say that if you have the chance to come to this country, it is definitely worth it, even for a short amount of time. Second, you would have to make a trip to the palace, because I do not regret it at all. I’m glad that I took the time to stop by this famous landmark because it was for sure one of the highlights during my study abroad experience here, and I am glad to have new memories and stories to share.
Taking in the beautiful view.
I would highly recommend coming here to learn more about the history of the country and dress up. After all, I realized that I am in South Korea with the chance to create once-in-a-lifetime, long-lasting memories!