The Hidden Gem must to go in Seoul, Science Donga Astronomical Observatory(과학동아 천문대)

How romantic it is to see the stars at night with the loving persons!

This was the special experience for me to awake my intellectual instinct. You are able to so shortly realize that science is intriguing, exciting and interesting live study. What a surprisingly, there is an Astronomical Observatory in the Seoul Metropolitan center. ‘In the heart of downtown Seoul’. Compared with that general astronomical observatory is situated in the mountain, the location of this one inside bustling Seoul city is the best of best merit point.

As the reason of my laziness, I mean those kinds of observatory are too far to get there from the city, I put in a request for an observation program of full moon and some stars without any hesitation. I had thought that it should be located at the deep and clean environment such as mountain. To be frank with me, I was not great hopes to this observation. However it didn’t take a long time to find out that it was an utterly groundless concern.

Before observation, We got some beneficial lesson in this room

High quality, fluent, profitable, simple terms and proper images were provided for the time being around two hours experience. What is more, science commentator made us smile so often. If I learned the science with like as these kinds of lesson, I might be as a  scientist now. After taking a lesson, we went to up to the rooftop where we could experience to handle telescope and observe the celestial bodies (heavenly bodies). There were several telescopes for the observation of moon and stars. I saw the Sirius, the brightest star except the Sun in the Earth night sky, and understood the meaning of ‘like the shining stars’ (like as diamond).

building shown on the rooftop

moon captured by mobile phone through connected telescope

I took a photo of the full moon clearly through connected telescope. How amazing it was! In Planetarium which was equipped with dome screen of 8 meters and high resolution digital projector, I could enjoy the virtual observation of constellation (star sign) and the visual image of moon and space exploration. At that time I seemed to being an astronaut. In the circular dome observatory rotating ceiling 360 degrees and 7 meters in diameter, we saw the Jupiter having Galilean moons (the largest of the four moons of Jupiter and discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610).

inside the Planetarium,you will see the video image on the lying the chair

Circular Observatory Dome with the full moon on the sky

It was observed at the outside. To be thanks, they prepared the blanket in advance. So we could did experience more warm and comfortable. Let me briefly explain you the lesson what I got in the class.

the solar system

In Korea, we have good feeling to the moon as compared with the western countries having negative feeling. In the past we believed that rabbit lived in there and prayed for ones’ wishes looking up to it on a full moon night. Although everybody knows that there is no more rabbit in the moon, we still pray for their wishes on a special full moon night. The Moon is in synchronous rotation with the Earth, always showing the same face with its near side marked by dark volcanic maria. Scientists defined that ‘Impact Crater’ is approximately circular depression in the surface at a planet, moon or other solid body in the solar system and formed by the hypervelocity impact of a smaller body with the surface. To be interesting, the craters are named after according to some rules. In case of the Moon, it is from the scientist’s name. In case of the Mercury, from artist’s one. In case of the Venus, from women’s name. Very interesting.

The Moon

The Moon surface

The Moon Craters names such as Armstrong,Aldrin,Collins-Crews of Apollo11

The Mercury Craters names such as Beethoven,Goya,Liszt-Artists

This is the picture of the Eugene M. Shoemaker, geologist, who spent much of his later years searching for and finding unnoticed or undiscovered impact craters around the world, and Barringer Crater in Arizona State, USA.

The Doctor Eugene Shoemaker and the Barringer Crater

This is the typical appearance of Meteor Crater and he set a theory about the formation and relation with the planets of crater and it is now widely accepted as scientific fact. He wanted to go the moon and he became only the one person who had been gone to after his death by the Lunar Prospector space probe loading his some of ashes in a capsule in 1999. This observatory is operated by Donga Science Co.Ltd., It is a company publishing ‘Donga Science’ and ‘Children Science Donga’ which is the leading monthly science magazine boasting 22 years biweekly. They have many kinds of observation programs. Ongoing program, program for adult and on a special day programs are undergoing. They proceed the program regrettably only in Korean (video images are given in English). However whatever it is, I would like to recommend to try about this program.

How to get there; their web site...click here !!

 address – 109 chungparo (Najin Electronics World building on 7^th floor),

 yongsan-gu Seoul(용산구 청파로109 나진전자 빌딩 7층) 

 Tel, +82-2-6749-2000 Fax +82-2-3148-0789

 I recommend to use taxi from the near subway station( line1 Yongsan st.용산역 exit #3 or line4 Shinyongsan st.신용산역 exit #5) because it is not easy to get there on foot from the subway stations. It is far within 5 minutes by tax.

The Gwangjang Market in Seoul, South Korea (광장시장)

I go to the shopping mart and fills up with full of various life necessities into large cart, and then make a payment with a credit card at the cash register nicely. I put goods in my car and leave the mart. We have become accustomed to so fast in this shopping culture. However, whenever I visit traditional markets, the vividness and vitality of life what I was not able to be felt in the big marts leads me with the feeling something like a strong magnet attracts my heart. I wonder if this Gwangjang market, which is loved by all generations in its own color, is the case of typical local market within hustling and bustling Seoul. 

A market famous for Bindaetteok(빈대떡,mung bean pancakes), gimbap and beef tartare bibimbap. Was this market simply famous for its food?

drug gimbap(마약 김밥), named after cause it is so delicious that people keep eating continuously

You can easily meet people carrying cameras and capturing the full of real market in this place. The world is changing rapidly and even though everything is convenient and has good quality, ironically the value of the traditional market is getting to aware again by the people who miss the nostalgia for our old customs and want to put such an image on the camera. The cheaper and more affordable meals that fit the taste of young people also made a big contribution as icing on the cake. As listening to the story of the typical pancake food corner in this market, it is said the recipe of pancake in the past as well as now is the same, especially from the twenties come to visit the market, the market is particularly revitalized by them and this pancake quickly went viral and became a famous food standing in line to eat.

Bindaetteok(빈대떡,mung bean pancakes), 

This food place inside market started as a zone to sell foods for fabric traders at night and retailers who pick up things at dawn, and most of all, while starting to be loved by twenties and became a place to be loved by twenties as well as all the generation. Let's take a look at the history of this place over 100 years (opened in 1905). In the early days, rice, grains, and fruits and vegetables were sold mainly. After the Korean War, it maintained its name from hand to mouth. After they changed into the main selling items as professional fabric wholesale and retail for Hanbok (traditional clothes of Korea), it hit a new peak from the end of the 1950s to 1970s.

However, western clothes became so more popular and the demand for Hanbok decreased that the role as a mecca of Hanbok market had been shrunk in large portion. it resulted in gradually to walk the path of decline. In Korea, Hanbok is still a necessity for major events such as weddings. Although it is not like the old days, here still plays the same role as the mecca of Hanbok market, which is mainly composed of hanbok, textile, related accessories, bedclothes and goods for traditional ceremony to pay respect to the (bride)groom's family by the newly-wedded couple right after their wedding.

Korean traditional pillows, pouches

For this reason, beautiful hanbok and its related products could easily be seen than other markets. On the 2^nd floor, there are many kinds of traditional souvenir goods for tourist.

Korean traditional jewel boxes made of mother-of-pearl

Korean traditional dolls

I always love to go to the market. Whenever I look around the market fully filled with generous sense, fresh high quality of agricultural and marine products and affordable price, I always get many bags which fresh things were put in it in my both hands. The scent of life comes along also.

I went out to the market hoping to be a place that I loved for a long time. We lost so much of precious life stories as we changed rapidly during short past decades, didn't we?

Bukchon Hanok Village(북촌 한옥마을) in Seoul, South Korea

This is the actual residential area consisted of being concentrated Korean traditional Hanok (a kind of houses) village, the only one in Seoul, is the residential area of high-ranking government officials and nobilities during the Joseon-dynasty (1392-1897) also.

Bukchon village (literally meaning; north village) is located in between Gyeongbok palace(경복궁) and Changdeok palace(창덕궁), is uptown area from the Cheonggye stream and Jongno area. This is located so closely together also to Samcheonggil alley(삼청동길).

It is dated back to Iron’s age (over 1500 years ago) to use Ondol and Daecheong systems which is featuring point of this house in Korea. In 1930s Hanyang (former name of Seoul) had gotten high population due to crowded people from the rural area and became highly concentration in many aspects. It had caused many social and economic problems, especially in their residential side. The demand meets the supply as it is. Company dealing with residence management bought large land in this area and built Hanok village which had been improved in the style of it as before.

The size was smaller, glass door was installed at Daecheong, iron sheets was galvanized in its’ roof additionally to Cheoma (edge of Hanok’s curvy roofs), standardized wooden beam was used for its’ efficiency due to massive construction. New developed house of this style had been kept the characteristics of traditional house and been settled as a new type of urban house and showed luxurious decoration in particularly.

It needs natural materials to build this house. Tiled roofs baked soil, pine trees for timber, stone-blocks construction for Ondol of the bottom in room, Hanji(Korean traditional paper used for windows and doors, beautiful and breathable), and patterned wall costs many expense. Ondol(온돌) is a kind of floor-rock-based heating system by principle of convection phenomenon during cold winters, Daecheong(대청) is a cool wooden-floor style hall on the front porch which keeps the house cool. Cheoma(처마) on the roof is to control the amount of sunlight that enters the house during hot summer.

This is very expensive house to buy and to maintain. So ownership for this house means the symbol that owner is very rich and has the authority on many ways.

It is very interesting that early 1900s some of the church of Anglicanism catholic was built in Hanok for naturalization of their religion, in Ganghwado, Jincheon and Cheongju which are still there. In 1970s, architect who learned modern architecture regarded Hanok as outdated and inefficient one.

Besides, the propagation of complex type tenement housing and apartment caused the decreasing of the number of Hanok from 800,000 into 12000(today) in Korea so rapidly. Now a days as by Hanok has decreased it means Giwa house (tiled roof) in the public senses with reduction of meaning. Fortunately, the value of this house is refocused with its functional efforts eco-friendly and therapy for atopy and asthma caused by environmental factors and unique beauty of this house itself.

Reconstruction,gentrification, reservation efforts voluntarily is keep going on by area resident based on their opinions. Now it becomes to a street of traditional culture and art with unique styles mixing tradition and modernism, neighboring Insadong and Samcheongdong.

Some difficulties are still left. It is inconvenience on the space of the functional connection by user’s circulation system. The wall is not thick enough and has some crack causing chill atmosphere. Wooden timber is very expensive still and it is difficult to find out the skillful builder. Despite of these reasons, new attempt to improve their house is trying continuously too also. This area is always crowded by Korean and foreigners. So you might be miss real worth and just end with only taking photos. And you might be in some fear to lose your way between in many alleys. Don’t be afraid. This is uptown, so can easily reach the lower road which is starting point.

Kokdu museum for art craft made by wood

There are cultural center, guest houses, restaurant, and teahouse. Bukchon traditional culture center gives you an opportunity to experience, learn, and immerse in Korean traditional culture.

Tip ; This is residential area. Houses are not allowed to get inside to the public.

     You can just see through by restaurant, tea house, craft houses only.

     I want to recommend to visit the Bukchon traditional culture center at first.

     Bukchon traditional culture center >>>click here !!
  

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문), Seoul, Korea

This gate’s name means that great virtue of king lighten whole of the country.

 It is the south gate of Gyeongbokgung palace(경복궁) where kings of Joseon dynasty(1392-1897) lived and ruled the country as the primary old main palace. Gwanghwamun square (광화문광장) is in front of this gate. It is also starting point to measure the distance between Seoul and other local cities in this country.

It has three arched gates(Hongyemun;홍예문 middle one for king, others for officials), a pair of Haetae(해태) sculpture looking southward and mythical symbolic paintings on the ceiling with different one.

It was destroyed two times when Japanese invaded in 1592 and Korean war(1950) was broken out. It has gotten several disassemble and restoration through multiple periods.Despite of various hardships through long history, now it stood again in 2010 in a dignified manner just like Korean peoples’ spirit after being equipped with historical accuracy.

The Haetae(Haechi)

A pair of Haetae (or called by Haechi),symbolic guard animal, protect the palace from the fire. This is regarded as the fire guard which has a small horn on its forehead and a bell on its neck and symbol of justice and law also. So king wanted that officials resemble after this spirit and deal with the law without favour on the side of the angels.

You can see the Patrol changing ritual of the royal guard who wore the traditional guard uniform. Also there is a small place that you can experience firsthand for wearing their clothes inside the gate.

Experience of wearing the uniform of royal guard

As if it was there as long as ever along with Korean history this priceless gate is going to stand now and after forever.
How to get there ; take off Gyeongbokgung (Seoul subway line3) Exit #5
  

Samcheongdong-gil & Samcheong park(삼청동길 & 삼청공원) in Seoul

Do you have an image that The Seoul city is just only filled with full of modern complex capital flavor of Korea? I dare tell you confidently that is wrong in many ways if you have like that. Don't hesitate to stop over this unique and beautiful new cultural combination in the side of between old and new place in the bustling downtown in Seoul city. What's more,it is located in the just next to the famous Gyeongbokgung palace( 경북궁,the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty) and Korea traditional Bukchon Hanok Village. So if you are planning to visit this great palace or village, don't miss this attractive spot also.

This area has been very calm,comfortable residential area which consisted of the middle class people since long times ago. And along with the road some vintage, tiny, cozy shops show their own flavor over the years. So many young lovers has been leaded steadily into this road as an attraction must to visit together. This road has been loved as the representative symbol of romantic walking street. From few decades ago, there were new aggressive attempt to put on modern culture color into the old and faded houses and alleys. With those efforts now here became another hot place leading trend with various beauty brand shops, fashion brand shops, new living specimen shops, cafes and dessert shops.So you can see the unique signs which make your sense light on with a variety of way.With various art galleries and museums which be seen easily here boasts not only just shopping area but also smart art place.

Book cafe

Open stage, they are performing 'Waiting for GoDot'

Chocolate shop

The Mole Market which is vintage and reform store

Cafe wears new clothes on the traditional house

This is not the everything of this lovely place.  At the end of this road you are able to reach the tiny and cozy park like another bonus one to you. It is Samcheong park.

Samcheong park(삼청공원)
The name of "Samcheong" is originated from the side of  Taoism thought. It means three Taoist hermits with miraculous power. In the past Joseon dynasty there was a shrine in here to worship three gods. So people called here by this name. According to another opinion this is the place where is clean in water, mountain and people (literally; three blue).

The cozy library within the park

The Poet and The Poem on the stone
This is the first officially designated urban park in Korea (1940).Many people are crowded every year in April to see the splendid cherry blossoms. This is a park where people can see easily beautiful foliage in the midst Seoul and loved also in fall. And various amenities are equipped here and there like as badminton court, tennis court, children playground and library also.

As there are many unique shops on the streets of Samcheong-dong, there are some people who turn away their feet at the entrance of this beautiful park locates at the end of this street. But in a way that's missing the hidden gem. I am convinced that this park will give you another pleasure. Don't you agree that trips sometimes must need quiet time?

Don’t miss this park. 

near the alley of Deoksung girls' high school(덕성여고)