An Essay on Cultural Assets of Gyeonggi Province

Heartbroken to See the Simple House of Queen

Myeongseong 
 
Tears were falling from Queen Myeongseong’s eyes and I couldn’t back my tears. She said, “I am the mother of the state.”

The house where Queen Myeongseong was born is located near Yeoju Nadeulmog, and I visited it on one fine day. It was a simple and small house.

It was a hut built near the grave of Min Yu-Jung, the father of Queen Inhyeon (second queen of King Sukjong) and the 4th great grandfather of Queen Myeongseong, so it is not different from ordinary houses. It well shows the characteristics of ordinary houses of the mid Joseon period.

The main building of the house only remained, but servants’ quarters, detached house and attached house were restored when the house was renovated in 1996. The buildings are placed in the square-shaped layout, creating a cozy atmosphere. Queen Myeognseong grew up in the house in her childhood.

Queen Myeongseong was the wife of King Gojong, the 26th king of Joseon. She liked to read books, and had an upright, thoughtful and bold character. She was a good daughter who was filial to her single mother even after she became Queen. Her handwritings were powerful, showing her dignity as the mother of the country, and she drove innovations and opening of the country with extraordinary diplomatic skills during the modernization period of Joseon.

Japanese soldiers attacked Gyeongbokgung (Palace) at 5:00 AM, October 8, 1895. Japanese soldiers who were waiting for the training unit broke into the Palace. They encircled Geoncheonggung (Palace), where the Queen lived, and assassins searched the Palace. They did not know her, so killed three maids who looked like her. Finally, they spotted the Queen and killed her, tumbling on her and stabbing with a sword. They burnt the body of the Queen with oil in the forest near Okhoru. She was 45 years old when she was killed.

There is Queen Myeongseong Memorial Hall by the house. The Hall was small, but housed belongings of the Queen and materials showing her life. In particular, the national funeral was reproduced, and the sword that killed her (replica), the image of the 2nd Japanese delegation team for remembrance of Queen Myeongseong and the letter of apology written after visiting the house were displayed. I was moved to tears to see the letter of apology written by Japanese. No matter how the history is interpreted, I felt pity for ill-fated life of Queen Myeongseong.

I saw the blue sky after going out of the Memorial Hall. There were many gravestones with inscription, and tourists came and went by sightseeing buses after taking commemorative photos. The mother of Joseon was all alone again, and was waiting for descendants at the house where she was born.

Written by Gil In-Seon and Photographed by Lee Jong-Min

Hwaseong is a large fortress that embraces the downtown area of Suwon.

It is 6m high and 5.7km long. As one of Korea`s best known cultural heritages of 18th century, the fortress was designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1997.

This unique fortress blends Asian and Western military installation theories for excellent defense. The four gates and 50 structures create a masterpiece of art based on their distinctive beauty and diversity. This fascinating spot is always alive with tourists.

It takes about 3 hours to tour the fortress.

Hwaseong Train • King Jeongjo’ s palanquin-shaped train. This tourist train travels between Paldalsan (Mt.) and Yeonmudae (3.2km-long). The dragonshaped front of the train and the red

passenger cars are a sight to see!

Hours 10:00~17:50 every day (Closed on Mondays or for snow or rain) / 12 times (two trains, round-trip) a day (approx. two trains per hour) / Tour length 30 minutes(one-way)

TEL 82-31-228-4683, 6

Gukgung Archery • Korean Martial Arts Archery In Yeonmudae, visitors can experience Gukgung archery in a traditional costume.

 

Hours Every 30 minutes from 09:30~17:30

TEL 82-31-228-2763

 

The Tolling of Hyowon’s Bell • The huge bell (2.15m in bore, 3.54m in height, 12.5t) at the peak of Paldalsan (Mt) is a symbol of Suwon. A wish can be made by ringing the bell.

How to ring the bell Strike the bell three times to wish for health for one’s parents, health for one’s

family and self-improvement.

Hours 09:00~19:00 (until 17:00 from Nov. to Feb.)

 

Hwaseong Haenggung

A filming location for the mega-hit TV drama, ‘Dae Jang Geum’--Haenggung is a shelter where the king rested. Suwon Haenggung is known as the largest and most beautiful Haenggung in Korea. King Jeongjo stayed in the fortress during the worship for Crown Prince Sado. It is also the place where the 60th birthday party of his mother, Princess Hong of Hyegyeonggung, was held.

 

Royal Culture Experience Program • Visitors can experience traditional Korean royal culture through unique programs such as the role play of the king and queen and wearing Jangyongyeong Armor.

 

LOCATION Hwaseong Haenggung(Central Gate, Yuyeotaek)

Hours Mar. – Nov. / 10:00~17:00(Closed on weekends and national holidays)

PROGRAMS

- Experience Royal Life and Traditional Costumes

- Experience Royal Culture

- Experience Traditional Culture

* Visitors must purchase ‘Hwaseong Haenggung

 

Hwaseong Haenggung Festival • Jangyongyeong Guard Ceremony A king’s parade and the changing of the royal guard (2PM on Sundays)

• Demonstration of the 24 martial arts Demonstrates the 24 traditional Korean martial arts

  (11AM Tuesday through Sunday)

• Saturday performance Traditional Korean performance in commemoration of the completion of    Hwaseong Fortress 200 years ago (2PM on Saturdays)

LOCATION #185, Haenggunggil, Paldal-gu, Suwon

Hours 09:00~18:00 (winter season: until 17:00)

TEL 82-31-228-4677(Haenggung) / 82-31-228-2763(Yeonmudae)

URL http://hs.suwon.ne.kr





the source-http://english.ethankyou.co.kr/travel/destination/destinationList.jsp

Bamgasi Straw-roofed House_Folk Village Goyang-si Gyunggi-do

Photo List

Bamgasi Straw-roofed House (Folk Village)

Constructed during the late Joseon Dynasty, the straw-roofed houses were made of chestnut (“Bam” in Korean) wood.
The agricultural society remains of the Joseon Dynasty are also on display within its folk village. (Gyeonggi-do Folk Material #8) 

Location Bamgasi Village, Ilsan 4-dong, Ilsan-gu, Goyang-si, Gyunggi-do  

Tel 81-31-961-3138

Transportation

Subway Line#3 Jeongbalsan Station Bus: Seoul Train Station(72-1, 907), Sinchon(77-2, 903)
Car : Exit at Ilsan IC or Janghang IC(Jayuro) 



the source-http://www.gitm.or.kr/dbhome/user/gitmeng/

Haengju Fortress Goyang-si Gyeonggi-do korea

Photo List

Haengju Fortress

The “Haengju Fortress” was built during the Three Kingdoms Period of Korea.
The fortress is popular as a historic place where General Gwon Yul defeated 300,000 Japanese invaders with only 3,000 Korea Soldiers in February 1593 in what is now called the “Great Haengju Victory.” (built with soil, 124m above the sea level, total length:400m) 


Location Haengjunae-dong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 


Tel 81-31-961-2580~2


Transportation Subway : Line#3 Neunggok Station

                        Bus: Yoeongdeungpo Station(85-1, 87) Sinchon(800)

                        Car : In the direction of Haengju Bridge (Jayuro) 



the source-http://www.gitm.or.kr/dbhome/user/gitmeng/

Seosam-meung_royal tomb, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, korea

Photo List

Seosam-meung

In this mausoleum site, visitor can find Hee-neung, the royal tomb of Queen Janggyang, second queen and consort of Jungjong of the Joseon Dynasty, Hyo-neung, the royal tomb of King Injong, and Ye-neung, the royal tomb of the King Cheoljong at the late Joseon Dynasty and other burials mounds.
Hyo-neung is the royal tomb of King Injong, the 12th King of Joseon Dynasty and his consort, Lady Park, the Queen Inseong.
Ye-neung is the royal tomb of King Chuljong, the 25th King of the Joseon Dynasty and his consort Lady Kim, the Queen Cheolin.
Hee-neung is the royal tomb of the Queen Janggyeong, Lady Yoon, the second wife of King Jungjong. 

Location Haengjunae-dong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 

Tel 81-31-961-2580~2

Transportation Train : Neunggok Station

                        Bus : Yeongdeungpo 85-1,87 Sinchon 800
         
                        Car : To Jayou-ro Hangju Bridge 




the source-http://www.gitm.or.kr/dbhome/user/gitmeng/

King Goyang Royal Tomb_Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, korea



Photo List

King Goyang Royal Tomb

The royal tomb of King Gongyang, the 34th King : the last king of Goryeo Dynasty : the tomb of queen and his consort is smaller than the one of Joseon Period. You can see it in other regions like Samcheok and Goseong in Gangwon Provice. It suggests a chaotic situation of the day.
This site was designate as historical heritage No. 191.  
 

Location Wangneunggol Village , Wondang-dong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 

Tel 81-31-960-2730

Transportation Bus: Gimpo Airport (85, 800)

                     Car : In the direction of Wondang (Tongilro, Gupabal) 





the source-http://www.gitm.or.kr/dbhome/user/gitmeng/

Waujeongsa Temple Buddhist Cultural Yongin gyeonggi-do korea

 LOCATION | #43, Haegok-dong, Yongin 
 TEL | 82-2-31-332-2472, 339-0101~3
 URL | http://www.wawoo-temple.org
 
A Buddhism temple that was built by Haewolbeopsa (monk) in 1975 

Detail information

Service hour : 04:00 ~ 18:00

Parking : 500 unit

A Buddhism temple that was built by Haewolbeopsa (monk) in 1975 through the desire for the peaceful unification of the Korean peninsula and world peace. As a head office of the World Buddhist Cultural Exchange Association, it promotes active exchange with Buddhist organizations. As a result, many fine Buddhist statues and artifacts from around the world are displayed at this temple. Among them, the 12m long, 3m tall Mokbulsang Seokgamoni Wasang (Lying Sakyamuni Wood Statue, the world’s largest wodden Buddha statue), a Jinsinsari (true body sarira) from Sri Lank and a stone pagoda made of stones from sacred ground are the most popular for Buddhists.
 

 
  Last modified : 2009. 07. 08

  Source : Waujeongsa Temple

  Please contact website to get more information.

  Reference : 82-31-332-2472, 339-0101~3
 

 
the source-http://english.ethankyou.co.kr/information/informationList.jsp

Namhansanseong Fortress autumn foliage Hanam gyeonggi-do korea

 LOCATION | Around Gwangju, Seongnam, Hanam 
 TEL | 82-2-31-742-7856, 743-6610
 URL | http://www.namhansansung.or.kr
 
Namhan Sanseong, one of the best mountain hiking trails in Seoul, is especially famous for its beautiful autumn foliage. It takes about four hours to tour the 8km-long trail that runs along the four gates (east, west, south and north) of Mt. Namhansan. 

Detail information

Namhan Sanseong, one of the best mountain hiking trails in Seoul, is especially famous for its beautiful autumn foliage. It takes about four hours to tour the 8km-long trail that runs along the four gates (east, west, south and north) of Mt. Namhansan.

As strategic architecture of the Korean peninsula, it was first built with mud in 672.

About four hundred years ago, the current stone fortress was reconstructed. As the 2nd longest fortress in Asia, it’s been preserved well and is historically significant. In addition, Hanggungji (Haenggung Palace site), which is as large as Suwon Hwaseong, has recently been discovered. When restoration, slated to be finished by 2009, is completed, visitors will be able to tour the king’s palace.
 

 
  Last modified : 2009. 07. 24

  Source : Namhansanseong Fortress

  Please contact website to get more information.

  Reference : 82-31-742-7856, 743-6610
 
 


the source-http://english.ethankyou.co.kr/information/informationList.jsp