KOREAN

ARCHITECTUR
E

INFLUENCES

ANCIENT

ARCHITECTURE

Neolithic remains are relatively abundant in Korea and

some remains can be traced back to the fifth millennium
B.C. according to archaeological verification. Korean
neolithic culture is classified into two different kinds in
terms of the potteries which are found with artifacts at
remain sites. The early culture is characterized by the
comb-pattern pottery and then the later culture is by the
burnished plain pottery with bronze making techniques
which started around the seventh century B. C.

INFLUENCES

Burnished Plain Pottery

Comb-pattern pottery

INFLUENCES

UNITED

SILLA ARCHITECTURE

After the unification of the Korean peninsula into the

kingdom of United Silla, Korean institutions were radically
transformed. United Silla absorbed the fully matured culture
of the T'ang dynasty in China, and at the same time
developed a unique cultural identity. New Buddhist sects
were introduced from the T'ang and Buddhist art flourished.
It was a great period of peace and cultural advancement in
all helds of the arts.

INFLUENCES
Architecture flourished in the royal capital of Kyongju,
though almost all traces of the former glory have
vanished at the present time. The city with nearly a million
inhabitants at her peak was strategically located at the
junction of two rivers and three mountains encircling a
fertile basin of about five by seven miles in area. The
urban area of the city was developed and expanded in
three stages. In the second stage, when Hwangyong
Temple was located in the center, the region was
developed into the grid network of road patterns with wide
streets.

INFLUENCES
One

of the Palace sites is marked by the artificial lake

of Anna with stone works of retaining walls delineating
the former building location. The residential district of
the nobles in the city was composed of great houses
which were constructed conforming to the the building
code that granted privileges to the nobles, but
forbidden to the commoners. Tiles from many ruins of
the buildings were found everywhere. Of those that
are still intact, show elegant and graceful design.

INFLUENCES

Lake of Anna

Stone works of retaining

wall

INFLUENCES
The

plans of Buddhist temples were characterized by two

pagodas in front of the central main hall in a symmetrical
layout on the north-south axis with other buildings.

 Pulguk

INFLUENCES

Temple, built on a stone platform at the foothill of Mt.

Toham near Kyongju, is the oldest existing temple in Korea. The
temple was first founded early in the sixth century and was
entirely rebuilt and enlarged in 752. The original platform and
foundations have remained intact to the present, but the existing
wooden buildings were reconstructed during the Choson dynasty.

INFLUENCES
Rock

cave shrines are not rare in Asia, but few of

these shrines and sculptures reveal such high level
of artistry. None are as religiously and artistically
complete in overall design as those at Sokkuram.

INFLUENCES

KORYO

ARCHITECTURE

Following the cultural tradition of United Silla, the art and

architecture of Koryo was developed under fruitfull ties with
the contemporary culture of the Sung and the Liao in China.
As the capital city of Songdo (Kaesong) was established in
the mountainous area of central Korea, natural landscape
requirements led to the nonaxial arrangement of the built-up
area in the entire city. The palace and temples in Songdo
clustered along the flanks of Mt. Songak and the city were
enclosed by a meandering irregular city wall.

INFLUENCES
CHOSON

ARCHITECTURE

In the early period, The architecture developed as a succession from the

cultural inheritance of the previous dynasty with the new political guiding
principles of Confucianism, that took the place of Buddhism. Through the
influence of Confucianism, a refined aristocratic taste of the previous era
was replaced by the characteristics of unsophisticated, simple and
humble beauty with the qualities of commonness and steadiness. The
intercolumnar bracket set system was used in building the most important
edifice on the premises. The columnar bracket set system and the eclectic
bracket system, which consists of architectural elements from both
columnar and intercolumnar systems, were also used for temples and
other important buildings.

ARCHITECTURAL
CHARACTERISTIC
S

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Korean

traditional architecture is characterized by its

harmony with nature. It has developed through the
assimilation of various cultural elements learned
from foreign countries, or better learned from their
human brethren, Since antiquity Koreans have
developed a special inclination towards nature,
adapting themselves to the environment, interacting
with the changing tide of human thought and
ideologies in the open arena of human civilization.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

Harmony with
Nature

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Koreans

have held the belief that the heavenly world

is located in the high blue sky, representing the
blissfully brilliant and eternal utopia. According to
such thinking In regard to the world and the universe
and because of their serene and cozy natural
environment, Koreans have formulated their own
traditional architecture, Such characteristics are
rustic, yet they gracefully harmonized with the
surrounding nature.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Since

the introduction of the Chinese culture of the Han

Dynasty the basic system of wooden building
coincidentally blended with other indigenous
architectural details. Korean architecture has also been
affected by a number of Oriental conceptual thoughts:
yin and yang, interpretation of the five elements (metal,
wood, water, fire and eartframes has been passed down
to recent years, Such structures h), geomancy, Taoism
and Confucianism either directly or indirectly.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

Woode
n
Buildin
g

INTRODUCTION
After

the unification of the Three Kingdoms by

the Silla Dynasty in 668, the development of
Korean architecture outgrew its previous rustic
simplicity. Under the cultural influence of the
Tang Dynasty of China, Koreans fulfilled their
historical task of assimilating the influx of
foreign culture with indigenous and innate
aspirations

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

CULTURAL BACKGROUND
L.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGES

-The most serious problem Korea faced in the

seventeenth century was the desperate fiscal
situation caused by the Japanese invasion.
-Preciously there had been a system of
government supported craftsmen, by them
handicraft items were produced to meet the
needs of the royal court and the government.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
-The enactment of the Taedong-pop made the activities of private
merchants more evident in Seoul, then later throughout the country.
- Park Che-ga (l750- l805) urged the development of commerce and
technology which had been adopted by the Ch'ing dynasty of China
following the western models. Since Korea's border with China was
to the north, this group of scholars was called the School of
Northern Learning, and Park wrote a book entitled "Discourse on
Northern Learning (Puk-hah-ui), The main issues of the book were
the adoption of western technology and the promotion of
commerce. His assertions promoted the breakdown of the
prevailing attitude of yang-ban (the two upper classes of old Korea)
that despised commerce and craftsmanship.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
2.

PRACTIAL LEARNING AND WESTERN

CIVILIZATION
Transmission of western civilization and culture to Korea was initiated at
the end of the sixteenth century by China. At first, a Korean envoy to the
Chinese Court returned home with a world map of Europe and the "True
Principles of Catholicism" (Ch'onju-sirui) witten by Matteo Ricci, Then the
Sirhak (Practical Learning for practical utilization and public welfare) thinker
Yi Su-gwang (1563- 1628) took an interest in the new religion. He made
references to Ricci's writings in his book, Chibong-Yusol. Later scholars
such as Yi Ik (1681-1788) and An Chong-bok(1712-1791)were also curious
about Catholicism and discussed it in their writings. Moreover, the leading
scholar Ch'ong Yag-yong (1762-l836) converted to Christianity

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
The

Sirhak scholars defied empty formalism and

ritual trivialities. Yoon Hyu (16I7-1680) criticized the
formalism of Chu Hsi and stated that even neoConfucianism might not deserve to be fellowed
blindly without proper evaluation, Pak Se-dang
(1629-1703) held the same opinion and set out to
impartially examine all classic doctrines. He wrote a
commentary on Taoism which was deprecated by
Confucianists of his time.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

3.

INFLUENCE OF TAOISM

-Since ancient times, there was the Tao of Mystery

(Hyunmyo-chi-Tao) in Korea, also called the Tao of
National Immortals (Kuksun-Tao) or the Tao of
Elegancy (Pungryu-Tao). It's ideologies greatly
influenced and enlightened the people. Actually,
this ancient Tao had been included in all of the
fundamental principles of the three major religions
in Korea, Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

ARCHITECTURAL

DESIGN

Korean architecture has reflected the human

scale, imparting a feeling of intimacy to its viewers.
Few traditional Korean buildings are grand in size,
Rather, they give an impression of coziness and
tidiness, and are far from being overpowering. In
architectural design, Korean architects took full
notice of the surrounding terrain in their efforts to
create harmony with nature

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
No

Korean building was designed to reflect confrontation

with the natural environment, Both in design and
engineering, artificial contrivances were subdued in favor
of highlighting the beauty of nature. Care was taken to
keep natural qualities intact in building materials. Korean
artisans relied more on the workings of nature than on
their own craft, exerting less personal ingenuity in favour
of allowing greater room for the nature of the material to
express itself. As a result, Korean architecture gives an
impression of liberal and carefree simplicity.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

In order to create visual stability and elegance of

form several means were contrived. Columns
were designed with entasis. The Columns on the
periphery slanted slightly inward. The tops of the
corner posts extended slightly higher in relation to
others. And the delicate eave lines made massive
roof acquire an elegant shape. A variety of
decorations and colors were also used in Korean
tradition architecture.

Eaves

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

The

characteristics of decoration
in Korean architecture might be
considered to lie between the
two, maintaining the beauty of
moderation in use of color and
ornament.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
The

primary aesthetic characteristics of traditional

Korean architecture may be defined by elegant,
moderate decoration and humlble openness in
design. The moderate use of color might have
deceived from the country's serene landscape.
The quality of humble openness must have grown
out of the traditional tendency of Korean people
to adapt themselves to nature.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
The basic characteristics of traditional building construction
were indebted to Chinese architecrure. The main parts of a
building consisted of a raised platform made of stone, a
timber post-and-lintel skeleton and a heavy pitched roof with
overhung eaves. All of the building materials were utilized
with an appreciative eye to respect the natural qualities of
each material. The constrcuction method which permits
freedom fo walling and fenestration by a simple adjustment of
the proportion between the wall and the openings, renders a
building practical and comfortable in any climate.

heavy pitched roof with overhung eaves

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
The

speciaI features of this bulilding construction

are the bracket sets which consist of a number of
small supporting blocks called the 'soro'(toufuChinese) and bracket anns calleds the 'po'
(kung in Chinese). The function of the bracket sets
is to transfer the loads from the horizontal
members above to
the vertical members of the columns below. There
are two kinds of bracket sets, namely columnar
bracket sets and intercolumnar bracket sets.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
The

columnar bracket set system, called 'Chusimpo-sik',

provides bracket sets only on the top of the columns. The
intercolumnar bracket set system called 'Tapo-sik',
provides one or more intercolumnar bracket sets above
the lintel between two colunuls as wel as on the top of
each column. The former is the older system. Since the
fourteenth century, the intercolurnnar bracket system was
widely used for important main buildings of the royal
palaces, Buddist temples, and Confucian shrines in
Korea.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
In

the intercolumnar bracket set system, a plate

calleds the 'pyung-bang' which rests on the lintel
and forms a T-shaped cross section was provided to
support the intercolumnar bracket sets between
columns. The number of 'chul-moti' (t'iao in
Chinese), the upward projection or tier of bracket
sets facing outward, was increased usually up to
three tiers according to the size of building. Larger
buildings had more tiers inside than out

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
The capital or principal bearing blocks called 'chu-du'
(zuo-tou in Chinese) and the small bearing blocks, so-ro,
had slanting surfaces on the lower half of each side. The
bracket arms, parallel to the lintels, were cut vertically at
fue upper parts of the ends, while the lower parts were
convex fu shape. The bracket arms extruding at right
angles to the facade of fue building were piled up to two
or three tiers. The top arm, cllaed 'ik-kong', had an wingshaped end. The other two or three arms, below the top
arm, caled 'chae-kong', had slanted bracket arms with the
end turned upward slightly.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
In

palaces and temples, the main buildings were

built according to such inter-columnar bracket
sets, while secondary buildings were built with
the ik-kong system with simplified bracket arnls
and supporting blocks, Thus, a MerarcMcal
order of the architectural space in the complex
was held. All buildings in the in quarters of
palaces were built according to fe-hong system.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
With

regard to the woodworking of columns,

beams and rafters, carpenters always
respected the natural quality and shape of the
original wood and attempted to utilize the
most natural features of the material. They
never placed the wood upside down. The
method of suface finishing in all building
materials permanently rendered the quality of
rustic and humbleness.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

SITE

PLANNING AND REAR

GARDEN
-Since the terrain of the site was build
fogs in the palace were arranged to fit
the natural contour. As result, site
planning of the palace display
irregular

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
It

is very unique that the main gate of

Tonwha-mun is located in the southwest corner
of the site, with much deviation from the axis of
the Throne Hall. Passing through the gate, the
main road runs about 70 meters to one of the
oldest stone bridges in Korea, Kumchun-kyo.
This bridge, built fu 1411, possesses a unique
characteristic in its stone work and has been
designated as a national treasure.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Crossing

the bridge and moving l00 meters to the

east, Throne Hal, Injong-jon, appears on the left
side. Injong-mun, the entrance gate to the royal
courtyard in front of the Throne Hall, is oriented
toward the south and possesses a trapezoidal
front yard. The spatious monumental royal
courtyard is surrounded by corridors. Inside of the
entrance gate this enclosed space is dominated by
Throne Hall.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
To the

east of The Throne Hall within a vicinity, a smaler audience

chamber called Sonjong-jon is located with its smaller front
courtyard. It is the only pal ace building roofed with blue-glazed
tiles. The building area which includes Inj ong-jon and Sonjongjon is the central part of the palace, which is labeled as the outer
royal quarter. The buildings of the inner royal quarter, where the
king and queen resided, are located to h e northeast of Throne
Hall. Further east, a beautiful pavilion called the Sungwha-ru and
the famous royal residence of the last queen of Korea, Naksonjae, are located. Toward the north of the palace is a path running
west of Sungwha-ru. Visitors can approach the Rear Garden
through a densely wooded area by this path.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
ARCHITECTURE

OF INJEONG-JON

l . Chronicle and Function of the Building

Ch'angdok Palace was first built as a detached

palace in 1405, and was completely burnt down during the
Japanese invasion of 1592. lt was magnificently rebuilt in
1609 and was used as the principal palace for 258 years
until the construction of Kyongbok Palace in 1867.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Injeong-jon,

or the Throne Hall, is the main building

of the palace. The extant building was
reconstructed in l804. According to the record of
the reconstruction works, "lnjong-jon-KunyongTogam-Uikwei", the building was completely burnt
down a second time at the end of 1803.
Immediately after the accident a project was
undertaken to restore the building as before.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Injong-jon

and the royal courtyard were used as

ceremonial space for the enthronement of kings and as
the audience hall for foreign delegates and royal subject.
The space was also utilized for celebrations and
banquets on national holidays such as the New Year's
Day, the Autumn Full moon Day, royal birthdays and so
on. On these occasions the events were held on such a
large and extensive scale that the activity area used to be
extended to include the outdoor space of the royal
courtyards.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
2.

Architectural Chatacteristics
The platform of Injong-jon consists of a two
layered stone terrace with central stairways in
front and on both sides, but with no balustrades
provided on each terrace. The stairways located in
front of the terraces flank a central carved stone
ramp. The king used to be carried on the royal
sedan chair over the central ramp by the
attendants up the stairs

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

The dimensions of plan of the hall are 81 feet long, 61 feet deep, having
five bays in front and four bays on both side with l8 outer columns and 8
inner long columns. The building has double storied roofs and the inner
central space of three bays by two bays is open up to the second story. It
renders a spatial qua lity of grandeur in the extemal appearance of the
building and provtides a sublime internal atmosphere for the inner space
of the royal Throne Hall. On a diagonal five feet from the center of comer
column of the buililding hip long columns are located. The hip beams of
the lower story roof are inserted into the flank of the hip long colunmns.
Outer columns of the upper story are lined with the hip long columns and
rest on the beams which are supported the one end by the outer columns
of the lower story and the other end inserted into the flank of the inner
long columns.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
The

space dominated by Injong-jon, the

climax of an absolute hierarchical order,
renders such a dramatic and magnificent
effect that the dignity of the dynasty can be
strongly felt. With special visual design, the
Throne Hall, as the focus of the building
complex, provides an outstanding and
magnificent quality of architectural space.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

KOREAN

TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE

They say that the curved line of the roof and eaves
and their overlapped composition is the point of the
beauty of Korean traditional architecture. At a
long distance view of the temples and villages,
one can see the roof shapes composed together
like a flock. It looks stronger than the shape of
buildings. Roof was very important factor to make
building shape for Korean people.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Compare

to the other oriental countries-China and

Japan, main structure materials and structural
techniques are similar. The different ones from the
two countries are the height of the vertical walls
and the volume of the interior space. In China and
Japan, the height of the building is high enough to
consider the wall as vertical plane. And in fact there
are lots of multiple storied buildings which has the
roof only at the top of the floor.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Korean

traditional buildings, the height is lower than

the others. And the interior volume is poor and
small. So roof and eaves are seen to have big
proportion and heavier than the others. Stretched
roof overhang areas sometimes bigger than the
interior floor area. The area of the roof is bigger
than the body of the building below in elevation. At
oblique view, the length of the corner eave is seen
longer than the height of the column.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

It

makes the building to be seen as

very strong horizontality rather than
vertical. So the feeling of the Korean
traditional architecture is strong
horizontality and spatiality caused by
the roof.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
The spatiality is caused not only by the roof but also by
the building composition assembled together around the
"Madang". The characteristics of the spatiality of the
Korean space is "Depth" caused by the assembled
building composition.
Such

factors -exaggerated roof shape, assembled

building group around the Madang, deformed lay out oder
makes the space feeling as "Depth".

"Depth"

perception does not come from the drawings on

the paper, it is visual perception comes from the site at
each visual scene.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
That

is the characteristics
of Korean traditional
architectural space
distinguished from the
Chinese and Japanese
traditional architectural
space

10 LANDMARKS
IN SOUTH KOREA

CHANGDEOKGUNG PALACE
one

of the five grand palaces of Joseon-era

Seoul. Literally meaning Palace of Prospering
Virtue, the complex is comprised of 13
buildings and 28 pavilions. Changdeokgung is
at its most beautiful during the fall, when
leaves turn colorful and start to fall in a gentle,
gradual shower.

CHERRY BLOSSOMS AND

MAGNOLIA TREES

The Palace itself is surrounded by so many Cherry Blossom and Magnolia

Trees that you cannot help but admire the beauty of it all. This place is so
breathtakingly beautiful that so many ladies including Korean brides and
teenage girls choose to have their pictorials at the Changdeok Palace. Some
painting and art classes are also held here.

 DONHWAMUN

GATE This is the main gate

of the Changdeokgung. It is also
considered the oldest palace main
gate in Korea.

GEUMCHEONGYO
This is a stone bridge. It is also
the oldest existing stone bridge in
Seoul. You will be fascinated with
the stone statues that line this
bridge.

INJEONGMUN AND
INJEONGJEON These gates
were the venues for the coronation
of past Korean Kings and other
receptions for the royal families.

SEONJEONGJEON It is
the only existing palace that has
been built using blue tiles. It is
referred to as the Kings
side room where meetings
with government officials are held.

HeeJeongdang Another
side room of the King but with
an attached bed chamber.

NAKSEONJAE The
Nakseonjae shows wonderful
steps with flowers.

NAEUIWON This is more

popularly referred to as the Inner
Medical Office. It is also referred to
as Naeguk which is a place where
illnesses of the King and the rest of
the Royal Family are cured

BULROMUN The

Bulromun Gate was made of a

single rock and is known to
promote good heald and long life
of the

BUYONGJI AND
BUYONGJEONG Buyongi,
which means pond, is characterized
by a square pond that is believed by
locals to be representing the
heavens

GIOHEON
AND
UIDUHAP
The Gioheon and
the Uiduhap
served as reading
place for the
Crown Prince
Hyomyeong.

YOUNGYEONGDANG AND
SEONHYANGJAE One is
shaped like a private house filled
with more than a hun dred
toes. The second one served as a
study.

AERYEONJI AND
AERYONJEONG
The pond and the pavilion that
were build in 1692. The pavilion was
named Aeryonjeong which means
love for lotus flower.

GEUMHOMUN This is the west gate.

YOUNGHWADANG
This is by far the
oldest building within the
Changdeok complex. This
served as the rest place
of Royal Families.

N Seoul Tower a 236.7-meter communications

tower built on top of a mountain in Seoul,
enabling it to reach an elevation of 236.7 meters
above sea level. The tower features 4
observation decks, allowing visitors to see much
of the surrounding city for a fee. The 4th and
highest deck is a revolving restaurant which
makes a complete rotation every 48 minutes.
Visitors must take a cable car up the mountain to
be able to climb the tower. A caf and gift shop
are also available. The N Tower is especially
endearing to couples due to one of its balconies,
where they can hang locks with romantic
messages and throw away the key, symbolizing
the permanence of their love for one another

 NAMDAEMUN

GATE - this

historic structure was once part

of an ancient city wall. The gate,
also called the Great Southern
Gate, suffered major damage
from a fire back in 2008. The
site is currently full of ongoing
construction.
Nearby Namdaemun
Market acts as the wholesale
center for South Korea, where
gift items, accessories, textile,
appliances and other items are
for sale.

ADMIRAL YI-SUN SHIN

STATUE a monument to the 16th
century Korean maritime hero who
designed the turtle boat known
as geobukseon, used in combating
Japanese naval vessels during his time.
The statue presides over Gwanghwamun
Square along Sejongno Boulevard. A
sunken plaza is being constructed under
a water fountain in front of the statue,
connecting the subway station and a
ground-level plaza.

63 BUILDING - this 249-meter

building is the 3rd tallest in South
Korea. 63 refers to the total number of
floors: 60 are above-ground while 3
are devoted to basement levels. 63
Building has an IMAX theater, an
aquarium, convention center, banquet
hall, lots of stores, and an observation
deck called the 63 Golden Tower. The
building is located at the southern tip
of Yeouido Park, a long and narrow
island provided with nature areas, bike
paths, and walking trails.

SONGJEONG BEACH Located

in Pusan, this 2-kilometer long beach is
made up of fine sand and weathered
seashells. Songjeong is the most northerly
of Pusans beaches, and is open every
year between July 1st to August 31st.
Although it is not as commercialized
asHaeundae or Gwangalli Beach, it also
does not possess the same level of
facilities.

JONGMYO SHRINE the

oldest and most authentic of the
Confucian royal shrines, dedicated to
the memorial services of dead kings
and queens of the Joseon Dynasty.
Jongmyo is listed among
UNESCOs World Heritage sites
and is also the longest Korean
building of traditional design. The
south entrance gate was reserved for
spirits, the east gate was for the king,
and the west gate was for performers
of the sacred ritual.

BONGEUNSA TEMPLE just

north of
COEX Mall and Convention Center
, this Buddhist temple contains a
number of buildings and statues.
Bongeunsa is one of Koreas
major temples, and has undergone
many repairs and reconstruction. The
complex also has a Temple Stay
Program wherein visitors can
experience the life of a monk for a few
hours.

CHONGDONG THEATER
near Deoksugung Palace is this small,
modern-style building which houses the
performance hall at the basement to shield
theater-goers from the cold winter. The
stage itself is very big in proportion to the
hall, making the use of microphones
unnecessary. Concerts in Chongdong tend
to highlight the best of Korean music and
arts, making it ideal for foreigners who do
not have enough time to experience the
length and breadth of traditional music.

Mount Pukhansan a mass of

granite near Seoul, a favorite nature
trail for Koreans who wish to escape
the stresses of urban life. Those who
get to climb up Baekundae, its tallest
peak, is treated to a 360-degree view
of the capital. Historic Pukhan
Fortress is within this area, as well
as many Buddhist temples.