KYONGBOK-KUNG Palace Seoul South Korea

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HAEINSA Temple South KOREA

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Vista Point SEOUL - South Korea

Founded in 1394 Seoul is both the cultural and economic centre of South Korea and with twelve million inhabitants it is also the fifth largest city in the world. A huge monument commemorates the Korean War during which between 1950 and 1953 around four hundred thousand people were killed. At that time the United States of America and twenty other countries took part in a United Nations military operation to support South Korea against the forces of North Korea and China. In 1988 the twenty fourth Olympic Games took place in Seoul and for this the Olympic Park was created, a huge area with a monument at its entrance and two hundred sculptures that adorn various paths, designed to highlight Koreas global connection with the rest of the world. At the end of the eighteenth century the Hwaseong Fortress was built, now a World Heritage Sight. The fortress extends for a hundred and thirty hectares and the distance from one main gate to the other is such that a dragon train is available for those who prefer not to walk. In 1969 the N Seoul Television Tower was built to provide South Korea with TV and radio signals. Seouls main landmark is two hundred and thirty six metres high and is equipped with several high speed elevators as well as an observation platform and observatory. Historic buildings, palaces, shrines and bridges all serve to underline the ultra modern appearance of Seoul, a mega city in the Land Of The Silent Morning.

Gyeongju (Kyongju) City, South Korea

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Global Treasures SUWON HWASEONG - South Korea

The Hwaseong Fortress is the most famous historic site in South Korea and the centre of Suwon, a city with a population of around a million, is dominated by the impressive looking fortress. The twenty-second monarch of the Korean Joseon Dynasty, King Jeongjo, ordered the construction of the complex in 1794. It is like a large open air museum and measures a hundred and thirty hectares, its walls extending for five kilometres. Indeed, the unique value of the fortress has been recognised by Unesco who have designated it as a World Heritage Site. A walk through the fortress could take several hours but it is well worth making the time to enjoy the splendour of the buildings. The majestic towers of Hwaseong continue to rise proudly into the sky above Suwon as a noble landmark of the city and also the Joseon Dynasty.

Global Treasures HAEINSA - South Korea

GLOBAL TREASURES -HISTORY'S MOST PROTECTED MONUMENTSHeritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africas Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our worlds heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.Surrounded by the wonderful wilderness of Kaya Mountain is one of the most beautiful temple complexes in South Korea, the Haeinsa Temple. Indeed, the unique value of the Haeinsa Temple and its many treasures has now been recognised by UNESCO who have designated it as a World Heritage Sight.The most precious treasure of the sanctuary is located in a special section of the complex.The Tripitaka Koreana is the largest, oldest and most well preserved collection of Buddhist text in the whole of East Asia and for several centuries its eighty thousand wooden printing plates have been stored in the temple complex.Traditional drum ceremonies play an important part in the daily life of Haeinsas religious community and it is more than likely that the resonance of the drums will always fill the most famous Buddhist sanctuary in South Korea with their historic sounds.

7 Days SOUTH KOREA

South Korea is a land of ancient tradition and contemporary life, a fascinating world with five thousand years of history. Seoul is the countrys economic and cultural centre, a metropolis of twelve million inhabitants who are proud of their ancient culture. The War Museum is a reminder of the Forgotten War when the United States of America and twenty other countries took part in a United Nations military operation to support South Korea against the forces North Korea and China. Thirty kilometres south of Seoul is the fortress town of Suwon where at the end of the eighteenth century the Hwaseong Fortress was built, now a World Heritage Sight. South Koreas most famous monastery is located in the Gaya-San National Park. Today the complex and its ninety buildings have become one of the main Buddhist centres in the East.. Tumuli Park is situated in the centre of Kyong Ju, former capital of the Silla Kingdom and contains twenty three royal tombs that look from the outside like large green hills. A huge number of valuable finds were made here thus the National Museum was created in which more than a hundred and fifty thousand exhibits from prehistoric times right up to the Joseon Dynasty are on display. Jeju island is a unique holiday paradise, a volcanic island with temples, waterfalls, tea plantations and several leisure facilities. For Koreans as well as the Japanese, Jeju Island has, due to its tropical climate, become a very popular honeymoon destination. When during dinner a volcano erupts and laser gods battle against each other, the Korean people are reminded of the fact that they have withstood invasion by the Mongols, Chinese and Japanese. At the climax of the show a fiery dragon appears: his sole task to protect glorious South Korea!

Global Treasures GYEONGBOK-KUNG - South Korea

No other building demonstrates the power of the great Joseon Dynasty more impressively than does the Gyeongbok-Kung Palace in Seoul. The palace is a place of calm amid the hustle and bustle of South Koreas capital city. Yet the history of the Yeongbok-Kung, meaning Palace Of Happiness, was quite often far from being a place of peace and contentment as it suffered many devastating fires caused by the Japanese. Fortunately, most of the palace buildings have now been completely rebuilt. A total of three hundred and thirty buildings were reconstructed within the forty hectare area of the palace grounds and the palace architects managed to unite Chinese influence with traditional Joseon architecture in a most harmonious way. The Gyeongbok-Kung continues to attract sightseers as it is, without a doubt, a fine example of the architecture of the Joseon Dynasty.

Global Treasures PULGUK-SA - South Korea

At the foot of Mount Tohamsan in the region of Gyeong-Ju is South Koreas impressive Pulguk-Sa Temple. In the middle of the eighth century while under the rule of Silla monarch, King Gyeongdeok, the sanctuary was enlarged with various fine buildings. In 774 A.D. the beautifully decorated temple was given its name of Pulguk-Sa, the Temple Of Buddhas Land. During the five hundred years of the Goryeo Dynasty several kings influenced the buildings of the Pulguk-Sa Temple, thus its architecture is something of a mixture. In the first courtyard of the temple complex there are some fine stone pagodas particularly the three storey high Dabotap Pagoda. The original beauty of the buildings has withstood the often violent history of South Korea and Pulguk-Sa is still regarded both as a masterpiece of Buddhist art and the home of many of Koreas national treasures.

Global Treasures CHONGMYO - South Korea

This idyllic sanctuary of Chongmyo in the heart of the South Korean capital of Seoul is a place of peaceful meditation and for almost the entire year the ancient shrine is deserted, its buildings and courtyards silent, little indicating the unique importance of this sacred building. Chongmyo was built in 1395 as an ancestral shrine in order to commemorate the spirits of the deceased kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty. Great festivities once took place in Chongmyo and today the sanctuary often fills with life and each first Sunday in May is set aside for a regal ceremony of ancestral worship. It is then that the shrines and their ancestral plates become the centre of dignified festivities. As in days of old, in the Hall Of Eternal Peace the deceased Korean monarchs of the Joseon Dynasty are entertained with music and sacrifices. Although the Joseon Dynasty hasnt ruled here for more than a hundred years, the traditions and rituals of Chongmyo continue to play an important role in the cultural life of the Korean people.