"Seoul" a Seoul Travel Page by nicolaitan

For centuries the capitol of the "Hermit Kingdom", Seoul has become a major world capitol with emphasis on technology, commerce, and sports. Yet the great traditions of Korea are maintained with history-laden temples, palaces, and gardens all accessible to the visitor. Destroyed by Manchu and Japanese invasions in the 16th and 17th Centuries and left a mass of rubble by the Korean Conflict, today this metropolis is a rebuilt city with high rise buildings and high technology. Yet it retains the aura of its ancient culture at every turn. For Koreans of every age, the palaces of Seoul are a magnet for the celebration of their heritage, often, as with the little girl at the right, in traditional garb. Other photos include schoolchildren from Pusan at Oh Soo Moon Gate and a proud papasan at the Boo Yung Jung bower, both in the Secret Garden of the Changdeok Palace.