Gangnam is a fast progressing district which became the center of business life in Seoul in the past few decades. What occurs first when you think about this luxuriant area? Taken breath away gigantic skyscrapers, magnificent hotels, mecca for all shopping lovers and fans of exciting night life with its clubs and restaurants… However, not many people have ever thought that Gangnam is also a district combining modern life with unique traditions of Korean past. During Goodwill Festival on the 26 of February organized by GangnamGu Office for us, the Honorary Publicity Ambassadors, we all could feel special spirit of Korean culture there and opened new Gangnam for us.
Our attractions tour started with Eunma Building – the oldest apartment complex in Seoul. 40 years ago these apartments were considered as a breakthrough project showing the beginning of what later would be called as Korean economical wonder. These apartments still attract a lot of people from neighborhood because of its famous market with abundance of Korean traditional food where we also had a chance to try pancakes and tteoks.
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| Eunma apt |
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| trying jeon (pancake) |
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| tteok seller |
Our next stop was a traditional Korean house Phil Kyeongjae – which means “respect for the elderly”. Lee Chan Seo, a great grandson of Prince Kwang Pyeong, the fifth son of King Sejong, built this house in the 15 century. It has passed down through the family for over 500 years. Many descendants, who grew up in this house, worked as high-ranked officials and played important roles during the Joseon Dynasty.You can find more about here.
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| house itself |
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| inside |
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| tomb of Prime Minister (Joseon Dynasty) |
I don't now why, but calmness of this place gives you great peace of mind, you can relax and feel somewhere very far from reality with daily problems and stresses…
After short break in a luxury restaurant “Marco Polo” with a bird’s-eye view from the 52nd floor of COEX we visited our last attraction for that day – BongEun(Sa) Temple just in front of COEX. Frankly speaking, a lot of Buddhist temples look pretty much the same and after visiting several places foreign tourists may feel a little bit bored. Fortunately, you couldn’t say it about BongEunSa, probably because it gives very special feeling as if you occasionally found an oasis and could get a jolt of fresh air there from noisy and stuffy city.
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| from Marco Polo, 52nd floor |
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| in BongEunSa |
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| 23 meters high Maitreya - the Buddha of the future |
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Ambassadors)
Final part of our program included Conferring Ceremony and Reception where we met the Major of GangnamGu and got certificates on Honorary Publicity Ambassadors (about which I wrote before). In conclusion, I want to thank from the heart all people of GangnamGu Office who prepared this program and tried their best for us that day. That day I discovered a unique harmony existing in GangnamGu – harmony between past and present, between traditions and development. It is very important now in our Global World and I wish Korea keep it for the future, for next generations. |
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