Gyeonghuigung is Seoul’s silent palace.  Smaller in size and historical significance when compared to the four main palaces in Seoul (Gyeongbokgung, Changgyeonggung, Changdeokgung, and Deoksugung), this palace is often overlooked by tourists and Koreans alike and is frequently omitted from travel guides.  This does not however mean that you should avoid visiting.  Gyeonghuigung is actually a quite impressive palace in its own right with a unique layout and beautiful structures.  The very fact that few people visit here make it a perfect spot for avoiding the large crowds and capturing some excellent photos without hundreds of people in the foreground.  The palace also has its own unique history as it was constructed in 1623 as a detached royal palace where Joseon kings would often stay overnight when making excursions to other parts of Hanseong, the former name for Seoul.

Originally known as Gyeongdeokgung, this palace was renamed Gyeonghuigung in 1760.  Like many palaces in Korea, this one fell victim to destruction at the hands of the Japanese during their occupation of Korea and the palace was reduced to a fraction of its original size.  Thankfully though, the main gate, Heunghwamun, was spared destruction and the original gate still marks the entrance to this palace.  Additionally, the Korean government has since restored many of the major structures in recent years including the main hall, Sungjeongjeon.  Admission to this palace is free of charge and you may even be treated to a Taekwondo demonstration as some of the national competition teams occasionally train, photograph, and demonstrate here.

Gyeonghuigung is behind the Seoul Museum of history and can be reached via Exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station or Exit 4 of Seodaemun Station, both on Line 5 of the subway.

References:
Koehler, R. (2012, March).  Seoul Selection Guides:  Korea. Seoul:  Seoul Selections.
The Seoul Guide, http://www.theseoulguide.com/sights/palaces/gyeonghuigung-palace/

Imjingak, located on the Imjin River near the city of Paju, is a park along the border between South Korea and North Korea.  For South Koreans citizens, this is as close to North Korea as you can get.  From the observation deck here, you can see across the Imjin River to the DMZ and even into North Korea.  The park also has numerous monuments and memorials to those who have served and died in defense of South Korea, to the families that remain separated by the border, and to the perpetual hope for a peaceful reunification of the two Koreas.  Amongst the monuments are also a number of relics from the Korean War and the Cold War that followed.  On display are tanks, war planes, and a UN supply train from the Korean War that is riddled with 1,020 bullet holes.

Stretching halfway across the Imjin River is the Freedom Bridge which was built as a temporary crossing to bring home more than 12,000 South Korean POWs after the signing of the Armistice Agreement.  It was relocated to Imjingak to serve as a memorial and now sits next to an old railway bridge that stretches across the river and into North Korea.  Near the entrance to the Freedom Bridge is the Mangbaedan Altar which was constructed by the South Korean government in 1986.  The altar was created for North Korean refugees and South Koreans with family in the north so that they can carry out ancestral rites during major holidays like Chuseok and Lunar New Year.  Prior to the building of the altar, visitors would create their own altars each year.  The altar itself consists of an incense burner and seven stone slabs, each carved with an image representing one of the seven provinces in North Korea.

Another noticeable feature of Imjingak is what is likely to be the most colorful barbed wire fence in the world.  Visitors, both Koreans and foreigners alike, write messages of peace, reunification, and reconciliation on ribbons and attach the ribbons to the fence.  While interesting to look at, the ribbons are also a reminder of the devastating effects and deep pain felt by the Korean people as a result of the division of the Korean peninsula.  To reach Imjingak, take a train from Seoul Station to Munsan station.  From there, transfer to another small train to reach Imjingang Station.