UNESCO World Heritage Stamp Tour: Seoul & Suwon Sites

World Heritage Sites are places of outstanding international value, which can either be of natural, man-made (cultural), or mixed (cultural landscapes) properties, and are designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). These places are preserved and placed under special protection.

There are 11 World Heritage Sites in Korea which include the Seokguram Grotto, Bulguksa Temple, Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, Jongmyo Shrine, Andong Hahoe Village, and Gyeongju Yangdong Village among others. To help motivate visitors to see them all, the Korea World Cultural Heritage Site Pilgrimage Certificate Program offers foreign visitors a chance to collect stamps at any of the sites recommended by the KTO and redeem them for a commemorative prize. The program will operate until December 2015 and participation is easy!

• Step 1:  Visit the Korea Tourism Organization Tourist Information Center (Click HERE for                     more info)
• Step 2:  Fill out the free registration form and submit it. Then, you will be issued a world                        cultural heritage site pilgrimage visa, passport, guidebook and map. 
• Step 3: Visit at least 3 of the 10 World Heritage Sites participating in the campaign (Jeju                        Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes is not included) and get your passport stamped for                   each site you visit. The type of prize you can receive differs depending on the number               of stamps you collect, so collect as many as you can!
• Step 4: Once you complete the stamp rally, visit the Korea Tourism Organization Tourist                       Information Center again and present your stamped passport at the campaign desk to                 receive your certificate and prize.

Campaign Items for the Stamp Tour

These commemorative stamps are usually given as souvenirs for those who finish the Stamp Tour (or visit at least 3 of the sites). They are highly collectible as they are specially made for this campaign and not for sale.

For more info on the Korea World Cultural Heritage Site Pilgrimage Campaign, you may visit their official page HERE.

World Heritage Sites in Seoul & Suwon

If you're a tourist currently in Seoul, or if you plan to visit soon, there are World Heritage Sites that you can visit right there.  

Changdeokgung Palace: The quintessential royal palace of Korea

Changdeokgung Palace was one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Korea. It is said to be the most authentic and traditional of Seoul's 5 palaces. Being the second palace to be built during the Joseon Dynasty (after Gyeongbokgung Palace), Changdeokgung Palace was intended to be used should Gyeongbokgung Palace become unavailable due to a war or disaster. Hence, when Gyeongbokgung Palace was burned down during the Imjin War (1592-1598), Changdeokgung Palace was used as the main palace until King Sunjong, the last king of the Joseon Dynasty, passed away in 1926. (Click HERE to know more about Changdeokgung Palace as a World Heritage Site)

Changdeokgung Palace is highly valued for its building techniques that worked with the natural environment without making changes to the surrounding topography. The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and a rear garden (Huwon). It houses a number of cultural treasures, such as Injeongjeon Hall (main hall where the king held morning assemblies with his subjects, and did other important activities), Daejojeon Hall (where the queen lived and gave birth to princes and princesses), Seonjeongjeon Hall (place where the king handled official business), and Nakseonjae (which was built as the study and living quarters of King Heonjong).

    Seonjeongjeon Hall and Bokdogak collonaded passageway                                               Injeongmun Gate

Hwagye in the backside of Nakseonjae

Also known as Secret Garden (Biwon), Huwon (rear garden) is one of the most attractive and must-see sites in Changdeokgung Palace. It is a traditional garden built seamlessly amongst the surrounding natural environment and was a place where the king and his royal family relaxed, communed in nature, read books and studied.

Flowers blooming around Juhapnu Pavilion

A visitor viewing Okryucheon Stream at Soyojeong                     Aeryeonji Pond and Aeryeonjeong Pavilion in Huwon

Some of the areas and structures you'll see there are Buyongjeong Pavilion, Aeryeonji and Buyongji Pond, Juhapnu Pavilion, Yeongyeongdang building (considered as one of the best example of traditional Korean architecture) and Okryucheon Stream (Jade Stream). Most of the trees that can be found there are 300 years old.

Juhapnu Pavilion and Yeonghwadang Hall seen from Buyongjeong in Huwon

Huwon is open for special viewing only. There are 15 viewings organized every day and visitors take a guided tour, which is available in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese. Each viewing is limited to 100 persons, and visitors are advised to make an online reservation in advance. (Learn more about Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon Tours HERE)

Photo credit: Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation

Photo credit: Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation / (Yeongyeongdang photo by KTO)

When I was in Korea, I was only able to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace so I promised myself that next time, I'd like to have a tour of Changdeokgung Palace. I was especially intrigued with the beauty of the Secret Garden and I also want to try taking the Moonlight Tour for an added twist. I'm sure the Palace will be quite a sight to behold under the light of the full moon. (Learn more about Moonlight Tours HERE ).

Jongmyo Shrine: Where the spirits of the Joseon royalty are enshrined

Jongmyo Shrine is home to the ancestral tablets of the kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty. The shrine was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995 and is largely divided into Jeongjeon Hall, home to the tablets of 19 kings and 30 queens, and Yeongnyeongjeon Halls, home to 15 kings and 17 queens, plus the son of Emperor Gojong who was the last ruler of the Joseon Dynasty. The kings of the Joseon Dynasty held memorial services to their ancestors in Jongmyo Shrine. Hence, the memorial services were quite grand. (Click HERE to know more about Jongmyo Shrine as a World Heritage Site)

Sinhyangro, Eoro and Sejaro paths                                                          Jeongjeon Hall in Jongmyo

Roofline of Jeongjeon Hall in Jongmyo Shrine

At present, the Jongmyo Jerye royal ancestral rites are held every year on the first Sunday of May following the lunar calendar. (Visit HERE for more details on Jongmyo Shrine Tours)

Seolleung and Jeongneung: Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty

Also known as Seonjeongneung, Seolleung and Jeongneung Royal Tombs are situated right in the heart of Seoul’s Gangnam District. They are among the 40 Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty which are scattered in 18 locations, and are all considered as World Heritage Sites. Seolleung (left side) is the site of the royal tombs of King Seongjong (19th King of Joseon) and his Queen Jeonghyeonwanghu. It is a great place for relaxation and walks for people living in the city. (Click HERE to know more about the 40 Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty as World Heritage Sites)

Jeongneung (right side) is the site of the royal tomb of King Jungjong (11th King of Joseon). The History and Culture Center, where you can get your World Heritage Stamp and also watch videos on the history of the royal tombs, the state funerals and how they were built, is situated on the Jeongneung side and close to the entrance gate.

Seolleung and Jeongneung Tombs in the heart of Seoul                                          Jeongjagak in Jeongneung

If you want to just relax while taking a stroll, you may want to take a walk in the forest trail connecting Seolleung to Jeongneung, which is about 3.5 kilometers long and takes approximately an hour to finish. (Click HERE for more details about Seonjeongneung Tours)

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

Done with your Stamp Tour in Seoul? Why not visit Suwon to see yet another World Heritage Site?

The Suwon Hwaseong Fortress was built from 1794 to 1796 during the reign of King Jeongjo, the 24th King of the Joseon Dynasty, and was officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. It is hailed as the world's first planned city, having been more thoroughly and systematically designed than comparable structures of its time. Measuring 5.7 kilometers in circumference, the fortress was built in just over two and a half years using state-of-the-art equipment at the time, and features 48 surviving facilities, including 4 gates that face each of the cardinal directions: Janganmun (north), Paldalmun (south), Changnyongmun (east), and Hwaseomun (west). (Click HERE to know more about Hwaseong Fortress as a World Heritage Site)

Visitors viewing construction equipment on exhibit outside the museum

Prior to visiting the fortress, you may want to drop by the Suwon Hwaseong Museum where visitors can learn how the fortress was built through various models and exhibits, pick up a free audio guide available in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese at the Information Desk and take a self-guided tour around the museum. You can avail the free audio guide by presenting your identification card or passport.

Hwaseomun Gate of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

The Hwahongmun Gate, which features seven rainbow arches that allow Suwoncheon Stream to run through the fortress, and Banghwasuryujeong, the site from which area surveillance was conducted and the military commanded, are the highlights of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress. Banghwasuryujeong sits above a beautiful pond and garden where you can enjoy a break while you take in the view. Also recommended is the Hwaseong Dragon Train that goes around the fortress. There are tour cars that operate on the road by the fortress walls from Seongsinsa Temple on Paldalsan Mountain to Yeonmudae, and makes for a quick, yet enjoyable, way to view the fortress.

           Hwaseong Dragon Train that goes around the fortress                                    Archery program at Yeonmudae

Here are the schedule of some permanent performances organized in front of Sinpungnu, the main gate to Hwaseong Haenggung Palace:

• 24 martial arts demonstrations (Tuesday to Sunday at 11 A.M. and 3 P.M)
• Jangyongyeong Guard Ceremony (2 P.M. on Sundays)- Visitors can take photos with the guards after the ceremony
• Traditional Performances like royal dance and tightrope dancing performace (Saturdays at 2pm)

There are also Art Workshops Street and Mural Streets in Haenggung-dong near the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace and one can rent bicycles at Haenggung Plaza (ID card is needed) to cruise along the fortress wall area and through the Mural Streets. (Visit HERE to know more about Hwaseong Fortress Tours)

Saturday performances and 24 martial arts trial performances at Hwaseong Haenggung Palace

Credits to Korea Tourism Organization (visitkorea.or.kr), travel columnist Moon Il-sik, and Korea Tourism Organization Manila. You may visit HERE for the full article.

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