Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Korean architecture Hanok


Korean architecture('Hanok') is a word used to describe houses constructed using the traditional Korean style of architecture. Korean architecture lends consideration to the positioning of the house in relation to its surroundings, with thought given to the land and seasons. The interior structure of the house is also planned accordingly. This principle is also called 'Baesanimsu', meaning the ideal house is built with a mountain in the back and a river in the front, with the 'ondol' heated rock syhouses are l stem for heating during cold winters and a wide 'daecheong' front porch for keeping the house cool during hot summers. Houses differ according to region. In the cold northern parts of Korea, houses are built in a closed square form to retain heat better. In the central regions, houses are 'L' shaped. Houses in the southernmost regions of Korea are built in an open 'I' form. Houses can also be classified according to who it was built for, high class, middle class, or lower class.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Bohyeon-san (mountain) Astronomical Observatory of Yeongchon ,korea


Bohyeon-san (mountain) Astronomical Observatory, one of the 3 largest astronomical observatories in Korea, is located at the top of Bohyeon-san.
It is used to observe movements and changes of celestial bodies and creation and evolution of the universe.
Bohyeon-san (mountain) Astronomical Observatory is also good place for the youth to visit since it can not only provide the panoramic view of Bohyeon-san ridges but also give chance to observe a night sky.

Open time
Day time : April~October(the 4th Saturday every month,14:00~16:00)
Night time : One time a year(14:00~23:00)

Events : lecture on Astronomy & a study tour to facilities of astronomical observatory

Visitors' Center
Open from Tuesday through Sunday(Closed for Monday)
Summer time : 10:00~17:00
Winter time : 10:00~16:00
Information : 054)330-1038 Direction

Car
Take a national highway #35 in Yeongcheon city and go to Cheongsong direction(north) for 20km -> Jacheon-maeul -> Checkpoint for overloaded vehicles -> Take right in front of the milestone of Astronomical Observatory -> Ogkye-gyo(bridge) -> Jeonggak church -> Take left at Jeonggak 3-way crossing and go for 9km

Public Transportation(Mountain climbing)
Take a seat bus at Yeongcheon Inter-city bus terminal ¡æ Get off at Jeonggak(Jeonggak-ri 3-way crossing) -> Go on foot
* It will take about 3hours(9.3km) if you take road and it will take one and half hours if you take climbing passes.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Tomb of King Suro in kimhae of korea

Gimhae is located at the southeastern tip of Korean peninsula. It borders Gangseo-gu, and Changwon on the southwest, and the Nakdonggang River divides Gimhae and Milyang on the north.



The theory of six Gayas originated in the early Goryeo Period. In actuality, there were more than 10 small Gaya Kingdoms. In general, when the history of Gaya is mentioned, people think of the names of six Gayas. Then, why was each kingdom called so and so Gaya? The first record of six Gayas can be found in the record of "5 Gaya Dynasties" in Samgukyusa(the legend and history of Three Kingdoms written by Ilyeon in the Goryeo Period) written in the late Goryeo Period. In the record, 7 Gaya Kingdoms including Ara Gaya, Goryeong Gaya, Dae Gaya, Seongsan Gaya, So Gaya, Geumgwan Gaya, and Bihwa Gaya were mentioned. These names were added to the legend of 6 eggs attached to the King Suro of Garak Kingdom. The concept of six Gayas was formed between the late Silla Period and early Goryeo Period. Therefore, the names of Gaya Kingdoms were not actually used at the time of their existence. But they were named later to indicate the Gaya confederation including Geumgwan Kingdom, Ara Kingdom, Godongnam Kingdom, Seongsan Kingdom and Bihwa Kingdom. It is not clear whether the 7 Gaya Kingdoms recorded in Samgukyusa were actually members of Gaya confederation. In addition, excavations of Gaya earthenware indicate that there were more than 10 Gaya Kingdoms. Therefore, it is time to overcome the theory of six Gayas Kingdoms and restructure the history of Gaya based on "Wiseo, Dongijeon" of Samgukji(History of Wi, Chok, and Oh of China compiled by Jin Su. In the Dongijeon, histories of Korea and other nations in the east were recorded), Samguksaki(History of Three Kingdoms written by Kim Busik in the Goryeo Period), and Nihonshoki(History of Japan compiled in the Nara Period).



The Tomb of King Suro, the founder of Garak Kingdom, is a symbolic relic of Gimhae. Here, King Suro rests. He is the father of Kim family and Heo family of Gimhae and Yi family of Incheon. A legend says that King Kim Suro was born in an egg and thus he was named "Suro". On the front gate of the tomb is engraved a pattern of two fish that symbolizes the dragon king of Ayutah Kingdom, the home of Queen Heo Hwangok. The round tomb awes the visitors.