Changdeokgung Palace is composed of public official buildings, king's residence and a backyard garden. Changdeokgung Palace is the only palace in Korea that preserves the architectural style of the Joseon Dynasty. The garden used to be the king’s resting area where 300-year-old trees, pond and pavilion are harmoniously situated.Past Donhwa Gate and into the palace, Geumcheon Bridge appears at the right.Constructed during the 11th year of King Tae-Jong's (1411) reign, this stone bridge is the oldest of its kind that remains in Seoul. The entrance of Injeongjeon (the royal audience chamber) is at the end of the bridge and the ridge of this chamber's roof is unusually decorated with flower patterns.These patterns were attached by the Japanese to disgrace the royal family and cannot be found at any other ridges. There are nine statues each on the eves of Injeongjeon. These statues prevent evil spirits from entering, and the number of statues differ – five statues for each eve at Jinseonmun,and seven for Donhwamun. Behind the right door of Injeongjeon, there is the king's official chamber called Seonjeongjeon.Blue tiles were used only for the palace, which gives an explanation for the blue tiles of the Presidential Residence of Korea. The paved road between the walls of Changdeokgung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace leads to Huwon garden. Buyongjeong and Juhamnu here frequently appear in photos introducing Korea.The garden is formed in the shape of the Korean alphabet '?'with a pond in the center. Also, one must pass Bulo gate made of a big stone into the '?'shape to step out of the palace and reach Yeongeongdang, the 99-room house of the highest ranking nobleman.

Ganghwa island is the fifth largest island in Korea and is located in the West Sea. It is composed of 11 inhabited islands and 17 uninhabited islands, and its beaches are 99 km long. Recently with the creation of the Ganghwa Bridge, the island has become more like the mainland.Because there were people living on this island from the prehistoric times, there are many ancient artifacts on the island. The most famous of these are the Goindol Rocks, designated as World’s Cultural Treasure. The Goindol graves are where the rulers of the Ganghwa Island in the Bronze Age are buried. There are about 80 of these stone graves around the island. There are also evidences of the Dangunwanggeom, the founding figure of Korea whose life marks the beginning of Korean history. If you walk up the many steps of Chamseongdan in Mani Mountain, you will come to a peak where you can see the West Sea and the inland. This is where Dangunwanggeom is said to have offered sacrificial rites to the heavens.Ganghwa Island has many famous local products, including the medicinally effective Ganghwa Ginseng, Pure-Ganghwa radish with its peculiar taste, and Hwamunseok, which is a mat woven with flower patterns.
Hwamunseok is famous also as a representative traditional Korean product, with its intricate handwork and designs.