Since the official opening of the newly renovated Gwanghwamun Plaza, located in front of -- and named after -- the main gate of Gyeongbokgung (Gyeongbok Palace), on Aug. 1, more than one million people have visited it, according to Seoul Metropolitan Government on Aug. 9.
More than 400,000 people of all ages, genders and nationalities visited there within the first two days. They were excited to see the new landmark in Sejong-no (Sejong Road), central Seoul. Visitors looked around the 34-meter-wide and 557-meter-long plaza, stopping to sit on a bench for a rest, playing in the fountains and enjoying the beauty and the scent of the massive decorative flower arrangements.
Visitors looking at historic records engraved on the waterway (Photo: Yonhap News)
Before the opening of the new plaza, this place took up six of 16 lanes on a road through which thousands of cars pass every day, on either side of the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin (1545-1598).
More than 600 years ago, Gwanghwamun square was considered the venue for government buildings, with the main six government buildings straddling the square. Officials from these buildings gathered at the royal palace to discuss national affairs with the king during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Since then, this area was long considered the heart of Korean politics, and it has witnessed important turning points in Korean history.
Today, with the opening of the new plaza, visitors can have an opportunity to learn the history of the place if they look at a newly installed shallow waterway on the ground. By following the stream of water that passes to the east of the statue of Admiral Yi, they can read important records in Korean history from the Joseon Dynasty to modern times, carved on the surface of black rocks. Some of the records include the founding of the Joseon Dynasty by King Taejo in 1392 and the 2002 Korea-Japan FIFA World Cup. Future records will be recorded on the waterway that runs on the west side of the plaza, which is also built with black rocks.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
Also there are many other attractions to catch people's attention. To cool the heat of hot summer days for visitors, a 17-meter wide, 68-meter long chain of fountains in front of the statue spouts water every day and becomes a beautiful scene backed by colorful lights at night. According to Seoul Metropolitan Government, the fountain symbolizes Admiral Yi's victorious naval victories. Yi defeated a Japanese fleet of 133 ships with only 12 of his own in a sea battle in Myeongnyang Strait in 1597, and won all of his 23 sea battles.
Behind the statue, there is Gwanghwamun Plaza and Haechi underground square, connecting the plaza to Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. Haechi is a lion-like horned creature, also known as "Haetae," which was selected as Seoul's new symbol in 2008. Inside the underground square, visitors can find a Haechi sculpture, pictures and an exhibition of remains of old Gwanghwamun during the Joseon Dynasty, discovered during the construction of the plaza.
Walking further towards the center of the plaza, visitors can see a mini statue of King Sejong the Great (1397-1450), the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty, who invented Korean alphabet, Hangeul. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to unveil a full-size statue of King Sejong on Hangeul Day, Oct. 9, exhibit achievements of the king and show a video based his invention of Hangeul.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
Behind the statue of King Sejong, a 163-meter long, colorful flower carpet wows visitors, keeping them busy taking pictures to record for posterity the beauty and pleasure of moments with family members and friends.
Not only visitors, but also a non-Korean expert welcomes the opening of the plaza. Mathew Carmona, professor of Planning and Urban Design of the University College of London, was quoted as saying Gwanghwamun Plaza will become the new center of Korea, just as Trafalgar Square is the center of London, according to a Yonhap News report on Aug. 10. The construction of the plaza will make Seoul a more pedestrian-friendly space, Yonhap News added.
For the convenience and safety of visitors, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to build more public facilities around the plaza in near future. It also plans to host a variety of events to promote the plaza, develop special tour programs and introduce the history behind Gwanghwamun to people.
* How to go there
Take subway line 5 and get off at Gwanghwamun station. Follow the underground path linking the station to the plaza. For more general travel information, call Korea Travel Phone (02-1330, English, Chinese and Japanese are available around the clock).
By Yoon Sojung Korea.net Staff Writer
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