Gyeongju, Gyeongsangnam Province

    In the year 2000, Gyeongju, the country's "open-air museum" was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Site 1: Gyeongju National Museum

The indoor and outdoor components house the country's treasured monuments and historic heritages from the Silla Kingdom. This is unsurprising, for Gyeongju was the country's 1000-year royal capital from 57 BC to 935 AD. Regrettably at the time of visit, an exciting exhibition on the Unified Silla period was only underway.

• Artifact- A+; One sees the divine and huge bronze Emille Bell from AD 771, beheaded and restored Buddha statues amongst some 80,000 items.
• Artifact Description- A+; Excellent and concise labels with English translations that presents the artifact and its date of origin.

               

 

Site 2: Bulguk-sa (Fo Guo Si: Temple of the Buddha-land)

Another UNESCO World Heritage since 1995. It houses a number of National Treasures, whose origins I would not bore readers with. For people inclined towards Buddhist philosophy and Buddhist art, this place provides the material and peaceful ambience.

• Artifact- A+; For the National Treasures, intricately-designed halls and cooling peace in the woods.
• Artifact Description- A; Labels are more informative in artifact function than relating artifact's historical origins.

Seoul, Gyeonggi Province

    Like Beijing, this 600-year-old capital houses both historical monuments and is the center of political, business and shopping activities.

Site 1: National Folk Museum

Like the HK Story exhibits, this one traces vivid description on the pre-historic origins of the Korean inhabitants. Come here for a ready lesson on the country's dynastic culture.

• Artifacts- A+; The paleolithic man can move and the kimchi does look edible.
• Artifact Description- A+; Sometimes, images and objects reveal much more than writings do. Writings only come in appropriate when the artifacts don't make much sense.

          

 

Site 2: Gyeongbok Palace

For people familiar with the Forbidden City, they would feel that the Korea's version is much smaller and almost empty, as most furnishings became loots of the Japanese during the Japanese Colonial Period (1910-1945). Prior to the trip, I have no idea palaces actually exist in Korea, with the same purposes as those in China.

• Artifact- A+; Structures are still standing strong and looking divine. But they are less of a media and tourist attraction than those in the Middle Kingdom.
• Artifact Description- A+; Commendable detailed write-ups on the functions, interior utilities and histories.