Photos

A very peaceful atmosphere of Hyangwonjeong which is located in Gyeongbokgung Palace. The lake was all frozen during the winter.

Hyangwonjeong, or Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, is a small, two-story hexagonal pavilion built around 1873 by the order of King Gojong when Geoncheonggung residence was built to the north within Gyeongbokgung.

The pavilion was constructed on an artificial island of a lake named Hyangwonji, and a bridge named Chwihyanggyo connects it to the palace grounds. The name Hyangwonjeong loosely translates as "Pavilion of Far-Reaching Fragrance," while Chwihyanggyo translates as "Bridge Intoxicated with Fragrance."

The bridge Chwihyanggyo was originally located on the north side of the island and was the longest bridge constructed purely of wood during the Joseon Dynasty however, it was destroyed during the Korean War. The bridge was reconstructed in its present form on the south side of the island in 1953.