Seoul Lantern Festival Illuminates the Old with New
Nov 13, 2011
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One of the best improvements in Seoul the past decade was the restoration of Cheong-gye-cheon, a stream turned rancid street and overpass and now once again a pleasant stream that cools the city. Upon arriving in Seoul late Saturday night, a classmate took me there to view the Seoul Lantern Festival.
I was smitten. Korean traditional paper, hanji, is grafted into dozens of delightful lanterns that depict everything from current cartoon (manhwa) characters to icons of Korean folklore. Most are illuminated with LED lights. The tiger was my particular favorite, followed by the model Gwanghwamun, Seoul’s most important ancient gate.
A walk along Cheong-gye-cheon is a must any time of year. If you are lucky enough to travel within Korea this fall, you have until November 20 to visit this incredible festival.
- Gwanghwamun Gate
one of many incredible lanterns along Cheonggyecheon
a Korean horangni (tiger)
[...] often left visitors cold, now Seoul oozes cool. the interior of one of Jongmyo's shrines From Cheong-gye-cheon, a revitalized stream that cools the surrounding neighborhood, to the World Cup Park that sits atop [...]