Hello Violet

I had a week stopover in Seoul about four years ago but the National Museum
was closed and the building was being demolished I believe (it was a symbol
of Japanese occupation apparently as it had been used as a headquarters for
the Japanese occupying forces). The new building is not due for completion
until 2003 but there is a temporary National Museum in Gyeongbokgung Palace.

The War Memorial Museum is very good and worth visiting as is the National
Folk Museum. There is a National Museum of Contemporary Art which I did not
visit.

I went to a very good open air "museum" some way out of the centre of Seoul.
It had model (but full size if that makes sense) villages from different
eras of Korean history, excellent displays of dance and music, etc. It was
really very good and much better than I had imagined. I can't recall the
exact name but it was something like "...of Korean life" or something. Sorry
to be so vague. I am sure you will be able to find out about it from the
tourist info. people or hotel staff, it is very well known. Actually, I just
remembered I found out about it from the Lonely Planet guide to Korea so
that would be a good place to start. (That guide book is very helpful and
accurate so I recommend it for planning your visit).

Of course, the U.S. controlled demilitarized zone at Panmunjom is an open
air "living history museum" in its own right and you must go there. You will
not believe that such a place still exists in this day and age. Very bizarre
but very interesting. I imagine you can still only go by taking a tour from
Seoul which was quite expensive but definitely worthwhile - the only chance
you will probably have to see anything of North Korea and the atmosphere is
eerie to say the least. My visit to Panmunjom was made even more bizarre
than normal as it was on the 4th of July and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders
arrived to do a show for the troops stationed there. I don't know who was
watching the North Koreans across the border on that day!!

Greg

Greg McManus
Director
Rotorua Museum of Art & History
Te Whare Taonga O Te Arawa
Government Gardens
Rotorua
NEW ZEALAND
Tel.  64 7 349 4350
Fax. 64 7 349 2819
Mobile 025-2714328
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-----Original Message-----
From: Violet Ciotti [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, 7 March 2001 04:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Seoul, Korea


Greetings and Salutations!
I was wondering if anyone has been to Seoul, Korea and could suggest any
Galleries, Museums and or Archeological sites to visit.  I'm traveling
sometime in May.  How about other attractions and or open-air museums?  Any
information would be greatly appreciated.  You may contact me on or off the
list.

Sincerely,
Violet Ciotti

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