Korea, the true haven for photography – Photography Spots in Korea: Series IV
Most of us who come to Korea either for work or study will agree with me on this that they have ended up developing a new hobby – photography. The fact that Korea is beautiful is not hidden from the world, but then on every weekend and every season it gives you an opportunity to step out of your house and smell the roses (not literally). All you have to do is pick up the camera, hop on to the subway train and get down wherever your feel like. Korean gives you an opportunity to be an explorer.
In this series, we will uncover the true beauty of South Korea through the photographic eye of yet another explorer from India – Tarun chopra. Tarun will take us through Jeju, Gyeongju, Suwon, Muuido and other interesting places in Korea.
About the author
Tarun Chopra is a Technical Analyst with Solar Park, Seoul. He has been residing in South Korea since January 2009 and finds this place simply fascinating. All the pictures below are taken by him.
Dol Hareubang – Jeju Island – South Korea
Te Bridge – Gyeongju – South Korea
Cherry Blossom – Gyeongju – South Korea
Jeju Island
Oedolgae Rock, Sammaebong, Jeju
Oedolgae Rock on the shores of Sammaebong in Seougwipo City, Jeju. A beautiful 20meter high standing rock, with deep blue water surrounding it. It was a quiet calming place on the Jeju olleh Route.
Olleh Route – Jeju
Olleh Flags tied to tree branches
The famous jeju olleh route, that has signs like these little flags tied to tree branches. It has a cute little sign, an abstract form of a dog..like its following you wherever you go. The trails cover all the beautiful places one must visit when exploring the city on foot.
Dol Hareubang and Hallabongs from Jeju
The famous hallabongs are a famous sign of jeju. They are a speciality grown in jeju, though it tastes a lot like a mandarin, it has its own quirks. We saw many hallabong farms while in jeju, and they look beautiful in plentiful.
Dol Hareubang
The two famous icons of jeju are its sweet mandarins and Dol Hareubang , also known as the old grandfather. These statues are made of porous basalt and it is believed that rubbing the noses of these statues brings women fertility, protection from demons, and blessing from their Gods. Many souvenir stands throughout the island sell these statues in miniature form. Here you see the depiction of the old grandfather in the four seasons of korea, winter, autumn, spring and summer.
Mt. Hallasan – Jeju
Hallasan : a beautiful and picturesque area of jeju. Jeju offers such a vast variety of sceneries pack in a small island. You see blooming flowers near the seacoast, and snowclas road near Hallasan. Here you see a resting area near clad in snow. And a signage of hallasan in lotteria, jeju alongwith a dol hareubang.
Red Berry trees – Seogwipo City – Jeju
Beautiful red berry trees lined all through the streets of seogwipo city. They are known to have some medicinal value, but for me, the aesthetic value was far beyond anything I had seen.
Christmas decoration in a sweet little café in Jeju
Fish Market in Seogwipo Si
Jarasaum Sinsing Winter Festival 2012
Jarasaum Sinsing Winter Festival 2012
Dedicated people at the ice fishing festival in gapyeong-gu, gyeonggi do. It was amazing to see the dedication of people sitting on that frozen Bukhangang River.
Muuido Island
Seagulls in Muuido Island
Seagulls in Muuido Island
Beautiful seagulls flying around during the ferry ride from eurwangni to muuido island.
Suwon
Locals Playing Boardgame in Suwon
Locals enjoying a famous board game during their lunch break in suwon. The crowd around the players were really into it.
Bongdon, Hwaesong Fortress, Suwon
Beautiful cylindrical black stone bongdon in Hwaesong Fortress, Suwon
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry Blossoms in Korea
Cherry Blossom Korea
Cherry Blossom Korea
Cherry Blossom Korea
The burst of early spring in Gyeongju. The beautiful flowers taking their first bloom after a long sever winter. Cherry blossoms really are the prettiest flowers I have ever seen.
Kite Flying in Spring
People enjoying kite flying in Gyeongju, after a long winter, the locals enjoy a day outside in the sun.
Gyeongju
Cheomseongdae Observatory Stamps
Sunset at Gyeongju
Stamps available for tourists at Cheomseongdae Observatory, Gyeongju. And the view of the sunset from there.
Royal Burial Grounds
Royal Burial Grounds at the end of a long winter.
Anapji pond, Gyeongju
The palace in the midst of a lake was simply beautiful.
Korean Monk
Demons protecting Monastery
On the way to bulgaksa temple in gyeongju. A silent monk ringing the religious bell. The wooden carved statues of demons protecting the entrance of the monastery.
Paint Brush
Paint brushe sketches of religious characters, in a small restaurant in gyeongju.
Bleeding Heart
A beautiful flower called the bleeding heart found Royal Tombs of Seolleung, also called the Seonjeongneung.
Painting at Bongeunsa Temple
A beautiful painting depicting a scene from the mythology in Bonguensa temple.
Yummy Treats
Paris Baguette in Korea
Yummy treats are an attraction for me in Korea. Nowhere in Asia have I seen this craze of bakeries and cafes. You will probably run into more Paris baguettes than cigarette shops here.
Souvenier Shops Korea
Korean Ceramics
Beautiful finds for tourists travelling to Korea. Colourful pouches made from Korean textiles, the famous potteryware of Korea in miniature forms, to take back to your home country, and other earthenware displaying amazing craftsmanship.
