Tuntex Sky Tower, Kaohsiung's landmark skyscraper

Taiwan's second tallest building

The Tuntex Sky Tower also known as 85 SKYTOWER (or 高雄85大樓 in Chinese), located in Kaohsiung, is the former tallest building of Taiwan (between 1997-2004) and currently (2010) it's Taiwan's number two skyscraper. It's definitely one of Taiwan's landmark buildings and the landmark building of Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second biggest city and main port, located in the south of the country. I always dreamed of seeing this unique skyscraper in real and now I had the chance to see. It was one of the best moments of my Taiwan 2010 adventure. Thank you so much, Lily, for bringing me here.

The top with the antenna and the roof.

I had the privilege to see this skyscraper in real and I tell you, I wasn't disappointed. I admired this extraordinary piece of modern architecture way before I ever dreamed of living in Taiwan, so it's really like a dream come true for me, when I finally saw it in real. Believe me, I took like 200 photos of the building from all directions and positions. I just couldn't stop, because skyscrapers are one of my passions.

The Tuntex Sky Tower is seen from almost every corner of Kaohsiung and not just within the city, but also from very far away. It's 378m tall with the help of the antenna. The roof tops out at 347,5m, the top floor is at 341m. The building has 85 floors, which is noted in its Chinese name. Let me show you some photos:

The massive hole in the middle. The Tuntex Sky Tower is supposed to resemble the character "gao" 高 (high), which is also the first part of the name Kaohsiung.

The Tuntex Sky Tower close-up from the eastern part.

In its full glory from the southern part.

There's a shopping mall inside, as well as apartments and a hotel.

The bottom part with its entrances is massive.

A nice little fountain on the south side.

Another shot from the eastern part. It was around 9 am that day.

On the right: Asia-Pacific Financial Plaza, 169.8m, nearby.

There are many buildings nearby, especially near the eastern part of the tower.

View on Tuntex Sky Tower from the Zhonghua road.

A bigger photo from the same position. The building is almost as massive as Taipei 101.

In the scorching morning sun.

See my Tuntex Sky Tower hi-def photos here>>

Taken from Sanduo road, the east side of the building.

My KAOHSIUNG Tour - NEXT: From Tuntex to Love River>>

[KAOHSIUNG][TAIWAN][Info][Homepage][SKYSCRAPERS][All photos by MKL, 2010]

Jongno Tower, Seoul

Seoul's modern architecture at its best

Jongno Tower in its full glory. Stop staring at the girls!

The top floor is amazing. There's a restaurant there with a great view.

Jongno Tower from bottom up. It's one of Seoul's landmark buildings.

The area at the main entrance looks huge. The Jongno Tower is wide and it's 132m tall (source). On the other side of the street is another famous historic sight named Bosingak, the bell tower. The whole area is very pleasant to walk. If you have time, go and have a look around.

[Skyscrapers][My Seoul][Jongno Tower at night][All photos by MKL, 2010]

Namsan and N Seoul Tower

Seoul's city mountain and its landmark tower

Let me introduce you another awesome spot in the amazing South Korean city of Seoul. It's called Namsan mountain [남산 lit. "Southern Mountain"]. Namsan sounds similar like Chinese 南山 (Nanshan), because it originates from the same root. The name comes from its location, which needs to be put in the historic context. Namsan is now somewhere in the middle of Seoul, but in the old times, it was south from the historic city of Seoul. Namsan's name used to be Mongmyeok [목멱산 lt. "Wood-seeking Mountain"] or 木覓山 in Chinese (source).

Today people don't only go on top of Namsan because of the amazing nature and breath-taking view of Seoul below, they also want to see Seoul's landmark building - the N Seoul Tower [엔 서울타워]. It was completed in 1980 (we're same age!) and the strucure is nearly 237m tall, but if we include the mountain, it tops up at nearly 480m (source), standing out as Seoul's number one landmark building. Let me show you some of my photos of Namsan:

I took the train to Dongguk University station (Orange Line 3) and then took a bus (see small pic on the left) at a station. The bus was also orange color. I used my SMRT card and the ride cost less than 1000Won one way (0.60€)! There's also a Namsan cable car that can bring you up to the top, but I was advised by the hostel owner Danny not to take it, it's too expensive. I researched and a round trip costs 7500Won (5€), which is nearly 4 times more expensive (the price as in April 2010). If you want to save, better take the bus.

The road up to Namsan is winding, but not long. I reached on top in 10-15min.

A convenience store with souvenirs and beverages.

The N Seoul Tower seen from just below the peak of Namsan mountain.

The top area of Namsan mountain with groups of people everywhere.

N Seoul Tower on te left and the lattice transmission tower on the right.

Many pupils with teachers visit Namsan. While passing by, they were greeting me.

A nice pavilion on the northern side of the area.

The N Seoul Tower in it's full glory. Below is the observation deck.

See more of my photos of the N Seoul Tower>>

Namsan love padlocks: Couples put various locks on the rail (or fence) of the observation deck and profess their love for each other or write wovs on small notes. Then they throw the key over the rail and hope that the promises they gave to each other, will last forever. I wonder how many regret doing this, hehehe. Anyway, the idea is not original, love padlocks can be found in Tokyo and also in Taiwan, in Fengyuan (豐原).

Namsan love padlocks close-up.

Can you see how many there is? The whole fence is full of them. Koreans are romantic!

So am I, haha. I didn't have a padlock, but I did commemorate the special moment.

If you happen to go to Namsan, please check, if my message is still readable :-P

Here's the spot, where you can find it. I think it won't last long, I used a simple pen.

The N Seoul Tower from below.

See my huge N Seoul Tower photo here>>

The lattice transmission (or communication) tower nearby.

See more photos of the lattice transmission tower here>>

The view on south-western Seoul. Can you spot the thin and tall Building 63?

View from the other side, the north-eastern Seoul.

Beautiful, isn't it? I love this city.

I soon headed downward, took a bus and continued my amazing Seoul-tour.

Next time I want to see Seoul at night! (Photo taken from http://www.nseoultower.net)

How do you like Namsan and my photos?
HanCook restaurant: Seoul Yongsan-gu Yongsan-dong 2-ga San 1-3 N Seoul Tower F1
[My N SEOUL TOWER post][Huge N Seoul Tower photo][Transmission Tower]

[Main SEOUL page][Namsan Info Brochure][All pics by MKL, 2010]

The Five Grand Palaces of Seoul

The magnificent palaces built during the Joseon dynasty

Let me introduce you the Five Grand Palaces of Seoul, one of the main sights of this amazing city. I only saw three of the five, but those were the biggest and the main ones, which are well preserved and being further restored. They're located in the northern part of the historic Seoul and most of the tourists go and see these palaces. So in case you're heading there one day, here's a brief intro. In my upcoming posts I will post some beautiful photos of the three palaces I've seen, I hope you will like it. So here they are, placed in order by their significance:

Chang·deok·gung [창덕궁/昌德宮] - "Palace of Prospering Virtue"

This incredible Korean royal palace is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's like a holy place for Koreans. This is my favorite palace of the three I've seen. It's huge and massive, with a beautiful secret garden and amazing architecture [source].

Gyeong·bok·gung [경복궁/景福宮] - "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven"

This was the main palace of the Korean kings during the Joseon dynasty. It's truly an amazing place. You can see the changing of the guards ceremony in front of the main gate. The National Folk Museum of Korea is also located near by and during my visit, there was some beautiful sakura everywhere [source].

Chang·gyeong·gung [창경궁/昌慶宮] - "Palace of Flourishing Gladness"

This former palace of Korean kings is also very interesting. It's the first one I have visited. The whole area is big, if you include gardens and Jongmyo, so you'll have a lot of walking to do, if you want to see everything. But the palace itself is not so big and there's not so many accompanying buildings like with the previous two palaces. It's worth to see the whole premise [source].

Deok·su·gung [덕수궁/德壽宮] - "Palace of Virtuous Longevity"

Like every of the palaces, this one was also heavily destroyed by the Japanese and only 33% of the original size remains. I haven't visited this palace during my trip [more here].

Gyeong·hui·gung [경희궁/慶熙宮] - "Palace of Serene Harmony"

This palace was completely destroyed by the Japanese and has been rebuilt in the recent years. I haven't visited this one as well [more here].

No comments here, thanks.

[My Korea page]

Changgyeonggung, Seoul

Palace of Flourishing Gladness in 2010

Main throne hall of Changgyeonggung.

Let me introduce you the last grand palace of the three I've seen in Seoul. The name is Chang·gyeong·gung [창경궁/昌慶宮] or the "Palace of Flourishing Gladness" and it's also a very interesting Korean royal palace. It's the first one I have visited. The whole area is big, if you include gardens and Jongmyo (where you need to enter and buy the ticket, cost me 1000 Won). You'll have a lot of walking to do, if you want to see everything. But the palace itself is not so big and there's not so many accompanying buildings like with the previous two palaces. It's worth to see the whole premise, though. I think it's best to see Changgyeonggung as the first of all the palaces (it's located in the east part) and then go to the western part and see the other four of the Five Great Palaces of Seoul. Enjoy my photos of this lovely place:

Jongmyo, a confucian shrine

Jongmyo, a Confucian shrine, is where you enter, if you're going to see Changgyeonggung. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and definitely worth to see.

See my photos of amazing Jongmyo here>>

The gate from Jongmyo to Changgyeonggung. Both parts are surrounded by a wall.

The Changgyeonggung palace complex.

The cherry blossoms were beautiful that day.

Haminjeong (涵仁亭) or the royal pavilion.

Hwangyeongjeon hall (歡慶殿) royal residence. The king slept here.

Off to the main part of the palace.

Myeongjeongjeon, the main throne hall

The buildings are very close to each other.

On the right side is the throne hall, in front is the courtyard.

The gate is named Myeongjeongmun (明政門).

Myeongjeongjeon (明政殿), the main throne hall of Changgyeonggung.

The throne of Korean kings.

The so called Bonghwang phoenixes above the throne.

The only photo of the front of Myeongjeongjeon was taken by a Korean man, who I ask for help. I don't know, why I didn't take photos of the whole building from the front. Bummer "-_-

The throne hall from the side.

Munjeongjeon hall, the council hall

Munjeongjeon hall (文政殿). The king dealt with state affairs here.

Inside Munjeongjeon hall. Very colorful and very well restored.

King's main spot.

After that I went uphill, above the palace is a forest, that leads to a pond.

This pond is called Chudangji and there's a lovely small island in the middle.

A greenhouse at the end. It has a beautiful garden.

View on the Namsan mountain and Namsan tower, my next destination.

How did you like my photos?

Realated sources: [Changgyeonggung on Visitkorea.or.kr][Changgyeonggung Wiki]

[My Korea][All photos by MKL except the small, 2010][Changgyeonggung Map]