Beautiful Boston Public Library @ Boston, Massachusetts

It's hard to believe that a humble looking library building from outside but have a spectacular architecture inside. This place was not in my place to visit initially. But from exterior of this library seems fascinating. From the old books, to the courtyard and beauty of every room, it's worth your time to visit. The Reading Room upstairs is a lovely place to sit and read among many people. The reading room is like hogwarts as in Harry Potter movie. Amazingly Boston public library is the second largest library in United States. The library also full of history and unique architecture as it was more than 100 years old and established since 1852.



Boston Public library. Their slogan: Built by the people and dedicated to the advancement of learning.

Beautiful lobby.

Stairs to the main reading room.

Main reading room.

Tour inside Harvard University @ Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard University is the world's most prestigious and influential. It is one of the eight Ivy league institution of higher learning. Visitors to Boston will include Harvard University as one of the must visit places as the university is so well known and full of history. The university also have many notable alumni such as Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg, John F. Kennedy and Bill Gates. The university is so successful that it even have a large endowment of more than USD30 billion to support its research, museums, library and offer financial aid to their students. At that amount of endowment it easily exceed some of the countries Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Harvard university alumni include eight USA President, head of states from around the world, 60 billionaires and about 150 Nobel laureates. That's an amazing feat!


Main gathering point of Harvard students.

The famous Leavitt & Peirce shop selling unique gifts, tobacco and antique games.

This is what Leavitt & Peirce have on their main display. Pipes, hardware and antique games.


The Harvard Crimson is the official publication in Harvard University.


Harvard Book Store. Selling internal Harvard Publication.


Inside Harvard Book store.


Enter To Grow in Wisdom.

Student activities posting.

Sever hall contains small classrooms and lecture halls. It is a US historic landmark.

Unique architecture of Sever hall. The archway admitting entrance into the west facade possesses an acoustical oddity. Whispering directly into the bricks of the archway, can be heard clearly on the other side of the arch.

Beautiful Hagia Sophia @ Istanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sophia is a holy place which during the history of the building it was a church and a mosque. The architecture are impressive. Now it is converted to a museum. Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. Its interior is decorated with mosaics and marble pillars and coverings of great artistic value. You can learn about the historical event by visiting here. I went there in the evening on weekday during month of December and the queue was short. The ticket cost 25 Turkish Lira. Hagia Sophia is just 5 minutes walk and easily accessible from Istanbul Tram Sultanahmet station.


Huge number of visitors in Hagia Sophia. The left section of the museum were closed for restoration work. Hagia Sophia is the second most visited museum in Turkey after Topkapi Palace.

Medallions and pendant chandeliers.

Interior view of the Hagia Sophia, showing Islamic elements.

Apse mosaic of the Theotokos (Virgin Mother and Child).

An artistic meeting of Christianity and Islam in the Hagia Sophia.

The architecture are huge and amazing.

Islamic elements on the dome.

Interior dome.

Walking thru building tunnel to second floor.


Hagia Sophia interior view from second floor.


The Deësis mosaic. This mosaic depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, who holds a scroll and makes the sign of benediction.

Another unique mosaic in the museum.

GPS/Coordinate: 41.008559, 28.980164
Address: Ayasofya Square, Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey
Public transport: Sultanahmet Istanbul Tram station.

Autumn foliage at Deoksu Palace @ Seoul

Deoksu Palace or Deoksugung Palace served as the King's residence twice during Joseon. The site was originally the home of Prince Wolsan and King Seonjo (1567-1608). They lived here temporary after returning to the capital following the withdrawal of Japanese forces in 1593. Calling it the "temporary palace in Jeongneung-Jong", he resided here because all the main palace compounds had been destroyed during the war. His successor; Prince Gwanghae (1608-1623), renamed it Gyeongun Palace after making the newly rebuilt Changdeok Palace his main residence.

Gyeongun Palace was used as a royal residence again in late Joseon when Goyong (1863-1907) moved here in 1897. Back then, the Joseon state was proclaimed as an "empire" and the ruler began offering rituals at the Altar of Heaven (where Chosun Hotel now stands). The palace halls were rebuilt and the compound was expended to some three times its present size.

However, Gojong was forced to hand the throne over to his son who became Emperor Sunjong in 1907. Emperor Sunjong moved into Changdeok Palace and bestowed the title of Deoksu (virtue and long life) on his father, wishing him a long life. The compound came to be called Deoksu Palace and the former emperor remained here until his death in 1919. The palace compound at that time was some 3 times larger than it is today, encompassing the whole area around the present city hall, Seoul Plaza and Jeong-dong area.

With the onslaught of foreign diplomats and missionaries in Jeong-dong area, some Western-style buildings also appeared inside Deoksu Palace. Built in 1900, Jeonggwan-heon is one of the first European architectural structures to appear on Korean palace grounds. Gojong commissioned a Russian architect to build it.

Deoksu Palace still boast several historic structures and the grounds and nearby areas are very popular for the visitors for the beauty and tranquillity.

* content from Deoksu Palace leaflet.



As I walk from City Hall station to Deoksu Palace, I saw a bunch of people sleeping on the road side. I am not sure what cause they are fighting for.

Deoksu Palace from outside.

Deoksu Palace guard.

Me with the guards.


Colour changing leaves when entering the palace compound.


National Museum of Art in Deoksu Palace compound.


The surrounding in Deoksu Palace.

One of the halls in Deoksu Palace.

The celling design of the hall.

The stone look like tomb stone.

Coordinate/GPS: 37.565577,126.976783
Admission: 1000 Won ~ 0.90 USD for adult and 500 Won for children. Combination ticket (10,000 Won) which includes admission to other places (Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace (the secret garden included), Changgyeong Palace, Deoksu Palace and Jongmyo Shrine).
Opening hours: 9.00am until 9.00pm.
Subway station: City Hall station (Line 1, Exit 2 or Line 2, Exit 12).
There is also guided tours available in English, Korean, Japanese & Chinese.

Korean World Heritage Changdeokgung Palace @ Seoul

Changdeokgung also known as Changdeokgung Palace or Changdeok Palace is set within a large park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. It blends well with its natural surroundings and boasts outstanding examples of traditional palace architecture and garden design. As such, this cultural treasure was selected for the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

Changdeok Palace is called oen of the "Eastern Palace" because it lies east of Hangyang, capital city. It was first built to support the main compound, Gyeongbok Palace. Both were destroyed in the Japanese invasion (1592-1598), and Changdeok Palace was the first to be rebuilt immediately after the war, making it the king's primary residence until Gyeongdok Palace was rebuilt in the 19th century. There is rear garden boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond, and a pavilion.

The Palace is beautiful and I love the secret garden as it is a place to relax and breath some fresh air. Visit to the secret garden require extra payment. You cannot go to the secret garden alone. There will be a tour guide to explain the secret garden. You can choose your preferred language session which include English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.


Nice colourful roof. This palace looks more well restored compared to other palaces.

Changdeokgung UNESCO World Heritage.

Huge gate. Donhwamun.


Inside Changdeokgung.

Another palace building. Injeong-jeon. The throne hall.


The roof design is detailed.

Small pavilion.

This scenery is colourful and classic.

Autumn colour changing.


Maple leaves.

Me at the palace pool and garden.

Admission fee: 3000 Won.
Integrated Admission:
- Admission to the Four Palaces (Changdeokgung Palaces (including Huwon, Secret Garden), Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace) and Jongmyo Shrine
- Ticket price: 10,000 won per person (Valid for 1 month after purchase)
Coordinate/GPS: 37.57863,126.990384
Address: Seoul-si Jongno-gu Yulgok-ro 99
Seoul Metro: Anguk Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 3.
Go straight for 5 minutes.