South Korea: Changgyeong Palace

Changgyeong Palace is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed 15th century royal palace in Seoul. It was built in 1484, burned down and was destroyed by mostly Japanese invasions over and over, and diligently rebuilt every single time to its original glory. The palace is a series of gates and squares, one higher then the other and more ornate and elaborate. No crowds and total desolation on a cold winter day.