Republic of Korea
An Oriental teahouse, with traditional peaked wooden roof, is linked with a concrete pavilion of free-flowing contemporary lines, linking the Korea of yesterday and today. Within the pavilion, ancient art and folk dances are on view along with products for sale from South Korea's rebuilt industries. In the teahouse, waitresses in flowing silk robes serve delicacies from the nation's 2,000-year-old cuisine.
A Sculptured Welcome. Above the entrance to the area is a contemporary wood sculpture suggesting old Korean calligraphy. Inside the main building, grasscloth, silk and other fabrics from modern Korea hang from the curved walls among paintings, carvings and ornamental screens many centuries old. Handicrafts on sale include dolls in native dress, brass and lacquer ware in embroidered silks. Guides also take orders for 800 listed products.
There's a lot to see in this view of the entrance to the Korea Pavilion. Underneath the cars of the Swiss Sky Ride you can spot the curving architecture of one of the Family Phone Booths, and off to the right one of the bubble-roofed Brass Rail snack bars. (CD #53 Set 225 #142)
Tower of Treasures. Standing in between the two buildings is a replica of the Tabo Pagoda, or Tower of Many Treasures. Built in Kyongju, Korea's capital during its Golden Age, the Sixth Century pagoda is considered a masterpiece of Oriental carved stonemasonry. (CD #65 Set 265 #8)
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