Seoul is a wonderful city which perfectly mixes antiquity and modernity. There, each area goes on its own way: from those who still stand on antic standards to those who copy their way on the international manners embedded within frenzy and ambitions.
Before talking about places to visit in Seoul, let me relate you something on this city that I’m quite sure will get you in love with her, like me.
Seoul was born on the river Han which ultimately determines the boundary between the South Korea and the North Korea. Reconstructed after centuries of war, Seoul now counts over 10 million of habitants and is the most hospitable and safe city of the Far East.
Even if the atmosphere is polluted, Seoul is a cleaned city, ordered and wealthy.
It’s the capital of South Korea for already 600 years and represents one of the strongest economies in the world if not one of the world biggest megalopolis.
Four magnificent hills rise around the city; the one you can easily access to is the Bugaksan. It allows winter activities like ski and offers numerous hiking trails. There, you could admire the city walls which offer astonishing views and pictures full of wonders.
Seoul satisfies all the visitors: from the modern metropolis to centuries of story found in old areas. What can you see in this marvellous city?
Things to do in Seoul, 10 MUST-SEE attractions:
1) Magic and suggestive, the Seoul Tower is the symbol of Seoul.
250 metres high, it rises on the Namsan Mountain and is the highest point where you could admire the city. It hosts a restaurant with a dazzling view, to reach it you have to take the Namsan cableway and going on you will have a splendid panorama.
It’s a perfect place for lovers; they may have a romantic diner.
The bright tour is amazing and offers a wonderful horizon up till the city port, the most important of Korea. You’ll have Seoul under your feet.
1) Magic and suggestive, the Seoul Tower is the symbol of Seoul.
250 metres high, it rises on the Namsan Mountain and is the highest point where you could admire the city. It hosts a restaurant with a dazzling view, to reach it you have to take the Namsan cableway and going on you will have a splendid panorama.
It’s a perfect place for lovers; they may have a romantic diner.
The bright tour is amazing and offers a wonderful horizon up till the city port, the most important of Korea. You’ll have Seoul under your feet.
3) In 2010, Seoul has been elected Capital of design, becoming then one of the references in terms of new artistic trend in the Continent.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza is the architectural emblem of this megalopolis; in front of the silvery building in form of the astronaut nave which stands in the centre of the area, raises the commercial district: the biggest of Korea, every day until 5 am there is still something to do.
Huge shopping centres grow in sparkling skyscrapers with hundreds of small shops where you can find whatever you want from bags to shoes and from clothes to electronics.
4) Enjoy the Namdaemun Market is a reason to go to Seoul.
You absolutely need to go through this huge labyrinth of different stores.
It’s the biggest market of Korea where you can find everything. For sure!
5) Seoul hides the memory of passed civilizations and keeps numerous secrets.
The Chosun dynasty king constructed five palaces. One of them is Changdokgung, usually called Eastern palace.
Splendid and chic ex-residence of Korean kings, it is part of the mankind heritage of UNESCO. It possesses a wonderful garden whose access was only for kings. Nowadays, you can visit it with a tourist guide.
It is worth going through those beautiful gardens and discovering thousands of trees species and ponds. Actually, you will enjoy indescribable moments of quietness and peace.
6) Insa-Dong is a small and crowded area. You may find artisanship galleries, souvenir stores and typical tearooms.
There is no place for frenzy there, but only peace while tasting the different kinds of tea. The Korean tradition of tearooms still exists and a pit-stop there is strongly suggested.
7) Who didn’t hear about PSY in 2012: “Oppa Gangnam Style”!
Gangnam is the richest area of Seoul which gave its name to the tube.
Tours are organized inside there and are aimed to discover the Korean pop. Going through Apgujeong Rodeo Street, exactly like Beverly Hills, you may visit the biggest Korean film companies.
The other young side of Seoul is represented by Hongdae, an area of students.
It’s distinguished by small streets and full artistic walls. It’s bounded of pubs and bars where you could drink the famous Soju, the typical Korean drink. You will listen to all type of music: from reggae to jazz, from rap to electro.
Don’t forget to visit the most famous Korean museum, entertaining and interesting; it’s the optical illusions museum. It is located in this area!
8) The biggest and maybe the most famous palace of the ex-royal dynasty is the Gyeongbokgung which literal translation is “Palace of the shining happiness” and it’s located in the northern part of Seoul. It offers the possibility to put on traditional royal clothes freely and then feeling like a queen or king for one day. Inside there, you may find the magnificent imperial hall of the throne and the mysterious pavilion Geyongheru, located at the centre of an artificial lake of lotus flowers.
Take some time to also visit the gardens and village standing behind it, the Bukchon.
It’s an ancient village full of “hanok”, the traditional houses with black roofs surrounded by gardens. Visiting Bukchon Hanok Village you will be deepen in an authentic traditional village, getting close to the royal life of Koreans. You will be impressed by style and elegance.
9) Getting inside the more chic areas of Korea like Myeong-Dong, Dongdaemun and Insa-Dong, you will discover Cheonggyecheon Stream, a small river renovated and quenched in 2003 which crosses the city. Following its course from the Cheonggye Plaza, famous for its coloured Spring Tower, the fountains and the falls illuminated on the river, you will meet the Banchado of the King Jeongjo, a very long painting wall of ceramics.
Taking a walk, you will reach the Gwangjang Market, full of numerous stands of Korean street food.
10) Seoul is magic from inside… out!
There are a lot of things you don’t have to miss if you have some time left.
– The well said Korean Hawaii: Cheju, a volcanic island where undergrounds and falls are king.
– Songnisan: the most beautiful temple of Korea, where stands the Buddha statue on 30 metres high.
– Samchok: southern city of Korea, rich of wonderful beaches trapped inside secular cliffs.
– Bulguksa: complex of Buddhist temples part of the heritage of UNESCO since 1995. With an exceptional architecture, they are immerged in the surrounding green park.
In autumn, the atmosphere is incredibly charming: trees are deprived and a carpet of coloured flowers creates a magic walk. The Underground temple of Seokguram view is stunning. It’s located at only 4 kilometres from the principal complex and it’s considered like an art master piece that existed during the Silla kingdom. It’s also part of the mankind heritage of UNESCO.
… Seoul waits for you to capture all your senses and leave you the desire to come back as soon as possible!
See you travel partner!
Now tell me about your experience and if this article has been useful for you…
I don’t like to talk alone 🙂
Writer, Blogger, Podcaster e Social Media Strategist.
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