Top Must-Visit Attractions in Seoul

Writer: Mugdha Sanjay Attarde (Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)

Editor: Arpita Jena (Baripada, Odisha, India)

In the attempt to see everything in limited time, we might miss some beautiful places. So I have created a list/journey for all travel enthusiast so that you can enjoy all the places without wasting your time searching route. Here we go:

1. Gyeongbokgung Palace

Locally known as Gyeongbok Palace, this palace was built in 1835. It was the main palace of the Josean Dynasty located in northern Seoul. It was destroyed during the Imjin war but all the 7,700 rooms of the palace were restored under leadership of Prince Regent Heungseon. The premises houses National Palace Museum and National Folk Museum.

^{Picture Credit: Wikipedia}

• It is closed on Tuesday.
• Operation time varies through months but average time is 9 am to 6.30 pm.
• Free admission to preschoolers younger than 6 years and senior citizens older than 65 years.
• Restroom, Interpretation services and Parking facilities are available.

^{Picture Credit: Our Big Journey}

2. Namsan Tower or Seoul Tower

Apart from being a famous tourist location,this is a communication and observation tower located on Namsan Mountain in central Seoul. The height of this tower is about 236-meter marking it as the second highest point in Seoul.

The tower has four floors. The floors houses Korean Restaurant “Hancook“, Analogue Observatory, The Wishing Pond, Sky Restroom, Sky Coffee, Photo Studio, Digital Observatory, Shocking Edge and Digital High-powered Telescope, Gift shop, and a revolving restaurant.

^{Picture Credit: Wikipedia}

The lovers visit Namsan Tower and hang locks which symbolizes their eternal love as depicted in various South Korean dramas. Many visitors also ride the Namsan cable car up the Mt. Namsan to walk to the tower.

• The tower is open all year.
• The admission fees are 11,000 won for adults and 9,000 won for children.
• You can visit Namsan cable car through Namsan Seoul Tower shuttle bus or Electric Circulation Bus No. 2 and 4.

^{Picture Credit: Visit Korea}

3. Lotte World

Lotte World is a major recreation indoor park in Seoul being an ideal place for adults and toddlers. It also has an outdoor amusement park called “Magic Island” and an artificial island inside a lake linked by monorail, shopping malls, a luxury hotel, a Korean folk museum, sports facilities, and movie theaters.

^{Picture Credit: Visit Korea}

The Adventure part of this amusement park is divided into four floors named 1F, 2F, 3F and 4F. Each floor houses various adventurous games such as The Adventures of Sinbad, 3D Desperados, Kids and Adults Bumper Cars, Lotty Train, and many more. The Lotte world also has a Magic Theatre with 200 seats featuring magicians and illusionists from all around the world.

• It is open all year long without any holiday closing.
• The operating hours are 9 am to 11pm.

^{Picture Credit: Visit Korea}

4. Banpo Bridge

This is the first double deck bridge built in 1982 in South Korea. It is a major bridge in downtown Seoul over the Han River, connecting the Seocho and Yongsan districts. The bridge is on top of Jamsu Bridge, forming the upper half of a double-deck bridge and during heavy rainfall.

^{Picture Credit: Visit Korea}

The Jamsu Bridge submerges as the water level of the river rises, as the lower deck lies close to the waterline. It features Moonlight Rainbow Fountain. It has 380 water jets which are dynamic and move in time to music creating spectacular ever-changing displays. 

• The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain operates from April to October every year with shows lasting for 20 minutes.
• It also hosts the “Moonlight Square Cultural Weekend” event every Saturday from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. during May to October and they feature various musical styles.

^{Picture Credit: Wikipedia}

5. Myeong-dong

Constantly bustling and ranked ninth most expensive shopping street in the world is Myeong dong. It is a shopping area packed with international fashion brands, luxury department stores and homegrown cosmetics shops.

^{Picture Credit: Wikipedia}

You can see Korean dumplings, ginseng chicken soup, and Japanese and Thai snacks. You will also receive many free food and cosmetic product samples. Myeongdong Nanta Theatre stages  shows mixing folk music and drama.

• The southern part of Myeongdong is served by Station #424, Myeong-dong on Seoul Metro Line 4 of the Seoul Subway, while the northern area is closer to Station #202, Euljiro 1-ga on Seoul Metro Line 2.

^{Picture Credit: Visit Korea}

6. Hangang Park

Hangang park situated in Seoul is made up of 12 parks and built under Hangang River Development Project. The main aim of the project was to create an environmentally friendly space for everyone amidst the bustling city life.

^{Picture Credit: Visit Korea}

The park has many facilities like swimming pool, bicycle road to encourage people in many leisure activities. The park houses many festivals like  Hangang Spring Flower Festival, Seoul International Fireworks Festival and Hangang Summer Festival. The major tourist attractions are Sebitseom, Banpo Bridge, Saetgang, 63 Building and Cafe of light.

7. Seoullo 7017

Seoullo 7017 is an elevated, linear park built atop a former highway overpass in Seoul, also known as Seoul Skygarden or Skypark. The park includes gardens, terraces, and exhibitions, and will feature over 24,085 plants representing 228 species of trees, shrubs and flowers found in and outside Korea. The overpass diagonally cuts Seoul Station at 17 m above the sea level.

• The Skypark begins at Malli-dong and continues northeast past Seoul Station and the nearest stairway is subway exit 1 of the Seoul Metro.

^{Picture Credit: Visit Seoul}

8. Bukchon Hanok Village

This is a Korean 600-year-old traditional village is  located on the top of a hill between Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace and Jongmyo Royal Shrine. This traditional village is composed of many valleys. You can also wear a hanbok and roam around the village. The hanbok rental fees are 10,000 to 15,000 won for 2-4 hours.

^{Picture Credit: Visit Korea}

• You can visit this village by the subway to the Anguk Station and then take right through exit three.
• The operation hours are 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday while Sunday is open only for residents.

Other places to visit in Seoul are National Museum of Korea, Seoul Museum of Art, Blue house, Bongeunsa, Gwanghwamun Gate, Cheonggyecheon, Jingwansa Temple, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Gwangjang Market, Insadong, Itaewon, Namdaemun Market, Olympic Park, SEOUL Forest, Trickeye Museum, Coex Aquarium, and Starfield Library.

If you had just one day in Seoul, which place would you visit first? Do let us know in comments.