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Amazing Korea: Top 20 places in Seoul that are definitely worth visiting

Seoul is one of Asia’s leading capitals, dynamically developing and expanding while preserving its rich culture and history.

It is a place where you can visit majestic palaces in the morning, stroll through botanical gardens in the afternoon, and head out in the evening to lively streets filled with neon lights, bustling bars, and local street food. So what should you choose from the many fascinating places in Seoul? Read the article to find out.
21 september 2023
AUTHOR: Kybukevykh Khrystyna
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Gyeongbokgung Palace

The Gyeongbokgung Palace complex is located in the northern part of the city. It was built at the end of the 14th century during the reign of the Joseon Dynasty. The complex includes the Geonjeongjeon Hall, the Gyeonghuijeon Pavilion, the National Folk Museum of Korea, and the National Palace Museum. Every day, a changing of the guard ceremony takes place at the central gate of the complex, which many tourists come to see.

Changdeokgung Palace

At first glance, it seems that all the palaces in Seoul are similar to each other, both in architectural style and name, but in fact, each one has something special. According to most experts, Changdeokgung is the most beautiful palace in Seoul, if only because it is located against the backdrop of a huge picturesque mountain, and the territory is framed by a small stream that complies with the principles of feng shui.

Particular attention should be paid to the ancient giant Tonghwamun Gate, the luxurious throne room, the picturesque garden, and the lotus pond.

National Museum of Korea

The National Museum of Korea in Seoul is a record holder among all Korean museums. This cultural center, a repository of historical artifacts, paintings, and other art objects, is the largest center in South Korea and one of the largest museum complexes in Asia and the world. The National Museum covers an area of more than 137,000 square meters and is housed in a building specially constructed for it in 2005, reminiscent of Korean fortresses in a modern interpretation. The museum's collections number about 220,000 items, but only a small part of these treasures—about 13,000 items—are on permanent display.

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N Seoul Tower

The television and observation tower on Namsan Mountain in central Seoul reaches a height of 236 meters. Built in 1971, the Seoul TV Tower became the first tower in Korea to provide television and radio broadcasting in the city.

For tourists, however, the tower is attractive for another reason — its observation deck offers a panoramic view. It is especially impressive in the evening, when the sun’s rays bathe the city in warm light.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

If you want to explore South Korea’s cutting-edge technologies that have gained worldwide recognition, head to the Dongdaemun cultural center. Built in 2014, this futuristic complex already creates the feeling that you are stepping through a portal into the distant future.

Inside, there are five large halls. Here you will find the Design Museum, where innovative and creative Korean design is presented in a new way. There is also a design market where you can personally test new inventions and experience advanced technologies in practice.

Bongeunsa Temple

This beautiful Buddhist temple was founded in 794 on the slopes of Sudo Mountain. Despite the surrounding skyscrapers, peace and quiet always prevail here. Bongeunsa is one of the most magnificent and largest temples in the capital.

Its decoration is also impressive: carved ornaments, images of Buddha, vibrant colors, and well-maintained gardens.

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Photo author - planetofhotels

Noryangjin Fish Market

Seoul's Noryangjin Fish Market, with its narrow walkways, bustling carts bringing in and taking out goods, and sashimi chefs preparing orders on cutting boards, is a great place for adventurous foodies.

Founded in 1927, it is the city's largest indoor seafood market and a place where you can not only see or purchase the riches of the ocean, but also simply experience the color of bustling Seoul.

Bukchon is a folk village of traditional Korean hanok houses.

This is a colorful place where you can stroll through narrow, winding alleys and take advantage of the wonderful opportunity to take lots of photos. The houses in this village were built in the 14th century during the Joseon Dynasty. Currently, Bukchon Village is a state-protected area.

It preserves the rich cultural heritage of South Korea. You can enter some of the hanok houses and try your hand at the art of a craftsman or artist, or learn to play Korean musical instruments.

Lotte World

Lotte World is the largest indoor amusement park in the world, offering a wide range of attractions. It would take more than a week to try them all. If that's not enough, there is also a huge shopping center and department store. Lotte World is a particularly popular attraction among locals.

It is also an excellent alternative to Disneyland. Children can hardly contain themselves when they see the giant rides stretching to the horizon. Whether it's riding a water slide with splashes of water all around or the adrenaline-pumping French Revolution roller coaster, Lotte World is one of the best places in Seoul to go for a thrill.

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Photo author - planetofhotels

Pukhansan National Park

Nature lovers should definitely visit Pukhansan, a national park rich in amazing forests and beautiful temples. It is also known for its three mountain peaks: Mangeunde, Insubong, and Begunde. All of them are ideal for hiking. The panoramic view of Seoul from there is breathtaking.

Small, charming traditional temples are scattered throughout the park's pristine nature. Despite the park's immense popularity, you can still find secluded spots where you can relax and admire the fabulous scenery. Among the attractions open to visitors, the historic Bukhansan Fortress and its wall, which winds gracefully along the hills and mountain slopes of the national park, stand out.

The Blue House

The Blue House is the Korean version of the American White House. It is the official residence of the President of Korea, as well as the location of government officials corresponding to this status. In fact, the Blue House is not a single building, but a whole complex of buildings in the traditional Korean style.

The roofs of all the buildings are covered with blue tiles, which is how the complex got its name. There are multi-hour tours for tourists. But to take part, you need to register your interest in advance by signing up online for a specific tour.

Guides will take you through different parts of the palace complex, including meeting rooms, reception rooms, and the Korean version of the Rose Garden, where the President of Korea holds press conferences.

Mueundong Shopping Street

It is evident that the name "Bright Tunnel" - Mueon-dong - is quite appropriate for this shopping street, where you feel squeezed on all sides by brightly colored signs. It is one of the city's most popular shopping streets, attracting travelers.

Here you will find crowds of shopping enthusiasts who come here to buy something in the endless row of shops lining the street. It is also the perfect place to sample the incredibly delicious dishes offered in many restaurants and retail outlets.

You can book a hotel in Seoul with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

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Photo author - tripadvisor
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Everland Theme Park

Everland is a giant amusement park in South Korea. It is located in the suburbs of Seoul, in the town of Yongin. The park covers an area of 250, km², is owned by Samsung Everland, and includes a water park and a zoo. It has the longest roller coaster in the world, stretching for about 1.7 km. The amusement park itself is divided into five zones: American Adventure, European Adventure, Global Fair, Zoo-Topia, and Magic Land, each of which is like a separate magical universe, full of entertainment and excitement.

Sodeumun Prison

As if to counterbalance the many entertainment centers and noisy streets of Seoul, Sodeumun Prison, which operated from 1907 to 1987, is located here. The long red buildings and their interior create a heavy atmosphere. Currently, there is a museum here with exhibits on the history of the region and this prison.

Tourists can see the basement rooms, the watchtower, the torture chamber, and the prisoners' quarters. The museum also has exhibits dedicated to the history of the independence movement.

Republic of Korea War Memorial

This huge museum has a collection of documentary materials on the history of the Korean War of 1950-1953. The memorial features multimedia exhibits, black-and-white documentary films, and artifacts such as weapons, military uniforms, and maps. Outside the building, you will see a somber memorial gallery with lists of the names of all the soldiers from different countries who died during the war on the walls.

There are also numerous tanks, helicopters, and aircraft on display. As a reminder that the war remains unfinished, there is an exact replica of a patrol boat sunk by North Korean forces in 2002. You can climb aboard if you wish.

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Photo author - wikipedia

Ihwa – the village of wall paintings

High on the slopes of Naksan is one of the oldest settlements, where refugees lived in huts after the Korean War. Sixty years later, this village has become a popular tourist destination. This is thanks to its collection of unusual sculptures and wall paintings, which make a big impression. All of this is located along steep village stairs and alleys.

"Moon Village" is a more appropriate name for this place, hinting at the fact that the locals who lived in their huts on the hillside had a beautiful view of the moon. To reach the top, you will have to take a rather difficult path. But you will be rewarded with a magnificent panorama of the city and stunning views of the sunsets from the panoramic cafes located on the hill.

Olympic Park

This large, cozy park was the center of the 1988 Olympics. Walking along its paths, you will pass stadiums surrounded by fragrant plants, ponds, and flowers.

It is home to a modern art gallery and two museums dedicated to the history of the Baekje dynasty.

Rose Garden

The Rose Garden began as a temporary exhibition but gained popularity, especially among couples in love. When evening comes, 25,550 LED roses light up, creating a striking stream of white light.

The first exhibition was held in 2015 on National Liberation Day, which marked the 70th anniversary of independence. The number of roses in the exhibition corresponds to the number of days since liberation: 365 days multiplied by 70 years equals 25,550 roses.

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Photo author - freepik

Dora Observatory

The war between North and South Korea is still ongoing. You can experience this for yourself at the world's most dangerous border. Learn how the demilitarized zone came to be. Catch a glimpse of North Korea from the Dora Observatory.

Hongdae District

Hongdae is an interesting center of Seoul, a lively new district with shops and nightlife. This area has many unique nightclubs that attract young people. The prestigious Hongik University is located nearby. Therefore, this area attracts crowds of students as well as lovers of shopping, restaurants, and club life.

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