Must Visit Seoul Attractions

Gyeongbokgung Palace

 Gyeongbokgung Palace was the first royal palace built by the Joseon Dynasty, three years after the Joseon Dynasty was founded. Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace was located at the heart of newly appointed capital of Seoul (then known as Hanyang) and represented the sovereignty of the Joseon Dynasty. The largest of the Five Grand Palaces (the others being Gyeonghuigung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace), Gyeongbokgung served as the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty.

An effort by the Korean government has been ongoing since 1990 to rebuild and restore the buildings that were destroyed during the Japanese occupation. This 40-year restoration project aims to fully restore Gyeongbokgung Palace to its original form in the next twenty years. The palace also houses the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum of Korea.

Admission Fee:

Adults (ages 19-64) 3,000 won (RM12), Youths (ages 7-18) 1,500 won (RM6), Hanbok (free entry)

Operating Hours:

March to October 09:00-18:00, November to February 09:00-17:00, closed on Tuesday

How to go?

Subway: Go to Gyeongbokgung Station (Subway Line 3), exit 5 or Ganghwamun Station (Subway Line 5), exit 2 and walk 400 meters.

Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon Hanok Village is a village with the largest group of privately owned traditional Korean wooden homes or what they call hanok in Seoul.

During the Joseon Dynasty, when the surrounding palaces, Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, were actually inhabited, the Bukchon area served as the residential quarters for the upper class, such as nobility and high-ranking government officials. Urbanization, naturally, harmed these neighbourhoods, as did the years of Japanese occupation and subsequent war.

In the years after the Korean War, Seoul's rapid modernization leads to the demolition of even more hanok houses. It wasn't until the 2000s that the Seoul Metropolitan Government created new policies to beautify and preserve what was left of the hanok houses.

The hanok houses themselves are works of art. The slope of the rooftops is just aesthetically pleasing, and all the intricate patterns on the walls, windows, and doors will keep any photo-happy tourist busy for hours.

Bukchon Hanok Village is a residential area so the tourists should be quite here

This is a main street and best photo spot in Bukchon Hanok Village. The street has a slight slope. Taking pictures in down and up has totally different view and feeling but both are awesome!

How to go?

Subway: Go to Anguk Station; 안국역 (Line No. 3) and come out exit No. 2. From Anguk Station to Donmi Yakguk; 돈미약국 (Donmi Pharmacy) is walking distance that around 500 meter (10 minutes)

Namsangol Hanok Village

Namsangol Hanok Village is a collection of five hanok (traditional Korean houses) from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), recovered from different parts of the city and relocated to the northern foot of Namsan Mountain. The interiors of each of these five houses reflect owners from different walks of life, from the middle class to high government officials, noblemen and aristocrats.

At Namsangol Hanok Village, visitors can see the hanok of important figures from the Joseon era including the house of Queen Yun's parents, who was the Queen Consort to King Sunjong, the 27th king of the Joseon Dynasty; the jaesil (study) of Yun Taekyeong, King Sunjong's father-in-law; the house of Min Yeong-hui, a relative of Empress Myeongseong; the house of Lee Seungeop, who was in charge of constructing Gyeongbokgung Palace and the house of Kim Chunyeong, a military official of the Joseon Dynasty.

At the hanok village, international visitors can participate in traditional Korean activities such as archery and enjoy traditional Korean performances as well.

How to go?

Subway: Go to Chungmuro Station; 충무로역 (Line No. 3 & 4), then come out through exit No. 3.

Between two modern buildings, there is a Namsangol Hanok Village!

This is the entrance of Namsangol Hanok Village

While Bukchon Hanok Village open for 24/7, Namsangol Hanok Village has opening hours that April-October is 9:00 am-21:00 pm and November-March is 9:00 am-20:00 pm. Also every Tuesday is closed. There is no entrance fee same as Bukchon Hanok Village.

For the convenience of tourists, Namsangol Hanok Village offer free supply service that Pushchair, Wheelchair, Mobile charger and Audio guide devices for the blind.

Once you enter the Namsangol Hanok Village, there is a photo zone

The major difference between Bukchon Hanok Village and Namsangol Hanok Village is that Bukchon Hanok Village is residential area while Namsangol Hanok Village is re-creation of an old Hanok Village. Namsangol Hanok Village hold some Korean cultural activities such as act, play, dance and so on.

Interior design of Hanok

There is a playground that you can play Korean traditional games

Samcheong-dong

Samcheong-dong is Seoul's most stylish neighbourhood, located just past Gyeongbokgung (Palace)'s stone wall lined street. The name "Samcheong" is derived from the words "sam" meaning “three", and "cheong" meaning "fresh" or "pure", because the mountain, water and the heart of the people in this area are all very fresh and pure. Then it's not wonder why many artists have sought out Samcheong-dong over the years. Because of this, Samcheong-dong became known as an artistic area.

The area of Samcheong-dong is actually made up of several neighbourhoods: Anguk-dong, Sogyeok-dong, Hwa-dong, and Sagan-dong and ends at Samcheong Park. Samcheong-dong is dotted with various art museums, art galleries, restaurants, cafés, and shops; some are traditional, some are modern, but all are unique and colorful.

How to go?

Subway: From Anguk Station, exit 1 & turn right, walk straight till you see a stone wall on your right. Turn right and walk along the stone wall & you’ll reach Samcheong-dong in less than 10 mins.

Dongdaemun Market

Dongdaemun Market is a large commercial district comprised of traditional markets and shopping centers that covers the entire area around Dongdaemun Gate, a prominent landmark in Korea. It is Korea’s largest wholesale and retail shopping district featuring 26 shopping malls, 30,000 speciality shops, and 50,000 manufacturers. All kinds of goods can be found here including silks and fabric, clothes, shoes and accessories, electronics, leather goods, sporting goods, office supplies, pet products and toys.

Although Dongdaemun Market is traditionally famous for its night market, this popular shopping district attracts hordes of shoppers and tourists at all times of day. Like Namdaemun Market, Dongdaemun Market sells a variety of products, but unlike Namdaemun Market, it is open 24-hours a day. The powerful appeal of Dongdaemun Market stems from the fact that you can buy everything you need at a reasonable price, in one convenient location and at any time. Most major wholesalers and retailers are here along with specialist outlets focusing on the youth market, making Dongdaemun Market the best place to find the latest fashions at bargain prices. Dongdaemun’s famous food alley, Mukja Golmok, is also essential for anyone wanting to check out the latest trends in Korean cuisine.

In addition to selling everything under the sun, large shopping malls such as Good Morning City and Freya add an extra dimension to the shopping experience with their own multiplex cinemas, while Doota features a huge outdoor concert hall hosting a range of events including outdoor fashion shows, concerts, modelling contests and classical Korean music for tourists.

How to go?

Subway: Dongdaemun Station (subway line 4) exit 8, walk 5 min or Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (subway line 4) exits 1, 14

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

  

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) selected as one of the "Top 52 Places to Visit in 2015" by the New York Times, it was the most Instagram tagged location in Korea in the year 2015. Also, it was included in the list of the top 5 most popular places according to Korean Facebook users in 2015 and the filming location for the SBS drama "You Who Came from the Stars", the KBS2 drama "Producer" and the MBC drama "She Was Pretty."

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is the newest and most iconic landmark of the Korean design industry. Located at the center of the Dongdaemun area, the DDP will serve as a key venue for design-related shows and conferences, exhibitions, and other events and gatherings. The Dongdaemun History & Culture Park is the newest park in downtown Seoul. The park gives a glimpse of how the area was once used as a military training ground during the Joseon dynasty. The park seamlessly extends onto the rooftop of DDP, making it a truly unique park in Korea.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) designed by world renowned architect, Zaha Hadid, DDP is the world’s largest atypical architecture. The DDP is comprised of five halls: Art Hall, Museum, Design Lab, Design Market, and Dongdaemun History and Culture Park. The Design Lab serves as an incubator for rising Korean and international creative product designers. The Design Market is a multipurpose space that combines culture, experiences and shopping. This hall is open 24 hours a day to provide added convenience to visitors of Dongdaemun Market, the town that never sleeps.

How to go?

Subway: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 4, 5) and Exit 1

Namdaemun Market

Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea with over 10,000 stores that line the streets around Namdaemun (Gate), the main southern gate of the old city wall. Namdaemun Market first started under the reign of King Taejong (1367 – 1422, the third Joseon king) during the Joseon Dynasty (1392 – 1910), when the government built shops around Namdaemun and rented out the shops to traders. It boasts one of the largest distribution structures in Korea, providing local products, daily living essentials, food products, medical supplies and more to retailers and consumers across the country.

Due to the wholesale nature of the market, shoppers can comparison shop for the lowest prices on all sorts of goods. Namdaemun Market is also packed with interesting things to see and eat, making it a popular destination for both locals and international visitors alike. So whether you’re looking for traditional oriental medicine or imported drugs, traditional Korean food or imported snacks, hanbok attire or a Halloween costume, Namdaemun Market is the place to go.

Namdaemun Market is renowned for its vast size and the variety of goods it offers. With the exception of construction materials, the market sells nearly every item under the sun including clothing, food, living essentials, etc. So it comes as no surprise that Namdaemun Market is always bustling day and night. Retailers from all over the nation flock to the market at night and local consumers flock to the market during the day. Many tourists come during the day as well to experience the charm of a traditional Korean market. The market's success is largely due to its independent distribution system. Although the shops are small, most of them produce the goods they offer themselves, allowing for customers to purchase goods directly from the manufacturers at wholesale prices.

How to go?

Subway: Line4 Hoehyeon station, Exit 7 and walk 400 m.

Myeong-dong

Myeong-dong is Seoul’s shopping mecca and is a must-see for tourists, but it is not just a shopping destination; Myeong-dong is also a hub of commerce, banking and culture with a daytime population of 1.5-2 million. For shoppers there is a mixture of street stalls and retail outlets selling everything from high fashion to casual attire, as well as many Korean cosmetics stores offering high-quality products at competitive prices.

Myeong-dong is very popular with international visitors and fills with Japanese and Chinese tourists during the holiday period known as “Golden Week” which takes place in spring and is called golden week due to the week-long holiday period that takes place in Japan and China. Part of Myeong-dong’s popularity stems from relatively affordable prices here, especially compared to the other shopping meccas of Apgujeong-dong and Cheongdam-dong.

How to go?

Subway: Myeong-dong Station (subway line 4) exits 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Nami Island

 

From the month of November to January, Seoul will transform itself into a magical wonderland. Expect to see gorgeous winter sceneries everywhere you turn! Walk around and admire the beautiful winter scenery! This is something you can’t enjoy if you are in a tropical country! Be mesmerized and take lots of pictures! Especially in Nami island, where the filming for Winter Sonata was made.

Admission Fees 

General Rate: Adults 10,000 won 

Discounted Rate: 8,000 won

Special Rate: 4,000 won

* Discounted rate is applicable with proper identification to:

- Middle / High school students, Persons with a disability (Level 1-3), Seniors ages 70 years and older, Foreigners (passport)

* Special rate is applicable to:

- Babies (ages 3) to elementary school student, Groups of infants (under ages 3 years old)

- People purchasing late admission (Dec-Mar: Ticketing after 18:10 (visitors using the ferry at 18:30) / Apr-Nov: Ticketing after 19:10 (visitors using the ferry at 19:30)

* Admission fee includes a round-ferry ticket, usage fee, and additional tax. 

* Free admission

A guide of a travel agency with group visitors / Babies (under 36 months) when accompanied by parents 

How to go?

1. Korea Subway: go to MTR Gyeongchun Chuncheon then go to Gapyeong station (28 min) (when you reach Gapyeong station, the fastest way to reach the Nami Island ticket office is by taxi, 5 min 3km about 5000 won, RM20)
2. Shuttle Bus: Seoul Insa-dong/ Namdaemun to Nami Island Direct Shuttle Bus (9:30am go, 4pm back) (Adult 15000 won RM60, round trip/ 7500 won RM30, one way) (Child 13000 won RM52, round trip/ 6500 won RM26, one way)