Things to do during winter in Seoul

Go Ice-Skating at Seoul Plaza (City Hall)

Outdoor ice-skating is one of the things you can only do in the winter. There are quite a few outdoor ice-skating rinks that are open around Seoul, e.g. Grand Hyatt in Itaewon and Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, but so far the one at Seoul Plaza (City Hall) seems to be the cheapest and easiest to get to. It costs 1,000 KRW per person for a one hour session, including the rental of a pair of skates. They have a smaller rink for kids and beginners. Helmets for children are also provided free of charge if needed.

Operating Hours: Mon-Thu: 10am-10pm, Fri-Sun: 10am-11pm (Including Public Holidays)

How to go?

Subway: City Hall Station (Line 1,2), Exit 5

Visit Namsan Seoul Tower

  

Namsan Seoul Tower was built in 1969 as Korea's first integrated transmission tower beaming television and radio broadcasts across the capital. Since opening to the public in 1980, it has become a much-loved Seoul landmark. The tower's main attractions include multi-coloured digital art projected onto the tower at night, a digital observatory, a roof terrace, the HanCook restaurant, the n.Grill restaurant, and the Haneul (Sky) Restroom. Namsan Seoul Tower's mountain surroundings on Namsan Mountain have made it a popular place to unwind for locals and tourists alike.

Seoul has a number of viewing platforms where visitors can enjoy the nighttime cityscape or gaze out onto the Hangang (River) but the tower's Digital Observatory is unique, offering an astonishing 360 degree panorama over the city, and 32 LCD screens recounting the 600-year history of Seoul. That is why the observatory is so popular and such a source of pride.

Situated on top of the N Plaza, the Roof Terrace is a spacious wooden viewing deck whose exotic atmosphere makes it very popular with lovers. A recent attraction for courting couples is "Locks of Love" thousands of padlocks attached to the fence by romantic Seoulites symbolizing their undying affection.

Observatory Hours (subject to change according to weather conditions):

Monday-Friday & Sunday 10:00-23:00, Saturdays 10:00-24:00

Observatory

- Tickets: Adult 10,000 won (RM40), Child 8,000 won (RM32)

How to go?

Subway:

1.  Itaewon Station (subway line 6) exit 4, take bus No. 03 and get off at Namsan Seoul Tower
2. Chungmuro Station (subway line 3, 4) exit 2, take bus No. 02 or 05 and get off at Namsan Seoul Tower
3. Dongguk Univ. Station (subway line 3) exit 2, take bus No. 02 and get off at Namsan Seoul Tower

Be wow-ed by the LED Flower Garden Outside Dongdaemun Design Plaza

  

A gorgeous addition to the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), these 20,000 LED flowers glow as beautifully in the day as when night falls and gives the whole plaza a dreamy feel. Whether you go with your loved one, good friend, or just by yourself, it gives you an indescribable satisfaction to gaze at the seabed of roses.

Have Fried Chicken and Beer at Hongdae

Fried chicken and beer – The supper food made popular by Korean Dramas. The fried chicken went wonderfully with the beer! The beer was very light and refreshing to the taste – a great contrast to the oily fried chicken. The servings are rather large, so best to order one or two plates to share.

How to go?

Subway: Hongik University Station (Subway Line 2, Gyeongui-Jungang, AREX), Exit 9. Turn left, and go 500m straight towards Hongik University.

Warm up with Hot Korean Street Snacks

The wonderful thing about walking around Seoul in the winter is being able to stop anywhere and chew on all the wide array of delicious hot street snacks! Topokkii (spicy rice cakes), Odeng (Fish cake sticks dipped in soup), Gamja Hotdogs (French fry covered hot dogs) and Mat Tang (candied sweet potato)

Operating Hours: Most snack stalls close at around 10pm