Things to do in  Seoul

Nowhere is the tension between North Korea and South Korea more palpable than in the no-man’s-land known as the Korean Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ. As a divided nation, only 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) separate the North from the South at what is the most heavily armed border on earth. The 150-mile (241-kilometer) zone has served as a buffer since the 1953 cease-fire agreement between the United Nations and North Korea that put the Korean War on hold.

Gyeongbokgung Palace (also known as the Northern Palace) is one of South Korea’s must-visit attractions. Of the five main palaces in Seoul, it’s the biggest and most beautiful—and its 1395 construction date also makes it the country’s oldest Joseon dynasty palace. Highlights include the grand Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, supported by 48 stone pillars and used for ceremonies, and the on-site National Folk Museum of Korea, which features roughly 10,000 artifacts.

One of four known tunnels in the DMZ (demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea), the Third Tunnel of Aggression sits more than 229 feet (70 meters) below ground. North Korea likely built the tunnel to attack South Korea. When it was discovered, the government claimed it was a coal mine. You can walk through the tunnel.

Insadong is Seoul’s cultural and artistic hub, as well as the place to shop for local crafts, visit a traditional Korean tea shop, or catch an impromptu street performance. The neighborhood, located in the Jongno-gu district, offers one of the largest antiques and craft markets in the country, with many shops and cafés housed in historic buildings.

Head to the top of Namsan Tower (N Seoul Tower) in hilly Namsan Park, the largest in Seoul, for some of the best panoramic views over the South Korean capital. The 777-foot (237-meter) tower offers three observation decks and half a dozen restaurants where you can soak in the views, day or night.

Flanked by Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace—two of Seoul’s Joseon Dynasty palaces—Bukchon Hanok Village comprises hundreds of traditionalhanok houses that today are home to restaurants, teahouses, cultural centers, art galleries, and B&Bs. It’s one of the best places to experience a taste of old Seoul.

Established in 1910, Jogyesa Temple serves as the center of Zen Buddhism in South Korea. Highlights of the temple complex include Daeungjeon, Seoul’s largest Buddhist shrine, as well as a garden area with a white pine tree that is more than 500 years old.

Gwangjang Market, Seoul’s first and oldest covered market, was originally the place to buy traditional Korean clothing items, such as hanbok. Though the market still specializes in textiles, it’s become one of Seoul’s biggest street food hot spots, where foodies can sample nearly any type of Korean cuisine under the same roof.

Situated atop Mt. Dora on the South Korean side of the 38th parallel, the Dora Observatory sits as close to North Korea as possible from the south. The observatory often is the highlight of a Korea Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) tour itinerary, and you’ll have the opportunity to observe parts of North Korea through high-powered binoculars, including the Kijong-dong “propaganda village” and the city of Kaesong.

Located just south of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Imjingak Park serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Korean War and a yearning for peace and reunification between the two Koreas. The park is dedicated to the 10 million South Koreans separated from their families when the peninsula was divided, with various monuments, statues, and other points of interest throughout.

Known for the blue tiles that cover its roof, Seoul’s Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae or Cheongwadae) sits at the foot of Mount Bugaksan and is the official residence of South Korea’s president. The house was built in the traditional Korean architectural style within a Joseon Dynasty–era royal garden.

Seoul’s answer to Fifth Avenue in New York, Myeongdong Shopping Street teems with affordable brand name shops and department stores selling all varieties of clothing, shoes, and accessories. This retail mecca stretches from Myeongdong Subway Station to the Lotte Department Store and encompasses many of the surrounding streets and alleyways as well. For shoppers who’ve worked up an appetite, the area’s restaurants specialize in Korean pork cutlet (dongaseu) and noodle soup (kalguksu).

Set 16 feet (5 meters) below street level, the pedestrianized Cheonggyecheon stream runs east-west through the South Korean capital and ranks among the city’s best spots for walking and people watching. The 3.6-mile (5.8-kilometer) route through Seoul passes 22 bridges and several art installations and fountains (illuminated at night) along the way.

Whether you’re looking for street food, ginseng, jewelry, housewares, clothes, or souvenirs, you’ll find these (and just about everything else under the sun) in the stalls of Namdaemun Market. South Korea’s largest market is busy around the clock as locals and tourists rub elbows in search of the best deals.

Housed in the beautiful Joseon dynasty Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folk Museum of Korea highlights the history, agriculture, and folk art of the Korean peninsula. The collection consists of nearly 100,000 artifacts, as well as some historical buildings and 20th-century structures in an open-air setting.