The star of Seoul’s five Joseon Dynasty palaces, Changdeokgung Palace was built by King Taejong in 1405 and designed to blend harmoniously with its natural surroundings. Today, the palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous for its ornate royal residence buildings and extensive tree-filled gardens.
Namsangol Hanok Village brings to life the Joseon dynasty through five restored traditional Korean houses (called hanoks) that were relocated to the village from other parts of the city. Each house reflects a different stratum of society, from working-class to nobility. The site also hosts demonstrations, workshops, and live performances.
This cultural village looks like it was lifted straight from the Piedmont Alps of France and dropped in the middle of the South Korean countryside. The aptly named Petite France comprises over a dozen French-style buildings on a scenic hillside, housing shops, cafés, art galleries, and French restaurants within their colorful walls.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hwaseong Fortress was built between 1794 and 1796 by King Jeongjo for defensive purposes and to house the remains of his father, Crown Prince Jangheon. The unique architecture of the fort, which took more than 700,000 man-hours to build, incorporates elements from China and Korea.
Originally built in 1395 by the first Joseon king, Gwanghwamun Gate is the main gate to Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the five Joseon Dynasty palaces. After being destroyed twice by fire and war, the gate that stands today was rebuilt in 1968 using concrete and steel instead of the original granite.
Travelers to Korean Folk Village can explore 250 acres of natural landscape, dotted with 260 replica houses from the Joseon Dynasty. Learn about traditional foods, handicrafts, and clothing while visiting the workshops and open-air attractions; take in a live performance; or treat the kids to the rides and craft workshops in Play Village.
Perched behind Seoul's former—and more traditional—city hall from 1926, the sleek 13‐story Seoul City Hall looks like a wave of glass. Highlights include the 7-story Green Wall vertical garden and quirky Metaseosa Seobeol art installation, as well as the glass elevator which leads to the Sky Plaza Gallery, an art exhibition space.
Cheongwadae Sarangchae is a 2-story museum where visitors can learn about Korea’s political and cultural history. Originally the home of the public information hall of Cheongwadae, the facility reopened as a museum in 2010, with exhibit halls on past presidents and first ladies, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Korean culture.
Bukhansan National Park is an urban oasis within the boundaries of Seoul. The park covers nearly 50 square miles (129 square kilometers) and contains hiking trails, sweeping mountaintop views, and streams rushing between gorges and granite peaks. Bukhansanseong Fortress and many Buddhist temples are also set here.
Always abuzz with energy and excitement, the district of Hongdae is known for its lively nightlife. Set on Seoul's western end near Hongik University, the area is home to quirky cafés, avant-garde art galleries, boutique shops, and gourmet eateries. It’s a popular spot for young locals, and a fascinating destination for visitors.
Set in the huge underground COEX Mall, the SEA LIFE® COEX Aquarium features nearly 100 exhibit tanks, spread across 16 themed zones, including the Deep Blue Sea Tunnel, Garden of Jellyfish, and Penguin’s Playground. The Marine Touch zone offers visitors of all ages the chance to make personal contact with baby sea creatures.
Running through the Korean Peninsula for more than 310 miles (500 kilometers), the Han River (Hangang) is one of the most important rivers in South Korea. As it flows through the heart of Seoul, the river has become a gathering place complete with recreational paths and riverside parks with playgrounds and cafés.
South Korea has experienced its fair share of conflict, well beyond the Korean War most visitors are familiar with. The War Memorial of Korea, housed in the former headquarters of the Korean infantry, documents this history with a focus on the country's relationships with North Korea, China, and Japan. .
South Korea’s largest theme park is like the Disney World of Asia, a massive complex filled with rides, food, fairy-tale characters, and live stage shows. It’s also home to Caribbean Bay, the country’s largest water park. There’s something for everyone, from a zoo area with live animals to the world’s steepest wooden roller coaster.
Once the easternmost of four main gates to the capital city, the Dongdaemun Gate (Heunginjimun)now serves as a tourist attraction and a beacon for shoppers—both Korean and international—to browse the sprawling market for souvenirs, folk items, clothing, and a wide array of traditional Korean and fusion cuisine.
Sinheungsa Temple, the oldest Zen temple in South Korea, was built by a traveling Shilla monk by the name of Jajang Yulsa in AD 652 and has been destroyed by fire and rebuilt many times since. The current structure dates back to 1648. Located in Seoraksan National Park, the temple features a 3-level pagoda and two Buddha statues.
Situated in Seoul’s stylish Gangnam district, Bongeunsa Temple was founded in 794. Though it has been rebuilt many times, the temple remains an important center of Seon (Zen) Buddhism in South Korea. Panjeon, the oldest hall in the complex, is home to some 3,000 woodblocks carved with Buddhist scriptures and religious art.
Situated along an old stone road and tucked among a handful of Western-style buildings, Deoksugung Palace is the only one of Seoul’s five traditional Joseon palaces in the bustling neighborhood of Jung-gu. It’s also the only one open in the evening, when the grounds and buildings are illuminated.
Seoul’s Jongmyo Shrine originally served as the ancestral shrine for Joseon Dynasty kings. Built between 1335 and 1408, this UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises 19 rooms, each dedicated to a different Joseon king, and it’s an excellent example of traditional Confucian architecture.
The city of Seoul is divided into two parts by the Han River, and one of the city’s best green areas sits on an island in the middle of this river. Yeouido Park is a favorite among locals for walking, jogging, biking, and playing sports. During spring, it’s one of the loveliest spots in Seoul to see cherry blossoms.
For better or worse, Korean rapper PSY's 2012 hit song "Gangnam Style" has drawn the world's attention to Seoul and the district of Gangnam. Long before the K-pop hit rocketed to the top of the charts, Gangnam was already one of Seoul's hippest neighborhoods—a spot in the southern part of the city where the young come to see and be seen.
The tallest building in South Korea, the Lotte World Tower stands a soaring 1,821 feet (555 meters), and houses an observatory, a hotel, offices, and even an art museum. You’ll also find the massive Lotte World Mall complex, where you can shop to your heart’s content, visit the aquarium, or catch a show at the music hall or cinema.
Not only is the National Museum of Korea one of the best museums in the country, it’s also free. Offering a sweeping introduction to Korean art, culture, and history, the museum houses more than 150,000 artifacts with around 12,000 on display. There’s always plenty to see, even if you’ve been to the museum before.
Lotte World ranks among the largest indoor amusement parks on the planet. Housed largely in glass to permit natural light, the complex offers country-themed districts, complete with full-scale parades, feature films, laser light shows, souvenir shops, rides, and an impressive array of international cuisine.
The Alive Museum in Seoul’s artsy Insadong neighborhood is the largest of its kind in South Korea—two floors packed with more than 100 pieces of art. Unlike most art museums, Alive Museum invites visitors to interact with the murals, digital media, and other “trick art” by snapping photos to create optical illusions.
One of Seoul’s five Joseon Dynasty-era palaces, Gyeonghuigung Palace was built in 1623 by King Gwanghaegun. Portions of the structure were rebuilt after a 19th-century fire, and today, you can visit several reconstructed living and meeting halls. The Seoul Museum of History and SeMA Museum of Art are also located on site.
Exhibits at the Seoul Museum of History, which documents the history and culture of Seoul and its people, include a large-scale model of the city and numerous relics from the Joseon dynasty. The museum also hosts themed temporary exhibitions and stages workshops and musical and cultural events.
Challenge yourself physically and mentally at Insadong’s Dynamic Maze, which offers an exciting indoor course and adventure experience for the whole family. Solve puzzles, complete strategic tasks, and overcome a range of obstacles to escape from the maze.
Formerly known as Pagoda Park, this small public gathering place was once the home of a Buddhist temple and still holds an important place in Korean history. This significance dates back to the March 1 Movement, part of the nation’s push for independence from Japanese rule, which began here in 1919.
The Noryangjin Fish Market, one of the largest seafood markets in Korea, has been in operation since 1927. On any given day, you’ll see vendors selling more than 800 varieties of seafood, both retail and wholesale. It’s the place to go, to sample the freshest Korean seafood, prepared traditionally right in the market.
