Seoul South Korea
Travel Guide For First Time Visitors
Our adventure in Seoul South Korea began at night time when we landed at the beautiful International Airport in Seoul!
The trip from the airport was quite long and our first sight of Seoul South Korea’s skyline at night time came into view after nearly one hour into our drive, and it was breathtaking!!
Our travel guide to Seoul South Korea will hopefully give anyone wishing to travel to this beautiful country a good feel for the lay of the land.
(Please check out our blog posts on other destinations)
About Seoul South Korea
Famous In Many Respects
Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a huge metropolis. It is where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture meet Buddhist temples, palaces and street markets.
It is located on the Han River in the northwestern part of the country. The city centre lies some 37 miles inland from the Yellow Sea in the west. Seoul is the cultural, economic, and political centre of South Korea.
Except for a brief period (1399–1405), Seoul was the capital of Korea from 1394. It remained the capital until the formal division of the country in 1948. The name itself has come to mean “capital” in the Korean language.
The city was popularly called Seoul in Korean during both the Chosŏn (Yi) dynasty (1392–1910) and the period of Japanese rule (1910–45). However, the official names in those periods were Hansŏng and Kyŏngsŏng, respectively.
Facts That Make Travel To Seoul And South Korea Very Appealing
- It has an impressive 12 World Heritage sites.
- There’s futuristic architecture mainly in the capital, Seoul.
- More than half of South Korea is cloaked in forest.
- The country has a world-beating food scene.
- It is the breakdancing capital of the world.
- Most restaurants, including McDonald’s, will deliver food straight to homes in South Korea.
Facts About Seoul South Korea Continue
- South Koreans are obsessed with feces, and everything from turd-shaped cookies, phone charms, and an entire museum devoted to poop can be found in the country.
- In Korea, babies are considered one year old at birth.
- Only 3.2% of South Koreans are overweight, which ties the country of Japan for the lowest percentage in the world.
- South Korean men love makeup, spending close to US$900 million a year, or a quarter of the world’s men’s cosmetics.
- The country is home to Haesindang Park, which is full of penis statues.
- In South Korea, it is perfectly legal to drink alcohol in public.
- South Koreans consider the number 4 as unlucky, and it is associated with death. This belief seems to have come from China.
More About Seoul South Korea
- More than 2 billion people have viewed the “Gangnam Style” music video.
- South Korea is the plastic surgery capital of the world.
- It has the world’s fastest wireless speeds on the planet.
- Seoul is often considered to be one giant shopping mall.
- Koreans eat kimchi at nearly every meal.
- Dog is a dish that is actually served in Korean restaurants and in street markets.
Our First Impressions of Seoul South Korea
We had a good night’s rest after our long flight. We stayed at a super hotel which was very centrally located. Due to the long flight the previous day, we decided to take it easy on our first full day in Seoul South Korea.
After a hearty breakfast we started exploring the neighbourhood of our hotel on foot. Were we in for a surprise. We discovered that we within easy walking distance to two of Seoul South Korea’s famous markets!! Also, there were so many restaurants scattered all around our hotel!!!
Namdaemun Market - Seoul South Korea’s Largest Traditional Market
The Namdaemun Market was located right across the main street adjoining our hotel. Opened in 1964, Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in South Korea. It has thousands of small shops selling various goods. Notably, all products are sold at affordable prices. The stores in this area also function as wholesale markets.
Most of the goods are made directly by the store owners. Surprisingly, Namdaemun Market is even open overnight. It is crowded with retailers from all over the country. When day breaks, the sight of busy shoppers bustling around the market creates a unique scene. Consequently, it attracts tourists from throughout the world.
Namdaemun Market sells a variety of goods. One can find clothes, glasses, kitchenware, toys, mountain gear, fishing equipment, stationery, fine arts, accessories, hats, carpets, flowers, ginseng, and imported goods.
We really enjoyed a great part of the morning, walking through this market. It was fascinating to see throngs of people, tourists included, busily shopping. We also purchased a few knicks and knacks.
Another feature throughout this market are the numerous food stalls. More about food stalls in Seoul South Korea later.
The Famous Myeong-Dong Market Seoul South Korea’s Prime Shopping District
Next we walked over to the Myeon-Dong Market which is about ten minutes from the Namdaemun Market.
Myeong-dong Market is one of South Korea’s prime shopping districts. You’ll find department stores, shopping malls, and independent shops there. Further there are also a host of trendy restaurants and cafes. Additionally, there were the ever present food stalls lining the pedestrian walkway.
Popular shopping malls in Myeong-dong Market include Lotte Department Store, Lotte Young Plaza, and Noon Square Shopping Mall. The M Plaza features the Seoul Culture and Tourism Centre and a performance hall where you can catch live concerts and cultural events.
Shopping enthusiasts also flock to Myeong-dong Market to get their hands on the latest skincare and cosmetics items. Unbelievably, there are over 1,000 Korean brands, including Nature Republic, Etude House, The Face Shop, Missha and Skinfood.
We came back to this market many times more during our 7 day stay in Seoul South Korea. You will read about the fascinating night bazaar and our street food adventure later on.
Visit To Seoul South Korea’s Famous Gyeongbokgung Palace
We spent the next few days visiting and enjoying all the must visit places in and around Seoul South Korea.
One of the highlights of our trip was the most enjoyable couple of hours we spent at Seoul South Korea’s premier palace, the Gyeongbokgung Palace.
About The Palace
The Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395, it is located in northern Seoul South Korea. It was the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty. Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Kings. Further, the vast complex housed the Kings’ households, as well as the government offices of Joseon.
The Gyeongbokgung Palace was once the Heart of Korea. Like a phoenix, Seoul’s premier palace has risen several times from the ashes of destruction. Hordes of tourists have replaced the thousands of government officials, scholars, eunuchs, concubines, soldiers and servants who once lived here‼️
Our Walkabout At The Palace
It was fascinating to listen to our guide explaining how opulently the kings lived. There were mini palaces for the King, his Queen, his many mistresses and his family. The entire government complex was also housed in the palace complex.
We marvelled at the mastery of the ancient craftsmen who had built this fabulous palace. We were very impressed by the intricate wood carvings and the wonderful use of colors in all the buildings.
The Changing Of The Guards
Any Seoul South Korea trip should include witnessing the re-enactment of the changing of the guards. This ceremony takes place twice a day.
It is a must-see among Seoul’s tourist attractions. Importantly, it is a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene in Korea. The ceremony is reenacted exactly as it used to be held. One can see the guards wearing royal uniforms, carrying traditional weapons and playing traditional instruments.
This spectacle is quite similar to the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. It is a great photo opportunity. Further, we were allowed to pose for pictures with the guards, at the end of the ceremony!!
The Many Buddhist Temples in Seoul South Korea
We really enjoyed visiting two of the most famous Buddhist temples in Seoul South Korea.
Religion in South Korea
Amazingly, a majority of South Koreans (56.1%, as of the 2015 national census) have no formal affiliation with a religion. Among those who are members of a religious organisation, Protestantism represents 19.7% of the total population. The other two religions are Buddhism (15.5%), and Catholicism (7.9%).
The Bongeunsa Temple
We ended a tiring day of sightseeing around the city of Seoul South Korea at the Bongeunsa Temple. It is hard to believe that this large, beautiful Buddhist temple is situated in the middle of a bustling metropolis. This temple is located in the famous Gangnam District in Seoul.
It is impossible not to be moved by the beauty and serenity of this enchanting temple. You can even stay overnight for a fee.
The highlight of the temple is a 28 meter stone statue of Maitreya, the Future Buddha. This statue is one of the tallest stone statues in the country.
The oldest remaining building is a library that was constructed in 1856. Interestingly, the library contains Flower Garland Sutra woodblock carvings and 3,479 Buddhist scriptures including the works of Kim Jeong-hee.
The Jogyesa Temple
Jogyesa Temple is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Korea. Also, it is a symbol of Korean Buddhism. It is located in the heart of the city near Insa-dong.
The beautiful garden setting at this temple is so very beautiful. When we visited, the garden was full of chrysanthemums.
Cruise on the Han River In Seoul South Korea
We find sightseeing whilst cruising to be so enjoyable! Our short cruise on the Han River was very relaxing and soothing. It was indeed a great way of seeing the beauty of Seoul South Korea.
For information, the Han River that flows through the city It is the 2nd longest river in South Korea. This river is an iconic symbol of the capital not just because of its beautiful scenery. It also has a historical value.
The cruise also included some entertainment. We listened to two very talented musicians who gave a brief performance. The people of South Korea are so very talented!!!
The Awesome Skyline of Seoul South Korea
It was great to cruise by the awesome skyline of Seoul. It looks similar to that of Manhattan.
Everywhere we looked we saw high rise buildings dotted throughout the city. What a great photo opportunity it was!!
The tallest buildings are concentrated in four different locations. Firstly, traditional city center at Jongno. Secondly, the modern business and financial district in Gangnam. Thirdly, the financial and political centre on the island of Yeouido. And lastly, the affluent residential neighbourhood of Dogok-dong.
The Many Museums of Seoul South Korea
There is no shortage of museums in Seoul South Korea! If going to museums is your ‘scene’, Seoul is the right city for you!!!
We visited two of the more popular museums in the wonderful city, viz., The National Folk Museum of Korea and the The War Memorial Museum.
The National Folk Museum Of Korea
We learnt a lot about the traditional way of life of Korean people from this visit.
The lay out of the museum artifacts is very logical, and the displays are well thought out. Consequently, the communication of ideas take place very effectively. The museum covers lifestyles starting from prehistory to the present day.
The open-air exhibition in the front gardens of the museum offers diverse themes of Korean folk life. This further illustrates traditional rural culture. Noteworthy artefacts are the Jangseung spirit posts to which villagers prayed in an attempt to prevent calamity and for successful harvests.
The War Memorial Museum
Like all museums in South Korea, the War Memorial Museum is organized to impart the maximum amount of information. We spent about two hours educating ourselves about the many wars that Korea has fought over the years.
The War Memorial of Korea was mainly established to remember the Korean War which took place from 1950 to 1953. Further, the museum also symbolizes the desire for peaceful reunification of Korea. The museum consists of 6 individual exhibition halls and a combat experience room, a screening room and an outdoor exhibition area with memorial statues.
There is an extensive garden area around the memorial. It has an artificial waterfall, and a lake where visitors can picnic whilst enjoying the beautiful landscape. The museum houses more than 10,000 artifacts in the indoor and outdoor exhibition areas.
A history of war from prehistoric times up to the Korean War is featured on the first floor exhibition hall. The combat experience room on the third floor offers visitors a special opportunity to experience a simulated life and death situation on the battlefield through special effects.
Outside the museum, you will see different kind of large military equipment display such as fighting vehicles, combat aircraft, fighting ships, helicopters and other large equipment used during the Korean War.
Visit To The Amazing Coex Aquarium in Seoul South Korea
What a great time we had at the Coex Aquarium in Seoul South Korea!! It was so much fun. The defining feature at the aquarium is that it is set up in an interactive manner. Consequently, in addition to having a fun time, it was very educational as well.
The Aquarium is great for all ages. If you are there at the right time, there is the shark feeding at 1:30pm and feeding for other select tanks at 3:30pm. There is also one area where kids can touch sea creatures. In addition, there is another tank where you can put your hands in and the fish will nibble the dead skin off.
Exploring the mysterious and exotic marine world filled with various marine life and sea creatures is something we have always enjoyed. We even had a surprise encounter with Penguins in South Korea!!
The COEX Aquarium is comprised of 183 display tanks and 90 breeding tanks with 3,500 tons of water volume, making it a large-scaled aquarium. It houses 40,000 sea creatures, which come from 650 different species divided into 16 themed zones.
The Awesome Namsan Tower of Seoul South Korea
The Namsan Tower or the N Seoul Tower is another not to be missed destination in Seoul South Korea. We visited the tower at the end of another tiring day of exploring the city.
The 360 degree view of the city from the tower’s observatory was out of this world. It was not the most clear day. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the awesome sights from the top.
The main observation has floor-to-ceiling windows the whole way around. Consequently, we were able to experience a full 360-degree view. There is information on various points of interests that can be seen through the windows. Thankfully, there were plenty of comfy chairs around as well.
The Namsan Tower is both a tourism and a cultural landmark. It is a fantastic spot not only to take in the views of the city. In addition, one can learn a little bit about Seoul and South Korea while there.
There are also a variety of dining options to suit any travel budget and you’ll find plenty to do around the tower if you’d like to continue sightseeing when you are finished.
The tower sits on top of the Namsan Mountain. It is the tallest point in Seoul South Korea.The area around the tower is protected. Hence, the N Seoul Tower is also intended to display the harmony that can exist between nature and 21st-century, state-of-the-art construction. General car traffic is restricted in order to keep Namsan Mountain clean and green.
Enjoying Seoul South Korea
The Traditional Namsangol Hanok Village
The Namsangol Hanok Village a traditional ancient village that has been recreated for everyone to appreciate how the Korean people lived in ancient times. It was built after much research, and is supposed to be an exact recreation.
The village features five restored traditional Korean houses. In addition, it has a pavilion, traditional garden and a performance arts stage. It is the perfect spot for both locals and tourists to take a leisurely walk. Both of us enjoyed a very relaxing and enjoyable time at the village.
Upon entering, visitors will get a taste of the traditional life while escaping from the bustling city life of modern times. The whole area creates a peaceful ambiance before the forested Namsan Mountain.
The five hanok houses were remodeled after the traditional houses of Joseon Dynasty. These houses cover a range of social classes, from peasants to aristocrats. The furniture in the houses is arranged to help guests understand the daily lives of the past. All these traditional houses, as well as their antique items provide a great photo opportunity.
The Colors Of Autumn And The Changing Of The Season In Seoul South Korea
For us, autumn always incites a warm feeling of sweater weather and autumn leaves. Autumn in Korea is an especially magical time. The leaves start to change color, filling the city with rich shades of vibrant red, orange, and gold hues.
The leaves are brightest the last week of October and first week of November. Although we got there at the tail end of the fall foliage season, we really got a taste of the beautiful fall foliage.
This short-lived season lasts from September to mid-November, marked by generally crisp, clear weather and sunny skies. Within Seoul, there are plenty of spots to enjoy the colors.
The Much Anticipated Trip To The North Korean Border
Unfortunately, the most popular touristy spot at the border with North Korea was temporarily closed when we visited. This was due to an outbreak of swine flu in the area. Nevertheless, we visited the DMZ. We went to a few alternative locations which we enjoyed very much.
First, we went to Kyodong Town, which is about an hour’s drive from Seoul South Korea.There, we saw the rail line that went into North Korea. This rail line had been operational until very recently. This period was when the South Koreans operated some factories in the north. Sadly, due to some tension, these factories have been closed. We also saw the famous peace bridge there.
Afterwards, we went to the Ganghwa Peace Observatory. We were first shown a short movie at the Peace Observatory, which gave us an insight into life in the North. We were then taken to the main observation area, from where we were able to look directly into a few North Korean villages. This is the location where the Han River from South Korea and the Imjin River from North Korea meet before flowing into the Yellow Sea.
The stark difference between the North and the South became immediately very apparent to us. There were only single and two story buildings across the border. Further, people were going about their business in bicycles!! Comparatively, just a few kilometers away, in the South, there were so many high rise buildings. In addition most Southerners owned the latest of vehicles!!!
Our visit to the DMZ was very educational and memorable. Further, it was the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition of mine to visit this historically important place.
The Myeong-Dong Night Market - The Best Street Food In Seoul South Korea
Myeong-Dong is the hot spot of Seoul South Korea for tourists. It is a vibrant area of Seoul which is filled with hotels, skin care shops, restaurants and cafes.
In the late afternoon, the food stalls start to open up, perfect for a late afternoon snack. As night time approaches this market becomes a hive of activity. Food stalls appear throughout the main street. The Myeong-Dong food stalls are easily the best street food location we have been to!!
We spent one night roaming up and down the street trying out the various goodies being served up. We tried; Korean Fried Chicken, Takoyaki, Grilled Abalone, Egg Bread, Sausages and the famous Sundae (not an ice cream!!)
All of them were delicious. We really stuffed ourselves that night!!!
South Korea Is Also Famous For Ginseng and Amethyst
South Korea is famous for producing the highest quality Ginseng. For information, it is the root of an herbal plant widely grown in the country.
The country is also known for its gemstones.
Ginseng - The Miracle Root
Amazingly, has been taken as an herbal remedy and lauded as the “elixir of life” for over two thousand years around the world. Ginseng has been used for improving overall health. It has also been used to strengthen the immune system and help fight off stress and disease.
The most expensive and best known Ginseng is the one grown for 6 years.
South Korea - The Country Of Gemstones
The semi-precious gemstone is joined by smoky Topaz and Korean White Jade as one of Korea's prides and joys. For instance, it is often found set into beautiful gold jewellery for the admiration of fashion enthusiasts everywhere. Let's take a look at the incredible relationship There are many locations at which Amethyst has been produced in South Korea over the centuries. However, many of these mines are now out of use and operate as tourist attractions.
Seoul South Korea’s Other Industries - K-pop And K-beauty
K-pop is a genre of popular music originating in Seoul South Korea. While the modern form of K-pop can be traced back to the early 90s, the term itself has been popularized since the 2000s.
Although it generally indicates “popular music” within South Korea, the term is often used in a narrower sense to describe a modern form of South Korean pop that is influenced by styles and genres from around the world.
K-pop is such a craze amongst Korean teenagers and young adults. Amazingly this popular form of music is fast catching on in the rest of the world.
South Korea’s cosmetics industry, known as K-beauty, has become an Asian powerhouse. Exacting beauty norms has put enormous pressure on South Korean women in recent times. , Consequently, the country has become one of the world’s centers for plastic surgery.
Skin care has become a big money maker for the beauty industry. The beauty industry’s revenue is expected to grow very fast in the next few years. Cosmetics and beauty companies are expanding all the time. The is into all lines of beauty products such as skin care, cosmetics, perfumes and hair care.
The Yummy Cuisine of South Korea
In recent years South Korea has become better known for its technology than its food. However, thanks to delicacies like kimchi, things are beginning to change. Amazingly, kimchi is a global sensation.
Kimchi
Bibimbap
Sundae
Bulgogi
Samgyetang
Korean Barbecue
Best Time To Travel to Seoul South Korea
The best times to visit Seoul South Korea are from March to May and from September to November. During these months the weather is mild. Further, the average daily high temperatures stay below the mid-70s. Additionally, the travel expenses are usually low.
Last Word On Seoul South Korea
A harmonious blending of old and new beats at the heart of this world-class destination. Seoul South Korea is a dynamic city which is forging a path into the future while faithfully preserving its proud past.
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