Seoul Things to Do Tips by Hmmmm

Namdaemun (Sungnyemun) Gate is Korea National Treasure Number 1 of Korea. In the past, every representative visiting from China and Japan had to pass through the gate in order to enter Seoul. Its construction began in 1396 and was finished in 1398 (it under -went a major restoration in 1448 and again in 1997) and so it has been in existence for more than 500 years. It is the biggest gate ever made in Korea and is the oldest wooden structure left standing in Seoul. The most interesting thing about the gate is the roof. It is even more beautiful at night because lights have been added to the structure. There were once walls surrounding the gate, but the Japanese destroyed them during the colonial era. As such, it is yet another cultural site, among many others in Korea, where bad memories of the past are still kept and can never be forgotten.

Adjacent to the South Gate is the Namdaemun Market, one of the largest traditional markets in Seoul which dates back to 1414. About 10,000 stores sell 17,000 kinds of items including clothes and accessories. Many of the stores own their own factories, and manufacture products at an astounding speed. Retailers from across the nation flock to these stores from midnight up to 4a.m, creating a peculiar night scene.

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Address: The very Centre of Seoul
Directions: Transportation Subway : Line 4- Hoehyon
City bus : 361, 34-1, 588, 48, 26-3, 55-2, 124, 288, 328, 328-1, 45, 76, 78, 3, 81-1, 81, 79-1, 139. Express bus : 37, 797, 740, 755, 52, 41

Dongdaemun Gate, Originally called Heung-injimun ("Gate of Uplifting Mercy") used to served as the main eastern gate in the wall surrounding Seoul. First built in 1397. The present Dong-daemun Gate was completely rebuilt when Daewongun (father of King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty) was in power (in 1863). The present gate is slightly larger than the original one. The architectural structure is similar to that of Namdaemun Gate. But Dongdaemun, which was constructed in the late era the Joseon Dynasty, is excessively detailed.

Dongdaemun is distinguished from other gates by a half-moon outer baffle wall, built in a semicircle to entrap enemies who tried to enter the gate.The base is a granite structure with a single arch, above which is wooden superstructure in the form of a two-storied pavilion, five-gan (a measure of the distance between two pillars) wide and two-gan deep, with a hipped roof. There is much ornamentation in the pavilion design, displaying the skill of the Joseon Dynasty-era artisans. The tongue-shaped ornamentation atop the columns is typical of the wooden architecture of the late Joseon period.

Located nearby are Dongdaemun Market (one of Korea's largest and most popular) and Dongdaemun Sports Stadium.

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Address: The very middle of Seoul, well slightly east ;o)
Directions: Take city bus No. 25, 30, 30-1, 131, 134, 146, or 302 from Jongno 1(il)-ga.(15min. required) Take city coach bus No. 2 from Midopa, (15min. required)
(Subway) Line 1 and 4 Dongdaemun Station.

If you like action, masses of humanity, noise, micro-marketing, chaos, and living colour, then Myeongdong is right up your alley, parden the pun.

Myeong-dong is Korea's trendiest shopping area, with over 300,000 square meters of shops selling clothes, shoes, handbags, accessories, and cosmetics. Many department stores also have a major presence here. Day or night, young people always crowd into the numerous restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, and night clubs in the area. Nearby Myeong-dong Cathedral is a frequent focal point for anti-government demonstrations and dissident holdouts, which sometimes mars the local atmosphere. The area also has an annual street festival.

Myeong-dong Cathedral. This is the first brick-laid Gothic building ever built in Korea. It was begun in 1894 and completed 1898. It is in the shape of a cross, with three hallways. The main building is 23m high while the steeple rises to 45m while the architectural style us Gothic, there is no complex ornamentation.

Myeong Dong is also a little famous for street artists.

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Address: Down the road from City Hall.
Directions: SUBWAY: Myeong-dong- Seoul Line 4 (blue)
Seoul Yeok (Seoul Station)- Seoul Line 1 (red), Seoul Line 4 (blue)
BUS: 12-3 can'tthink of any others just now

Viewable from almost anywhere in Seoul, Seoul Tower serves as an excellent landmark. Built on a 262 meter peak in Namsan Park, the tower reaches to 480 meters above sea level. When the weather and pollution levels cooperate, visiting the observation tower (370 meters above sea level) allows you to view the entire city and surrounding areas. Because of the vistas, many people enjoy climbing up here for early morning exercise or for a romantic stroll after dark.

The complexe containing Seoul Tower also contains several other attractions for tourists. Several exhibit halls display pictures of old Seoul, local birds, and towers from other countries. Fairy Land has several exhibits with Disneyland-like robots depicting famous fairy tales and children's stories. The Global Village Folk Museum display products and handicrafts from around the world. the World Musical & Animal Land has life-sized robots similar to Fairy Land, depicting animals from around the world in a musical band.

Another thing I love in Seoul Tower is fthe historical photographs of Seoul that decorate the walls of the viewing gallery.

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Address: On top of Namsan (Southern Mountain)
Directions: Subways: Myeong-dong- Seoul Line 4 (blue)
Seoul Yeok (Seoul Station)- Seoul Line 1 (red), Seoul Line 4 (blue).
Bus: Take 79-1 or 83-1 and get off at the Namsan Public Library stop. The tower is a 15 minute walk uphill. Cable Car

If the absolute chaos of downtown Seoul gets you down, why not just take yourself on a wee jaunt up Namsan, for a view of the city, a quiet lunch, a green break and some peace and quiet.

Namsan (South Hill) once marked the southern edge of Seoul many generations ago. Nowadays, it stands in the center of the sprawling city, surrounded by the major shopping districts of Namdaemun, Myongdong, and Itaewon. Actually it is quite a large park and it has over 60 species of plants and animals, and thats all good isn't it.

The park gives a wide patch of green to the downtown area. The park has several hiking trails leading to the 262-meter peak with Seoul Tower, as well as several exercise areas, making the park very popular among Seoulites for early morning exercise. Don't go in the morning, its full, and I mean full of joggers. However, it also blocks traffic in and out of the downtown area, so engineers have built no fewer than three tunnels underneath it.

Urban encroachment threatened many of the plants and animals in the park. In the 1990s, the Seoul government decided to remove some existing buildings (mostly residential buildings used by foreigners) and return the land to nature. However, several deluxe hotels remain along its slopes.

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Address: Slap bang in the middle of Seoul
Directions: Admission Adults: One way w2,400 Return w3,500.
Bus: Take 79-1 or 83-1 to Namsan Public Library stop.
Foot: Namsan Park has a number of hiking trails to the top.

In addition to Seoul Tower and its attractions, Namsan Park contains many places of interest, including the National Theater, Namsan Public Library, Namsan Botanical Gardens, and several statues in memorial of Korean patriots. The park also contains Paljakjung (an octagonal pavilion), an aquarium, a fountain, and a cable car leading to Seoul Tower. For tourist groups, a tour program called Namsan Field Classroom is provided from June to October. Except for cable car, the other facilities are free. To the north is Namsangol Traditional Folk Village,.

The Namsangol Traditional Folk Village was created by the Seoul government out of an old Village to resemble the architecture and gardens of the area during the Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910). The area contains 5 restored traditional houses, designated as Seoul City Folk Materials, all decorated with authentic furniture and decorations from the period. Originally called Cheonghak-dong (area of faeries for the blue cranes), it was one of the 5 most beautiful areas of Seoul and a famous summer resort. the yangban (aristocrats) who lived in the area often composed poems about the beauty of Namsan (then called Mokmyok-san) and the surrounding landscape. It really is a cool little park.

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Address: Head down Namsan to Pil'dong (North-east)
Directions: SUBWAY: Chungmuro- Seoul Line 3 (orange), Seoul Line 4 (blue)
Seoul Yeok (Seoul Station)- Seoul Line 1 (red), Seoul Line 4 (blue)

Gyeongbokgung or Gyeongbok Palace is a gorgeous place to get away a stones throw from Chong No (which is sardine central if you get my meaning). The Architecture is gorgeous, and the natural setting and harmony between the archictecture and the gardens is positively peaceful. I love it there. Especially in the autumn, when its breath taking. Its a favourite place for wedding pictures actually.

Anyway, some History: Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main residence and palace of the royal family during the Korean Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), and boasts an impressive 600 years of history. Built by King Lee Seonggye (ruled 1392-1398), founder of the Joseon Dynasty, the palace was completed in 1395 after the capital of the nation was changed from Gaeseong to Hanyang (currently Seoul). The huge area of Gyeongbokgung Palace includes the 'Geunjeongjeon', the main hall where official ceremonies took place and government officials could see the King, the 'Gyeonghoeru', where banquets were given for diplomatic reaons, and 'Hyangwonjeong', an artificial island created inside a pond. Also located within the palace is the National Folk Museum, to help further the understanding of the lives of Korea's ancestors.

Check it out for sure.

I will make a more indepth travel logue for this palace. later... :o)

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Address: Anguk Dong. Kang Buk, Seoul
Directions: Take the Purple Subway line (Line number 3) and get of at Kanghwamun or the orange line (line number 5) and get out at Gyeongbukgung Station. Voila you will see the Palace. Or stroll toward it via Insa Dong (Mary's Alley).

Shichon Rocks. It is eat, drink, and shop central. Its full (I mean chocka) in the weekends so bring your shoulder pads and ankle tappers. But if you don't mind crowds you'll like this area.

In the heart of Sinchon you can find Yonsei University, surrounded by other famous schools such as Ewha Womans University, Sogang University, and Hongik University. You can find everything here, including Sinchon Hyundai Department Store, discount marts, innumerable trendy stores to shop at, and every kind of restaurant and bar that you could imagine. Some other popular hotspots are the noraebang (karaoke rooms), DVD rooms, PC rooms, and plenty of other places where Seoul's youth relax, have fun and check each other out. The streets of Sinchon light up at night with glowing neon signs for night clubs, bars and the noraebang. The main street from Sinchon Station to Yonsei University has become known as Yonsei College Street.

This street is chocka Block of restaurants and bars, side streets with cozy little restaurants, Hyundai Department Store and other surrounding shopping malls, and cool bars, from your all you can drink hofs, to brasseries down to my favourite deep underground skanky bars. Definately Check it out.

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Address: On the Circle subway line (Line #2) or Bus 12-3
Directions: Take a stroll, get out at Ewha Womens' University, and explore the myriad of street that will eventually take you into Shinchon, by night fall when it is time to drink. Hoho.

It could be said that Seoul is representative of Korea, but it has grown too much like the other great cities of the world to say that it is of Korean culture alone. But what if there was a place in Seoul where you could hear traditional Korean vocalizations in the street, experience a proper Korean meal while enjoying a cup of traditional tea, and observe traditional Korean fine crafts, all in one place?

If you follow the bustle and noise from Jongno past Tapgol Park, you’ll find Insa-dong to your left. “Insa-dong," as referred to here, is the stretch of avenue extending about 700m beginning at Tapgol Park.

Here, in the myriad fine craft stores that line both sides of the street, you can find anything from simple hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), to beautiful Goryeo era vases. Recently there has also been an influx of items that have dominated an era yet can't entirely be considered Korean almost to the point where Insa-dong can now be considered a giant flea market.

Insadong is chocka full of restaurants, you’ll Japanese udon noodles, Chinese dumplings, and European cakes up until the entrance of Insa-dong, once inside, you'll find distinctly Korean foods in temporary stalls on the streets such as tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), eomuk (skewered fish sausage), hotteok, and various tempuras. These street foods are tasty and cheap, so it's definitely worth a try. You also find rare korean foods, such as rice cakes, yeot (traditional candy), and rice cookies. There are also many kinds of traditional drinks, such as cinnamon tea, Chinese quince tea, jujube tea, shikhye (fermented rice punch), and sujeonggwa (cinnamon flavored dried persimmon punch), so try a cup to compliment the food. If you'd like, you could also try the different traditional alcoholic beverages made from rice or grain. If you escape the busy main streets of Insa-dong into one of its alleys, you can experience a true Korean meal.

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Address: North Of Jongro 2 ga/ Tapgol Park.
Directions: - Seoul Subway Line 1, Jonggak Station, 3 minutes by foot.
- Seoul Subway Line 3, Anguk Station, 1 minute by foot
- Seoul Subway Line 5, Jongnosam(3)ga Station, 3 minutes by foot

Named for its nearby namesake of Namdaemun (Great South Gate) and located near the downtown area, one of Korea's largest wholesale markets covers over 10 acres. It is filled with over 1,000 shops, stalls, retailers, street vendors, and has several department stores nearby. Here you can find clothes, shoes, fabrics, tableware, flowers, vegetables, ginseng products, toys, and watches. Under Namdaemun-no (the main street to the north of the market) is an extensive underground arcade.

Although many of Namdaemun's shops are within the buildings that make up the area, the most colorful aspect of the market is the group of street vendors that setup in the alleys and walkways between the buildings. Wholesalers operate from midnight to 6:00 a.m., and retailers are open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Although most retailers close their stores on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, many street vendors operate stalls in the alleys.

Due to its location near downtown and the convenient bus service to and from Itaewon, many foreigners visit here. Most of the vendors can speak a few words of English or Japanese, but you will generally need an interpreter for any intense bargaining. Because many shops are willing to take non-Korean currency, there is also a thriving black market for money exchanging, with rates generally a little better than those of banks. Should you decide to exchange money this way, take great care not to get ripped off.

Nearby is Namdaemun (Great South Gate). Also within walking distance are Seoul Station, Deoksu Palace, and City Hall.

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Address: Near City Hall.
Directions: Bus: 23 (Itaewon - Ui-dong), 81 (Itaewon - Dongdaemun)
Subways: Hoehyeon (Namdaemun Market)- Seoul Line 4 (blue) and Seoul Yeok (Seoul Station)- Seoul Line 1 (red), Seoul Line 4 (blue)