Seoul Things to Do Tips by jburron

Created for the 88 Olympics, this park is massive. There are wide spaces; the Olympic cycling bowl, swimming pool, tennis courts (all covered) and other stadiums as well as outdoor tennis and miles of jogging tracks. Korea University of Physical Education is close (as well as the speedskating stadium) so you'l see many athletes as well as dog-walkers, famlies and such in the park. It also has two little lakes with ducks and large fields (which, oddly, you're not allowed to walk on).

Hidden on top of one of the hills is an outdoor free-weight area and near the grand entrance there is a great rollerblading area as well.

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Phone: 82(0)-2-300-5514
Address: Songpa-gu, East of Kangnam, South of the Han River
Directions: Line 8 Mongchon Toseong Station (for the Grand Entrance) or Line 5 Olympic Park Station (for the back entrance and Olympic Plaza shopping area).
Website: http://www.visitseoul.net/jsp/english_new/do/pa01_01.jsp?template_id=134&info_id=1060000041&small_id=null&onloadset2_num=null

The highest building in Korea is 63 Building. The observation floor is actually the 60th floor but there are a coupld floors of air conditioning and elevator stuff on top and 3 basement floors--either way it lives up to its name.

You have 2 options to see the view: (i) pay about 7,000 won (6USD) to go up in the glass outside elevator in the daytime or (ii) pay nothing to go up the inside elevator at night and have a beer at the bar (cost: about 7,000 won for the beer). During the day the entire floor is viewing, but at night half of it is converted to a bar. I personally like the night view better...looking down at the 88 Expressway at the red and white lights and the rest of the city is just amazing.

There is also an IMAX theatre, a food court, shopping, 2 Japanese restaurants, a massive buffet, Chinese and Korean restaurants...and close to the Hangang (Han River) Park. (Check site for more.)

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Address: Youido-Dong, Youngdeungpo-Ku
Directions: You can see it from many points in the city. Closest subway is Yeouido or Yeouinaru Stations (both on Line 5).
Website: http://www.63city.co.kr/english/index.html

A nice park for a walk. It's the size of a few city blocks, but it feels a lot larger. Yeouido Park is a haven for families, rollerbladers, cyclists, couples and salarymen who want to take a stroll during lunch. On the weekends it's FULL of people and there are some special events (outdoor concerts and such) every once in a while.

Many people just sit on one of the many benches or on the grass while kids play on the grass (it's allowed here, unlike at Olympic Park), rent bikes (normal or tanden) or rollerblades, climb on one of the jungle gyms or take a spin in one of the bumper cars.

Yeouido Park also connects to Hangang (Han River) park via an underground passage. Lots of stores and vendors for food, snacks, candy and toys, too.

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Address: In Yeouido
Directions: Get off at Yeouido Station (Line 5) and use any exit. Walk North to the park. Ask where "Yeouido Gong-won" is.
Website: http://english.seoul.go.kr/today/about/about_02top_2301.htm

If you have kids or really, really miss Disneyland Lotte World is about as close as you'll come in Seoul/Korea. Methinks the designers had a few trips to the Disney, Six Flags and such parks before making it. There is a castle/Euro theme and you'll notice all of the characters are similar yet different from those you'll remember as a child. There's Lorry (the male one) and Lottie (the female one) and a few others.

Lotte World has 2 parts: indoors, where it's covered by a massive roof (suspended 60 feet in the air) filled with rides, food and a neat cave-like videogame arcade; and outdoor where a (you guessed it) castle and more rollercoaster/scary rides reside.

Plan to spend about 100,000 won (USD83) a person for the complete experience. Also attached is Lotte department store, Lotte (discount) Mart and Lotte Hotel (across the street they're also makign Lotte Castle Gold apartment buildings.

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Address: Jamsil Station (Line 5, 8) in Songpa-Gu
Directions: Everyone knows where Lotte World is. You can get there by cab, subway or (if you're brave enough) bus.
Website: http://www.lotteworld.com/eng/index.jsp

With a congregation of 800,000, this church claims to be the largest in the world. The main hall can seat 20,000+, has a choir of 100 a full orchestra (or two) and is televised on TV as well as CCTV to 7 branches located around Seoul. The foreigners' section has headphones with treanslation in to English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Spanish and French.

It is just amazing. The founder was hit by a cab in his younger days and barely lived to tell the tale. From then his goal was to build this church...and now it is the largest (it owns the entire city block around it as well as many other buildings in Seoul...the branches are some 3-6 stories high with worship areas on every floor).

It's a Presbyterian church, but if you're a Christian in Seoul it's quite the experience. There are 7 Sunday Services and many during the week, too.

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Address: West Yeouido, can't miss it.
Directions: It's a gigantic brick building with a massive neon-lit cross in front. Subway to Yeouinaru or Yeouido Station (Line 5) and take a taxi. Just say "Yeouido Church" or (located across the street ) "Manhattan Hotel"
Website: http://english.fgtv.com/yoido/history2.asp

Everything seems to happen in Yeouido. In early April the cherry blossoms come out and we know Spring is here. They also bring out traffic gridlock. Thousands flock to Yeouido (especially near the National Assembly and Hangang and Yeouido Parks) to view the flowers and take pictures with them (millions of pictures!). This makes it hard for us Yeouidoians to get around. Streets are closed down, paths and sidewalks are packed and the subway is like a sardine can.

But it's all worth it. If you like to see Korea at its most Korean you have to see this. Families, couples, salarymen, groups of women all come together to enjoy the air (which seems fresher), sunshine (it doesn't rain in April) and each other (dress is still conservative, but a little less so).

Inline skating, as I found, can be a little tough in these conditions--no one has a clue what that yellow line in the centre of the path means. So, if you want to test your skills this is the place. Kids in prams, on blades and bikes and running (some with kites) are all over the place and old people and groups simply take over many of the paths. It's fun, though, to be in the group. (I think I've been here too long.)

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Address: All over West Yeouido.
Directions: Yeouido Station (Line 5) head West (follow the crowds). Yeouinaru Station (Line 5) go to Hangang Park and walk West (away from 63 Building).

Ever wonder where they get those historical sets for the various Korean Dramas? Maybe not, but here they are. On any given day you're likely to see actors in costume rehearsing or filming scenes in the Korean Folk Village.

That's not all, though, there are also gymnastic displays (jumping on a high wire and with see-saws) and there are even people who LIVE here. Yes, they live in the old style homes, wearing old style clothes and doing things the...um, old style. It's really quite impressive.

If you're into Bhuddism there is a temple or two here and if you're hungry there is, you guessed it, old style Korean food too. No McDonald's at all.

If you drive there be sure you have a local with you...the last few turns don't have very obvious signs and it seems as if you're going down a country road rather than into a national park.

Interestingly, although you feel as if you're in another era the city is relatively close at hand. When they built the Village it was waaaaay out in the country, but since the burbs have grown it is becoming enveloped in 'civilization'. No matter, the setting is tranquil and you can easily spend 2-4 hours strolling and learning.

Be on the lookout for a wedding, also. Every few days they have a fake or REAL wedding ceremony. I saw one between a White gal and a Korean guy...it was for all to see, and gawk and take pictures. Very cool.

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Phone: 1330
Directions: Take The Subways to Suwon Station (Line 1) and get the free shuttle bus to the Korean Folk Village.
Buses also available (I think #7007 passing through Yeouido).
Call 1330 to get directions from anywhere in the country (in many languages, too)
Website: http://www.koreanfolk.co.kr/

Together with Hangang Park and Yeouido Park is the National Assembly area/building in West Yeouido. It's a pretty imposing structure...and look real purdy as the sunsets and puts a pink tinge on it.

There is a road that horseshoes around the back of the complex that is lined with cherry trees. When these things blossom in late March/early April they close down the street and Seoulites/Koreans come from all over to take a gazillion pictures of the flowers and each other.

I'm not sure of any tours of the building itself...there is always a small army of elite guards standing watch at all the gates. Since North and South Korea are still technically at war (no peace agreement, just an armistice) security is tight at such places.

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Address: Look for the building in the photo.
Directions: Subway to Yeouido (Line 5). Head west (toward Yeouido Park, past the HP building). Once there look further west, you should see the National Assembly building pretty easily.

My cousin and I kind of happened across this while meandering from Myoungdong to Namdaemoon. We just kinda looked up the mountain and started walking. Thankfully, we saw the cable car station and made our way there (otherwise it would have been a looong day).

As it happened, the gondola line was packed...it snaked its way past snack vendors (especially grilled squid sellers.....mmmm) and into the terminal (which means up 3-4 flights of stairs--and inside there are little stores too!). We went on Children's Day which may have made the line a lot longer than normal.

Cost, I think, is 5,000 won (USD 4.50) each way...could be more. It was worth it, though, as the view was nothing like you see in Seoul. Looking down and around our path of ascent was all green and you had to look a ways to see the city.

Once on top of Namsan you can also go up the Namsan Tower. I think the cost there was 10,000 won. The view from the base of the tower was pretty good, though, and (of course, this is Korea) the area was filled with snack vendors, restaurants, games and photographers for hire.

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Address: On top of Namsan (South Mountain)
Directions: You can drive/bus up (not sure of the route) or take the gondola (which is a hike from Myoungdong or Namdaemoon Stations (Line 4)) if you're feeling energetic.

Call 1330 for the current bus route.

By coincidence, I visited Namsan 2 days after the last tip...and went to the top of it!

First, the hike. We parked near the base of the mountain and took the stairs up (it's not too tough a hike, lots of benches around as well). (Parking was about 6,000 won (USD 5.50) for 2 hrs.)

Once up there I noticed more than I wrote last time. There is an arcade, museum (of sorts), corner store and lots of food sellers. This is probably why Koreans are so confused when hiking the the U.S. and Canada and not seeing a mini-city on top of the hills to cater to their every need.

So, up the tower. Cost is 5,000 won a person and it takes you to the 2nd floor of the tower (there are 5 floors in it). The view was breathtaking...and for me that is a statement. 63 Building (see tip) seems like a matchstick from up here. It was a clear day so could see absolutely all of Seoul. Very cool.

There are 2 restarurants, one of 1F and 5F. We went to 5F...revolving (don't come here with a hangover). Prices were ok. 14,000 won for tonkatsu (pork cutlet) including soup, salad, rice and Coke (but you'll need to tell them to give you the Coke with the meal...oddly). Good deal, considering the view.

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Address: On top of Namsan (South Mountain)
Directions: Since you can see it from almost everywhere in the city, it shouldn't be too hard to find...