Seoul, the bustling coronary heart of South Korea, is a metropolis the place historic traditions harmoniously coexist with futuristic improvements. From its majestic palaces and serene temples to its energetic markets and vibrant road meals scene, Seoul gives a wealthy tapestry of experiences for each traveler. On this complete information, we’ll take you on a digital tour of Seoul, exploring its historic landmarks, cultural treasures, culinary delights, and ideas for an unforgettable go to.
Go to the primary Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace, the “Palace Tremendously Blessed by Heaven,” stands as a logo of Korea’s wealthy royal heritage. In-built 1395 throughout the Joseon Dynasty, it served as the primary royal palace for over 500 years. King Taejo, the founding father of the Joseon Dynasty, commissioned its building as a logo of his new dynasty’s authority and energy.
The palace advanced was meticulously designed following the ideas of Korean conventional structure, with its structure harmonizing with the encompassing mountains and nature. It was the middle of political, administrative, and royal life throughout the Joseon Dynasty, witnessing the rise and fall of many kings and queens.
Nevertheless, Gyeongbokgung Palace suffered important harm throughout the Japanese invasions of the late sixteenth century. It was later restored and expanded within the nineteenth century, solely to be tragically destroyed throughout the Japanese colonial interval within the early twentieth century. The palace we see right this moment is the results of intensive restoration efforts that started within the Nineteen Nineties, aiming to recreate its authentic grandeur.
Visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace is like stepping again in time to Korea’s royal period. Right here’s how one can take advantage of your go to:
Getting There:
Gyeongbokgung Palace is conveniently situated within the coronary heart of Seoul, making it simply accessible by public transportation. Take the subway to Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3) and go away by means of Exit 5. From there, it’s a brief stroll to the palace’s most important entrance.
Prices of visiting
There may be an admission charge to enter the palace, which incorporates entry to numerous components of the advanced. The charge is cheap and helps with the upkeep and preservation of this historic website.
Contemplate becoming a member of a guided tour to achieve deeper insights into the palace’s historical past and significance. Educated guides can present fascinating tales and particulars in regards to the lives of Korea’s royals.
What to see on the Gyeongbokgung Palace
As you discover the palace grounds, don’t miss these key sights:
- Geunjeongjeon (Throne Corridor): This majestic corridor was the primary throne corridor the place kings performed state affairs and necessary ceremonies.
- Gyeonghoeru Pavilion: A surprising pavilion overlooking a serene pond, used for royal banquets and celebrations.
- Nationwide People Museum of Korea: Positioned inside the palace grounds, this museum showcases Korea’s conventional lifestyle, tradition, and historical past.
Altering of the Guard Ceremony
Expertise the grandeur of the Joseon Dynasty by witnessing the Altering of the Guard Ceremony. This reenactment takes place in entrance of Gwanghwamun Gate and gives a glimpse into the previous.
Put on conventional Hanbok
For a very immersive expertise, contemplate renting a hanbok (conventional Korean apparel) and exploring the palace grounds dressed as a royal. Many guests take pleasure in this cultural expertise and it makes for implausible photographs towards the backdrop of the palace’s historic buildings.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village, nestled between the grand palaces of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, is a dwelling museum of Korean conventional structure and tradition. “Bukchon” means “North Village,” as it’s situated to the north of the 2 palaces. This historic village dates again to the Joseon Dynasty, making it over 600 years previous.
In the course of the Joseon period, Bukchon was house to the Aristocracy, high-ranking officers, and students. Its location close to the royal palaces made it an excellent residential space for these serving the royal court docket. The village was designed with meticulous planning, that includes winding alleyways, stone partitions, and conventional hanok homes. A hanok is a conventional Korean home characterised by its wood beams, tiled roofs, and heated flooring (ondol). These homes had been designed to harmonize with the pure environment and adapt to Korea’s local weather, with a central courtyard offering gentle, air flow, and privateness.
These days, individuals nonetheless dwell in Bukchon and go about their daily lives but it surely has additionally change into an enormous vacationer attraction. Folks flood the streets daily sporting conventional Hanbok clothes hoping to snap that picturesque picture. I’d come right here early within the morning to keep away from the massive crowds in any other case you gained’t have the ability to snap up the everyday photographs that you just would possibly like.
Go to the cafe space of Insadong
Seoul is world well-known for its lovely cafes all through town. There are seemingly limitless quantities of cafes (some that double as bakeries) the place you may get your espresso and Instagram on. These cafes are designed in a special type than say the Bali cafes which I like as a result of they’re extra targeted on their baked items than the area and ambiance.
Cheongsudang cafe
For those who can’t determine on the plethora of cafe choices within the Insadong neighborhood, begin off on the world well-known Cheongsudang cafe. This cafe blends in conventional Joseon period decor with trendy Scandinavian vibes. Like most cafes in Seoul, their declare to fame is there pastries and baked items. We had a matcha cheese cake that was as scrumptious because it seemed.
Cafe Onion
No go to to Seoul is full and not using a go to to the well-known Cafe Onion. This hanok themed themed cafe is close to to the well-known Bukchon Hanok village making it the proper place to cease in for a chew earlier than or after your go to.
This place at all times attracts an enormous queue of vacationers and locals alike that need to sit and dine the normal means on the ground. I had no endurance to attend so I ended up getting the meals to go. Cafes in Seoul double as bakeries and this place had a really various slate of candy and savory baked items. I didn’t know what a lot of the stuff was however loved all the pieces I had.
Go to the parks for Cherry Blossom Season
For those who’re visiting Seoul within the late early to mid April timeframe, you could be fortunate sufficient to catch the cherry blossoms like we did. Seoul, like Japan is legendary for its huge quantity of cherry timber that blossom within the early spring.
The entire metropolis is adorned with lovely cherry timber though some components of town are extra picturesque than others. Among the finest parks to observe the cherry blossoms is Yeouido Hangang Park simply south of the river from the stylish Hongdae district. This park have to be a minimum of 2km lengthy and fully full of cherry blossoms.
Which areas to remain in Seoul?
Seoul is a large and unfold out metropolis. In actual fact, half of the nation’s inhabitants dwell within the Seoul Metropolitan space (roughly 25m). The town heart areas are what you’ll need to base your self in for ease of entry to the vacationer websites with loads of eating places. These are a number of the greatest areas in Seoul.
Myeongdong
Myeongdong is a buying paradise and certainly one of Seoul’s most important buying districts. Right here, you’ll discover numerous shops starting from world manufacturers to native boutiques. It’s additionally well-known for its road meals distributors providing quite a lot of Korean snacks. Myeongdong is considerably like a Instances Sq. midtown New York kind of neighborhood in Seoul.
The central location makes it straightforward to entry main sights like N Seoul Tower and Gyeongbokgung Palace. It’s additionally walkable to lots of the different areas on this checklist like Insadong and Itaewon.
Gangnam
Gangnam is an upscale and stylish space identified for its upscale retailers, stylish boutiques, and vibrant nightlife. It’s an important place for buying, with the well-known Gangnam Underground Purchasing Arcade and COEX Mall. The eating scene is various, providing numerous eating places serving quite a lot of cuisines.
I appreciated the Gangnam space because it was house to loads of cool eating places and a number of the greatest cocktail bars in Seoul.
Hongdae
Hongdae is a youthful and artsy neighborhood, house to Hongik College. It’s a hub for artists, musicians, and college students. The nightlife right here is energetic, with quite a few golf equipment, bars, and dwell music venues. Purchasing in Hongdae contains indie boutiques, classic retailers, and distinctive style shops.
Insadong
Insadong is a cultural hub, identified for its conventional Korean tradition. You may discover artwork galleries, vintage retailers, and tea homes right here. The world is wealthy in artisan crafts, providing handmade crafts, calligraphy provides, and conventional Korean souvenirs. Don’t miss the chance to observe conventional performances like people dances and music.
Itaewon
Itaewon is various and worldwide, with a vibrant tradition and worldwide group. The world is stuffed with worldwide eating places, cafes, and retailers. It’s additionally identified for its nightlife, with bars, golf equipment, and pubs catering to each locals and expats.
Jongno
Jongno is the historic heart of Seoul, house to many historic websites equivalent to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. The world is legendary for its conventional markets, together with Namdaemun and Gwangjang markets, providing conventional Korean items and road meals. It’s also possible to discover temples, museums, and historic structure right here.
Seoul Station
Seoul Station is a handy space for vacationers because it’s a serious transportation hub with easy accessibility to trains and buses. Some lodges on this space supply nice views of town skyline. Close by, Seoullo 7017 is a pedestrian-friendly sky backyard with retailers and cafes.
Euljiro
Euljiro is a enterprise district, best for these visiting Seoul for work. It’s near many enterprise facilities and rising as a hub for design studios, artwork galleries, and inventive areas. The world additionally gives a stylish meals scene with cafes and eating places
Getting round Seoul
Seoul is a really huge metropolis. Half of the the 52m inhabitants of South Korea lives within the capital metropolis in spite of everything which makes it one of the concentrated nations on this planet. Seoul has an in depth metro and bus system that connects a lot of the metropolis to one another.
One of many first belongings you’ve in all probability examine is that Google Maps is just not the app of selection in South Korea. I can attest that Google Maps is sort of restricted in its performance inside Korea.
Why does Google Maps not work effectively in South Korea you ask?
The reply is North Korea.
South Korea requested Google Maps to dam out their army bases so the world wouldn’t have the ability to see their operations however Google refused which led to the state we’re in now.
Nonetheless, Google Maps nonetheless works in Seoul, however it’s simply restricted in its performance. For example, it can’t give you strolling or driving instructions but it surely does supply public transportation instructions. It might probably seek for eating places, cafes, bars, and vacationer sights. Google opinions can be found albeit considerably restricted to solely foreigners.
Naver Maps is the native app of selection which gives all the pieces that Google Maps doesn’t. I discovered Naver Maps to be a bit tough to make use of primarily due to many issues being in Korean. When looking for eating places and cafes, all the pieces was in Korean which is smart given its audience however made it tough for me to make use of. Naver Maps is nice for strolling and driving instructions nonetheless which is the primary purpose I used it.
Value of the general public transport in Seoul
The price of a single experience on the metro or a bus is 1,500 KRW. This was sufficient for in every single place I went within the metropolis. To simplify your expertise, be certain that to purchase a T-Card which you’ll load up cash and use as a lot as you need. I couldn’t determine the place to purchase certainly one of these playing cards so I needed to painfully purchase a one experience cross each time.
I discovered that due to the sheer measurement of Seoul, I ended up spending a great deal of time on the metro. Each experience would simply be half-hour even when it was going quick distances. That is why it will be important that your lodging is close to to one of many strains.
Uber in Seoul
Trip hailing in Seoul was one of many most important methods I bought round. I couldn’t be bothered with taking the metro generally so I ended up utilizing Uber. Taxis are fairly inexpensive within the capital metropolis with my rides hardly ever exceeding 15,000 KRW. Brief distances might even be had for 8,000 KRW. Generally, you might need bother discovering Ubers late at night time after an evening of ingesting.
Uber can be a great way to get from the airport to town. From Incheon which is greater than 1h away, you may get to town heart for 60k-70k KRW. The quick practice compared is 12k KRW so in case you are 3 or extra, it nearly is smart to simply take an Uber.
I additionally tried utilizing the native Kakao Trip however the setup was tedious and it didn’t supply rather more than what Uber already had.
What to eat in Seoul?
Seoul is the epicenter of Korean meals and within the capital, you’ll have each alternative to pattern what Korean meals has to supply. I’ve had ample quantities of Korean meals previous to visiting Korea so I knew the issues I needed to attempt like Bimbimbap, kimchi jjiggae, fried rooster, BBQ, and extra.
Korean BBQ
No go to to Seoul or Korea is full with out consuming their well-known BBQ (or a number of instances like myself). South Koreans pleasure themselves on their beef and their BBQ. It’s probably you’ve had Korean BBQ in some unspecified time in the future in your house nation but it surely’s most certainly going to be a lot better on the supply.
Whereas in Seoul, be certain that to attempt one of many numerous BBQ spots the place you’ll be handled to grilled beef proper in entrance of your desk. When you’re in Korea, you will have to attempt their extremely well-known Hanwoo beef which is a breed of cattle native to the Korean peninsula. This cow is understood for its intense marbling just like that of Japanese wagyu. I ate Hanwoo Galbi (quick ribs) numerous instances whereas I used to be in Seoul as a result of it truthfully is difficult to beat.
There are quite a few value factors for Korean BBQ and for the upper finish cuts of beef, anticipate to pay accordingly. A portion of Galbi (160-180g) at a excessive finish BBQ restaurant will simply value you 50k to 70k KRW.
DMZ day journey
South Korea and North Korea are technically nonetheless in a conflict as there was no ceasefire signed. An armistice was signed in 1953 on the location the place the DMZ is these days and it has stayed that means ever since.
Probably the most standard excursions in Seoul is to take a go to to this DMZ space. As I had 4 days in Seoul, this was greater than sufficient time to dedicate a day to visiting the border.
The DMZ is definitely not a border. For the reason that nations are in conflict, they’ll’t have a typical border that you just might need between regular nations. The DMZ is actually an space that acts as a buffer zone between North and South Korea.
This space spans your complete size of the Korean peninsula from the east to west coast and is 2km extensive. Inside this 2km area, it’s technically thought to be a impartial zone. There is no such thing as a official border between the 2 nations as this DMZ serves as a buffer zone and never a border crossing. The one option to truly enter North Korea is by way of flights from China.
In actual fact, North Koreans that defect to South Korea accomplish that by escaping northwards to China earlier than traversing your complete size of the nation, and returning again to South Korea.
Reserving the DMZ tour
The DMZ tour is available to be booked with quite a few firms in Seoul. It’s in all probability the largest and hottest day journey from town. I booked my journey with VIP Journey and regardless that we traveled with a constitution bus full of individuals, I believed it was total fairly good. I would contemplate reserving a smaller group tour if you need one thing extra intimate however I believed it was adequate for what it was.
Along with the DMZ, you’ll be able to have an non-obligatory addon for the gondola that travels over the Imjingang Railway Bridge and the river adjoining to it.
All in all, I paid roughly 90k KRW for your complete day which didn’t embrace any meals or snacks. This value appeared to be fairly customary after I in contrast it to the opposite distributors. The day begins at 7am and you come to town at 4pm. It’s a bit on the pricier facet but it surely’s not a nasty value for being as near North Korea as you’ll get!