South Korea has much to offer from great food to a rich history. With a population nearing 10 million Seoul, South Korea has a million great places to see and things to do, you could live there for years and never see and do all you wanted.
Top 10 must-see locations of Seoul
Culture & History
Entering the Noryangin fish market
Noryangin is open 24 hours 7 days a week. Take the metro to Noryangjin station and follow directions to the seafood market (well marked).
For lunch you can select and purchase a fish and have it prepared sashimi style for you right there! Nom, nom!
From there get back on the subway and head to the
2. Korean War Memorial and Museum
The War Memorial of Korea is pretty powerful, especially the floor about the Korean War. All the changes that have occurred in a lifetime.
Open Tuesday-Sunday 9:30 am -6:00 pm metro line 4 or 6 to Samgakji, Exit 12
Shopping
3. Insadong Neighborhood
The streets of Insadong are as beautiful and they are full. Shops sell beautifully crafted ceramic pieces and the tea shops are filled with rich aromas, Insadong is the place to be for all your shopping and gift needs. You can easily spend a day here weaving in and out of shops.
or COEX Mall
For crowds and to get a taste of how Koreans shop check out the COEX Mall complex- it does not disappoint.
4. Korean Baseball
If you enjoy sports then end the evening with a Korean Baseball Game. Grab your dried squid for eating and thundersticks for noise and get ready!
Day Three: Line of Fire at the DMZ
5. DMZ – Demilitarized Zone
The DMZ is a sober reminder of the unrest between North and South Korea that still exists to this day. The tour guide will share the history of the Korean war and this demilitarized zone line, but with anything, it will leave you wondering what’s being left out of the story.
There are numerous tours that leave from Seoul for the DMZ, there are many so rather than recommending one I just recommend that you google and pick your preference.
A Spiritual Journey
Wall of Buddha for Bongeunsa Temple
6. Buddha’s Birthday Celebration
In 2014 Buddha’s Birthday will be celebrated on May 6 in South Korea. If you are in or around Seoul during this date make a point of attending the evening Lotus Lantern Festival at Bongeunsa Temple.
7. Bongeunsa Temple
The Bongeunsa Temple is worth the trip year round- an ancient building nestled into modern city life. You’ll find it located to the north of COEX Mall. On Thursdays for 20,000 won you can participate in temple life. Attend a tea ceremony, participate in meditation, learn about the life of Buddha and even create your own lotus flower lanterns!
To get there take the metro to Samseong Station (Line 2), Exit 6.
Exercise
8. Hwaseong Fortress
Take the metro to Suwon to walk along the 200 year old ruins of the Hwaseong Fortress. If you have it in you, walk the entire length of the fortress walls and explore the palace.
To get there: take Seoul Subway line 1 out to Suwon Station. Take buses 2, 7, 7-2, 8, or 13 and get off atJongno 4-geori (intersection). Walk or grab a taxi to Hwaseong Haenggung and let your day adventure begin!
Royalty
9. Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace
You need at least one, if not 2 dedicated days of visiting palaces to get a real sense of their beauty and to tour at least one of them completely. Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace are just two of the numerous palaces worth visiting.
“A Lock of Love”
10. N Seoul Tower
Fantastic views of the South Korea from the top of N Seoul Tower. Visible from all over the city of Seoul the N Seoul Tower lights up at night and changes color with different events. To get up close and personal take a cable car to the top or walk. Be sure to add your lock of love to the collection of locks once you get there!
To arrive take metro line 4 and get off at exit 3: Myeong-dong Station (#424).
Wow, these are such beautiful images! What an amazing gift to be able to travel to such an intriguing and beautiful place!
Thank you! I loved every minute of it for sure. Love that photo of you too btw!
The palaces are all rebuilt, so if your looking for authentic, you won’t find much of it. And unless your a very petite size, many Korean clothes won’t fit you. Namsan tower (n tower) is worth a visit but the view is not that of tokyo. The war memorial, really? The DMZ is worth a visit, just to say you have been there.
Thanks for your opinions John. Really appreciate the feedback. I understand that in the almost 2 years since publishing this piece things have probably changed so I love hearing what readers think in an updated context!
Sorry you didn’t like the war memorial museum, I was intrigued by the history and perspectives. I always enjoy visiting at least one museum when I travel to learn about the history from that country’s perspective, but definitely understand that that’s not for everyone.
Glad you can’t see Tokyo from N Tower- that would be incredibly impressive and I’d probably think you were Superman at that point!