City: Seoul
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The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is the business and cultural hub of South Korea, where skyscrapers tower over Buddhist temples. Take it all in from the N Seoul Tower, built atop a peak in Namsan Park. The teahouses and shops of Insadong give you a taste of Korean flavor, which you can further experience with a visit to the grounds and museums of Gyeongbokgung. UNESCO World Heritage Site Changdeokgung Palace is a fine example of authentic ancient architecture.
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1. Changdeokgung Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,612 reviews
This 600-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site is the city's jewel. It's as famous for its outstanding architectural details as for its verdant and expansive gardens.
Reviewed By Inspire818731 - Belfast, United Kingdom
Interesting Palace to learn about ancient Korea and its architecture.The English tour guide to the hills and valleys of the Secret Garden was a superb insight to the life and times of the early dynasties. The Palace is spread over a wide area, which is mainly flat, but there are some steep areas, so allow plenty time to visit.Crowds,queues,heat not a problem in September.
2. Gyeongbokgung Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,654 reviews
The National Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum are located on the grounds of this palace, built six centuries ago by the founder of the Chosun dynasty.
Reviewed By Krubee - Singapore, Singapore
At the heart of Seoul lies this ancient yet historically significant center of the Joseon dynasty - the Eternal, Grand, Beautiful and Enchanting Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest and grandest of the 5 palaces built during the Joseon dynasty in 1395 by King Taejo, the first King of Joseon.. It is the seat of the King, His household and the government. To date it is one of the most famous attractions in Seoul and South Korea. Millions of tourist visit this Palace and it is a must visit. You could take the Seoul metro and could alight at Gyeongbokgung station which is connected via Heungnyemun Gate or outside via Gwanghwamun station and you need to walk via North direction passing by the statue of King Sejong the Great. The National Palace Museum of Korea is located via Heungnyemun gate. The entrance fee to this palace is around 3K Won for adults. As you enter the main gate of Gwanghwamun in the south you will be greeted by several other gates as you walk north into the Geunjeongjeon (Throne hall). The cobbled stones floor indicates that you are entering history. Other significant buildings include the beautiful Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (Banquet hall) with a lake surrounding it, Gangnyeongjeon (King's residential quarter), Gyotaejeon (Queen's quarter), Hyangwonjeong (2 story Hexagonal shape pavillion on lake connected by Chwihyanggyo bridge), and many more. We went here during Fall season and it's magical we were surrounded by trees of red, yellow and orange. The wind blowing adds to the beauty of the falling leaves. Despite the plenty of tourists we have space to take beautiful photos and videos. There are even Korean cultural dance shows with photo opts afterwards. Behind this massive complex stands the mighty Mt. Baegaksan (a 342 m high granite mountain) a perfect background for your beautiful photos and videos. Some tourists rent traditional Hanbok dress, a traditional Korean clothes. Rental prices vary depending on the time starting at around 13K to 15K Won for about 4 hrs. It adds to the total experience you could get while walking around this historical palace not to mention it adds beauty to your photos and videos. Between 10 to 3 PM the traditional changing of the guards occur every hour which is a spectacle of Korean culture and tradition. We left at 5 PM which is also the closing time at this Eternal Grand Palace. It is my 2nd time to visit this but it still amazes me every time.
3. Myeongdong Shopping Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,355 reviews
Reviewed By SOLARIZEDCHERRY - Singapore, Singapore
Love love love Myeongdong. You can go crazy shopping here haha so much good food and cosmetics!! Must try: - Aori Ramen - Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong - BHC Chicken Must go: - SPAO - All the cosmetic shops (hahaha)
4. Bongeunsa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,298 reviews
It’s hard to believe that this large, beautiful Buddhist temple is situated in the middle of a bustling metropolis. It’s impossible not to be moved by the beauty and serenity of this enchanting temple. You can even stay overnight for a fee.
Reviewed By 285lawk - Singapore, Singapore
The temple looks boring from the front. Walk further in towards the back and u will see a kind of little forest or park. The autumn foliage is simply gorgeous and out of this world. this place is an easy 500m walk from Coex Mall so u can easily combine this with a visit to Starfield Library and a meal in Coex Mall.
5. Myeong-dong Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,093 reviews
Reviewed By auggie_aj - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Myeongdong Cathedral or Cathedral Church of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception is one of the oldest catholic churches built in Seoul, South Korea. It was completed in the year 1898 and has a gothic design. The highest Roman Catholic prelate resides here. The church has high towers which was controversial during the construction. It is located at a walking distance of Myeongdong metro & Euljiro 3 ga metro stations.
6. Cheonggyecheon Stream
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,946 reviews
Formerrly polluted and covered with an elevated road since 2005 this stream has been cleaned up and made into an Art and nature walkway through the heart of Seoul.
Reviewed By harriskirrie - Kirriemuir, United Kingdom
This is a great oasis in a very busy city, and is perfect for a contemplative walk, a jog, or just to sit and soak up the atmosphere.
7. Jogyesa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,008 reviews
This beautiful, colorful temple is the center of Zen Buddhism in Korea. Equally lovely is the courtyard, which is filled with vibrant lanterns and trees more than 500 years old.
Reviewed By trizamu - Seoul, South Korea
It's a pretty small temple, not much to explore, but it's so worth the visit. Inside the main temple building you can see 3 big golden statues of Buddha (pay attention on where you should take off your shoes). Yet, it's most worth visit on around the end of April, during May, and beginning of June (around the date of Buddha's birthday), since they decorated the whole temple with the most festive looking lanterns! Guaranteed to take the most mesmerizing pictures!
8. Seodaemun Prison History Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 384 reviews
Reviewed By Riah1028
Coming to Korea I was completely ignorant to the history of the country. This trip gives excellent context to the impact the Japanese Occupation had on this country. I’d recommend anyone new to Korea come here.
9. Changgyeonggung Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 736 reviews
Reviewed By abhooo - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
This is an amazing place and we had so much fun! We have tried their tradition costume (Hanbok) and tour around the palace. A huge place to roam around and very interesting history!
10. Ewha Womans University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 908 reviews
Reviewed By meowleng92 - Melaka, Malaysia
The young girl student here are freedonly wear their outfit to Uni. Around the Uni, there is alot cosmetic shop, cloth, cafe and etc Be alert and bring enough cash and card as here is the cheapest shopping palace ever.
