City: Jongno-gu
Top Things to do in Jongno-gu
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What to do and see in Jongno-gu, South Korea: The Best Things to do
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. National Folk Museum of Korea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 963 reviews
The history of ordinary Koreans.
Reviewed By wireless_in_CA
This museum was located next to rear entrance to the Gyeongbokgung Palace. The building design was quite unexpected and its concrete base rose high above the ground with a multi story pagoda located on the top. There also was a nicely landscaped garden surrounding the museum. Inside were multiple exhibition halls that did a very good job in detailing the traditions and daily lives of the Korean people both past and present with artifacts (clothing, tools, replica homes, funeral biers, etc) and detailed explanations. The special exhibit was focused on present day workers from Incheon and the work they did. It was personal with their uniforms, biographies and the products they worked on (i.e. cars, textiles). Admission was free. A cafe was also located on the ground floor off to the side of the main entrance.
4. 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.
5. 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!
6. Inwangsan Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By diannea758
A great hike and not too difficult. We took The Fortress Trail as well from close to the top of Iwangsan. To get there take the train to Dongnimmun and then take the Muak-dong exit. Just follow the road uphill until you see the Iwangsan trail sign.
7. 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!
8. Seoul Museum of History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 310 reviews
Reviewed By R_A617 - Ayr, United Kingdom
Recently updated and free. 600 years of Seoul, very well divided into sections. Everything was helpfully in English with very well done brochures/guides for each section. We visited on a wet day - but spent much longer than intended. Definitely worth the visit.
9. National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 238 reviews
Transport: Metro - line 3 to Anguk station. Exit 1 Facility Highlights: Exhibition Space, Museum Archive, Project Gallery Space, Media Theatre, Multipurpose Auditorium, etc. Description: The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea opens a new branch in 2013 at Gimusa, the former Defense Security Command site, built in early 20th century located near Gyeongbokgung at the heart of Seoul. Focusing on the Characteristic of the site that required an underground expansion, the construction plan adopted the madang(yard) concept, successfully integrating the exterior and interior of the building. The Seoul branch brings up a new discourse on the relationship between the public and the museum in an urban space, opening new possibilities for a future-oriented art museum of the twenty-first century. The site of Seoul branch once served as Jongchinbu(Office of Royal Family Affairs of the Joseon Dynasty), which was relocated to adjacent public library in 1981. the new plan includes restoring Jongchinbu to its original site, preserving the former Defense Security Command compound, and thereby establishing a meaningful cultural center that harmoniously embraces the historical Joseon Dynasty and modern Korean history.
Reviewed By tolerg
Unfortunately due to Coronavirus, we can't visit the museum. This museum is beautiful if you are interested in modern and contemporary arts, this place is for you. My personal favorite artworks are Grandfather and Grandson by Park Su-geun, and Fighting Fowls by Lee Jung-seob. These are beautiful pieces. I recommend attending this museum.
10. Naksan Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 266 reviews
Reviewed By Jinx_15 - Jakarta, Indonesia
Famous place from all the K-Drama. We visited it while walking in the Ihwa Mural Village. We didn't pick the Naksan Park path, instead we climb the Ihwa Mural Village until we find the famous wall where all the K-Drama happening. It's nice and we'll probably hike the Naksan Park if it's not raining
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