Palaces, Street Food, and Skyline Views in Seoul

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a huge metropolis where modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways and pop culture meet Buddhist temples, palaces and street markets. Notable attractions include futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a convention hall with curving architecture and a rooftop park; Gyeongbokgung Palace, which once had more than 7,000 rooms; and Jogyesa Temple, site of ancient locust and pine trees.

During our trip in Korea, We stayed in Ganghwado Island. We took several one day trips to visit different places in Seoul.

SK Telecom T.um and Taepyeongno

One of the days, We booked a tour in advance to visit T.um. The tour consisted in visiting the future city HI-Land 2053 and get a realistic, first-hand experience of the leading Information and Communication Technology (ICT)  media technology. In the entrance there was a Robot-Gate. We got on board to the Hyperloop to get to the Space Control Center. The Space Control Center was monitoring the environment of space and Earth, and ecosystem of the Earth. After taking a look around the Space Control Center, We got on the Space Shuttle to get to the HI-Land,..

After the tour, We took a walk and passed by the city hall. It is located in Taepyeongno, Jung-gu, at the heart of Seoul. Government city hall building featuring cultural facilities for up to 700 people.

National Museum of Korea

Another day, We went to Seoul to have a lunch with a friend and later We visited National Museum of Korea. The National Museum of Korea houses a vast collection of over 420,000 artifacts from ancient times to the modern era in a wide range of topics, including art and culture. The outdoor grounds feature pagodas and other stone artworks too large to be on display inside. After the visit, We enjoyed a coffee in the museum coffee shop. From the coffee shop, there were amazing views !

Hongdae neighborhood

In another one day trip, We visited Hongdae neighborhood. Hongdae is a neighborhood known for its youthful ambience, with shops selling everything from clothing and cosmetics to living goods and books, as well as unique cafés and restaurants. The streets are also filled with buskers and dance performances, making a walk here quite entertaining. We went to Hongdae Mural Street that is known for its various, artistic and fun murals. It’s a small alley right next to the front gate of Hongik University. We also went to Zzang GAMES. Zzang GAMES is an amusement arcade that consists of four floors. It is a great place where you can have a good time with your friends or by yourself and play different fun games. We enjoyed the classic game, Super Mario Bros! And We walked in Gyeongui Line Forest Park. It is a former train line converted into a leafy park with pathways, lawns and streams, plus cafes nearby.

Gwanjang Market, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Seoul Museum of Craft Art

One of the ultimate places to experience traditional Korean street food is Gwanjang Market in Jongno-gu. It is an incredible place to visit. It is the oldest and largest traditional market in Korea and a wonderful place to eat Korean street food. Visiting the market was a real foodie experience, and We got a real taste of Korean culture and traditional Korean cuisine.

One of my favourite places in Seoul is Cheonggyecheon Stream. It is a 10.9-kilometre-long stream and public space in downtown Seoul. A natural stream sourced from the Suseongdong Valley in Inwangsan. It was historically part of Seoul’s early sewerage, but there was a urban renewal project to restore the stream, which was completed in 2005.

We also visited Seoul Museum of Craft Art. Opened in 2021, the Seoul Museum of Craft Art holds and exhibits an array of traditional and modern Korean craftwork. It is a place where knowledge and literature on craft art are shared and studied and a platform to experience the aesthetics and cultural values of craft art. 

Close to the museum, We found Yeolrin Songhyeon park and Gwanghwamun gate. Yeolrin Songhyeon park is a large open space filled with flowers and plants. Gwanghwamun gate is the main and largest gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, in Jongno-gu.

Namsangol Hanok Village,Namsan Seoul Tower (N Seoul Tower) and Itaewon

In another one day trip, We went to Namsangol Hanok Village on the northern side of Namsan Mountain. This village has five restored hanok (traditional Korean house) premises, a pavilion, a traditional garden, a performance art stage, and a time capsule plaza, making it a perfect spot for locals and tourists to take a leisure walk.

After visiting the village, We took a bus to go to Namsan Seoul Tower (N Seoul Tower). Namsan Seoul Tower was the first multipurpose tower to be established in Korea, effectively incorporating a sightseeing observatory to a broadcasting tower. For the past 40 years, Namsan Seoul Tower has served as an iconic landmark of Korea and a representative tourist attraction. There were amazing views from there!

After exploring Namsan Seoul Tower, We went down and arrived to Itaewon. Itaewon is multi-cultural commercial area. It is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Seoul, known for its nightlife and trendy restaurants.

Soccer Game (Seoul World Cup Stadium) and Haneul (Sky) Park

One of the days in Korea, We went to Seoul to attend a soccer game. Before the game in Seoul World Cup Stadium, We walked around Haneul (Sky) Park and other World Cup Parks. Haneul (Sky) Park is the most popular of the five parks of World Cup Park, near Seoul World Cup Stadium. The other four parks of World Cup Park include Pyeonghwa (Peace) Park, Noeul (Sunset) Park, Nanjicheon Park and Nanji Hangang Park. Haneul (Sky) Park is a green hill of vast grassland, situated on the highest part of World Cup Park. It offers stunning views of Seoul and its key attractions of Namsan Seoul Tower, Bukhansan Mountain and Han River (Hangang).

The soccer game was between FC Seoul and Suwon Bluewings (K League 1 game, first soccer division in Korea) that was hosted in Seoul World Cup Stadium. The score was 0- 1. To be honest, the first half was boring, no many chances but the second half was better and there was one goal. The environment in the stadium was great!! There were 36,000 attendance. The Seoul World Cup Stadium was built for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and opened on November 10, 2001. It is currently the second largest stadium in South Korea after Seoul Olympic Stadium.

Seodaemun Independence Park and Sejongno

We also went to Seodaemun Independence Park. Seodaemun Independence Park was built on the former Seoul Detention Camp. It was used to imprison thousands of Korean independence activists until the liberation from the Japanese occupation on August 15, 1945, as well as the political prisoners during the political turmoil in the 1960s. The park preserves seven prison buildings, an execution ground, underground women’s prison, and the March 1st Movement Monument that has been moved from Tapgol Park in Jongno. One of the most significant monuments of the Seodaemun Independence Park is Dongnimmun Gate (Independence Gate), which has been designated a Historic Site.

During the same day, We walked around Sejongno and found the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin. It is dedicated to the 16th-century Korean war hero, admiral Yi Sun-sin. It is considered one of Seoul’s major landmarks and has been called “one of the most important instances of Korean public art”. We had a delicious snack called “Bungeoppang” . It is a fish-shaped pastry stuffed with sweetened red bean paste, which originated from the Japanese taiyaki. One of South Korea’s most popular winter street foods.

Ilsan Lake Park

Another day, We explored Ilsan where Sea lived. We walked in Ilsan Lake Park. Ilsan Lake Park spans over 991,800 square meters, making it one of the largest man-made parks in Asia. 

Yonsei University, Seoullo 7017, Sungnyemun, Namdaemun Market and Deoksugung Palace

In another trip in Seoul, We had lunch with Sea’s friend in Yonsei University. Yonsei University is located in Sinchon. The campus presents a beautiful combination of historical and high-tech buildings. After the lunch, We walked to Seoullo 7017. Seoullo 7017, also known as the Seoul Skygarden or Skypark, is an elevated, linear park in Seoul, built atop a former highway overpass. There was a good view from there. Later We arrived to Namdaemun Market and Sungnyemun. Opened in 1964, Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea with shops selling various goods. Near the market, We found Sungnyemun Gate. Sungnyemun Gate is Korea’s National Treasure No. 1. Sungnyemun Gate is the largest castle gate stone structure with an arched entrance in the middle. The last stop was Deoksugung Palace. Deoksugung Palace is a walled compound of palaces in Seoul that was inhabited by members of Korea’s royal family during the Joseon monarchy until the annexation of Korea by Japan in 1910.

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History

We also went to National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History opened on December 26, 2012, and showcases Korea’s modern history, from the opening of Incheon Port to current times. The museum provides an in-depth look at the changes in the nation through exhibitions and educational programs, as well as researching, developing, and collecting materials.  We discovered a rooftop where there was a good view of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful, and remains the largest of all five palaces.