Three Days in Seoul: A Journey Through Fashion and Tradition in an Ancient-Modern City
1 cities |
18 attraction(s) |
total distance 41
km
TIPS
Day1
Day2
Day3
Day1: Seoul
4 attraction(s) ·
3 km
1
Gyeongbokgung Palace is the first palace built in the early days of the Joseon Dynasty, with a history of 600 years. It was once a grand palace and now showcases delicate beauty. Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces and features unique architecture such as Geunjeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. In addition, there are the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum where visitors can explore and experience. Gyeongbokgung Palace is open to the public and there is a ticket office at the entrance of Gwanghwamun. Visitors can also watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony and take photos with the guards, immersing themselves in Korean classical culture.
The name Gyeongbokgung means "great blessings and prospering the nation," reflecting the early aspirations of the Joseon Dynasty. It was completed in 1395 and at its peak had over 390 buildings. During the Japanese invasion in the late 16th century, Gyeongbokgung Palace was burned down and remained abandoned for 273 years. It was restored during the reign of King Gojong but suffered significant damage during the Japanese colonial period, with some buildings demolished and replaced by the Government-General Building. After Korea's independence, Gyeongbokgung Palace gradually underwent restoration, with the completion of the restoration project of Gwanghwamun Gate in 2010. There are also guided tours available in Chinese, departing from the inside of the Geunjeongmun Gate at four designated times.
1
km
2
Bukchon Hanok Village is one of the most representative places to experience traditional Korean residential culture. Here, you can feel the authentic living atmosphere as it is a residential area. Therefore, when you visit here as a tourist, please keep quiet so as not to disturb their daily lives. Of course, taking photos here is also an excellent choice. If you want to find the eight major attractions of Bukchon and take beautiful pictures, don't worry about getting lost because there are ground signs to guide you to the best shooting spots. The services here are very thoughtful and convenient for tourists.
1
km
3
Insa-dong, like Shanghai's Tianzifang, is just a step away from Gyeongbokgung Palace. Although its area is not large, with only one main street and a few perpendicular alleys, it was once the residential area of the Joseon Dynasty's noble class. Today, Insa-dong is home to numerous art galleries, museums, and specialty shops. Walking on the stone-paved Insa-dong Street, history is solidified with every brick and tile underfoot, and you can experience the coexistence of classical and avant-garde Korean culture. Here, you can find a Starbucks with a Korean signboard, the most distinctive Korean souvenir store in Seoul, and traditional Korean tea shops, which are treasures of this place. It is definitely an unforgettable experience to have a cup of traditional Korean tea, taste various traditional snacks, and sit in a traditional tea house to feel the lovely atmosphere here. Moreover, you can find some Korean souvenirs that are not available elsewhere! Even locals may not be familiar with the objects in Insa-dong, but the movie "The Scandalous Lady W" by Jang Lee-yeong has added a touch of mystery and interest to this place, which is definitely worth a visit.
2
km
4
Sprawling, scenic grounds around Changdeokgung Palace featuring pavilions, ponds & lush trees.
Day2: Seoul
8 attraction(s) ·
9 km
1
Large self-contained city campus for an arty university with sports facilities, cafeterias & stores.
1
km
2
"Gentleman's Dignity" is a wonderful Korean drama, with many scenes filmed around Hongik University (홍익대학교). The art department of Hongik University is one of the most famous in Korea, therefore, the surrounding cultural atmosphere is very rich. There are often artistic performances and shows on the streets, and there is also a lively street culture in the late night. In addition, the nightclubs here are also very popular, so if you want to experience the carnival atmosphere of young people, you are welcome to come and experience it. In addition, there are many delicious restaurants and fashionable young clothing stores here, if you want to travel on a budget, Hongik University area is a very worthwhile place to visit.
3
km
3
Ewha Womans University is one of the world-famous women's universities, attracting many foreign tourists with its beautiful campus and charming Ewha girls. The scenery here is colorful, with enchanting maple leaves in autumn and blooming cherry blossoms in spring. The entire campus is surrounded by greenery, with ancient teaching buildings coexisting harmoniously with trees, giving people a lively and beautiful feeling. There are many stone school buildings like those in fairy tales, quiet little gardens, campus avenues lined with ginkgo trees, and beautiful and captivating faces, making it hard for people to leave. The whole campus is filled with a faint romantic and aesthetic atmosphere, and a moment's stay here will be refreshing. The school also arranges campus tours led by students, and there are many unique shops and restaurants nearby, making it a great place for a leisurely stroll and to experience campus life.
4
km
4
Many high-end international stores & restaurants draw crowds to this bustling retail district.
1
km
7
N Seoul Tower is a 236.7-meter tall tower located on Namsan Mountain in the Yongsan-gu district of Seoul, South Korea. It was built in 1975 and was previously known as Seoul Tower or Hanseong Tower. However, due to outdated facilities and poor services, it did not attract many visitors. In 2000, CJ Corporation and YTN News Channel signed a 10-year lease contract and invested 15 billion Korean won to renovate and rebrand the tower. On December 9, 2005, the newly renovated N Seoul Tower was unveiled. The "N" in N Seoul Tower represents both the first letter of Namsan and the concept of "new". The new facilities include lighting equipment suitable for different seasons and events, as well as a repainted tower body. Every night from 7 pm to 12 am, six searchlights form a flower pattern in the sky to celebrate the "Flower of Seoul".
N Seoul Tower is known as a symbol of Seoul and a famous tourist attraction. From the top of the tower, visitors can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Seoul and hang love locks. The experience of dining at the sky-high restaurant is unforgettable, sipping drinks while overlooking Seoul. The second-floor restroom, with its window showcasing the beautiful view of Seoul, is affectionately known as the "sky bathroom". In recent years, the attraction has gained more attention as it has been featured in many Korean variety shows. In addition, N Seoul Tower houses various other facilities, making it a true cultural and entertainment center.
It is worth noting that the Teddy Bear Museum on the tower has been closed.
1
km
8
Day3: Seoul
7 attraction(s) ·
16 km
4
Massive underground shopping mall & convention center with a theater, aquarium & restaurants.
1
km
5
COEX Aquarium is one of the oldest and most distinctive aquariums in Korea. It has 40 tour tanks and over 140 feeding tanks, housing over 6,000 species of marine life, totaling more than 40,000 individuals. Each tank is divided into six zones, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful underwater world through an underwater tunnel. In addition, the entrance of the aquarium showcases artifacts and a mysterious atmosphere of the Inca Empire, while the Amazon Adventure Hall features rare tropical freshwater fish, adorable otters, and astonishing marine creatures like sharks and axolotls. The World Ocean Hall presents stunning landscapes from California coast, Mediterranean, Antarctic, Arctic, and more, with dozens of predatory sharks, giant sea turtles, and countless fascinating marine fish, giving visitors a sense of being in the real ocean. Visitors can have a closer encounter with small sharks and other fish at the Petting Grass Exhibit, and explore the mysterious world of deep-sea creatures like large crabs and octopuses at the Deep Sea Mystery Hall. Finally, at the Western restaurant in the aquarium, visitors can enjoy a variety of seafood dishes, immerse themselves in the mysterious atmosphere of the sea, and have a wonderful time with the fish.
5
km
6
Vast, tree-filled park featuring a lake, bike path & roses, plus deer to feed & a butterfly house.
3
km
