Seoul Holidays 2024/2025

• This communications and observation tower, which rises nearly 500 meters above the city, offers spectacular views of the city from its perch on the side of Mount Namsan.
• A cable car transports you up the mountainside to the base of the tower.
• From here, you can climb the tower to any of the four observation decks, one of which is a rotating restaurant.
• The N Seoul Tower offers five different dining options, as well as several gift shops.
• On the top floor, the n.GRILL is regarded as one of Seoul's best French fine-dining establishments.
• Visit the new Inside Seoul immersive media art exhibition, where 40 laser projectors create a virtual representation of the city using five-dimensional mapping, with the tower at the center.
• The views from the tower are spectacular, but so are the views from most other parts of the city.
• With changing themed lighting presentations, computer-controlled LED lighting on the tower's exterior provides a digital, visual cultural experience of Seoul

• Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395, is the largest of Seoul's five grand palaces built during the powerful Joseon dynasty.
• It was destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries before being restored to its original glory after WWII and completely restored in the 1990s.
• Both the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum of Korea are located on the palace grounds and are well worth a visit.
• The palace museum is especially interesting because it displays items from the Joseon Dynasty's palaces.
• This includes both valuable antiques and artwork, as well as everyday items for cooking, cleaning, and living.
• The National Folk Museum uses everyday objects, as well as clothing and dioramas, to tell the story of the Korean people since prehistoric times.

• This must-see Seoul attraction showcases Korea's incredible history and artwork, as well as the Korean people.
• The museum is located in the city's Yongsan District and is one of the largest in Asia (close to Itaewon).
• It focuses on archeology, history, and art, and it houses a massive collection of works and objects dating back over a million years.
• There are prehistoric and ancient artifacts, sculpture, paintings, and other artwork, as well as a large collection of objects and antiques.
• Head down the street to Yongsan Family Park, a nice outdoor space to relax before or after your museum visit.
• The War Memorial of Korea, another important museum worth seeing, is also nearby.

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• Hundreds of hanok (traditional Korean homes) dating back to the Joseon dynasty can be found in Bukchon Hanok Village.
• Many of these houses are private residences and guesthouses located between Jongmyo Shrine and the grand palaces of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung.
• A few are cultural centers, galleries, craft workshops, restaurants, teahouses, and museums.
• In addition, the village has a traditional liquor brewery that produces Korean alcoholic beverages such as makgeolli (raw rice wine), yakju (medicinal wine), and soju (distilled liquor).
• You can learn about the brewing process of samhaeju, a type of soju served at palace functions.
• If you want to learn about traditional Korean culture, you can buy a 'Bukchon Museum Freedom Pass' for 10,000 won, which allows you to visit the Gahoe Museum, Han Sangsu Embroidery Museum, and the Museum of Korean Art.
• Gahoe Museum, which opened in 2002, houses over 250 folk paintings, 750 amulets, 150 classical books, and over 200 traditional folding screens.
• Symbol-bearing talismans were traditionally used to ward off evil spirits, ward off diseases and bad spirits, as well as for good health, wish fulfillment, and to accompany family prayers.
• The Han Sangsu Embroidery Museum displays intricate embroidery works by renowned craftsman Han Sangsu, as well as a collection of embroidery-themed folk art and embroidery relics worn by the king and high-ranking officials.
• The Museum of Korean Art houses over 6,000 Buddhist paintings, sculptures, crafts, and ritual items. Workshops on Korean folk painting and traditional food-making are also held at the museum.

• Lotte World is a sprawling theme park in Seoul that includes indoor and outdoor theme parks, shopping malls, and the Lotte Hotel World.
• There are thrilling rides, South Korea's largest ice rink, laser shows, lively parades, and cultural performances to enjoy.
• The Indoor Adventure is a four-story indoor theme park at Lotte World.
• Conquistador (which resembles a Spanish pirate ship), the French Revolution roller coaster, the World Monorail, Camelot Carousel, and Flume Ride – a Jurassic Park-inspired water ride with animatronic dinosaurs – are among the 22 globally themed rides available.
• Indoor Adventure also hosts spectacular seasonal festivals and parades, with popular events including the Masquerade Festival, Rio Samba Carnival, Halloween Party, Christmas Festival, and World Carnival Parade.
• The third floor of Indoor Adventure is home to a Korean folk museum where visitors can learn about Korea's rich history and culture through miniature villages and artifacts dating back over 5,000 years.
• Traditional performances are also held at the museum, and you can shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs on the Jeojageori (traditional market street).
• Magic Island is Lotte World's outdoor theme park, which can be reached via the connecting passageway on the 2nd floor of Indoor Adventure.
• The park is located on an artificial island surrounded by Seokchon Lake and features a medieval-style Magic Castle as well as 17 high-altitude rides.
• At Magic Island, must-see attractions include the Gyro Drop, a 70-meter-high freefall thrill ride, and the Gyro Swing, where you can experience the thrilling sensation of a tornado.

• Bongeunsa Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Gangnam-gu, close to Starfield COEX Mall.
• It was constructed in 794 and houses interesting Buddhist artifacts and activities for those interested in learning about traditional Korean Buddhist practices.
• Despite being surrounded by sleek skyscrapers, shopping malls, and modern architecture, the temple has a very quiet and tranquil atmosphere.
• There are several halls with colorful murals and altars – the Daeung-jeon Main Hall and Jijang-jeon Hall are must-sees.
• Daeung-jeon is adorned with hundreds of white paper lanterns and a three-tiered pagoda, while Jijang-walls jeon's feature murals of the Ten Kings of the Underworld and Jijang-bosal.
• Among the prominent artifacts on display at Bongeunsa Temple are 300 woodblock carvings of Buddhist sutras, calligraphy by Kim Jeong-hui a Joseon Dynasty scholar and calligrapher and a 32-metre-tall statue of Maitreya Buddha.
• Temple stay programs allow you to live the life of a Buddhist monk and learn about Korean Buddhist practices.
• Among the many activities available during your visit are guided tours (in English, Japanese, and Chinese), dawn services, lotus lantern making, and tea ceremonies.
• Bongeunsa Temple hosts the annual Seoul Lotus Lantern Festival (which commemorates Buddha's birth) with an exhibition of traditional lanterns between late January and early February.

• The meal tteok are glutinous tubular rice cakes that are usually dipped in gochujang, a red chili pepper sauce, and are the ideal fuel for the fast-paced Korean lifestyle.
• Tteok (pronounced "tok") are Korean chips that are sold at every food stall and eaten standing up.
• Head to Sindang for the authentic tteokbokki experience, where numerous restaurants dress up the dish with cabbage, onions, noodles, and fishcakes.
• Mabongnim Tteokbokki, which has been open since 1953, is the standout on this street.
• This is one of the city's oldest restaurants, in a city where many open in the morning and close by the evening.

• The meal Korean cuisine is frequently seasonal, and gamjatang is one of the most filling and warming winter dishes available.
• A hearty potato and pork soup that's easy to get wrong, gamjatang done right means a rich and spicy broth flavored with garlic, onion, and ground perilla seeds, generous chunks of potato, and a hunk of pork with meat falling off the bone.
• Pots large enough to serve two arrive at the table with the broth still boiling in the many small restaurants on Gamjatang Street.

• The meal For good reason, barbecue is Korea's most well-known dish.
• It's a brilliant idea – gather a group of friends, order some soju, and throw some pork (samgyupsal) or beef (sogogi) on the grill in the center of the table.
• Barbecue restaurants are springing up all over Seoul, but the Majang meat market – Korea's largest – means better-quality meat at low prices.
• Savvy restaurateurs have set up shop right next to the market, and there is stiff competition for customers.
• Walk around and see who will give you the best deal, then prepare to stuff your face with 

• The meal massive 24-hour Noryangjin fish market, which serves the city's most discerning restaurateurs, is also a foodie's paradise.
• More than 700 stalls sell freshly caught fish, shellfish, squid, and a variety of other unidentified undersea delicacies.
• Saengseon hoe is a popular item here; simply point to what looks good and the stallholder will slice it up for you.
• If you prefer your seafood cooked, take it to one of the restaurants on the market's outskirts: they'll prepare it for you and you can eat it at one of the tables provided.
• On weekends, you'll have to wait for groups of elderly soju-swilling locals to finish drinking before you can get a seat.
• This is the place to go if you want to try eating live octopus.

• It's no secret that tourists and Seoulites alike enjoy visiting Namsan Park for the scenery.
• After all, N Seoul Tower and its observation tower are located within the sprawling park.
• A three-minute ride in the Namsan Cable Car, on the other hand, can provide a bird's eye view of Seoul and the park itself.
• The funicular, which has been in operation since 1962, transports approximately 50,000 people per month from the base of Namsan Mountain to N Seoul Tower.
• The current fleet of cars has been in use since 2008 and can seat up to 48 passengers.
• It has glass on all four sides, providing a breathtaking panoramic view of the park and Seoul from wherever you are.
• Late afternoon is the best time to ride the Namsan Cable Car.
• As a result, you can see the sun shine on the city as you ascend, explore N Seoul Tower for a few hours, and then see the city's night skyline as you descend.
• If you want to enjoy the scenery in peace, take a ride early in the morning when it is less crowded.

• Hwaseong Fortress, about 19 miles south of Seoul, is a massive stone and brick structure.
• The UNESCO World Heritage site is mostly intact, and the three-and-a-half-mile-long wall remains intimidating.
• It's an impressive piece of history that you can bring to life by taking an archery lesson while you're there.
• These archery sessions allow you to dress in traditional military garb and shoot targets on the same grounds that were once used to train military personnel.
• While admission to Hwaseong Fortress is free, there is a fee to participate in archery.
• After you've finished shooting, you can try your hand at ringing the fortress' massive bell or watch a traditional performance.

• Jogyesa Temple is regarded as the spiritual center of Korean Buddhism.
• The sacred site's roots date back to the late 14th century, and it provides a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of Seoul even if you are not a practicing Buddhist.
• This is no small feat given the temple's location in the city's vibrant Insadong district.
• Jogyesa Temple is regarded as the spiritual center of Korean Buddhism.
• The sacred site's roots date back to the late 14th century, and it provides a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of Seoul even if you are not a practicing Buddhist.
• This is no small feat given the temple's location in the city's vibrant Insadong district.