Seoul is a capital city of South Korea located on the Han River in the north-western part of the country. Such a bustling metropolitan city that seamlessly blends traditional Korean culture with contemporary urban life. As a adventure backpacker doing multiple things is always welcoming, city starting from the Gyeongbokgung Palace to enjoying the nightlife in Hongdae, giving a diverse array of experiences to backpackers.
In this blog post we a so excited to provide some of the insightful information about the Seoul city regarding personal perspective on exploring Seoul, delicious food markets, villages, museums, exhibitions, weather and best time to visit. It is not a big matter if you are a history enthusiast, shopping lover, or trying to find new cuisine, Seoul city has everything.
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Top 10 Things to Do in Seoul
To know more depth about this Asian city it is always good idea to know what are 10 best things you can do. Surely it will be really helpful to your upcoming journey.
1. Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace
Let’s start your Seoul journey by visiting most iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace. Often recognised as the primary and largest palace among the Five Grand Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. Gyeongbokgung Palace is considered as the most striking and largest palace of Joseon Dynasty, built by King Taejo in 1395, where you can take a valid free guided tours, attend re-enactments of royal rituals and exhibitions of artefacts and period costumes.
Under the palace ground you can discover some of the ancient marvels especially during the time of Joseon dynasty. Such as Gyeonghoeru pavilion, Hyangwonjeong pond and sculptures of royal audience chambers. Geunjeongjeon has a beautiful pavilion where beautiful artificial pond exist and it connected by the 3 stone bridges. Gyeongbokgung Palace often called as “Northern Palace”, especially during King Taejio.
2. Explore Bukchon Hanok Village
Located in the Jongo district of Seoul which is well known for its long and illustrious features. Moreover it has passed through the traditional Korean houses and experienced the charm of old Seoul. As name represents that it is a traditional village that is fully filled with a lot of “Hanok” called traditional Korean houses and alleys.
However, Bukchon village has more Hanok restaurants which serve tea and traditional dishes, try to create a traditional ambience from the time of the Josen dynasty. Gahoe museum, Buckhorn Asian art museum, donglim knot museum, Seoul intangible cultural heritage center and Bukchon traditional cultural center are major attractive and must visitinf spots here.
Today Bukchon village is preserved with painstaking care which exhibits a 600 year old urban colony. Moreover Bukchon is also home to a number of cultural centers and museums which represents Joseon dynasties richness.
3. Shop and Eat in Myeongdong
Myeongdong is a well-known open market in South Korea which prime shopping district to both locals and visitors to purchase city’s best souvenirs. Myeongdong includes departmental stores, shopping malls, independent shops and cafes and restaurants which all are popular.
Myeongdong is not just a fashion hub, it is also home for numerous traditional Korean and Seoul dishes and cuisines. While you stroll its street spot world famous fish cakes, tteokbokki (rice cake), Korean spicy fried chicken and bulgogi (grilled beef sirloin), don’t miss it.
However, try other dishes like soondae, Korean blood sausage, soya bean sprouts and green onion, noodles and mushrooms. Myeongdong market contains more than 1,000 Korean brands including natural republic, etude house, face shops, missha, skin care and skin food. Extend your shopping time to visit Seoul cultural and tourism center where you can watch live cultural and traditional dance/ live events.
4. Hike up Namsan Mountain
“Namsan- a South Mountains” in Seoul popularized as a prominent hill point landmark for backpackers and adventure seekers which welcome to climb its top. A 262 meter high Namsan mountain where traveler can take a moderate hiking journey within an hour to reach its top. It is good idea to take your hiking at its main trail is a well maintained by long flight of stone steps.
Since mountain nestled in central point of city, surely a great place to enjoy panoramic views of the city from its top. Generally hiking to Namsan mountain include moderate challenging route which will take around 1 hour and 28 minutes to finish. Undoubtedly one of the most popular areas for walking especially if yo’re looking perfect place for scenic views or leisure walking’s.
If you visit during the winter season you’ll be much fortunate to see changes in colors of trees on the mountains as well cherry tree blossoms during the spring season. Namsan Mountains is surrounded by many beautiful things and due to being nestled in the heart of the city, great spot to enjoy 360 degree aerial view of the city. Either you can take a ride on the Namsan cable ride or simply stroll to reach its top. Surely your hiking journey going to be the most rated destination for a weekend destination.
5. Experience Korean Traditional Culture at Insadong
Insadong is a perfect spot to find rich cultural heritage and lively atmosphere of Korea including history, art and culture. Insadong is a bustling city containing well maintained streets and buildings that offers a different perspective of the Koreans history and traditions. While walking Insadong streets you’ll be enjoy to find unique shops, teahouses, and art galleries its cultural district. It has a deep historical background from the last 500 years, including traditional activities like artist works, poetries, intellectual activities and making traditional Korean crafts and gift items.
Primary purpose of building Insadong is to protect and preserve the traditional and cultures of Korean to future generations. After the Japanese attack in 1945, Insadong was severely damaged and trying to restore their traditional things. Every neighborhood boasts an array of antique stores, traditional Korean restaurants and street food vendors. Never miss to explore the things like Ssamziegil shopping center and its iconic spiral design and local handcrafts.
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6. Visit N Seoul Tower
N Seoul tower situated on the mount Namsan which provides a breath-taking view of Seoul and its nearby surroundings. It is 237 tall tower was built in 1969 especially reserved for broadcast channels both local and international TVs within city radiations. Along with that, N Seoul tower also includes a digital observatory, open air terrace, grill French restaurants and pavilion cultural space to visitors to spend more time within. You are also fortunate to learn about Korea’s history through 32 LCD screens within a digital observatory.
Under N Seoul, the wooden desk is the most attractive spot for the couples. Couples padlocks and handwritten notes to the fence as a symbol of their love and relationships. N Seoul tower is accessible via Namsan cable car. Never miss a trip to this iconic landmark for breathtaking views of the city and beyond.
7. Relax in the Banpo Hangang Park
Banpo Hangang Park is the green face surrounded by the beautiful scenery and recreational activities along the Han River. Located on the southern side of the Banpo Bridge, it stretches 7.2 kilometers starting from Hannam Bridge to Dongjak Bridge. Park covers almost 5,67,600 square km of areas offer fantastic and picturesque views of Namsan and the N Seoul tower across the Han River. You can also take steps amidst some of the great landmarks like Banpodaegyo Bridge, moonlight rainbow fountain, sevit floating islands, basketball court, bubble playgrounds, and Seoul night market.
At night, water spray from the fountain is really amazing which releases a seven-color rainbow under the illuminations of more than 200 lights. Banpo Island connects Banpo Hangang Park where we can see space for rest and entertainment. Every spring season travelers enjoy golden rapeseed flowers and banpo to butterfly and rapeseed flower festivals. Do not miss to experience the ecological learning ground, boat yard and bicycle path.
8. Explore the War Memorial of Korea
The War Memorial of Korea is built for the honor of the Korean War (1950-1953) which exhibits film screening, educational programs, and cultural events about the incidents. Situated in the Itaewon, the museum offers a number of war memorabilia, maps, painting, military equipment, memorial statues and battle records explains war and after war effects. However you can also learn about Korean history and its military conflicts at this comprehensive museum.
Apart from the above documents, the War memorial of Korea is given more push to Seoul with its virtual combat experience rooms and 6 indoor exhibition halls which represent the major historical antiques and battle records. Under that Korean War exhibition has 3 halls which explain details about War and its history. While exploring the War Memorial you can also spot black and white documentary footage of the main battle and events of the Korean War as well as display of over 20,000 artefacts and military equipment.
9. Take a Trip to Gwangjang Market
Like Insadong, Gwangjang Market is considered Korea’s oldest and traditional market in Seoul. As a backpacker he can experience traditional Korean street food and local culture under one of the oldest markets in Seoul. Market opened in 1905 and still today it operates every day of the week. Market boasts over 5,000 shops selling anything from dromfood to clothes and home goods to kid’s toys. Gwangjang Market serves mostly authentic Korean foods and traditional Korean items and artefacts. Interestingly these shops are run by the same family members throughout their generations.
Under the market the major attraction are street stalls and serving foods, known as one of the best places to try different Korean foods. Mostly includes street foods within the market for both domestic and international travelers. Keep in mind that Most of the street vendors won’t speak in English so fluently and they do not have English language food menus, so try to keep translator along with you.
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10. Enjoy the Nightlife in Hongdae
Hongdae is a youthful and energetic neighborhood offers a diverse range of entertainment, music and dance performances and trendy bars and clubs. Moreover, Hongdae is a heaven for party lovers and dance makers. Party scene in Hongdae includes more big clubs with long queues, and whole streets full of bars and clubs for a variety of things. “District which does not sleep” since operates till 6 o’clock in the morning and hosts lot of crowd every day.
What ambience and atmosphere you are getting in Hongdae is much similar to the Thailand Nightlife. You’ll be experience same features and vibes like clubs, drinking options, and more scenic lively and friendly nightlife scene. Parties here offer most nonstop feedings and invites for more drinks and struggle of staying sober at parties in Korea is a more difficult task. Make sure that, Hongdae has a very diverse and vibrant taste in the whole Seoul city.
Weather in Seoul, South Korea
Unlike any other Asian country’s Seoul, South Korea has a unique climate or weather conditions. South Korea’s weather is straightforward and easy to understand, it has minimal regional variations throughout the year and divides neatly into four distinct seasons.
In Seoul, Between Aprils to June there is delightful spring, between Julys to August weather is muggy and summer between Septembers to November weather will be refreshing autumn and between Decembers to March condition is dry winter and freeze cold.
Seoul’s weather is majorly affected by factors like the country’s altitudinous interior and its warmer, windier and its coastlines.
Which is the Best Time to Visit Seoul
Best time to visit Seoul is probably the spring months of “April, May and June” and autumn months of “September, October and November”. During these months days are typically so friendly to explore and perfect time to see opportunity of cherry and flower blossoms. Along with that, seasons are more dry and sunny with comfortable average temperatures.
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Q: What is the meaning of Seoul?
A: In Korean language Seoul means “capital city”, which is taken from the ancient word.
Q: Why Seoul so famous?
A: Seoul is a capital city of South Korea located on the Han River in the north-western part of the country. Metropolitan city that offers seamlessly blends traditional Korean culture with contemporary urban life.
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