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Seoul, the bustling coronary heart of South Korea, is a metropolis the place historic traditions harmoniously coexist with futuristic improvements. From its majestic palaces and serene temples to its vigorous markets and vibrant avenue meals scene, Seoul provides a wealthy tapestry of experiences for each traveler. On this complete information, we’ll take you on a digital tour of Seoul, exploring its historic landmarks, cultural treasures, culinary delights, and suggestions for an unforgettable go to.
Go to the primary Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace, the “Palace Vastly Blessed by Heaven,” stands as an emblem of Korea’s wealthy royal heritage. In-built 1395 in the course of the Joseon Dynasty, it served as the primary royal palace for over 500 years. King Taejo, the founding father of the Joseon Dynasty, commissioned its development as an emblem of his new dynasty’s authority and energy.
The palace advanced was meticulously designed following the rules of Korean conventional structure, with its structure harmonizing with the encompassing mountains and nature. It was the middle of political, administrative, and royal life in the course of the Joseon Dynasty, witnessing the rise and fall of many kings and queens.
Nonetheless, Gyeongbokgung Palace suffered important injury in the course of the Japanese invasions of the late sixteenth century. It was later restored and expanded within the nineteenth century, solely to be tragically destroyed in the course of the Japanese colonial interval within the early twentieth century. The palace we see as we speak is the results of in depth restoration efforts that started within the Nineteen Nineties, aiming to recreate its authentic grandeur.
Visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace is like stepping again in time to Korea’s royal period. Right here’s how one can profit from your go to:
Getting There:
Gyeongbokgung Palace is conveniently positioned within the coronary heart of Seoul, making it simply accessible by public transportation. Take the subway to Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3) and go away by means of Exit 5. From there, it’s a brief stroll to the palace’s foremost entrance.
Prices of visiting
There may be an admission charge to enter the palace, which incorporates entry to varied elements of the advanced. The charge is affordable and helps with the upkeep and preservation of this historic website.
Contemplate becoming a member of a guided tour to realize deeper insights into the palace’s historical past and significance. Educated guides can present fascinating tales and particulars concerning the lives of Korea’s royals.
What to see on the Gyeongbokgung Palace
As you discover the palace grounds, don’t miss these key sights:
- Geunjeongjeon (Throne Corridor): This majestic corridor was the primary throne corridor the place kings carried out state affairs and vital ceremonies.
- Gyeonghoeru Pavilion: A shocking pavilion overlooking a serene pond, used for royal banquets and celebrations.
- Nationwide Folks Museum of Korea: Situated throughout the palace grounds, this museum showcases Korea’s conventional lifestyle, tradition, and historical past.
Altering of the Guard Ceremony
Expertise the grandeur of the Joseon Dynasty by witnessing the Altering of the Guard Ceremony. This reenactment takes place in entrance of Gwanghwamun Gate and provides a glimpse into the previous.
Put on conventional Hanbok
For a really immersive expertise, think about renting a hanbok (conventional Korean apparel) and exploring the palace grounds dressed as a royal. Many guests get pleasure from this cultural expertise and it makes for implausible images in opposition to the backdrop of the palace’s historic buildings.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village, nestled between the grand palaces of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, is a dwelling museum of Korean conventional structure and tradition. “Bukchon” means “North Village,” as it’s positioned to the north of the 2 palaces. This historic village dates again to the Joseon Dynasty, making it over 600 years outdated.
Through the Joseon period, Bukchon was residence to the Aristocracy, high-ranking officers, and students. Its location close to the royal palaces made it a really perfect residential space for these serving the royal courtroom. The village was designed with meticulous planning, that includes winding alleyways, stone partitions, and conventional hanok homes. A hanok is a standard Korean home characterised by its picket beams, tiled roofs, and heated flooring (ondol). These homes have been designed to harmonize with the pure environment and adapt to Korea’s local weather, with a central courtyard offering gentle, air flow, and privateness.
These days, folks nonetheless reside in Bukchon and go about their on daily basis lives nevertheless it has additionally develop into an enormous vacationer attraction. Folks flood the streets on daily basis carrying conventional Hanbok clothes hoping to snap that picturesque photograph. I’d come right here early within the morning to keep away from the massive crowds in any other case you gained’t be capable of snap up the standard images that you simply would possibly like.
Go to the cafe space of Insadong
Seoul is world well-known for its lovely cafes all through town. There are seemingly limitless quantities of cafes (some that double as bakeries) the place you will get your espresso and Instagram on. These cafes are designed in a special fashion than say the Bali cafes which I like as a result of they’re extra targeted on their baked items than the house and ambiance.
Cheongsudang cafe
In the event you can’t resolve on the plethora of cafe choices within the Insadong neighborhood, begin off on the world well-known Cheongsudang cafe. This cafe blends in conventional Joseon period decor with trendy Scandinavian vibes. Like most cafes in Seoul, their declare to fame is there pastries and baked items. We had a matcha cheese cake that was as scrumptious because it seemed.
Cafe Onion
No go to to Seoul is full with no go to to the well-known Cafe Onion. This hanok themed themed cafe is close to to the well-known Bukchon Hanok village making it the right place to cease in for a chunk earlier than or after your go to.
This place at all times attracts an enormous queue of vacationers and locals alike that need to sit and dine the standard means on the ground. I had no persistence to attend so I ended up getting the meals to go. Cafes in Seoul double as bakeries and this place had a really numerous slate of candy and savory baked items. I didn’t know what a lot of the stuff was however loved every little thing I had.
Go to the parks for Cherry Blossom Season
In the event you’re visiting Seoul within the late early to mid April timeframe, you may be fortunate sufficient to catch the cherry blossoms like we did. Seoul, like Japan is known for its huge quantity of cherry bushes that blossom within the early spring.
The entire metropolis is adorned with lovely cherry bushes though some elements of town are extra picturesque than others. Top-of-the-line parks to observe the cherry blossoms is Yeouido Hangang Park simply south of the river from the stylish Hongdae district. This park have to be at the very least 2km lengthy and utterly full of cherry blossoms.
Which areas to remain in Seoul?
Seoul is a big and unfold out metropolis. In actual fact, half of the nation’s inhabitants reside within the Seoul Metropolitan space (roughly 25m). The town heart areas are what you’ll need to base your self in for ease of entry to the vacationer websites with loads of eating places. These are a few of the greatest areas in Seoul.
Myeongdong
Myeongdong is a purchasing paradise and one in every of Seoul’s foremost purchasing districts. Right here, you’ll discover numerous shops starting from world manufacturers to native boutiques. It’s additionally well-known for its avenue meals distributors providing quite a lot of Korean snacks. Myeongdong is considerably like a Instances Sq. midtown New York sort of neighborhood in Seoul.
The central location makes it simple to entry main sights like N Seoul Tower and Gyeongbokgung Palace. It’s additionally walkable to lots of the different areas on this record like Insadong and Itaewon.
Gangnam
Gangnam is an upscale and stylish space identified for its upscale outlets, fashionable boutiques, and vibrant nightlife. It’s an ideal place for purchasing, with the well-known Gangnam Underground Buying Arcade and COEX Mall. The eating scene is numerous, providing numerous eating places serving quite a lot of cuisines.
I favored the Gangnam space because it was residence to loads of cool eating places and a few of the greatest cocktail bars in Seoul.
Hongdae
Hongdae is a youthful and artsy neighborhood, residence to Hongik College. It’s a hub for artists, musicians, and college students. The nightlife right here is vigorous, with quite a few golf equipment, bars, and reside music venues. Buying in Hongdae consists of indie boutiques, classic outlets, and distinctive vogue shops.
Insadong
Insadong is a cultural hub, identified for its conventional Korean tradition. You’ll be able to discover artwork galleries, vintage outlets, and tea homes right here. The world is wealthy in artisan crafts, providing handmade crafts, calligraphy provides, and conventional Korean souvenirs. Don’t miss the chance to observe conventional performances like people dances and music.
Itaewon
Itaewon is numerous and worldwide, with a vibrant tradition and worldwide neighborhood. The world is crammed with worldwide eating places, cafes, and outlets. It’s additionally identified for its nightlife, with bars, golf equipment, and pubs catering to each locals and expats.
Jongno
Jongno is the historic heart of Seoul, residence to many historic websites resembling Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. The world is known for its conventional markets, together with Namdaemun and Gwangjang markets, providing conventional Korean items and avenue meals. You can too discover temples, museums, and historic structure right here.
Seoul Station
Seoul Station is a handy space for vacationers because it’s a significant transportation hub with easy accessibility to trains and buses. Some accommodations on this space provide nice views of town skyline. Close by, Seoullo 7017 is a pedestrian-friendly sky backyard with outlets and cafes.
Euljiro
Euljiro is a enterprise district, supreme for these visiting Seoul for work. It’s near many enterprise facilities and rising as a hub for design studios, artwork galleries, and artistic areas. The world additionally provides a stylish meals scene with cafes and eating places
Getting round Seoul
Seoul is a really large metropolis. Half of the the 52m inhabitants of South Korea lives within the capital metropolis in any case which makes it one of the vital concentrated nations on the earth. Seoul has an intensive metro and bus system that connects a lot of the metropolis to one another.
One of many first belongings you’ve in all probability examine is that Google Maps will not be the app of selection in South Korea. I can attest that Google Maps is kind of restricted in its performance inside Korea.
Why does Google Maps not work properly in South Korea you ask?
The reply is North Korea.
South Korea requested Google Maps to dam out their army bases so the world wouldn’t be capable of see their operations however Google refused which led to the state we’re in now.
Nonetheless, Google Maps nonetheless works in Seoul, however it’s simply restricted in its performance. For example, it can’t give you strolling or driving instructions nevertheless it does provide public transportation instructions. It could actually seek for eating places, cafes, bars, and vacationer sights. Google critiques can be found albeit considerably restricted to solely foreigners.
Naver Maps is the native app of selection which provides every little thing that Google Maps doesn’t. I discovered Naver Maps to be a bit tough to make use of primarily due to many issues being in Korean. When looking for eating places and cafes, every little thing was in Korean which is smart given its audience however made it tough for me to make use of. Naver Maps is nice for strolling and driving instructions nevertheless which is the primary purpose I used it.
Value of the general public transport in Seoul
The price of a single experience on the metro or a bus is 1,500 KRW. This was sufficient for in every single place I went within the metropolis. To simplify your expertise, make certain to purchase a T-Card which you’ll be able to load up cash and use as a lot as you need. I couldn’t determine the place to purchase one in every of these playing cards so I needed to painfully purchase a one experience move each time.
I discovered that due to the sheer measurement of Seoul, I ended up spending a great deal of time on the metro. Each experience would simply be half-hour even when it was going brief distances. That is why it is crucial that your lodging is close to to one of many strains.
Uber in Seoul
Trip hailing in Seoul was one of many foremost methods I bought round. I couldn’t be bothered with taking the metro typically so I ended up utilizing Uber. Taxis are fairly inexpensive within the capital metropolis with my rides hardly ever exceeding 15,000 KRW. Brief distances might even be had for 8,000 KRW. Generally, you might need bother discovering Ubers late at evening after an evening of ingesting.
Uber can be a great way to get from the airport to town. From Incheon which is greater than 1h away, you will get to town heart for 60k-70k KRW. The quick prepare as compared is 12k KRW so if you’re 3 or extra, it virtually is smart to simply take an Uber.
I additionally tried utilizing the native Kakao Trip however the setup was tedious and it didn’t provide way more than what Uber already had.
What to eat in Seoul?
Seoul is the epicenter of Korean meals and within the capital, you’ll have each alternative to pattern what Korean meals has to supply. I’ve had ample quantities of Korean meals previous to visiting Korea so I knew the issues I needed to strive like Bimbimbap, kimchi jjiggae, fried hen, BBQ, and extra.
Korean BBQ
No go to to Seoul or Korea is full with out consuming their well-known BBQ (or a number of occasions like myself). South Koreans delight themselves on their beef and their BBQ. It’s possible you’ve had Korean BBQ sooner or later in your house nation nevertheless it’s almost certainly going to be significantly better on the supply.
Whereas in Seoul, make certain to strive one of many numerous BBQ spots the place you’ll be handled to grilled beef proper in entrance of your desk. When you’re in Korea, you will have to strive their extremely well-known Hanwoo beef which is a breed of cattle native to the Korean peninsula. This cow is thought for its intense marbling just like that of Japanese wagyu. I ate Hanwoo Galbi (brief ribs) numerous occasions whereas I used to be in Seoul as a result of it actually is tough to beat.
There are quite a few value factors for Korean BBQ and for the upper finish cuts of beef, count on to pay accordingly. A portion of Galbi (160-180g) at a excessive finish BBQ restaurant will simply price you 50k to 70k KRW.
DMZ day journey
South Korea and North Korea are technically nonetheless in a battle as there was no ceasefire signed. An armistice was signed in 1953 on the location the place the DMZ is these days and it has stayed that means ever since.
Some of the common excursions in Seoul is to take a go to to this DMZ space. As I had 4 days in Seoul, this was greater than sufficient time to dedicate a day to visiting the border.
The DMZ is definitely not a border. For the reason that nations are in battle, they’ll’t have a typical border that you simply might need between regular nations. The DMZ is actually an space that acts as a buffer zone between North and South Korea.
This space spans your complete size of the Korean peninsula from the east to west coast and is 2km vast. Inside this 2km area, it’s technically thought to be a impartial zone. There isn’t a official border between the 2 nations as this DMZ serves as a buffer zone and never a border crossing. The one method to really enter North Korea is through flights from China.
In actual fact, North Koreans that defect to South Korea achieve this by escaping northwards to China earlier than traversing your complete size of the nation, and returning again to South Korea.
Reserving the DMZ tour
The DMZ tour is available to be booked with quite a few corporations in Seoul. It’s in all probability the most important and hottest day journey from town. I booked my journey with VIP Journey and despite the fact that we traveled with a constitution bus full of individuals, I believed it was general fairly good. I would think about reserving a smaller group tour if you would like one thing extra intimate however I believed it was adequate for what it was.
Along with the DMZ, you may have an optionally available addon for the gondola that travels over the Imjingang Railway Bridge and the river adjoining to it.
All in all, I paid roughly 90k KRW for your complete day which didn’t embody any meals or snacks. This value gave the impression to be fairly normal after I in contrast it to the opposite distributors. The day begins at 7am and you come back to town at 4pm. It’s a bit on the pricier facet nevertheless it’s not a foul value for being as near North Korea as you’ll get!
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