Seoul at a Glance
Situated astride the Han River, Seoul is an intriguing mix of old
and new, where multilane highways and towering high-rises merge
with ancient temples and tranquil gardens. - J.B.
Korean Folk Village
Seoul's version of Colonial Williamsburg, this 240-acre site treats
visitors to a slice of Korean life as it was in the days of
old.
Seoul Tower
Hike or take a cable car up scenic Mount Namsan to reach this
774-foot-high beacon, complete with an observation deck and a
rotating restaurant.
Changdeokgung Palace
A spectacular series of residences, pavilions, and secret gardens
that dates to 1405, Changdeokgung Palace was built as a royal villa
for King Taejong. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in
1997.
Itaewon Street
Along this mile-long street and its adjoining alleyways, you'll
find top-notch shopping (nearly 1,200 stores!) and countless
restaurants and nightclubs.
Sejong Cultural Center
South
Korea's large arts and cultural complex is also one of the
world's top performing-arts centers. The playbill includes
everything from opera to ballet to traditional Korean folk
dramas.
Lotte World
A small city within a city, Lotte World is the world's largest
indoor theme park. It has shops, a skating rink, a pool and water
park, a hotel, a health club, an art gallery, a barbershop, and
more.
Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site A 1925 flood first exposed
this ancient colony, now preserved to reveal mud huts, earthenware,
stone tools, and other artifacts from the Neolithic era.
Mount Gwanaksan
One of the several peaks punctuating the Gyeonggi Province on the
southern limits of the city, Mount Gwanaksan is a favorite among
outdoor lovers for its proximity, panoramas, and plentiful hiking
paths.
Namdaemun Market
Korea's largest marketplace, with some 10,000 stores, Namdaemun is
also the city's oldest market, having been around for almost 600
years.
Moga Buddhist Museum
This museum offers a fascinating look at the 1,600-year history of
Buddhism in Korea through artwork, handicrafts, classes, and
more.
Go Figure
Seoul boasts the world's largest
Starbucks. // Most buildings in
the city don't have a fourth floor because the number
four is considered unlucky in Korea. // There is no set system of
street addresses, and there are very few street signs. // The word
seoul, which happens
to be the name of the capital of
South Korea, is Korean for
"capital." // Hines Ward, the MVP of last year's
Super Bowl, was
born here.