Seoul is not only South Korea’s capital city but also a megacity with the fastest internet speed. Seoul is a must-visit for anyone who desires to enjoy culture, fashion, and modernity intricately infused into one seamless lifestyle. Seoul is a global city that brims with incredible tourist destinations and a vast array of sceneries. Discover the best places to visit in this list of top tourist attraction sites in Seoul.
1. Bukchon Hanok Village
This is an area with clusters of old neighborhoods. It will give you a Korean 600-year feel during the Joseon dynasty. The village is popular with tourists because it provides a taste of Korean architecture and culture. Hanoks are the traditional Korean houses that were occupied by high ranking officials and nobles. Later on, after the wars, Bukchon villages were occupied by commoners.
Bukchon means northern-village because it lies north of two Seol’s landmarks-the Cheonggyecheon and Changdeokgung palace and Jogno shrines. Most of the Hanoks are guests’ houses, cultural centers, and tea houses. The villages give visitors a picturesque experience of the traditional Korean lifestyle.
2. Buddhist temples
Visiting Korean Buddhist temples attract visitors because of the architecture, the Buddhist style of worship, statues of Buddha, lanterns, and the Lotus flowers. Jogyesa Temple is found at the heart of Seoul. It is one of the significant Buddhists Temples in the Order of Jogye. In this temple, you will find the seated statue of the seated Buddha.
Bongeunsa Temple is located in Gangnam, a new, wealthy neighborhood in Seoul. Bongeunsa Temple holds a Lotus Lantern Festival in celebration of Buddha’s birthday. You can book the flight with Cathay Pacific now and experience the essence of this magnificent temple when you enroll in the Temple-stay program. Visitors can live as monks and participate in group chants, communal meals, and tea ceremonies.
Bulguksa Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was built in 528 AD and held many historic sites of national importance. This temple was built in perfect symmetry marvels, any visitor who tours Gyeongju where it is located.
3. National Museum
Built in a concrete slab, this imposing museum takes visitors through the Korean Empire era. Joseon Dynasty gallery has a magnificent collection of artifacts. Get a chance to see the royal throne of King Taejo and 26 other kings who came after him. The throne has a backdrop of the sun, moon, and five peaks richly decorated to evoke awe and majesty.
This vast museum carries Koreas’ history on three floors. The first floor is a display of the Paleolithic era excavated from various parts in Korea. This rich collection is showcased in eight gallery rooms. The second floor has the Calligraphy and Painting gallery all spread out in four art rooms. The Donation Gallery contains art pieces impressively arranged in eleven rooms. It is a blend of Koreas’ traditional art and religious expression. On the third floor, you will find Asian paintings, Sculptures, and Crafts Galleries. Among the aesthetic masterpieces is the Sinan Undersea Relics. This is a sunken trading ship that was discovered in 1975 and offers information on the trade between Korea, Japan, and China.
4. Gyeonbokgung Palace
Gyeonbokgung Palace is the first Palace ever built in the Joseon Kingdom. It is the most beautiful and the largest of the Five Grand Palaces. The Palace was built in 1395 and is located at the heart of Seoul. Since then, the Palace has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. The most recent was the government’s initiative to rebuild it with native materials. Currently, it is restored to its original glory for future generations.
Tourists can access the Palace through any of the four gates: southern gate Gwanghwamun, the northern gate Sinmumun, and the eastern entrance of the National Folk Museum of Korea. Changing of guards at the gates of Gyeonbokgung Palace is a must-see ceremony for any tourist who visits this site. It takes place every day between 10 am, and 12 am.
5. Noryangjin Fish Market
Noryangjin Fish Market is among the largest fish markets in South Korea. It handles approximately 30 tons of marine catch daily. Almost all the fish is stored in tanks, so the delicacies are still alive as you buy. Visitors can mistake it for an array of aquariums where the exhibits are eaten raw. The variety of seafood includes Snow Crab, abalone, King Crab, sashimi, octopus, and clamps. The most exciting experience is buying fresh fish and having it prepared by the best seafood chefs in the nearby restaurants.
6. Bukhansan National Park
Bukhansan National Park is listed in the Guinness Book of Record as the most visited National Park. At least five million tourists visit the park for hiking expeditions. Bukhansan National Park, also known as the Triangle Mountain. This is because it has three conspicuous peaks: Baegunbong, Insubong, and Mangyeongbong.
The park is filled with dozens of gorges, granite peaks, and crystal-clear streams. This scenic view gives tourists and rock climbers a memorable hiking experience. With more than 1,300 species of plants and animals, Bukhansan National Park is rich in biodiversity. This park is punctuated with at least 100 Buddhist temples, monk cells, and other historical sites like the Bukhansanseong Fortress. It’s a great place where culture, history, and ecology are meticulously intertwined.
7. Insadong
If you are a first-timer in Seoul, Insadong is a must-visit. Street vendors strewn all over the alleys prepare Korean’s exquisite meals as you wait. The natives and foreigners alike relish dumplings, dragon’s beard candy, hotteok and other sweet treats. It is a vibrant food paradise. However, if you wish to have your food while seated, there are many restaurants where you can eat while you rest.
If you are a vegetarian, their Sanchon restaurant will serve you with the delicacy of your choice. But if you want to grab a pizza, Brew3.14 is the place to find home-made pizzas and calzones.
8. Shop at Myeongdong Market
Myeongdong Market is the place to buy a souvenir for yourself and friends. Buy jewelry, handbags, accessories, top-of-the-range perfumes, and designer clothes from more than 1,000 outlet stores. Cosmetic and skin-care products from the local and international market are all found here.
