Seoul 5-Day Tour: Charming City Enjoying Tradition & Modernity
1 cities |
20 attraction(s) |
total distance 88
km
TIPS
Day1
Day2
Day3
Day4
Day5
Day1: Seoul
4 attraction(s) ·
5 km
1
Gyeongbokgung Palace is the first palace built in the early days of the Joseon Dynasty, with a history of 600 years. It was once a grand palace and now showcases delicate beauty. Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces and features unique architecture such as Geunjeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. In addition, there are the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum where visitors can explore and experience. Gyeongbokgung Palace is open to the public and there is a ticket office at the entrance of Gwanghwamun. Visitors can also watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony and take photos with the guards, immersing themselves in Korean classical culture.
The name Gyeongbokgung means "great blessings and prospering the nation," reflecting the early aspirations of the Joseon Dynasty. It was completed in 1395 and at its peak had over 390 buildings. During the Japanese invasion in the late 16th century, Gyeongbokgung Palace was burned down and remained abandoned for 273 years. It was restored during the reign of King Gojong but suffered significant damage during the Japanese colonial period, with some buildings demolished and replaced by the Government-General Building. After Korea's independence, Gyeongbokgung Palace gradually underwent restoration, with the completion of the restoration project of Gwanghwamun Gate in 2010. There are also guided tours available in Chinese, departing from the inside of the Geunjeongmun Gate at four designated times.
1
km
2
Blue House, the presidential office and political center of South Korea, gets its name from its unique blue tiled roof. Located in a beautiful area, Blue House is highly regarded among foreign tourists. To visit Blue House, one must apply in advance on the website and once approved, visitors must follow the staff's instructions. Photography is only allowed in designated areas and visitors are not allowed to bring food or record videos. Additionally, foreign tourists must carry their passports when visiting Blue House.
2
km
3
Bukchon Hanok Village is one of the most representative places to experience traditional Korean residential culture. Here, you can feel the authentic living atmosphere as it is a residential area. Therefore, when you visit here as a tourist, please keep quiet so as not to disturb their daily lives. Of course, taking photos here is also an excellent choice. If you want to find the eight major attractions of Bukchon and take beautiful pictures, don't worry about getting lost because there are ground signs to guide you to the best shooting spots. The services here are very thoughtful and convenient for tourists.
3
km
4
Many high-end international stores & restaurants draw crowds to this bustling retail district.
Day2: Seoul
4 attraction(s) ·
8 km
1
Insa-dong, like Shanghai's Tianzifang, is just a step away from Gyeongbokgung Palace. Although its area is not large, with only one main street and a few perpendicular alleys, it was once the residential area of the Joseon Dynasty's noble class. Today, Insa-dong is home to numerous art galleries, museums, and specialty shops. Walking on the stone-paved Insa-dong Street, history is solidified with every brick and tile underfoot, and you can experience the coexistence of classical and avant-garde Korean culture. Here, you can find a Starbucks with a Korean signboard, the most distinctive Korean souvenir store in Seoul, and traditional Korean tea shops, which are treasures of this place. It is definitely an unforgettable experience to have a cup of traditional Korean tea, taste various traditional snacks, and sit in a traditional tea house to feel the lovely atmosphere here. Moreover, you can find some Korean souvenirs that are not available elsewhere! Even locals may not be familiar with the objects in Insa-dong, but the movie "The Scandalous Lady W" by Jang Lee-yeong has added a touch of mystery and interest to this place, which is definitely worth a visit.
3
km
2
Opened in 1980, this iconic tower offers panoramic views of the city & a revolving restaurant.
2
km
Day3: Seoul
4 attraction(s) ·
9 km
1
1
km
2
The ancestral shrine is a place where Korean kings held sacrificial ceremonies and also where the tablets of the kings were enshrined. It was built in 1394 by King Taejo Lee Seong-gye, next to the Gyeongbokgung Palace in the newly built city of Hanyang. The ancestral shrine still maintains ancient rituals and ceremonial music, thus making it a World Heritage site. Once visitors enter through the main gate, they will see three paths. The central path, slightly elevated, is where sacrificial offerings are made to the deceased kings; while the paths to the east and west are exclusively for the king and crown prince. These paths lead to the core of the shrine - the main hall. The main hall is where the tablets of the past kings are enshrined and where the sacrificial ceremonies are held, with the walls also documenting the legends of those who served the king. Additionally, when people think of the ancestral shrine, they also think of its ceremonial music. This music, consisting of instrumental music, songs and dances, dates back 500 years. Every first Sunday in May, visitors can witness the magnificent festival. At the same time, the ancestral shrine also collaborates with four other palaces (Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, and Deoksugung Palace) to hold the "Royal Palace Culture Festival," showcasing many exciting activities and allowing visitors to fully experience the charm of Korean traditional culture.
1
km
3
Bustling shopping area offering a wide array of traditional food items, plus clothing & souvenirs.
8
km
4
Day4: Seoul
4 attraction(s) ·
19 km
3
Massive underground shopping mall & convention center with a theater, aquarium & restaurants.
12
km
4
Large, popular park on the river featuring scenic views, plus running paths & a swimming pool.
Day5: Seoul
4 attraction(s) ·
20 km
1
Lotte Group built "Lotte World" complex next to the Jamsil Sports Complex to accommodate the 1988 Seoul Olympics. It includes a theme park, cultural museum, department stores, duty-free shops, a five-star hotel, a supermarket, and a Hallyu (Korean Wave) destination. Visitors can find products from all Lotte department stores and duty-free shops here. Lotte World has indoor and outdoor theme parks with a mysterious theme similar to Disneyland. There are daily parade performances that are popular among foreign tourists. Visitors need to adjust their schedule as there are often long queues at the amusement park. It is more suitable to visit on weekdays when it is less crowded. Additionally, Lotte Mart is a large supermarket worth visiting, with a wide range of products and affordable prices. Snacks and Korean cuisine ingredients are great gifts and purchases. Lotte World Starlight Avenue is a must-visit spot for Hallyu fans, with many giant lightboxes and limited edition merchandise of celebrities on display. Admission is free with a Lotte World ticket and a receipt from the Lotte duty-free shop. It is recommended to visit this attraction last when visiting Lotte World.
3
km
2
Olympic Park is a modern sports stadium that also preserves the Baekje ruins. It has forests and grasslands, making it a relaxing and enjoyable recreational space. Since the hosting of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the park has gradually become an important place for citizens to relax, improve their quality of life, and promote health. It is also one of the largest sports venues in the country.
Olympic Park includes various spaces for sports, culture, art, history, education, and relaxation, making it a multi-functional and all-round versatile park. The park covers an area of 430,000 pyeong and is centered around the Baekje ruins of Mungchon Toseong and Mungchon Gairi (artificial lake). The park features world sculpture works, commemorative sculptures, the '88 amusement park, walking paths, and the Olympic Cultural Center.
In addition, the park regularly holds various paid and free performances, becoming a diverse place for citizens to rest. The park has various sports facilities, including swimming, gymnastics, fencing, judo, tennis, and racing. These facilities are inexpensive and provide a comfortable and relaxed environment. Furthermore, the park displays sculptures created by renowned artists, becoming a space for appreciating culture and art.
The Mungchon Toseong in Olympic Park was the capital city built during the 3rd and 4th centuries of the Baekje period. It was designated as the Henan Welcoming City and is now designated as Historic Site No. 297. The park is spacious, and it takes over three hours to walk around. To make it more convenient for visitors, it is advisable to familiarize oneself with the route in advance and take the Road Train to the Peace Plaza.
9
km
4
삼청동
Samcheong-dong is located on the east side of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. It is a neighborhood filled with traditional Korean houses and modern cultural vibes. During the Joseon Dynasty, it was a residential area for high-ranking officials, leaving behind many traditional Korean houses. In the 20th century, the Korean government implemented regulations to prohibit the demolition of these houses, leading to strengthened maintenance and preservation efforts, as well as the ban on constructing high-rise buildings. This has made Samcheong-dong the area that best represents traditional Korean architecture, living environment, and traditional village scenery.
Since the 21st century, many businesses such as cafes, traditional tea houses, art galleries, museums, traditional restaurants, international dining establishments, clothing stores, jewelry shops, and leather goods stores have settled in the vicinity of Samcheong-dong, attracting a growing number of visitors. Together with nearby Gahoe-dong, Samcheong-dong boasts a total of 342 art galleries, 669 art galleries, 226 hotels, 3,157 jewelry stores, 54 traditional tea houses, and countless food shops. Therefore, when you step into this area for the first time, the astonishing unique scenery will pique your great interest, and it is impossible to visit all the attractions in just 3-4 hours.
