In-depth Exploration of Seoul: Ancient Palaces and Trendy Korean Style [Highlights for 5 Days]
1 cities |
17 attraction(s) |
total distance 34
km
TIPS
Day1
Day2
Day3
Day4
Day5
Day1: Seoul
4 attraction(s) ·
3 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.
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Korean National Folk Museum, established in 1945, was initially located in Namsan, Seoul, showcasing Korean folk history from prehistoric times to 1910. In 1975, the museum was relocated to the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the current building was constructed in 1972 in the traditional Korean architectural style. The building was previously used as the National Museum of Korea and underwent renovations in 1986 before reopening in 1993. The museum features three exhibition halls, a children's museum, and an outdoor exhibition area.
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3
Gwanghwamun is an important building in Korea, similar to Tiananmen Square in China. Inside Gwanghwamun is the largest ancient palace in Korea - Gyeongbokgung Palace. Gwanghwamun Square symbolizes Korean history and culture, often appearing in promotional videos for Korea and Seoul. It would be a pity to visit Seoul without visiting Gwanghwamun Square for sightseeing and taking photos.
2
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4
Contemporary, informal hotel featuring 3 restaurants, plus a chic bar, a gym & a bakery.
Day2: Seoul
4 attraction(s) ·
3 km
1
1
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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.
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3
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.
1
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4
Contemporary, informal hotel featuring 3 restaurants, plus a chic bar, a gym & a bakery.
Day3: Seoul
3 attraction(s) ·
5 km
1
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.
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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.
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3
Ewha Womans University is one of the world-famous women's universities, attracting many foreign tourists with its beautiful campus and charming Ewha girls. The scenery here is colorful, with enchanting maple leaves in autumn and blooming cherry blossoms in spring. The entire campus is surrounded by greenery, with ancient teaching buildings coexisting harmoniously with trees, giving people a lively and beautiful feeling. There are many stone school buildings like those in fairy tales, quiet little gardens, campus avenues lined with ginkgo trees, and beautiful and captivating faces, making it hard for people to leave. The whole campus is filled with a faint romantic and aesthetic atmosphere, and a moment's stay here will be refreshing. The school also arranges campus tours led by students, and there are many unique shops and restaurants nearby, making it a great place for a leisurely stroll and to experience campus life.
Day4: Seoul
3 attraction(s) ·
8 km
1
"Gentleman's Dignity" is a wonderful Korean drama, with many scenes filmed around Hongik University (홍익대학교). The art department of Hongik University is one of the most famous in Korea, therefore, the surrounding cultural atmosphere is very rich. There are often artistic performances and shows on the streets, and there is also a lively street culture in the late night. In addition, the nightclubs here are also very popular, so if you want to experience the carnival atmosphere of young people, you are welcome to come and experience it. In addition, there are many delicious restaurants and fashionable young clothing stores here, if you want to travel on a budget, Hongik University area is a very worthwhile place to visit.
5
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2
Spacious spa complex featuring a swimming pool, saunas, hot tubs, massage treatments & an eatery.
3
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Day5: Seoul
5 attraction(s) ·
9 km
1
Cheonggyecheon is an artificial river in Seoul, South Korea, with a total length of about 13.7 kilometers. It was excavated in the Joseon Dynasty to solve the problem of rainwater accumulation in the city. Cheonggyecheon used to be used as a sewer, but it was transformed into a famous international tourist attraction in 2005. It is the second largest tributary of the Han River and flows into the Han River after merging with Jungnangcheon, the largest tributary, in the eastern part of the city.
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Namsan has an elevation of only 265 meters and is located in the center of Seoul. Despite its low height, it has always been a popular leisure spot for Seoul citizens. From the mountain top, one can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area, including various attractions such as an octagonal pavilion, N Seoul Tower, an ocean aquarium, and a fountain. On the halfway up the mountain, there are facilities such as Namsan Library. It is convenient to visit, as one can either take a cable car or walk up the stairs. Namsan, N Seoul Tower, Huigyeongdong, Taegeukdang Road, Jeongdong-gil Street, Jeonunsa Temple, Itaewon, and Hyanwonjeong Pavilion are all accessible by walking up the mountain. In addition, driving around is also a popular way to explore. Namsan Park has always been a place of great historical significance. On top of the mountain, one can still see the well-preserved beacon tower, which represents the original state of Namsan and was the center of the capital's defense. From the 479.7-meter-high N Seoul Tower, one can not only enjoy the beautiful view of Seoul, but also overlook the sea in front of Incheon. The revolving restaurant is particularly special, as one can taste delicious food while enjoying Seoul's night view. In addition, Namsangol Hanok Village, consisting of five traditional Korean houses, is also one of the popular attractions for tourists.
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4
Opened in 1980, this iconic tower offers panoramic views of the city & a revolving restaurant.
2
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5
Contemporary, informal hotel featuring 3 restaurants, plus a chic bar, a gym & a bakery.
