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 Tourist Sites Leisure/Sports Cultural Centers Recommended Sites
Tourist Sites
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Insa-dong
Address : Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Description :
Insa-dong, located in the middle of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional items come and go. There is one main road in Insa-dong with a labyrinth of alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, traditional teahouses, and cafes. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each store brings it's own uniqueness. The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of Korean traditional fine art from paintings to sculptures. The more famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center. The best way to visit these galleries is to use the “art center bus.” It will take you to over 10 of the most famous galleries at a very reasonable price. The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect compliments to the galleries. At first they might be hard to find, but if you take the time to stroll around the twisting alleyways, the “looking” in itself can become fun. If you had to choose just one teahouse from the hundreds that are here, Gwicheon would be the place to go. Poet Cheon Sang-Byeong's wife is the proprietor of the tea house. The shop isn't very big, but you can see pictures and books of famous poets. You might even run into one. Mokwacha is their best tea and it is famous for its fragrance. Every Sunday from 10:00-22:00, some streets are blocked off from traffic and it becomes a place cultural space. This is when the stores will set up booths outside. Not only the stores that are here, but all kinds of people come here during this time and set up shop, such as Korean candy merchants and old fortune tellers. There are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular with foreign tourists. This is where they can experience and see Korean traditional culture firsthand, and also purchase pieces of fine art. On the street you can eat Korean taffy and traditional pajeon (Korean pancake), and see many foreigners lost in all the joyous festivities of the street.
Directions :
Get off at Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit No.6.
Information :
Homepage: www.insadong.or.kr (Kor)
Insa-dong Store hours:
Galleries: 10:00-18:00 / Traditional Art Shops, Pottery and Hanbok Shops: 10:00-19:00 / Traditional Teahouses & Drinking Places: 10:00-24:00
- Gallery Shuttle Bus: 09:00-19:10, Departs every 30 minutes from the Insa Art Center
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Itaewon Special Tourist Zone
Address : Itaewon-dong area, Hannam-dong Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Description :
Itaewon is a popular tourist and shopping destination for foreigners who visit Korea. There are over 2,000 stores clustered together with shopping centers, shops selling clothes, shoes, and bags, restaurants, recreation facilities, trading companies, travel agencies, and tourist hotels. The many English signs and many foreigners will make you feel as if you are in not in Korea. Small-scale shops selling souvenirs were opened to the American army after the independence of Korea. Since then, shopping centers appeared to residing foreigners and tourists and with Seoul Olympics in 1988, Itaewon rapidly grew as the representative shopping town in South Korea. From the middle of 1990s, it changed from the American army centered street to global citizens' street when more tourists came from Japan, Hong Kong, China, South-east Asia, Africa and Middle-east region. In 1997, it was designated as a special tourist zone. Japanese and Chinese, as well as English, are available at most shops due to the fact that costumers are mostly foreigners, and all kinds of requests are made. Moreover, there are special restaurants to taste the unique foods of the world. There are Turkish, Indian, Pakistani, Swiss, and Thai, and of course, authentic American food as well. Born again as one of world's best tourist spots, Itaewon provides not only shopping opportunities but also the opportunity to see exotic and traditional Korean fashion and culture. There are many festivals held in Itaewon, such as “The World Festival”, in which shows off Korean culture as well as traditional cultures from around the world.
Directions :
Get off at Itaewon Station or Hangangjin Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 6)
Information :
- Contact: 02-710-3321-2 (Kor)
- Homepage: http://www.yongsan.seoul.kr/ (Kor/Eng/Jap/Chn)
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Jeongneung Royal Tomb
Address : San 87-16 Jeongneung 2(i)-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
Description :
Neglected for Royal Ascendancy
Jeongneung Royal Tomb is the tomb of Queen Consort Sindeok, the second wife of King Taejo (1392-1398) who founded the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). However, this tomb was not maintained compared to other royal tombs because of a power struggle. The queen consort had many children which naturally induced a battle for the throne. Usually the son of the first wife is the successor of the throne, but she was determined to have one of her sons ascend the throne. However, the successor King Taejong killed all her sons and developed an extreme abhorrence towards the queen consort. When she died, King Taejong ordered not to maintain and preserve her tomb. Therefore, the tomb is rather unkempt and the layout and composition is different from other royal tombs. Upon entering the red gate, the sacrificial building can be seen in front of the tomb along with a pavilion and tombstone. Stone sculptures of sheep and tigers watch over the tomb. A major difference between this tomb with other royal tombs is exhibited in the path from the red gate to the sacrificial building. Usually the path is a straight line, but at Jeongneung Royal Tomb, it is crooked and bent. Furthermore, the colour of the sacrificial building is dull and faded. Even though the tomb symbolizes the turmoil and wrath of political struggles, many couples and families come to Jeongneung Royal Tomb for a stroll because of its peacefulness and natural surroundings.
Directions :
Subway: At Sungshin Womens University Station (Seoul Subway Line No.4) exit 6, take bus #5 or #5-1 to the Jeongneung Bus Stop. Then walk for about 5 minutes.
Information :
Hours: 09:00-18:00 (Mar. - Oct.) /09:00-17:00 (Nov. - Feb.)
Closed: Mondays
Admission:
| Age |
25-64 |
19-24 |
Over 65 / Under 18 |
| Individual |
500 won |
300 won |
Free |
| Groups (over 30 persons) |
400 won |
200 won |
Free |
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Jogyesa Temple
Address : 45-beonji, Gyeongji-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Description :
Jogyesa Temple is the center of Zen Buddhism in Korea, and is famous for being located in the city. From the bright streets of Jongno, if you follow the road a bit towards Anguk Subway Station, you can come to Jogyesa Temple. The first thing you will see when you enter inside are the areumdeumri trees. These locust trees and baeksong trees in front of the Daeungjeon, the main temple building, are about 500 years old. The locust tree is about 26-meter high, and in the summer, provide a large shade to enhance the mood of the temple. The baeksong tree is designated as a Natural Monument. The Daeungjeon building is a stately building built in 1938. The Dancheong is particularly beautiful with all the different colors painted on it, and inside the building is the Seokgamoni statue. In front of the Daeungjeon building, you can also see a 7-story stone pagoda containing Jinsinsari. Jogyesa Temple does not give off the solemn and traditional feelings of the other temples located deep in the mountains, or offer the seasonal sceneries of the mountains and the sea. But because it is in the middle of the city, the transportation is convenient, and is well connected to the surrounding areas. It is good for tourists on a tight schedule. Along the street around Jogyesa Temple are many Buddhist specialty shops, selling such things as wooden Tak, prayer beads, Buddhist writings, incence, as well as souvenirs such as dolls and keychains. If you are interested in Buddhism, these stores may be worth looking around.
Directions :
Subway-Take Seoul Subway Line 1 and get off at the Jonggak Station. Go to Exit No. 1 and walk 5 minutes.
Information :
- Inquiries : Jogyesa Temple, Tel: 02-732-2115 (Kor)
- Homepage http://www.ijogyesa.net/forienger/ (Eng)
Travel Tips :
Jogyesa operates a temple life program for its foreign audience. It is an opportunity to observe traditional Korean Buddhist temple life. You can learn about various Buddhist cultures such as Chamseon, Dado, and Balugongyang. Programs cost 10,000 won, and you must reserve 5 days in advance. Because at least 6 people have to be participating, you need to contact Jogyesa Temple beforehand.
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Jongmyo Royal Shrine
Address : 1-2 Hunjeong-dong Jongno-gu, Seoul
Description :
Jongmyo Royal Shrine is the worshiping place for the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. It was built when the first King of the Joseon Dynasty, Lee Sung-Gye(1335-1408) founded the Joseon Dynasty. Jongmyo Royal Shrine is registered as World Cultural Heritage because the tradition and customs such as the memorial services and traditional music are very well preserved. There is a trifurcated paths in front of the main gate of Jongmyo Royal Shrine. The middle path between the slightly raised roads is for the dead kings, the east road for the king and the west road for the prince. The road in the middle is connected to Jeongjeon, and the roads on both sides are linked to a room for preparing a memorial service after performing their ablutions. After properly preparing the body and mind, the king and the prince move to Jeonsacheong. Jeonsacheong is where foods for the memorial ceremony are prepared. With the yard in the center, the buildings of Jeonsacheong are square shaped. The main building, Jeongjeon is where mortuary tablets of kings are preserved and the memorial services are held. Only this place has maintained its tradition so far, even though enshrining successive kings was originally handed down from China. Jeongjeon has 19 rooms where each room worships each king. There is Gongshinjeon within a wall of Jeongjeon which enshrines the sincere lieges. The music of Jongmyo Royal Shrine memorial services are produced by instruments, singing, and dances from 500 years ago. The melody is handed down in the same way as it was 500 years ago. This ceremony is the oldest complete ceremony in the world and is held on the first Sunday of May, yearly. It is a great chance to see the grandeur of a traditional ceremony.
Directions :
At Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, Line 3 or Line 5) 10-minute walk.
Information :
- Contact: 02-765-0195 (Kor, Jap)
- Homepage: http://www.ocp.go.kr/ (Kor, Eng)
- Hours:
(Mar.-Oct.) 09:00 - 18:00, Weekends until 19:00 / (Nov.-Feb.) 09:00 - 17:30
- Closed: Every Tuesday
- Admission Fee:
* Individuals
Age 25-64 : 1,000 won
Age 19-24 : 500 won
Age 18 and under : Free of charge
Over 65 : Free of charge
* Groups
Age 25-64 : 800 won
Age 19-24 : 400 won
- Parking lot: Jongmyo Parking Lot (parking fee required) 1000 spaces available.
- Visiting information: For the foreign tourists, foreign language tours are available (one English, one Chinese and two Japanese interpreters). Reservation required if interpreters are needed.
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Korea Military Academy
Address : Gongneung 2(i)-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul
Description :
The Korea Military Academy is famous for strict discipline, patriotism, and officer pupils. In the past this was not an open place to the public, but since 1997 it has become a new tourist site. There is now a touring course which is the main attraction for visitors. The tour starts at the School Information Center to the museum, memorial hall and the exhibition, which takes approximately an hour and thirty minutes. The Army Museum holds various military treasures and remains, and at the memorial hall you can learn army history and look in to the circumstances of the officer pupils. But the highlight of the tour is the parade of the pupils. Every Saturday at 11:30am, you can watch the students march with their flourishing formal suits. You can also see this at the “Hwarang Ceremony”. Take the 10 o'clock tour, then watch the parade.
Directions :
Subway + Bus-Get off at Hwarangdae Station (Seoul Subway Line 6) exit No.1.
Take one of these buses: No.45, No.45-1, No.45-2 and get off at the Korea Military Academy Rear Gate.
Subway + Walk-Get off at Hwarangdae Station (Seoul Subway Line 6) exit No.4. A 15 minutes walk.
Information :
- Inquiries: 02-976-6454/5 (한)
- homepage: http://www.kma.ac.kr/index.html
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Description |
Remarks |
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Hours |
Groups) Tue-Sun (09:30 - 17:00) |
Reservation needed 2-3 days in advance/ID card needed/Groups of 10 or more people |
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Individuals) Sat/Sun/Holidays (10:00, 13:00, 15:00) |
ID card needed/Visit on appointed day |
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Course |
KMA Information Center->Army Museum->Army Memorial Hall->Outdoor Exhibit |
No interpretation service provided |
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Tour Fee |
3,000won |
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Time |
1hour 30min – 2hours |
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| Closed
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Every Monday |
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Inquiries |
Korea Travel Phone +82-2-1330 |
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- Officer Pupil Parade Tour
Every Saturday at 11:30am (May be cancelled due to school schedules or weather)
- Nearby Attractions: Taeneung, Athlete's Village, Taereung (Queen Munjeong's Grave), Mt. Bulamsan, Mt. Suraksan.
Homepage: http://www.kma.ac.kr/index.html (Eng) Officer pupil parade tour Every Saturday at 11:30am (May be cancelled due to school schedules or weather)
Travel Tips :
Taeneung, Athlete's Village, Taereung (queen Munjeong's grave), Bulam mountain, Surak mountain.
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Lotte World
Address : Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Description :
Lotte World is the place to be for entertainment and sightseeing in the center of the city. It is a theme park filled with thrilling rides, an ice rink, different kinds of parades, a folk museum, walk trails by the lake, and much more. About 6,000,000 visitors come here every year, and about 10% of the visitors are foreigners. The structure inside makes use of the natural sunlight, and it is open for visitors 365 days a year, regardless of the weather. In order to have fun, you need to first have proper information. Lotte World is divided into ‘Adventure' inside the building, and ‘Magic Island' outside beside Seokchonho Lake. Lotte World Adventure has streets representing different countries, with different kinds of facilities and souvenir shops. You can enjoy fantastic parades, numerous films, laser shows, and foods of different nations, even during holidays. On the other hand, Magic Island situated outside the building has magic castle, thrilling high-altitude free fall amusement rides that you can only experience outside the building, and the pleasant trail walks around the lake. One of the major reasons tourists are attracted to Lotte World is the amusement rides. The Gyro Drop and Gyro Swing are the top crowd pleasers – you can free fall 70 meters, or taste the thrilling sensation of being inside a tornado. There is even a sign for you to take your shoes off before you get on, as they may come off during the ride. You can also take the flume ride, a log boat that passes through the Jurassic Age, stay above a high-altitude wave, and ride a Spanish pirate ship that swings at a thrilling 75 degrees. Besides the thrill of its amusement rides, Lotte World also has a variety of parades and laser shows. The 200 performers-strong World Carnival Parade has music, singing, and dancing, and adds excitement to the theme park. The parade goes on at 2pm and 7:30pm, and the laser show proceeds in the darkness at 9:30pm. Once you've been on the rides, try the ice rink and don't miss out on visiting the museum. The ice-rink is indoors on the B3 floor, open throughout the year. Its pleasant atmosphere is perfect for family and couples. It opens from 10:30 to 22:30, and runs during the holidays as well. Its facilities include a restaurant, ticket booth, snack bar, sports shop, skate rental service, and change room. The Folk Museum, on the other hand, is the most popular spot for foreign tourists. It has folk culture displays of 5,000 years of Korean history, miniature villages, and a playground. Everything is organized to be fun and easily understood. There are also audiovisual and miniature models to aid in multimedia presentations.
Directions :
Subway-Get off at Jamsil Station (Seoul Subway Line No.2 and No.8) Exit No.4. Lotte World is connected to the subway.
Information :
* Information
- Hours of Business: 09:30-23:00 (open all year)
- Homepage www.lotteworld.com (Eng/Jap/Chi)
- Facilities: Diaper Change Room (Diapers and Women's Items available), Stroller and Wheelchair Service
- Fees
| Tickets |
Age 19 and over (won) |
Ages 14-18 (won) |
Age 13 and under (won) |
Notes |
| Day Pass |
28,000 |
24,000 |
20,000 |
Free usage of all facilities. Includes admission (Game attractions excluded) |
| Admission |
18,000 |
15,000 |
12,000 |
Admission and free performance viewing |
| Night Pass |
24,000 |
20,000 |
17,000 |
Free pass for after 5 p.m. |
- Attractions nearby: Seoul Playground, Jamsil Sports Complex, Jamsil Seonchakjang, Olympic Park, Mongchon Clay Castle, Baekjegobun.
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Marronnier Park
Address : 1-121 Dongsung-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Description :
Marronnier Park has at its center a symbolic marronnier (horse chestnut) tree, and all kinds of outdoor cultural event centers, sculpture exhibitions, and art centers are congregated in the area. The area began to develop in 1975 when Seoul National University was relocated away from here, and some 50 small theaters and 500 cafes concentrated in the area make this place a greatly beloved meeting and relaxation place for young and old alike. The park gets especially busy on the weekends when crowds gather to share cultural events. Bands and singers, as well as dance groups and comedians gather here and give on-the-spot performances. Fortunetellers and street artists also sit here and tell your fortunes or draw portraits of you. The park has many trees and benches to sit and relax on, making it an ideal place for relaxation and leisurely walks. Marronnier Park is a part of Daehakno, the famous street known as the ‘mecca of plays'. Beside plays, there are many cultural performances here, and interesting restaurants and cafes that make this place a favorite hangout destination for many young people.
Directions :
Get off at Hyehwa Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit No.2.
Information :
- Facilities: Benches, Playground, Outdoor Stage, Pond, Fountain
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Mt. Bukhansan National Park
Address : Dobong-gu District, Ui-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
Description :
“Procession of Large Granite Rocks Create a Superb View”
Mt. Bukhansan, situated in the northern part of Seoul, is beautiful throughout the year. Designated a national park in 1983, the mountain is 78.45km wide, has 6 districts and extends out into Gyeonggi-do. The name Bukhansan means “big mountain” in the north, and it is also called Mt.Samgaksan. Mt.Bukhansan has such smooth curves that the large granite rocks sometimes look as if they would slide down the mountain, and the sharp peaks provide contrast to the dozens of valleys and rivers flowing below. The mountain's main peak is Baekunbong, and it has many different kinds of peaks. The granite peaks blend in well with trees, and there are about 1,300 kinds of animal and plant life living on the mountain. Among the granite peaks, the best one is Insubong's Giam. The world famous granite rock peak Insubong is over 200m above sea level, and there are about 100 mountain paths leading to the rock. When you stand on Baekundae and look down, sometimes you can see clouds and Seoul and the Hangang River all together. Mt.Bukhansan has a rich history as well, not lacking in the cultural treasures it possesses. From the King Jinheung's Sunsubi on Bibong Peak, the Bukhansan seong Fortress built along the mountain's ridges, Sangunsa Temple built by the monk Won-Hyo, and numerous other temples occupy the mountain areas. Bukhansan seong Fortress is also a must-see tour site if you are visiting the mountain. Bukhansan seong Fortress was built with about a 8,500m long wall, built specifically to stop foreign invasion, and is one of the representative mountain fortresses of the Joseon Era. In the fall, especially, the view you can get from the fortress of the mountain is exquisite. Temples also are representative of Mt. Bukhansan's cultural heritage, and among the many of them, Seungasa Temple on the east Bibong Peak, where Seokgayeorae Ma-aebuls are carved onto 5m granite rock, and Munsusa Temple, located halfway up the Munsubong peak, have famous mountain water dripping from the ceiling of Munsugul Cave. Thus, Mt. Bukhansan, with its granite rocks, and Bukhansan seong fortress, is perfect for hiking for all seasons. In the spring, all kinds of flowers bloom, and in the summer, thick forest and valleys spread out. hiking path along the valley is perhaps the best summer mountain climbing course there is. The fall is an especially fit time for visiting the temples and the pavilions in their autumn colors. In the winter, the snow-covered mountain scenery is very beautiful. Mt. Bukhansan National Park has many mountain tour attractions and beautiful sceneries, and near enough to the city, that many come to visit. The average number of visitors to this place is about five million which has the honor of being on the Guinness Book of World Records for being the national park with the highest number of visitors per square foot. It is especially crowded during the weekends.
Directions :
Dobong-gu >> Take Seoul Subway Line 1, get off at Dobong Station and go to Exit No. 1. And then walk 10 min.
Bukhansan Fortress >> Take Seoul Subway Line 3, get off at Gupabal Station and go to Exit No. 1. And then take Intercity Bus No. 34 or City Bus No.156. and Get off at the entrance of Bukhansan Fortress.
Ui-gu>> Take subway No. 4 line, get off at Suyu station and go to the exit No. 1. and then take regular bus No.8, 23, 16-1, 333 . Get off at the final bus stop.
Information :
- Inquiries: Bukhansan Mountain National Park Administration Office 02-909-0497-8 (Kor) - Homepage http://www.npa.or.kr /pukan (Kor/Eng) -Admission Fee Individual Adults : 1,300won Students : 600won Children : 300won Group Adults : 1,100won Students : 500won Children : 250won
Travel Tips :
If you are new to Bukhansan or new to mountain climbing, the best path to take is to follow the regular road. It is wide, and easy to climb. But the road has restaurants and other stores in the middle of the mountain, and the cars keep coming on the road. The noise of the cars and car emission could take away from the pleasure of mountain climbing. If you take the valley route, you can enjoy the mountain and the valleys more. The Valley route follows the valley where Bukhansan swimming pool is also located, and in the summer you can rest at the valley river well.
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Myeong-dong
Address : Myeong-dong Jung-gu, Seoul
Description :
Myeong-dong resembles a massive shopping city. Myeong-dong Street spreads about 1km from Myeong-dong Station (Seoul Subway Line No.4) to Lotte Department Store at Euljiro. All kinds of brand name shops and department stores are clustered on the streets and alleyways. You can purchase various products such as clothes, shoes, and accessories at these shops. Compared to Namdaemun or Dongdaemun, there are many good-quality brands here in Myeong-dong. For example, there is the Lotte Department Store and Shinsegae Department Store and other shopping malls like U-too Zone, Myeong-dong Migliore and Avatar. You can purchase good-quality products at the department stores or other fashionable products at low prices at Migliore or Avatar. Moreover, all kinds of brand shops are densely located along the main street and lanes. Myeong-dong also has family restaurants, fast food and Korean, Western and Japanese food. Among many restaurants, Myeong-dong pork cutlet and kalguksu (noodles) are strongly recommended. Other than restaurants, there are many convenient facilities such as hair shops, banks and theaters. Myeong-dong Catholic Church is an especially famous tourist attraction. It is the first and main church of Catholics in Korea and built in the Gothic style. Behind the church is a space where you can relax and refresh yourself from long touring hours.
Directions :
At Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line No.2) or at Myeong-dong Station (Seoul Subway Line No.4), 5-minute walk from either station
Information :
- Contact: Myeong-dong Tourist Information
Tel: 02-757-0088 (Kor, Eng, Chi, Jap)
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Information provided by Korea National Tourism Organization.
