Place

Changdeok-gung Palace

Also located in Yulgukno, it is another one of Seoul's most spectacular palaces and is second only to the Gyeongbok-gung. First built in 1405, it was the center of power in the dynasty between 1618 and 1896. All the buildings have been restored and repainted. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must-see place!

City guide

Overview & visitor information

Admission: 3000 won Opening Hours: Access is limited by Guided Tours only. Korean language tours run every half hour and English language tours run at 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm. It is closed on Mondays.

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Namdaemun

Building

The Great South Gate is one of the symbols of Seoul and is the most prized treasure of the country. It is a two -tiered pagoda style roofed gate made with stone and wood. This gate served many purposes; it greeted visitors to the city, kept away wild animals and prevented outsiders from entering the city. It looks stunning at night when it is floodlit. The nearby Namdaemun Market is a great place to check out as well. A lively market, the Namdaemun has wholesalers operating from midnight to 6am and retailers during the day.

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Yongsan Park

Park

Yongsan Park is reminiscent of the famous parks that are often shown in movies, with large grass fields and thick forests. An unlikely sight in a city, it is home to several species of birds and trees and was once used as a U.S. military base.

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Yangjae Citizens' Forest

forest

The citizens' forest is located on the Gangnam Street and has streams and over 106,000 trees. It is a very popular picnic spot for the younger generations as well as the young at heart. It has a clear view of the sky and hence is a great place to be on clear nights.

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Gyeongbok-gung Palace

Palace

Located in Yulgukno, it is Seoul's most spectacular palace and was the pinnacle of power for centuries before it was devastated in 1592 by a Japanese invasion. It has been restored for the most part. Its grounds also hold the Joseon Palace Museum, and the Korean Folk Museum. Admission: 3000 won Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm except Tuesdays (The palace is used for shooting TV dramas)

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What to do with Children in Town

Activity

The best place to be if you're a kid is at the palaces as there is just so much to see which is of interest to kids. Whether it's the turtles and gold fishes at the small ponds, or it's a visit to the museums, children will love it all. The Samsung Kids Museum is sure to get the kids excited about the visit to this superb city and the fireworks festivals are sure to light up their day. The Children's Grand Park is a great place for kids as well as they have a zoo, a botanical garden and an amusement park. It's in Gwangjin-gu. The N Seoul Tower is also great for kids as they will surely love the superb view. The best things for kids however are the parks and the space to run around. The toy shops littered around town are a treat for the little ones as well.

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ChangGyeong-gung Palace

Palace

It was built in 1104 for the kings of the Koryo Dynasty as a summer palace and became one of the main palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. The palace is connected to the Jongmyo Shrine which was used for sacrificial rites in the Joseon Dynasty. The palace faces east to west, instead of the usual north to south.

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Dongdaemun

Building

The Old Eastern Gate of the city, though not as impressive as Namdaemun, it is still a good site to check out just so you can tell your friends that you've visited so many places. The nearby Dongdaemun Market is much more attractive though!

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Olympic Park

Park

The Olympic Park was built for the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympics. It has a lake, and a square of sculptures which is very popular among visitors. It also has a large field which is covered with grass and has a few courses that are ideal for jogging and walking. Its outdoor stage and six stadiums are often used for concerts.

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Boramae Park

Park

Once the site of the Korean Air Force Academy, it symbolizes the Air Force. The word Boramae means Hawk. The park is spread out on 360,000 square meters and has sports facilities as well as a small zoo. It also has a huge pond that spreads out to 9000 square meters and has well planned walking paths. The pond is surrounded by willow trees and benches and is very popular, especially during summer and winter.

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Deoksu-gung Palace

Palace

It is located in downtown Seoul cross the street from City Hall. This palace was built in the mid-fifteenth century and the architecture of the insides of the buildings show heavy traces of Western designs. This palace is famous for its elegant stone wall road. The buildings itself are of natural sugi, painted wood and stucco. The east wing was the king's while the queen's quarters were located in the west wing. Today, this is the National Modern Arts Centre. The rear of the building still has secret passageways that led to the Russian emissary.

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Familia Buffet

Situated in the plush Imperial Palace hotel, the Familia restaurant serves a whooping 120 dishes in its buffet. The sophisticated and classy environment of this place is sure to lure you into visiting it often. The squad of people dressed in ninja outfits are actually the cooks who prepare fresh food in the dining area.

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Min's Club

A 1930s hanok (traditional Korean one-storey wooden house with a tiled roof) has been artistically restored into a restaurant that is charming as well as classy. The food offered here is European/Korean fusion. French wines are a specialty of this restaurant. Popular with diplomats, the food and service of this place is sure to bring a smile to your face and a vow to visit again.

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Tony Roma's

This all American chain is literally your only choice for ribs. New rib styles and sauce flavors, mouth-watering char-grilled steaks, BBQ chicken, scrumptious seafood, crispy salads, burgers and beer make this a hot spot for people who love American food.

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Namu/Liquid Bar

Namu is the place to savor ethnic Asian dishes in a modern reincarnation. Enjoy a contemporary Japanese cuisine in stylish surroundings with the natural rough-hewn timber of the interior adding an interesting touch. A variety of specialties, with a sushi and sashimi bar, a teppanyaki/hibachi station and a la carte dining will entice you into visiting again. Food here is served at long tables. The wrap-around bar serves ice-cold sake, single malt beverages and cocktails.

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Yongsusan

Get a taste of Korean tradition in this colorfully decorated restaurant. Mother-of-pearl panels add a statement of style to the interiors. The serving staff too is in traditional Korean attire (hanbok). The comfortable atmosphere and sophisticated interiors makes this restaurant a popular place for foreign VIPs and family gatherings. The meal is served in Gaesung style with elements of royal cuisine. Seasonal variations are there but it is always interesting. From the dragon firepot to the five-grain rice cooked in bamboo and of course the ever tempting omijacha tea, you're sure to be smacking your lips with satisfaction.

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La Plancha

Warm cozy atmosphere + fantastic food = a tantalizing experience that will linger on in your memory for days to come. An absolute must for meat lovers, La Plancha serves chicken, pork, lamb, and salmon with vegetables and a sauce. This place is popular with the expat community. Apart from dining, one also gets to be a part of the regular fun events, wine tastings, Latin music concerts and parties held there. The restaurant has an attractive outdoor area as well with wooden floors and plants aplenty. The service is as good as the food.

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Santorini

Get a taste of Greece in this truly Greek restaurant with authentic Greek flavors. A winner, no less, this place serves the yummiest baby ribs, moussaka or pork souvlaki which is marinated and cooked on a rotisserie. Most dishes are accompanied by a salad with vinaigrette. Wash down your meal with real Greek coffee or the more famous Nescafe Frappe. The friendly and efficient service is worth a mention too.

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Thai Orchid

With prices that will suit your pocket, the Thai Orchid is the place to go to for genuine, good and reasonably priced Thai food. Having delighted diners for over a decade, this restaurant will floor you with its traditional Thai hospitality, smiles et al. The feeling of being in Thailand is reinforced by the presence of cooks and serving staff, all of whom are Thai. Do try out the coconut based curries and nam pla (fish sauce) laden stir fries.

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Sosim

At Sosim you will be served what is known as Buddhist food; traditional diet, purely vegetarian, with emphasis on health and longevity. The meals prepared do not contain meat, five forbidden pungent roots and pickled fish. No egg or artificial seasoning is used either. Some of the food served here includes organic rice, teas that take a year to make, and side dishes like boiled peanuts. Seasoned mushroom and sea tangle is also served. The restaurant is in the basement of a building with cozy, attractive wooden interiors.

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Taco

Five types of Mexican munchies are served in this low-cost, colorful and cheerful eating place which is a hot favorite with foreigners. The youthful staff prepares the food in front of the diners. Check out the burritos and fajitas. A wonderful place to eat and relax and simply watch the world go by.

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Jamsil Tourist Hotel

Expensive Hotels

Jamsil Tourist Hotel is a modern eight-storey building housing 44 rooms with the finest amenities available. This hotel is located near Korea City Air Terminal, Olympic Park, Olympic Stadium and the Convention and Exhibition Centre. Guests can choose between the variety of rooms available; single, double, twin, business and Ondol( Korean traditional under-floor heating system) rooms. A plethora of halls for various functions like weddings, conferences and seminars is also available. Comfort and convenience are the hallmark of Jamsil Tourist Hotel.

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Seoul Tourist Hotel

The hotel is located near Insa-dong, the traditional street, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Deoksugung Palace. A stay in this hotel gives you the opportunity to buy traditional Korean items from the shops nearby. Guests can unwind at the game room of the hotel or alternatively enjoy a singing session at its own karaoke, the Seoul Club.

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Anguk Guesthouse

Moderate Hotels

A pretty house in a pretty good location is what you can describe the Anguk Guesthouse as. The house is built in traditional Korean style with wooden-shuttered rooms. There are four separate rooms with a sharing kitchen and a small garden. The guesthouse has a cozy and unique feel to it. Hikes in the nearby forest are also offered. This is the place to stay if one wants a real Korean experience.

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Lotte Hotel

Expensive Hotels

Located at the hub of Seoul's premier business and shopping districts, Lotte Hotel Seoul is within walking distance of major international corporate headquarters in the financial and industrial trade sectors. Major international events are hosted by this prestigious super deluxe hotel which houses 1318 guestrooms, 13 restaurants and bars, 15 spacious conference and banquet rooms. Lotte Hotel offers guests the most convenient and comfortable facilities available. The duty free shop sells items of good quality. The name of the hotel is synonymous with Korean hospitality.

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JW Marriott

Moderate Hotels

With the hotel being situated in an ideal location within central city, Korea's largest and most popular shopping, dining and entertainment complex, you are sure to enjoy every moment of your stay here. All amenities to ensure a luxurious and comfortable stay make the Marriott the hotel of choice for travelers from around the world. The 497 rooms spread across 37 floors are said to be the largest guest rooms in Seoul. With the variety of restaurants and bars, numerous grand ballrooms/ banquet halls and a genuine European style spa and comprehensive health club (Asia's largest), it is no wonder that tourists make a bee line for this hotel.

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Park Hyatt Hotel

A sleek glass tower with a modern interior, this is truly a hotel of the 21st century. The Park Hyatt Hotel located in Gangnam business district was opened in April, 2005. The stylish hotel has stone and oak interiors and the generously sized rooms have floor to ceiling windows. The bathrooms are graced with over-sized granite bathtubs. The service and dedication of its staff makes each guest feel like a VIP. Everything you need, want or are looking for is there at the Hyatt. It would not be wrong to describe the hotel as an ocean of serenity within vibrant Seoul.

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Imperial Palace Hotel

The European-style Imperial Palace Hotel (former Hotel Amiga) is located in the heart of Gangnam business and entertainment district. From the lobby to the rooms to the fitness center, the hotel screams opulence. Meticulous attention to detail is obvious from the furniture to the color scheme. The elegant and classy hotel makes each guest feel like royalty. The latest amenities are offered in the guestrooms and the fitness centre, aerobics, sauna and spa offer diverse exercise opportunities.

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Millenium Seoul Hilton Hotel

This hotel is situated at the foot of Mt. Namsan and is only a mile and a half away from the business district of Seoul. Numerous international events are hosted in this hotel. The 8 meeting rooms can accommodate up to 500 people. Regular refurbishments have ensured that the attractiveness of this hotel is maintained along with high quality services and conditions.The on-site shopping area is a delight for the hotel guests. Guests can also unwind in the well equipped gym, sauna and Jacuzzi and relax and savor a wide range of dining experiences at the hotels seven restaurants and bars.

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Brown Tourist Hotel

This hotel is located in the heart of the downtown area close to all the main attractions of the city. Sixty-three elegantly decorated spacious western-style as well as traditional Korean Ondol guest rooms are available which have all the conveniences for the business as well as the leisure traveler. Southeast Asian tourists particularly prefer this hotel due to its easy accessibility to Dongdaemun Complex Stadium Shopping Mall and Myeongdong. Some of the facilities include a business centre, sports massage salon and karaoke.

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Hotel Green Park

Expensive Hotels

This hotel is part of the Best Western International Hotel chain which has hotels in 80 countries. Even though it is a second class hotel, it offers six different kinds of rooms. Online reservations make it convenient to book guestrooms, wedding halls, business centers and conference rooms. For sports lovers, the hotel houses a tennis club and outdoor swimming pool. The four tracking courses near the hotel pass three temples, Doseonsa, Beophwasa and Weondongsa.