Top places to visit

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.

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)

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Mount Namsen located in the center of the city, is considered to be a symbol of Seoul. It rises nearly 300m above sea level and offers an excellent opportunity to get a bird's eye view of the city from the Observation Deck of the Seoul Tower situated at the top. It is an island playing host to nature in the middle of urban districts, with several wild animals living in the park. The mountain is filled with pine trees and is visible from all over the city and is a breath of fresh air in the urban jungle. A cable car ride and stairways take viewers up to the summit. Other attractions include the botanical gardens, Maritime Aquarium and fountains. Visitors can enjoy dinner at the revolving restaurant on top as well as feast on the spectacular 360 degree view of Seoul.

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.

With over 60,000 visitors on weekends, it is by far one of the most popular places in the city. Spread out on 230,000 square meters, it is also one of the largest. It has a traditional Korean forest as well as a concert area and several paths for cycling, or walking. The hundreds of trees on the grounds offer shade to the thousands of visitors that throng the park. The three ponds in the park are simply stunning.

The Seoul Tower was once the tallest tower in Asia and has the best panoramic view of Seoul. Located smack in the middle of the city, it is visible from almost everywhere in the city and is a helpful reference for tourists on foot.

The National Museum of Korea showcases artifacts and relics from across Korea from the various periods and dynasties of its history. It is one of the best places to visit if you want to learn more about Korea's history and culture. Like all major landmark sites, it is also closed on Mondays.

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.

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.