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Gyeongbok Palace, Seoul

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Things to see in Seoul

Tourist information: 

Korea Tourism Organisation
40 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Tel: (02) 7299 9561/9568 or 1330 (24-hour travel information in English).
Website: www.visitkorea.or.kr
Opening times: Daily 0900-2000.

This ultra-modern tourist information centre provides travel information, books, transport and travel packages as well as offering free internet access, a travel library, souvenir shop and cultural exhibitions.

Seoul Tourism Organisation
25 Taepyeongno 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
Tel: (02) 2075 4119.
Website: www.visitseoul.net
Opening times: Daily 0900-1800.

This is the city's government information source and publishes useful booklets.

BBB Korea (tel: (02) 725 9108; www.bbbkorea.orgwww.choicehotels.com) offers English translation service via mobile phone, or contact the Seoul Help Center’s English-speaking helpline (tel: (02) 731 6802).

Passes: 

The Korea Travel Card (KTC) (tel: (02) 1330) is a multipurpose prepaid travel card available from KTO offices and the Shinhan Bank. It also offers discounts at stores, shows and attractions, cheaper overseas calls, a preferential exchange rate and free travel insurance. The KTC Transportation Pass has the above benefits and can also be used to pay for transport.

Dongdaemun Market

This traditional market, frequently photographed against its backdrop of skyscrapers, is a city icon and Asia's largest and liveliest. Start at its ancient East Main Gate, a national treasure, and check out the Gyeong-dong Herbal Medicine Market within. Dongdaemun Market is particularly known for its fabrics and fashion and there are further opportunities for retail therapy in the modern malls that have sprung up nearby, many of which put on music and dance entertainment in the evenings.

Opening Times: Daily 1030-0500 (shops), 2100-dawn (stalls).
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Jongno 6-ga, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 2236 9135 (Dongdaemun tourist information centre).
Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace, the oldest and grandest of five palaces of the Joseon dynasty, first established in 1394, is set in a gorgeous green landscape and also houses Korea's National Folk Museum. The present-day palace, incorporating ancient Chinese and royal court architecture, was constructed in the 1860s, the original having being destroyed during Japanese occupation. You can buy an all-inclusive ticket, valid for a month, to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace along with the other key heritage sites of Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine.

Opening Times: Mon and Wed-Fri 0900-1800, Sat-Sun 0900-1900 (Mar-Oct); Wed-Mon 0900-1700 (Nov-Feb).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Sejongno, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 3700 3900.
Website: http://www.royalpalace.go.kr
Insa-dong

Wander around art galleries, craft, antique and clothes shops in the cobbled alleys of this popular and lively district of Seoul, a kind of Korean Covent Garden. Watch sweets being made, stop for a break in a traditional tea house or, on Sundays, catch a cultural performance. For serious shopping, the Art Centre Bus will shuttle you between galleries.

Opening Times: Shop openings vary by store. Closed Mondays, New Year’s Day and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving).
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Insa-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Lotte World

The city’s most popular family attraction, Seoul's answer to Disney World is the largest theme park in the world and includes thrill rides, an ice rink, shopping malls and a folk village. Brave the coasters, flumes and haunted house, or watch colourful shows and parades with themes like samba, masquerade and Christmas.

Opening Times: Mon-Thurs 0930-2200, Fri-Sun 0930-2300.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: 40-1, Songpa-gu, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 411 2000.
Website: http://www.lotteworld.com
Meditation Arui Seon, Insa-dong

This tea house is a peaceful and beautiful place in Seoul to have traditional tea along with an introductory Korean-style meditation session. Courses are offered at three levels; Heaven, an hour-long introduction which covers walking and visualisation techniques, and Nature and Human for more advanced practice. English-speaking instructors are available.

Opening Times: Tues-Sun 1100-2200.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: 86 Kwanhun-dong, off Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 722 6653/1108.
Website: http://www.suseonjae.org
N Seoul Tower

Take a cable car, or hike up Mount Namsan, to the landmark N Seoul Tower with its observation decks, café and revolving restaurant giving a view over the city and beyond. A teddy bear museum with the toys in whimsical settings is at its foot. The tower is lit in different colours depending on the season and projects beams in the shape of a flower in the evenings.

Opening Times: Sun-Thurs 1000-2300, Fri-Sat 1000-2400 (observatory).
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Namsan Hangangno 3-ga, Seoul Mail Center Yongsan-gu, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 3455 9277.
Website: http://www.nseoultower.co.kr
Pulmuone Kimchi Museum

Kimchi – a spicy fermented vegetable dish - is considered Korea's ‘national food' and a cure-all, and this curious and unique museum in Seoul details its history and how it's prepared. You can even learn how to make the ubiquitous meal accompaniment for yourself. A visit to the museum can be combined with one to the aquarium in the same mall.

Opening Times: Tues-Sun 1000-1800.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: B2 level, COEX Mall, 159 Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 6002 6456.
Website: http://www.kimchimuseum.co.kr

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