On this post, I'll tell you the story about some tourist must visited places in Seoul. Have you already heard about Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun Square, Sejong Center of Performing Arts, Cheonggyecheon Stream, or Namsan Tower? These places are will always be mentioned if you browse for places to visit in Seoul.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is located in Gwanghwamun area. Simply get off from SMRT on Gyeongbokgung Station and this huge palace will be right in front of your eyes. This palace was built on Joseon Dynasty Era. It's the main and the biggest palace. "Gung" means Palace and "Gyeongbok" means Greatly Blessed by Heaven. The palace was burned and abandoned for some centuries then reconstructed again but destroyed by The Empire of Japan in early 20th century. This palace has several buildings inside. You have to pay 3000 KRW for going into the palace. Unfortunately, I came by a little too late to go inside. So I just took some pictures outside the second inner gate :( National Palace Museum of Korea and National Folk Museum of Korea is located right next to this palace.
The palace is surrounded by modern buildings
National Palace Museum of Korea
Heungnyemun (The Second Inner) Gate
The Main Gate (taken from inside)
The Main/South Gate (taken from outside)
Go straight outside from Gyeongbokgung main gate you will see Gwanghwamun Square.
There are the statue of King Sejong The Great and the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin on this square.
Running Man fans, do you remember the name of this ship?
Across the street, on the right, near the statue of King Sejong The Great is The Sejong Center of Performing Arts. Running Man eps 7 with YongHwa (CNBLUE), Jo Kwon (2AM), and Eun-jeong (T-ARA) was filmed inside this building! :)
YongHwa sang "Oetoriya" for his Japanese fans from this 2nd floor terrace :)
Cheonggyecheon Stream just several steps away if you already reach the end of Gwanghwamun Square. After the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin, cross the street and turn left, you will meet the start point of Cheonggyecheon Stream. It's not difficult to notice since this place will always be filled by people everyday. Korea government really know how to turn a simple stream into a beautiful pathway for leisure walk. Lucky me, Seoul Lantern Festival was held when I was there :)
Couples' wish lists
Now, let's go to Namsan Tower!
You can reach The N Tower by cable car or simply climb the never ending stairs (if you don't mind :p). Of course I chose the first option hehe.. Namsan Cabel Car Station is just 5 minutes walk from our hostel. Oh I really love to live in Myeongdong :)
8000 KRW for roundtrip journey. Available until 10.30 PM everyday.
The view from cable car!
Arrived at N Tower in 3 minutes
The ticket for observatory deck and Teddy Bear Museum for 14000 KRW
Namsan Tower is famous for its night view, Teddy Bear Museum, and of course its lovelock. I chose to buy the package ticket for Namsan Tower Observatory Deck and Teddy Bear Museum. But I wasn't aware before that N Tower Observatory Deck is inside the tower. I thought the lovelock placed on the top of the tower but it turned out that it was on the ground .__. The Observatory Deck isn't like The Sands Sky Park at Marina Bay Sands Singapore or The Peak Tower at Victoria Peak HongKong where you can see the view of the city at the terrace on top of the tower. So I thought that it's not really necessary for you to go to The Observatory Deck since you can see the same view inside the cable car. In addition to N Tower Digital Observatory Deck, you can spend your time at some cafes, snack area, N Grill Restaurant, or Hancook Korean Restaurant while enjoying the city view from above. There are also couples 'must to do list' like write on the love message block or throw a coin into the wishing well.
Lovelock area located on N Plaza P1
As a silly joke I asked my friend who travelled to Seoul last year to locked my name with Song Joong Ki haha.. It's nowhere to be found now though, but I still have the key ;p
The Couple bench
Aside from N Tower Digital Observatory Deck, I had more fun on Teddy Bear Museum :) It's located on N Plaza P0 and divided into 2 categories, the past and the present. If you have enough time to explore this museum, I recommend you to get along with the story about South Korea history, culture, custom, or places through those miniature Teddy Bears.
Welcome to Teddy Bear Museum!
Say hello to the past:
And.. the present:
See you on part 3! ;)
