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Donuimun Museum Village: Explore Seoul In The 1960s
When people think about traveling back in time in Seoul, they often think of visiting the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village and walking down alleys still resembling time during the Joseon Dynasty. There’s another historical village area that you can visit though called the Donuimun Museum Village (돈의문박물관마을). This historical neighborhood will have you picturing Seoul in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Visit living museum spaces, eat lunch, and experience the nostalgia of the period. Visit this historical village in the heart of Seoul: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you…
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Jongmyo Shrine: A Beautiful Historical Site in Downtown Seoul
Built in the 14th Century, Jongmyo Shrine (종묘) is the oldest Confucian royal shrine in Korea. Located right in downtown Seoul, you may have walked by this important site and not realized what is behind the walls that protect the grounds. If you’re visiting Seoul or traveling to Korea, this is a beautiful area to take a walk in downtown Seoul where the streets can be bustling. Learn about Korean history and culture and maybe get to see a royal rite. List of Contents: Plan a trip to Jongmyo Shrine! (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking…
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Cheonggyecheon Stream: A Guide To One Of The Top Things To See In Seoul
Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천) is one of the top things touted on lists of things to see in Seoul, South Korea. The river which starts near Gwanghwamun Square and eventually ends at the Han River is where the Seoul Lantern Festival is held each year among other popular annual events. Whether it’s summer or autumn, if you want to take a walk in downtown Seoul, this where you should go. I’ve had a goal to walk the entire length of the Cheonggyecheon Stream for a few years now and finally got around to it this year. After 15 years living in Seoul, yes, I have odd goals, but there it is.…
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The Seoul City Tour Bus Guide: What To See & Do When You Hop On Hop Off
If you’ve never joined a City Tour Bus, Seoul is the place to do it. City Tour Buses are a great way to see a city and not have to worry about transportation. See the hot spots of Seoul from the upper level of a bright red bus. I rode my first City Tour Bus in New York City and absolutely loved the experience. It’s just something that is so touristic and fun. Don’t waste money on taxi fares and buses. Don’t get confused in the subway. For your first trip to Seoul, take the time to ride this bus and get views of the city while getting a lay…
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Deoksugung Palace: The Most Unique Palace In Seoul
Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, Korea is the smallest of the five palaces in the capital but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be visited. It’s the most unique palace with various architectural styles and is the only palace to feature a western style garden, fountain and building. Deoksugung Palace means ‘palace of virtue and longevity’ and it is a beautiful palace to visit in downtown Seoul. If you’re in downtown Seoul, it’s easy to visit sitting centrally located and right next to a subway station. It’s a where to see a changing of the guard ceremony if that’s what you’re looking for as so many often are. Looking for some specific…
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Cool Architecture To See In & Around Seoul, Korea
There are new and improved buildings around Seoul and Korea being built all of the time. Not all of them are beautiful or interesting. In fact, most of them are high rise apartments BUT, there are some that are quite distinctive and for all of the right reasons. If you’re coming to Seoul and want to find the architectural highlights, the buildings that embrace the future with sleek lines, interesting facades, and staircases for days, here is a great start to making an awesome itinerary with the architecture highlights. Want to take some epic photos in Seoul? Don’t miss these Instagrammable places in Seoul. These are some of the must…
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Gongdeok District In Seoul May Surprise You
There are some districts of Seoul that seem like straight forward business districts and nothing more. Gongdeok has always been one of those areas for me. I’d pass through the area on the way from Hongdae to Itaewon or visit when I was going down to Yeouido to see the annual fireworks festival, but until last year when I was working in Gongdeok, I hadn’t really stopped to look around. Glad I did though. While there are a ton of businesses in the area, there are also cool cafes, reclaimed spaces, and some good good good eats. So, if you are around and want to try something different, don’t hesitate…
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The Peace Culture Bunker: Once Military, Now Communal
It’s not uncommon to travel around Seoul, or Korea for that matter, and find military bases and bunkers. Usually they’re surrounded by barbed wire and fences because civilians, like myself, cannot enter. They’re starting to get converted into community spaces though as they become unnecessary. The Peace Culture Bunker (평화문화진지), once a tank bunker is one of those places and it’s now a very cool community space. More and more these bunkers and bases are being given back to the community at large and they are being given back in some awesome ways. Don’t miss the new spaces to find around the city. Is Korea still at war? Technically yes,…
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Changgyeonggung: The Hidden Palace In Seoul
There are five palaces in Seoul and not all of them attract equal attention. This is good to know if you want to walk around a gorgeous Korean palace WITHOUT all of the crowds. As far as Korean palaces go, Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace in Seoul, and Changdeokgung featuring the Secret Garden always seem to top the lists but if you were to ask me, I’d say visiting Changgyeonggung (창경궁) is even better… for a number of reasons. Different palaces for different feels I guess. I do love Gyeongbokgung from time to time and always take short term tourists there, but if I want to visit a palace and…
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The Seoul Botanic Park: Find Nature In Seoul
Whether or not you enjoy gardens or botany, the gorgeous architecture of the large greenhouse is definitely a draw at this new hot spot in Seoul. The Seoul Botanic Park (서울식물원) was opened in Magok in the Gangseo-gu district which was an interesting choice for the massive park. This area of Seoul has been getting a lot of development and even has an Ando Tadao building now, the LG Art Center. This is THE spot to visit in spring in Seoul or even summer in Seoul. We love parks and if you do too, this is definitely one you can’t miss here in Seoul, Korea. Here is where you’ll find…
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The Hanok Village You’ve Probably Never Heard About In Seoul: The Eunpyeong Hanok Village
Everyone knows about the beautiful Hanok homes that make up Bukchon Hanok Village but have you heard of the Eunpyeong Hanok Village (은평한옥마을)? Considering Bukchon residents are looking to limit the number of tourists in and out of their area so they can enjoy more of a residential feel, I thought it high time to let you know about a little spot I found years ago. Actually, I first came upon this area many years back after the hiking club I was with came down off of the Bukhansan Mountain range. At the time only a few Hanoks were standing but it was clear, this was going to be a…
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New Parks Featuring Trains, Battleships & More In Seoul!
There is always something to see and do in Seoul and people are forever asking me how I know what’s going on. I just keep my ear to the ground I suppose. I also have good friends who are also in the know and it often happens that I hear about one thing, they hear about another in the same area and a great day trip comes out of it. Here are a few transportation based adventures I’ve had recently that you should know about. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you.…
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Seongsu-dong: A Guide To The Brooklyn Of Seoul
The shoe district that has become the “it” spot to hang out in Seoul, Korea what with the warehouses being converted to art spaces and cafes and the boutique shops has something around every corner. Where to begin in Seongsu-dong?! Some have even called it the “Brooklyn of Seoul” so I knew I’d like it before I even got over there. Everywhere you look there is street art celebrating the district known for shoe factories and design and now with more artists moving in, there is bound to be ever more creative hot spots to appreciate. Young creatives started heading to the area back in 2011 due to the low…
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Greenhouses, Cafes & Gardens Northwest Of Seoul
One of my pastimes has definitely become falling down Instagram rabbit holes that lead me to beautiful places and cafes in Korea. I’ve learned a few things after searching long and hard long enough. That rabbit hole is what led me to Yangju’s gorgeous Nari Park and then on to the greenhouse cafe set on a mountain in Namyangju. I also found a lot of the cafes in Hongdae I visited recently via this rabbit hole. But I’ve also used that Internet sleuthing skill to find some pretty awesome places northwest of Seoul where we can spread out, get away from the crowds and enjoy nature. There are so many things…
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The Oil Tank Culture Park: A Cool Regeneration Project In Seoul
A plot of land sitting across from World Cup Stadium and the World Cup Parks system in Seoul, Korea is home to a surprisingly cool urban reformation project. Now named the Oil Tank Culture Park (문화비축기지), this park is an eye-appealing, if you like that industrial look, and eco-friendly site that uses six old oil reservoir tanks that were transformed for public use. While this isn’t your standard tourist site, it is really intriguing to people interested in urban regeneration, but also of interest if you want to know where local events and performances are held in Mapo-gu. Looking for something interesting to see near Hongdae? Check out this spot:…
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Yongma Land: The Abandoned Amusement Park in Seoul
Yongma Land (용마랜드) is a small failed amusement park in northeastern Seoul that has become popular with photographers and photo-op seeking teenagers in recent years. The abandoned amusement area offers some of the standard rides like the iconic carousel and the “Viking” as well as a mini train that is now covered in vines. Whether you’re looking for abandoned places in Seoul or want to film your own Kpop video to mimic your favorite artists, this is the place to go in Seoul. It’s not the most common addition to a Seoul itinerary, but it’s a cool spot if you want something unique in the capital of Korea. Plan a…