Seoul Sights

  1. 63 Building

    The 63 Building, the tallest and most stylish skyscraper in Seoul, is not as popular as it used to be. It's a 15-minute walk from the subway, and has three major attractions. Sea World Aquarium has penguins, reptiles and seals as well as turtles, sharks and other fish. The IMAX giant screen cinema provides headphones with an English-language version. The Observation Deck is up on the 60th floor. The best dining is at Plaza Fountain Buffet.

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  2. Admiral Yi Sun-Sin's Statue

    This statue is a downtown landmark. Seoul-born Yi Sun-sin (1545-98) designed a new type of metal-clad warship called geobukseon (turtle boats), and used them to help achieve a series of stunning victories over the much larger Japanese navy that attacked Korea at the end of the 16th century. A geobukseon replica can be seen in the War Memorial and Museum . A greatly admired hero, he is also featured on the around ₩100 coin.

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  3. Agriculture Museum

    A brand new museum that has imaginative displays such as glass floors, a mock-up of a painted tomb, and a traditional village complete with voices. It's a worthy effort but has no chance of persuading the young generation to become farmers, so the outlook for the industry is bleak despite the upbeat tone of the museum.

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  4. Amsa-Dong Prehistoric Settlement Site

    This is Korea's largest Neolithic site and well worth a visit. Set in a park frequented by woodpeckers, you can see a thatched village of pit houses and look around the exhibition centre that has been built over the site. The 6000-year-old artefacts include pottery with comb designs - the Neolithic stone culture seems to have been remarkably uniform on different continents.

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  5. Anglican Church

    An imposing Renaissance-style church, built in the shape of a cross with Korean-style tiles on the roof - it's a fine example of architectural fusion. Work began in 1922 but the full design was not completed until 1996.

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  7. Bank Of Korea Museum

    It is worth a quick visit to see the old coins and banknotes as well as the grand hall of the chateau-like Bank of Korea building (constructed in 1912 by the Japanese) where the exhibition is displayed.

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  8. Bongeunsa

    Just north of the COEX Mall, the shrines and halls of this Buddhist temple are spread among a forested hillside and have a quieter, more secluded atmosphere than Jogyesa in Insadong, although somewhat marred by the car park. Founded in AD 794, the buildings have been rebuilt many times over the centuries. The oldest hall is Panjeon, constructed in 1856, which houses over 3000 150-year-old woodblocks with Buddhist scriptures and art carved into them.

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  9. Bosingak

    Situated in Jongno (Bell St), Seoul's main street during the Joseon period, this pavilion houses a modern version of the city bell, which was originally forged in 1468. The bell is rung only at New Year, when crowds gather here to celebrate.

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  10. Bukchon Museum

    This hanok (traditional Korean one-storey wooden house with a tiled roof) is packed with curios and collectables, but is more of a shop than a museum as everything is for sale. Entry is free if you make a purchase, or buy an around ₩3000 cup of homemade tea.

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  11. Changdeokgung

    You cannot look around this World Heritage palace on your own, so you must join an English-speaking guide. The buildings follow Confucian principles of simplicity and harmony with nature. Like all Joseon palaces, it has a mountain behind it and a small stream in front - good feng shui.

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  13. Cheondogyo Temple

    On the outside the headquarters of this Korean fusion religion is a handsome baroque-style, red-brick and stone church with a tower and spire, but inside it looks like a plain meeting hall with a piano but no altar, statues or paintings. It was completed in 1921 and was used as a centre of opposition to Japanese rule. Cheondogyo is a home-grown creed containing Buddhist, Confucian and Christian elements that was started in 1860 by Choe Suun.

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  14. Cheongwadae

    The Blue House is Korea's answer to America's presidential residence the White House. Back in 1968 a squad of 31 North Korean commandos was caught just 500m from the Blue House on a mission to assassinate President Park Chung-hee. The threat from the North has diminished but still remains, so security is tight.

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  15. Children's Grand Park

    Ask for a free map at the entrance to this large shady park with a rose garden, flower beds and fountains that has plenty to keep children busy and occupied. An amusement park has 30 fear-factor experiences for all ages, but some of the zoo animals - which include lions, tigers, elephants and bears - live in enclosures that are small by modern standards.

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  16. COEX Aquarium

    This is the largest aquarium in Seoul with 40,000 fish and other sea creatures in 90 tanks. You can see live coral, sharks, turtles, rays and evil-looking piranhas swimming around a huge tank. Exquisitely beautiful small creatures such as pulsating jellyfish, glass fish and sea horses are also on display.

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  17. Deoksugung

    Originally an aristocratic villa, Deoksugung became a palace in 1593 when King Seojo moved in (after all of Seoul's other palaces were destroyed during the Japanese invasion). The palace contains small gardens and ponds amid an extraordinary mixture of architectural styles that include a grand wooden audience hall in traditional Korean style and a fusion-style tea pavilion, Heonggwanheon, which has pillars, a veranda and metal railings decorated with deer and bats - both auspicious creatures.

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  19. Dongdaemun

    Seoul's Eastern fortress gate, Dongdaemun, dates back to the 14th century, but the existing structure was built in 1869 and had to be renovated after being severely damaged during the Korean War when Seoul changed hands four times. Dongdaemun market starts at this gate.

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  20. Ewha Womans University Museum

    This modern museum in Sinchon has three floors of displays that vary but usually include traditional hanbok, centuries-old pottery, the history of the university and student art.

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  21. Gyeongbokgung

    Originally built by King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty, the grandest of Seoul palaces served as the principal palace until 1592, when it was burnt down during the Japanese invasions. The 'Palace of Shining Happiness' lay in ruins for nearly 300 years until Heungseon Daewongun, regent and father of King Gojong, started to rebuild it in 1865. King Gojong moved in during 1868, but the expensive rebuilding project nearly bankrupted the government.

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  22. Gyeonghuigung

    This detached palace, 'Palace of Shining Celebration' in English, was completed in 1623 and used to consist of a rabbit warren of courtyards, buildings, walls and gates that spread over a large area. But it was destroyed during the Japanese annexation (1910-45) when a Japanese school was established here. Only the main audience hall, Sungjeongjeon, and the smaller royal bedchamber behind it have been restored along with a few paved courtyards, walls and corridors. The entrance gate, Heunghwamun, has toured around Seoul including a stint outside the Hotel Shilla, but was moved to its present site in 1988.

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  23. Hongneung Arboretum & Surrounds

    Winding footpaths turn this 38-hectare arboretum, established in 1922 and packed with many varieties of trees and plants, into a pleasant maze that is popular with dating couples, nature lovers and keen photographers. It is only open on Sunday and picnics are not allowed. On the right is the Forestry Museum which has an original design containing exhibits on native trees and their uses, but little English description.

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  25. Itaewonland Sauna

    This luxurious jjimjilbang, (Korean Sauna) spread over five floors, is the best in Itaewon. With separate sections for men and women, every customer is loaned a towel and T-shirt. A long list of pools, spa baths and massages is available including a green-tea beauty treatment.

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  26. Jeoldusan Martyrs Museum & Chapel

    Jeoldusan means 'Beheading Hill' and is where up to 2000 Korean Catholics were executed in 1866 following a decree, signed by Regent Heungseon Daewongun (King Gojong's father), to kill all Catholics. The victims' bodies were thrown into the Han River and less than 40 of their names are known. A memorial to the martyrs, a garden, museum, memorial chapel and a statue of the first Korean priest, St Andrew Kim Dae-heon (1821-46) make up the site.

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  27. Jogyesa

    The largest Buddhist shrine in Seoul, Daeungjeon was built in 1938, but the design followed the late Joseon-dynasty style. Murals of scenes from Buddha's life and the carved floral latticework doors are two of its attractive features. You can follow the tradition of lighting a candle or incense stick and then walking around the seven-tiered pagoda to make a wish.

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  28. Jongmyo & Changgyeonggung

    Surrounded by dense woodland are the impressive buildings of Jongmyo, which house the spirit tablets of the Joseon kings and queens and some of their most loyal government officials. Their spirits are believed to reside in a special hole bored into the wooden tablets.

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  29. Knife Gallery

    In a basement is a weird and wonderful global collection of swords and knives along with other army equipment. There is an onsite shop, but good luck getting that Gurkha kukri or bag of throwing stars on the plane back home.

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