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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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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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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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N'Seoul Tower
The peak of Mt Namsan used to be crowned with fortifications, but they are long gone and have since been replaced by the Seoul Tower. The entire tower has a modern look, feel and name thanks to renovations completed in 2005 that dropped in speedy elevators, a spiffy lobby and the urbane handle, N'Seoul Tower. The tower stretches 480m (1574ft) above sea level and houses several cafes and restaurants (one of which is revolving) and an observation deck. The views are marvellous, especially at night.
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Namdaemun
The Great South Gate of Seoul fortress was originally constructed in 1398, rebuilt in 1447 and has often been renovated since then. Designated as National Treasure No 1, it's an impressive sight, especially when floodlit at night, and is a reminder of the once-mighty Joseon dynasty. The soldiers in Joseon uniforms that guard the gate ( - Wed-Mon) march around every 30 minutes, but are there for photographic rather than defence purposes. The famous day-and-night Namdaemun market that starts at the gate is also centuries old.
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Seolleung Park Royal Tombs
The spirit tablets of the Joseon kings and queens are in Jongmyo, but their tombs are scattered all over Seoul. The tombs are elaborate but mostly underground, and were the scene of rituals to remember the dead who were officially mourned for three years according to Confucian rules. The tombs of King Seongjong (ruled 1469-94), his third wife, Queen Jeonghyeonwanghu, and his second son, King Jeongjong (ruled 1506-44), are in this wooded park.
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Seoul Tower
Take the cable car, yellow bus No 2 or walk up from Seoul subway station to reach this recently revamped Seoul icon. The observation deck is at the top of the tower along with a revolving grill-restaurant and a Korean restaurant.
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Statue Of Hammering Man
The giant, moving metallic shadow of a hammering man towers five storeys above the street. Funded by a local insurance company, the super-blacksmith has been silently hammering since 2002. It was made out of 50 tons of steel by American artist Jonathon Borofsky (www.borofsky.com), whose art is humanist but mechanical, monumental but intriguing, simple but thought-provoking. Is work just a meaningless ritual that we allow to dominate our lives?
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Tapgol Park
'Tapgol' means 'pagoda,' which refers to the 10-tier, 12m-high stone pagoda in the park that is all that remains of Wongaksa, a temple that stood here but was destroyed in 1515. Constructed in 1471, the pagoda is adorned with wonderful Buddhist carvings, but unfortunately the ugly protective glass box around it spoils its ancient beauty and charm.
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Unhyeongung
The modest and plain natural-wood design of this minor palace reflects the austere tastes of Heungseon Daewongun (1820-98), King Gojong's stern and conservative father whose policies included massacring Korean Catholics, excluding foreigners from Korea and closing Confucian schools. Rooms are furnished and mannequins display the dress styles of the time. The marriage of King Gojong to Queen Myeongseong (Queen Min) is reenacted here, on-site.
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