14 things you must to do in Seoul !
Are you free bird ? Did you make any plan yet? But yo are already in Seoul?
Take these information and just do it!
1. take for a walk Palaces in Seoul
The architectural beauty and historical importance of Jongmyo (Royal Shrine) and Changdeokgung (“gung” means palace) have garnered international recognition with their inclusion on UNESCO’s list of World Cultural Heritage sites. Palaces in Seoul exist in harmony with their surrounding environment. They were built without destroying or disturbing their natural environments and, as a result, these palaces still boast an unspoiled natural beauty around them, just as they did 600 years ago.
The five major palaces of the Joseon Dynasty are Gyeongbokgung (Palace), Changdeokgung (Palace), Changgyeonggung (Palace), Gyeonghuigung (Palace) and Deoksugung (Palace). To the east of the palaces is Jongmyo, a Confucian shrine dedicated to memorial services for the deceased kings and queens of this dynasty. Located to the west is Sajik, a place reserved for performing services to the Gods of Earth and Crops.
Korean palaces are classified into three categories: “Jeonggung (main residence of kings)”, “igung” (temporary residence of kings in Seoul) and “haenggung” (temporary residence of kings outside of Seoul). Gyeongbokgung (Palace) was Jeonggung of the Joseon Dynasty, while Changdeokgung (Palace), Changgyeonggung (Palace), Gyeonghuigung (Palace) and Deoksugung (Palace) were all igung. Hwaseong Palace/Fortress in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, played the role of haenggung for a long time.
Gyeongbokgung (Palace)
Exit 5, Gyeongbokgung Station, Subway Line 3/10 Min. walk from Exit 2,
Gwanghwamun Station, Subway Line 5
Deoksugung (Palace)
2 Min. walk from Exits 2 or 12 of City Hall Station, Subway Lines 1 or 2, respectively
Changdeokgung (Palace)
Exit 6, Jongno-3-ga Station, Subway Lines 1, 3, and 5/5 Min. walk from Exit 3, Anguk Station, Subway Line 3
Changgyeonggung (Palace)
Exit 6, Jongno-3-ga Station, Subway Lines 1, 3, and 5/5 Min. walk from Exit 3, Anguk Station, Subway Line 3
Gyeonghuigung (Palace)
10 Min. walk from Exit 4, Seodaemun Station, Subway Line 5
2. Eat Street Food

Experienced travelers say the most memorable food they tasted while traveling is not the food they had at an expensive restaurant but that bought on the street. It is fun to explore new foods from street food vendors. A complicated menu with a long list of dishes is not necessary; all you have to do is just take your pick of anything that catches your eye. Eating local food along with locals is a great way to learn more about their lives. Below is a list of leading street snack foods you can taste from street vendors that are found on every corner in Seoul. Tteokbokki, sundae, gunmandu, and eomuk are the most popular street snacks in Korea. Spicy tteokbokki (rice cake called garaetteok broiled with hot pepper paste called gochujang), sundae (Korean sausage) and gunmandu (pan-fried dumplings) along with a bowl of warm eomuk (fish cake) soup on a cold winter’s day are the snack foods favored particularly by school girls. Hotteok is a unique Korean snack made with wheat flour dough filled with dark brown sugar, cinnamon, sesame, and chopped peanuts. The filled dough is griddled and flattened into a large circle. Reminiscent of the Thai food “Satay,” chicken kkochi is a grilled kebab seasoned with a unique Korean hot red pepper paste called gochujang. The Korean kebab typically includes rice cake and sausage in addition to chicken so that you can eat what you like.
3. Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon Hanok Village is the perfect destination for those seeking to learn about and enjoy the beauty of Hanok (traditional Korean-style house).
Bukchon is not an official municipal name; rather, it means that it lies to the north of Cheonggyecheon (Stream) and Jongno, the downtown area of Seoul. It used to be the high-end residential district for royal family members and high-ranking government officials.
Bukchon is irrefutably the most beautiful historical district in the city, a place where visitors wander through tiny streets and peer over the gabled walls to view old hanok (traditional Korean houses) of various shapes and sizes.
Location
Towards Gahoe-dong Office past the Constitutional Court, Exit 4, Anguk Station, Subway Line 3
4. Gwanghwamun station

Korea's wisest king, and most convenient subway station. Gyeongbokgung Palace. The Cheonggyecheon stream. King Sejong statue.
All three of Seoul's major tourist spots are a short walk from small Gwanghwamun subway station.
Open views of the palace with the massive mountains in the distance are some of the most impressive in the city.
The road in front of Gwanghwamun had been referred to as Yukjo (six ministries) Street as it was lined with buildings of six ministries along with others in the Joseon period. Under Japanese rule, all the buildings were dismantled and the road lost its symbolic significance. With the creation of Gwanghwamun Square, Yukjo Street has been restored and various symbolic features (statue of King Sejong and Sejong Story Exhibition Hall, Haechi Madang, Waterways of History, and Haechi statue, among others) are on display, establishing the square as a restored historical site.
5. Insadong

Almost all foreign visitors to Korea make a trip to Insa-dong. This is because it is the place where “HAN brand,” the traditional culture of Korea as a whole, can be found. At the heart of HAN brand is the intangible nature of culture accumulated over a long course of history. For instance, HANok in Gyeongin Art Museum, HANji (traditional Korean paper) culture whose beauty resonates through your heart, HANbok (traditional Korean clothes) that captures the essence of Korean clothing culture and spirit, and HANsik (traditional Korean food) that exploited the science behind eco-friendly organic foodstuffs hundreds of years ago all make up HAN brand. In Insa-dong, you can learn about and truly enjoy all aspects of HAN brand. Tasty teas and handmade accessories make for a nice little sojourn in the city.
Location
Exit 3, Jonggak Station, Subway Line 1/Exit 6, Anguk Station, Subway Line 3
6. Taste Korean galbi & Samgyeopsal

Korean-style barbecue Galbi! When it comes to grilling, Koreans don't mess around. Knowledgeable staff will help you get galbi (juicy cuts of beef) smoking perfectly.
Maple Tree is a budget-friendly, cheerful barbecue joint with branches in both Gangnam and Gangbuk. Here are more of our barbecue recommendations. Samgyeopsal has a rather short history with regards to Korean food. Samgyeopsal (literally meaning three-layer meat) was so named because the pork belly cuts have three layers of meat and fat. Samgyeopsal itself is the wide and flat area located next to the pork chops through the belly. As red meat and fat form multiple layers, this part of the pig is the most flavorful type of pork and is used in many dishes. However, it is also the fattiest and the highest in calories. The lettuce, which is the main ingredient of ssam, helps to strengthen muscles and bones, regulate the energy of the five viscera, and increase alertness. The sesame leaf, which follows lettuce in popularity, is high in iron and beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. The leaves are also rich in perylenequinone, which imparts the sesame plant’s unique fragrance.
7. Myung Dong Shopping War!
Myeongdong is considered by most foreign visitors to be the beating heart of Seoul. Indeed, the numerous shopping venues, restaurants, fashion sites, beauty care parlors, and cosmetic surgery clinics in the area have made Myeong-dong a very popular tourist destination.
At this tourist hub of Seoul there are three 5-star hotels and many more other accommodation facilities, banks, and currency exchange booths.
A popular fashion district of Seoul, Myeong-dong features department stores and upscale shopping malls. There is no better way to describe Myeong-dong other than as a shopper’s paradise selling everything under the sun – from luxury brand fashion items favored by leading entertainment figures to cheap but good clothes and cosmetics. You will experience a culinary tour-de-force in Myong-dong, from old snack eateries to fine dining, meaning the only reason you’re likely to go hungry is because you are spoilt for choice.
Location
Exit 6, Myeong-dong Station, Subway Line 4/Exit 7, Euljiro-1(il)-ga Station, Subway Line 2
8. Hong Dae exploration of Street
Hongdae refers to the area stretching from Hongik Univ. Station (line 2) to the main entrance of Hongik University and is lined with unique coffee houses, small venues for indie rock concerts, live music bars, jazz and dance clubs. Hongik University itself is most famous for its art program and so naturally the area is full of arty boutiques, galleries, studios, craft shops and accessory stores, as well. The last Friday of each month is “Club Day” when clubbers can visit many different clubs in the area with a single ticket. The annual street art festival in October is another popular cultural event attracting a stream of young art lovers to this area.
Every Friday and Saturday night, Hongik University area becomes full of young people dressed to impress and following the sound of music and chatter. This area attracts both Koreans and foreigners in equal measure. House, trance, drum and base, hip hop, rock, and salsa rhythms transport you to a world of rhythm, light and dance.
Hongik University area is also famous for the many and varied works by artists who defy the bounds of a confined studio space; and many “Streets of Art” have come about in the area as a result. This has made the area Seoul’s No.1 art district where the public freely interacts with the art all about them.

Location
Exit 5, Hongik University, Subway Line 2
9. Tongue attack! Taste Spicy Food
Do you like spicy food? Korean love spicy food. If you love spicy foods, you'll find these irresistible.
김치 (Kimchi)
Kimchi is perhaps the one single dish that is indispensable to Korean people. You can easily mimic its appearance but can never mimic its taste because its thousand-year long secret recipe is hidden in its fresh ingredients from the Korean soil. Its nickname “the taste of a thousand years” highlights the craftsmanship and touch of artisans who have breathed and swallowed the spirit of Korean soil. Kimchi has become an essential part of Korean history and culture. Now we will begin a journey to find its historic taste.
김치찌개 Kimchi jjigae (Kimchi stew)
First the pork is browned in the bottom of the pot before water and kimchi are added. If sour kimchi is used, it makes a better tasting stew. Korean favorite food.
닭갈비 (Dakgalbi)
marinating boneless chicken in spicy red pepper paste and stir-frying it with various ingredients in a large cast iron pan. For an extra tasty treat, try adding an assortment of noodles to the chicken as it cooks. After you’ve finished eating your Dakgalbi, don’t forget to order rice to stir-fry in the pan to soak up the extra, flavorful sauce!
비빔국수 (Bibimguksu)
Bibimguksu is a noodle dish in which wheat noodles are mixed with sauce and various toppings, such as meat, mushrooms, cucumber, and egg. Old books recorded Bibimguksu as Goldongmyeon. Since cooking Bibimguksu is simple, it is easy to make at home. To make Bibimguksu, you need to prepare the toppings, which include fried chopped meat, shredded egg crepes, and fried water dropwort, before mixing these toppings together with the cooked noodles and seasonings in a big bowl. With different toppings, such as Kimchi, or different
떡볶이 (Tteokbokki)
Rice powder is steamed and made into a long cylinder-shaped rice cake called garaetteok. It is cut into finger size pieces and cooked in a spicy and sweet sauce. Meat, vegetables or ramyeon can be added depending on different tastes. Tteokbokki, along with gimbap and odaeng (skewered fish cake), is one of the most common foods sold by street vendors.
짬뽕 (Jjamppong)
Chinese style noodle soup with seafood and vegetables.
10. Dong Dae Moon Night Shopping

You can be sure that you have never before been to a place like Dongdaemun, the fashion mecca of Korea. Between the rows of skyscrapers, countless people walk with large shopping bags in their hands.
The reason why Dongdaemun is so crowded with Koreans and foreigners alike is because high-quality goods, that do not fall short quality-wise of brand-name products, are available at affordable prices here. With a little effort, you can even find clothes made of better-quality materials in more chic and forward-looking designs than the products found in department stores. Both men and women go for trendy, budget-friendly clothes and accessories, particularly at night, as the area stays open until the small hours of the morning.
Location
Exit 14, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, Subway Lines 2 and 5/Exit 8, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, Subway Line 4/Exit 6, Dongdaemun Station, Subway Line 1
11. Meet City Temple
With 1,700 years of Buddhist history, Korea is home to numerous temples scattered around the nation that preserve a rich, ancient heritage of Buddhist culture. Jogyesa Temple is the center of Zen Buddhism in Korea, and is famous for being located in the city. From the busy streets of Jongno, follow the road towards Anguk Subway Station, and you will see Jogyesa Temple. The first thing you will notice at the temple are the lovely trees. These locust trees and baeksong trees in front of the Daeungjeon, the main temple building, are about 500 years old. One locust tree is about 26-meter high, and in the summer, provides a large amount of shade to enhance the mood of the temple. The baeksong tree is designated as a Natural Monument. The Daeungjeon building is a stately building built in 1938. The Dancheong is particularly beautiful with all the different colors painted on it, and inside the building is the statue of Seokgamoni. In front of the Daeungjeon building, you can also see a seven-storey stone pagoda containing Jinsinsari.
Bongeunsa temple in Gangnam is a wonderfully serene spot in the middle of the city, providing striking views of the traditional city juxtaposed with the modern skyline.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of Korea's temple stay program, so temples all around the country are coming up with unique programs catering to travelers.
Location
Jogyesa : Anguk Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 6. Go 50m forward, then cross the street in front of Dongduk Gallery.
Bongeunsa : 73 Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu; +82 2 511 6070;www.bongeunsa.org
12. Enjoy amusement park
Additionally, Seoul has the world’s largest indoor theme park called “Lotte World’’ which is open all year round, regardless of weather conditions. Listed as the world’s largest indoor theme park in the Guinness Book of World Records, it is often mentioned along with Tokyo Disney Resort as one of the world-class theme parks in Asia. Everland, an outdoor theme park located just outside of Seoul, creates a fairytale-like fairytale-like atmosphere with its scenic setting within a uniquely Korea panorama. Besides exciting rides, it also features zoos, water parks, lodging facilities and gardens, making visitors feel a day is way too short to fully enjoy it. Taste the high-octane thrills of the various new rides of these theme parks, where unique Korean entertainment culture meets modern facilities.
Lotte World
http://www.lotteworld.com/Global_eng/Main.asp
Everland
http://www.everland.com
Seoul Land
http://eng.seoulland.co.kr/eng/
13. Visit Gwangjang Market
Often considered the nation’s first market, Gwangjang Market specializes in silk and satin Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing). The beauty of traditional clothing, which is available for comparatively cheap prices, is what makes this market a popular tourist attraction. The bestselling item in Gwangjang Market is the food. In the center of the market, there are food stalls selling bindaetteok and sundae (Korean black pudding with glass noodles, meat, tofu, and vegetables stuffed inside a casing of pig intestine), jokbal (braised pork trotters), teokbokki (rice cakes smothered in a spicy red chili sauce), gimbap (Korean rice rolls), and janchi-guksu (thin noodles served in hot anchovy-based broth). In the evening, yellow lights brighten the market, which is bustling with people enjoying mung bean fritters with makgeolli.
Location
Exit 8, Jongno 5(o)-ga Station, Subway Line 1/Euljiro 4(sa)-ga Station, Subway Line 2 or 5
14. Drink & Drunk Korea liquor
For Koreans, alcohol has been a lifelong companion in times of sorrow and joy. Korean people have been brewing their own liquor since ancient times when they first began to practice agriculture. Since then, liquor has been enjoyed at every festival and event.
Soju is first fermented by combining rice or other grains with a starter culture and is then distilled. Depending on the intensity of the heat, the taste, quality and quantity of the soju varies. Since it is made by distillation, it has high alcohol content.
Soju (소주) is the most popular liquor in Korea. Locally produced traditional liquors, which have been designated as Intangible Cultural Assets, are not only expensive, but aren’t often sold at ordinary bars. However, common soju is sold in almost all bars and restaurants.
‘Makgeolli’ is a traditional Korean alcohol produced through a process of mixing steamed rice, barley, or wheat with yeast and water, and then leaving the concoction to ferment. Makgeolli (막걸리) was originally considered the beverage of the ‘working class,’ consumed primarily by farmers or laborers after a grueling day in the field. As of late, however, the drink has gained a wider following among younger generations of Koreans—and expatriates—owing to its reputation as a simple beverage that, relative to many other alcohols, offers several health benefits.
[ Book Inn Korea www.bookinnkorea.com ]
