South Korea has had a surge in popularity over the last decade. Their influence on pop culture has been huge, be it the catchy K-pop fandom, or enthralling cinema. Seoul is definitely on the global map nowadays!
Incheon International Airport lies a fair bit to the east of the capital, so the express train is the way to go! The AREX service is easy to find, and with its multi-lingual machines, buying a ticket is very straightforward! It’s about 40 minutes to Seoul, but make sure to take the express service! Otherwise you’ll be stopping a few times on route.
Seoul Station is simply mammoth, arriving later in the evening made it easier to navigate, but even then it was a struggle getting your bearings! There are almost 15 exits, but asking an attendant on which exit is served by the taxis really helped! (I believe it was exit 13….)
We stayed at LOTTE City Hotel, in the heart of the hustle and bustle of Myeongdong . With all its shops, cafes and restaurants. It’s the ideal hub for a long stay! If your not aware of the name LOTTE, you will be! The company is everywhere! The hotel was an excellent pick, with it’s access to the metro right outside, and 7/11 located inside the hotel, it was very convenient!
With a night of sleep, and jet lag almost done with (after a long lie in)! The first stop was obviously the entertaining Myeongdong. We would be coming back and go through here a lot, and was very familiar with the neighborhood after a while! You can find everything you really need here, so perfect for a quick shop. If your after some great Korean cosmetics, this is the place!
Look out for one of the many cat cafes hidden within the narrow streets, a very joyful experience if you haven’t been to one before! You can easily spend a good afternoon or so getting lost in the shops and hidden delights of Myeongdong. Keeping the first day a bit easy on exploration, we kept it local With a week to go, there is no rush, enjoy the moment!
The weather during my stay here was simply perfect. clear sunny blue skies, hitting 30c on a few occasions. These conditions provided some excellent photo opportunities for the next day, the mystical Bukchon Hanok village. Seoul may be at the forefront of modern technology, but it still retains it traditional heritage. Read more about it here! Meandering down from the heights of the village, down to Samcheong-dong Street, is the ideal spot for a lunch break, this classy neighborhood is full of lovely little boutiques and eateries. You’ll need a rest after all that walking….obviously being in Korea, we went for Pizza……can’t go wrong with Pizza!
This road flows perfectly down to another major attraction in the city. one of the many palaces in the city, Gyeongbokgung Palace. The royal palace covers a vast amount of ground, from its regal interiors, to the beautiful palace garden with its reflection pond. Entry to the palace isn’t too expensive, and if you’re lucky, you can witness the changing of the guard ceremony. If you enjoy these sort of attractions, Changgyeonggung Palace is a short taxi journey away, it you want to see more.
There are a few spots in town for some amazing views of the city and beyond. The most visible is N Seoul Tower in Namsan Park, a small mountain in the center of the city. The tower is visible from most parts of town, as it rises above the skyline in it’s central presence. Namsan Park is quite the hike, even for people in good shape, the humidity and gradients can start to take a toll. If you want an easier route, take the cable car to the top! You can always take the steps down to enjoy the views! Over 200m up, the observation platform offers some stunning views of the city, river and mountains in the horizon.
If you’re looking to go even higher, Seoul is home to the highest building in the country. If you head out west,, you’ll find yourself at Lotte World Tower. This modern skyscraper is actually the 6th tallest in the world, and is part of a larger entertainment complex. Soaring above 500m, the vantage point here is even more outstanding! When the city lights up at night, this is the place to see it! If you’re feeling brave, check out the glass floors and the outside viewing section.
Another neighborhood worth your time is Ikseondong, this charming part of town is bustling with activity, with its narrow alleys littered with cafes, restaurants and boutiques. These cramped alleyways are a joy to explore, and really gives of a stylish vibe, where the locals hang out. You can see more of Ikseondong here! This area is a short walk from Jongno 3-ga metro station
If you’re looking for some shopping, then head over to Hongdae, on the eastern side of town, the area is home to Hongik University. So there is a young and vibrant feel to the district. There are plenty of stores and malls for your retail pleasure, and a vast range of dining options. If you do find yourself in the area, be sure to check out Greem Cafe, and fantastic 2D artbook themed café!
A visit to Seoul isn’t complete without a visit to Gangnam, as made infamous by the 2012 globe conquering song. Gangnam is one of the richest parts of town, home to several affluent retailers and luxury brands. If you want a taste of the Korean high life, this is the place to go. Gangnam is a fair bit away from the city center, and traffic can be insane during peak hours. It makes sense, as the area is bustling, especially at nights, when the area comes alive to the sound of kpop and clubs.
Though Seoul is a vast city (there are over 700 stops on the metro system!) , the world class transport system Korea has in place makes getting around the country simple. If you want to go as far as possible, you could do a day trip out to Busan on the blistering KTX bullet trains. If you want a shorter venture, the neighboring area of Gapyeong, north west of the capital, has plenty to see. Booking tickets in advance would be ideal, to make sure you have a seat, especially in the evenings! Gapyeong has several inspiring landmarks. The frankly, magical Nami Island (more on that here) is a short taxi ride from the train station. If you want to go out a bit further, The Garden of Morning Calm & Petite France can also be added to a day out.
An entire week can seem a bit too much for just one city, but Seoul really offers plenty to see and do. Be it the numerous cute cafes, trendy nightlife, vast array of pop culture, or its charming traditions. There really is something for everyone, it’s also a surprisingly modern city, in which you really can get around if you only speak English. There’s also Jeju Island, a short plane trip away, if you really want to see more!
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