Seoul is bisected by the Han river. The “old city” is north of the river, while Gang Nam (강남, 江南 ) is south of the river. I recommend focusing on the Old City, north of the river.
There are 5 major palaces in Seoul. I recommend visting Gyeongbokgung, ( 경복궁 , 景福宮 ), which is the largest and most beautiful. At the South gate every day at 10:00 am you can witness the changing of the guard. English guided tours are given at 11am daily. No need to take a tour, you will work it out. Make sure you find the lake (west / left side). This is probably the nicest part of the palace (plus there is a gift shop with quality souvenirs)
At the north east end ( right side ) of the palace there is a Korean folk museum. Worth visiting, but make sure you keep your ticket, because you exit the palace to reach the museum, and will need the ticket to re-enter.
| One block East of the Palace south gate is Insadong. ( 인사동 仁寺洞 )
The main shopping street of Insadong is mainly pedestrianized, and has many unique shops selling local crafts, pottery, calligraphy, and clothing. The street is easy to find; it’s marked with a giant ink brush sculpture. I recommend that after leaving the palace, you cross the road and walk left left until you reach the giant brush. |
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2 blocks north of Insadong, is Myeong Dong ( 명동 明洞 ) . This is the major shopping, district, especially good for girly stuff (boutiques, cosmetics), but has a lot of interesting things even for men.
MyeongDongSt bisects the area. North of the street, there are mostly places to eat. South of the street there are fewer restaurants and more shops. The area is mostly pedestrianized, with few cars. At night, vendors set up stalls selling goods in the street. The NANTA show is worth watching (theatre is on Myeong Dong St) book on the internet before you travel, shows sell out. There is also a very useful tourist information center on Myeong Dong Street – they issue maps with a shop by shop detail.
On the western side of MyeongDong are several department stores.
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Midway between Insadong and Myongdong is the Bosingak Belfry (보신각터) – A giant 200 tonne bell in a two story wooden building. It’s the one you see being rung on new years eve. Most days it is rung at noon.
If you happen to be there at 11:40 on a Tuesday they may invite you to join the rining. We hadn’t planned this, but thru good luck, found ourselves rining the bell. |
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Itaewon (이태원, 梨泰院 ) is an old tourist district near the US army base. Expect to find souvenirs, and very reasonably priced leather goods, as well as lots of places to eat.
Dongdaemum Market ( 동대문시장 東大門市場 ) is a garment shopping district. On the West side are high-rise shopping malls. Similar to the Beijing Silk market, they have many small outlets, all selling low priced clothing. On the east side, you will find more low-rise buildings; goods here are mainly wholesale – you will see merchants packing large bags with hundreds of items to ship overseas. The market operates from noon until 4am; but some street stalls are not set up until 10pm. No point going early.
Other Attractions –
Korea War Memorial is a great museum to visit for guys.
Nandaemun Market is another street market open at night (near to Myeongdong)
Visit The Seoul Tower for a view of Seoul (waste of time in my opinion).
BukChon is a district north of Insadong with traditional Korean houses.
There are full-day tours of the DMZ. if you’re curious to see the last remaining battle of the Cold War. (you cannot go by yourself, but must take a tour).
Transport –
Incheon Airport is a LONG way from the city; it’s a 75 min trip. Expect to pay around US$100 for a cab ride. There are very good airport buses to the major hotels (but you may have to wait 40 mins for the next bus).
Within the city – Seoul has an underground, and all the places I have mentioned are near to a station. However, I recommend Taxis – they are plentiful, and never need to change from one line to another, or walk endlessly underground. If you just travel around the places I mentioned, taxi fares will be in the range US$5. Taxi drivers don’t speak much English – but if point to where you want to go on the Map, or have the hotel staff write the destination in Han-gul before you go out, you will have no problems.
Sales Tax can be claimed back (IN PART) If you have brought items from major stores that offer a tax free service –
- Gather all the “tax receipts” the stores gave you
- Check in for your flight at the airport. Tell them you have tax free items in your luggage. They will give the luggage back to you with your boarding pass.
- Take your luggage to the oversized baggage / tax free counter. (expect a queue) You will need to present all your tax receipts, and declare to customers that you are going to export them. They will stamp you receipts.
- Scan your receipts in the machine
- Drop your bags (they will have been tagged when you checked in)
- After immigration, find the tax refund counter, hand in your receipts, and they will pay you either Korean Won or USD … you will get back SOME of the tax you paid. Note there are multiple counters for different refund companies.
You can also shop tax free at the airport after immigration… most major brands are there.
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