Experience Seoul Like a Pro: 9 Can't-Miss Attractions

Seoul is a must-mentioned city whenever you speak of Korea. As one of the most populated and prosperous cities in the world, Seoul astonishes many travelers with numerous tourist attractions and typical culture style. Once you visit Seoul, it’s quite tough to forget how it’s like; the smell of kimchi, nightlife, shopping fun, and fascinating design, and if you’re Korean-wave lovers, we bet you would be smiling all the time. Here are some top places to go if you are a first-timer in Seoul. Enjoy your itinerary!

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【Shopping】

1. Myeongdong(명동)

Perhaps experienced travelers would always be looking forward to shopping whenever they visit a new place. In Seoul, Myeongdong is definitely proud of its status of showcasing a variety of products, fashion, and skincare in particular, to foreign visitors. Every now and then, Myeongdong will hold shopping seasons, showing great bargains to customers. To attract foreign visitors, some stores even promote more discounts for foreign passport holders. Myeongdong is also known for its many licensed money exchange booths, which often offer good rates.

2. COEX Mall Gangnam

Situated in such popular site, Gangnam(강남), a well-planned and wealthy district as described in PSY’s song Gangnam Style, COEX Mall is one of the largest underground shopping malls in Asia. It provides customers with a wide array of stuff and entertainment, including theater, aquarium, cafeteria, handcraft stores, and SM Town. If you’re feeling tired, why not take a break and immerse yourself in this fun-filled space?

Highlight: Starfield Library(별마당 도서관)

These two-story-high, well-lit bookshelves, holding around 50,000 books and magazines, have caught visitors’ eyes since the library opened in COEX Mall in 2017. The combination of books, texts, design, scents, coffee, and reading habits makes it a lovely place to slow down.

【Art & Design】

3. Dongdaemun Design Plaza(동대문디자인플라자)

Dongdaemun, as a distribution center of clothes, features its value of fashion, alluring designers, buyers, fashion related students to come to visit the place. On top of that, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, embracing all visitors in 2014, has brought the creativity of Seoul to the world. Travelers could appreciate a great deal of work from Korean talented designers and artists.

4. Insadong(인사동)

Want to see more antique stuff? How about roaming at the streets of Insadong? Insadong boasts a wide collection of handicrafts and traditional folks, such as Korean paintings, Korean paper(Hanji), and Korean traditional Clothing(Hanbok).

【View & History】

5. Namsan Tower(남산서울타워)

Taking a glimpse of Seoul city panorama is a must for all travelers to Seoul, and to achieve this target, getting up to N Seoul Tower on top of Namsan mountain is a classic. In addition to taking beautiful photos, don’t miss the thousands of “love locks” that couples from all over the world have hung on the railings of the terrace.

6. Cheonggyecheon Stream(청계천)

If you desire to wander along a river or stream with the loved one hand in hand, Cheonggyecheon is absolutely an enchanting option for couples. Restored in the 2000s after decades under an elevated highway, Cheonggyecheon Stream is now a favorite place for Seoul residents to relax. Furthermore, many events will also take place along the stream, such as the Cheonggyecheon Time Tour Market, and the Seoul Lantern Festival.

7. DMZ Tour

Korean War brutally separated the peninsula into two, and so far both North Korea and South Korea are still waiting for a chance to solve the issue. For those who are interested in contemporary international relations and eager to approach the national border, it's recommended to take a DMZ(Demilitarized Zone) tour to experience how it might feel like situating in a cold war stage.

Some even view the DMZ tour as a must when visiting Seoul, because it's not far away from Seoul, while you would get to explore one of the most conflict-affected area. In the tour, you can visit attractions such as Imjingak Park, the Dorasan Observatory, the Freedom Bridge, and the Third Infiltration Tunnel. DMZ tours run through licensed operators, require your passport, and can be changed or suspended at short notice depending on the security situation, so book in advance and check before you go.

【Nightlife】

8. Hongdae(홍대) Streets

Many foreign visitors will select the Hongdae area to stay. Hongdae, literally Hongik University, in short, is the most well-known school for studying art and music. Because of a great number of students, this area is always packed with art and design goods. On weekends, many gifted designers or artists come over to get a booth and show their talents, maybe quick sketching or singing a song, etc..

At night, students from adjacent universities like Yonsei, Sogang, Ewha would like to gather here to have a drink and party as well. Another benefit of staying near Hongik University Station is that the AREX airport railroad takes you straight to Incheon International Airport. Therefore, whereas being wowed by Korean typical tourist attractions during the daytime, fully savoring delicacies and wine could also be an appealing experience as well.

9. Itaewon(이태원)

Itaewon, probably the most exotic region for Seoul locals, is well noted for its vibrant nightlife. For decades it sat next to the US Army’s Yongsan Garrison (most of the troops moved to Pyeongtaek in 2018), which is why Western-style restaurants, clubs and bars crowd its streets. Meanwhile, a huge Seoul Central Mosque, providing the service of multilingual lectures for Muslims, stands at this region as well since 1976. And that forms Itaewon more an inclusive spot.

Speaking of inclusiveness, Itaewon is proud of being gay-friendly, with several gay bars located along streets. It is one of the few areas in Seoul where LGBTQ+ visitors will find an openly welcoming bar scene.

Want a local to show you Seoul like a pro? Browse our Korea tours or find a local guide.