South Korea Seoul in 4 days: itinerary to explore the essentials Seoul, Travel to South Korea 4.8 (4)Planning a trip to Seoul and wondering what's interesting to do and see there? Check out how we divided up our 4 days of exploring the Korean capital. This destination came as a surprise to me, as South Korea wasn't really on my list of travel priorities in Asia.However, after Jitima's suggestion, probably influenced by watching Korean TV series recently, I let myself be tempted by this country with its growing popularity. So I arrived there without any particular expectations, but with the enthusiasm of discovering a new culture and, by extension, a new city.The stay in Seoul was divided into two stages: two days upon our arrival, to get a first glimpse, then two more at the end of the trip, after our journey to Busan. This organization allowed us to enjoy it more peacefully, because we were able to go deeper into the visits by completing the sites not explored upon our arrival, without the stress of having to respect schedules to reach the city at the last minute from Busan.With four full days of exploration, we can say that we had a global overview of the different facets of Seoul, the historical and economic capital for 600 years. This rich history is reflected in a mix of genres: royal temples alongside futuristic buildings, lively markets contrasting with quiet alleys. Seoul is a true kaleidoscope of contrasts.Embark on an immersive journey into the bustling life of Seoul, a megacity with vibrant energy that surprised me. I hope this story will inspire you and help you plan your own adventure in this unique city. Summary hide Day 1: Seoul's Royal Heritage Cheonggyecheon Stream Gyeongbok Palace Myeongdong district Day 2: Seoul of yesterday and today Deoksu Palace Sungnyemun Gate and Namdaemun Market Seoul Tower (N Seoul Tower) and Namsan Park “Meet Vincent Van Gogh” exhibition Day 3: Immersion in Korean culture Changdeok Palace and its “secret” garden Bukchon Hanok Traditional Village Day 4: Exploring the many facets of Seoul Ikseon-dong Hanok Village Insadong Jongmyo Shrine Gangnam District and Banpo Hangang Park Where to stay in Seoul Getting around Seoul Day 1: Seoul's Royal HeritageCheonggyecheon StreamTo get to our first visit of the day, Gyeongbok Palace, we wanted to follow part of the old river which has become a canal called Cheonggyecheon Stream. This river was once occupied by an elevated highway, before returning to its original state, namely a peaceful watercourse crossing the city center.Opened in 2005, this urban oasis is an example of regeneration, offering residents a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Lined with pedestrian promenades, bridges and parks, the river is a popular place for residents and visitors to relax and stroll. It is also alive with art installations, festivals and cultural events throughout the year, making Cheonggyecheon Stream a must-see in Seoul’s urban life.A comparison of before/after rehabilitation of Cheonggyecheon.An oasis in the middle of the city.This feeling of greenery surrounding us, with the gentle sound of flowing water, is very pleasant, even as we wander through the city. It is a sacred successful bet of positive urbanization that we are unfortunately not likely to see in Bangkok any time soon… I can just mention the attempt at “copying” with Chong Nonsi Canal Park, a partial rehabilitation of a canal, which, despite the effort, still does not reach the ankle of Cheonggyecheon, if only in terms of water quality…From our hotel (the G2, near Myeongdong), we had about 600 m to reach the edges of the stream. We were able to enjoy it for 1 km before quietly joining the large avenue that led us straight to Gyeongbokgung.Along the boulevard, discreetly on a corner of the crossroads that we cross shortly after, I notice a structure similar to a small temple, with its colorful roof with typical architecture. I only learned it later, but it is a monument erected there in 1903 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the enthronement of King Gojong.He was the 26th and last king of the Joseon Dynasty. Although he briefly held the title of emperor during a period when Korea became an empire, this monument represents one of the last dedicated to a royal figure before the end of the monarchy in Korea.Not far away, a 17-meter bronze statue attracts attention, in the middle of this vast public square, called Gwanghwamun Square: that of Admiral Yi Sun-sin. An undisputed war hero, he particularly distinguished himself during the Battle of No-Ryang in 1598, marking the end of the Imjin War.Still at the center of this bustling thoroughfare, another imposing statue stands, that of King Sejong the Great. This 15th-century historical figure is famous for having introduced the current Korean writing system, Hangeul.Walking a little further, we have a beautiful view of the palace entrance, with the mountain in the background. Opposite, stands the impressive building of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, recognizable by its large concrete columns.On the other side, you can see the American flag flying, marking the location of the US Embassy, and next to it, the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. The latter has a terrace at the top offering a superb view of Gyeongbok Palace.Gyeongbok PalaceOpening time : 9:00 a.m. – 18:00 p.m. (17:00 p.m. in winter) / East Gyeongbokgung closed every Tuesday.Entry fee : 3₩. Note that you can opt for the Royal Palace Pass which costs 10₩. This pass includes admission to the following 000 major palaces + Jongmyo Shrine.Access: Easily accessible by subway, the nearest station being Gyeongbokgung (Government Complex-Seoul) Station on Line 3It turns out that to avoid temple overload, we decided to focus on one per day. This allowed us to better appreciate each visit without feeling like we were always seeing the same thing.For our first day, we headed to the most emblematic of all: Gyeongbokgung. A little info in passing: “gung” already means “palace” in Korean, so saying “Gyeongbokgung Palace” is a pleonasm.It was built in the late 250th century. But the Japanese invasions in the late 1867th century marked the end of its use, the palace having been destroyed, it remained abandoned for more than 1910 years. Rebuilt in 1953, it unfortunately suffered major damage during the Japanese occupation between XNUMX and XNUMX. As a result, many of the buildings we see today date from the XNUMXth century. Some have been renovated, others rebuilt.The complete restoration is still underway, spread over several phases and scheduled for 2045. Despite some hiccups and controversies, the architecture respects the traditional Korean style. With its curved roofs and bright colors, the charm is definitely there.Past the imposing entrance gate, we come across our first tourists in Hanbok, the traditional Korean outfit (a fashion that we know well in Thailand, where the old-fashioned outfit is very popular on historical sites). From the first courtyard, there are people there to take pictures. In front of the Geunjeongjeon Hall, the former throne room, this is the most crowded place. Fortunately, the site is vast, which allows us to find quieter corners. We took the time to explore the different pavilions, including the photogenic Gyeonghoeru, surrounded by a pond (we didn't have the opportunity to see the Hyangwonjeong, too bad), as well as the gardens and courtyards of the palace.By wandering around and taking pictures from every angle, we spent a good 2 hours there, as if it were nothing. I'll end this paragraph by giving you my full article dedicated to this important historical site:Gyeongbokgung: Visit the largest royal palace in SeoulMyeongdong districtAfter the palace tour, the idea was to take a trip to Namdaemun Market, hoping to find some entertainment there. From Gyeongbokgung, we took subway line 3, changing at Chungmuro, and then taking line 4 to Hoehyeon station.However, it was already 17pm and the market closed at 17:30pm, which made the place particularly quiet… too quiet. No problem, it turns out that we are not far from Myeongdong, one of the liveliest shopping districts in Seoul, which was only one subway stop away.To get there, rather than taking the metro, we opted for a short walk. It was only 600 meters, or about a 10-minute walk. As soon as you arrive, you are immersed in an electric environment with its large illuminated signs, countless shops and street food stands.It is a paradise for shopaholics and gourmands like us (and especially for women, let's not lie). The atmosphere is always there, whether day or night. It is a neighborhood comparable to Siam Square in Bangkok, with one notable difference, the area is entirely pedestrianized, which makes the visit much more pleasant and secure.Between two shopping sessions (mainly beauty products for the missus), we obviously let ourselves be tempted by some local specialties before going to a local restaurant where we had the opportunity to try the Budae jjigae (부대찌개).It's a Korean dish that combines different ingredients such as sausages, ham, tofu, canned vegetables and instant noodles, all cooked in a spicy broth made from chili paste. We enjoyed this meal in the traditional way, sitting around low tables (be careful with sensitive knees!).Day 2: Seoul of yesterday and todayDeoksu PalaceOpening time : 9:00 a.m. – 21:00 p.m. (17:00 p.m. in winter) / Deoksugung is closed every monday.Entry fee : ₩1 (excluding Royal Palace Pass)Access : easily accessible by metro, the nearest station being City Hall station (line 1 and 2).Just like the day before, we started our day by visiting a palace, this time heading to Deoksugung, located right next to the imposing Seoul City Hall. Before entering this other historical site, we took the time to discover its surroundings.In front of the futuristic city hall, another older stone building, the Seoul Metropolitan Bookstore, stands in interesting contrast. Adjacent to the palace, we passed an Anglican church, the Seoul Anglican Cathedral of St. Mary the Virgin and St. Nicholas. On the side, there is a 900m pedestrian walkway along the outer wall of the palace compound. Simply called Deoksugung Doldamgil in Korean or its English equivalent Deoksugung Stone-wall Road, this small street is considered romantic.This attribution comes in particular from its layout, with its benches to sit and admire its many trees. These offer welcome shade in the summer and are adorned with multiple colors when autumn comes. You will also find some shops ideal for sharing a small ice cream or other delicacy with your partner.Back to the point, it's time to visit the historical site. Deoksugung was originally a fortified palace that served as the home of Prince Wolsan, the elder brother of King Sejong, the famous and respected ruler of the Joseon Dynasty in the 15th century.After the destruction of Gyeongbok Palace late in the following century, Deoksugung became the main royal palace for a few years, until it was moved to Changdeokgung in 1618. Deoksu then became a secondary palace for 270 years, known as Seogung, meaning the Western Palace.It was not until 1907 that the last king of Korea, Sunjong, gave it its current name of Deoksugung, meaning " Palace of Virtuous Longevity". Due to the Japanese occupation, the ensemble visible today represents only a third of the buildings initially present (one senses the Koreans are very resentful on this point). That's it for the introductions.In concrete terms, the palace features classic Korean architecture, a mix of stone, wood, and colorful roofs. However, it has a few subtleties that set it apart from the palace visited the day before. Heading north of the palace, you can discover the Jeonggwanheon, a modern pavilion built a little apart in the royal garden in 1900. It is the very first Western-style building erected within a Korean royal palace.Jeonggwanheon Terrace Garden and Pavilion.At the back of the older section, next to the royal residence, recognizable by its stone stilted corridor, are two notable buildings. One is the Seokjojeon, now the Korean Imperial History Museum. Built in 1910 during the Japanese occupation as the residence of the Crown Prince of Korea (theoretically the future Emperor Gojongson), its European neoclassical architecture sets it apart from the other buildings in the complex.As Seokjojeon is located inside the Deoksugung complex, note that the museum is open to the public and is included in the entrance ticket, which we didn't know so we didn't go inside...Next to the museum, facing the Junghwajeon Grand Hall, is the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA for short). Opened in 1969, it also follows the codes of the neoclassical style but in a more sober, almost austere version.Seokjojeon, a very “White House” side.It houses a large collection of Korean and international art, spanning diverse mediums such as painting, sculpture, photography, and video art. The permanent collection highlights the evolution of Korean art from the early 20th century to the present, with works by both renowned and emerging artists.Overall, the complex is a green haven in the heart of the city, thanks to the gardens surrounding it. The contrasts between the old structures and the modern buildings of the city center in the background offer interesting photo opportunities. It is a visit that took us about an hour to go around.View of Deokhongjeon Hall and the city hall seen behind it.As with Gyeongbok, I share with you here my complete article dedicated to this palace:Deoksugung Palace: Royal Walk in SeoulSungnyemun Gate and Namdaemun MarketJust 500 meters from the palace, it was natural to head towards the Sungnyemun Gate, also known as Namdaemun Gate ("Great Southern Gate"). Its real name, Sungnyemun, means "Gate of High Ceremonies." This imposing fortified gate, topped with a roof similar to pagodas, is an emblem of Seoul.It is located between the train station and the city hall square, a stone's throw from the Namdaemun market that we had planned to visit next. Built as early as 1398, Sungnyemun was one of the eight gates of the Seoul wall built at the beginning of the Joseon dynasty.Like many of the city's landmarks, the gate has suffered several damages over time. The last reconstruction was in 2013, after an arson attack in 2008 destroyed its roof. Until its designation as a National Treasure of South Korea in 1962, the gate continued to serve as an entrance to the city.The site is now beautifully landscaped, surrounded by a lawn. At the end of the surrounding square, you will find an underground passage allowing you to reach the market without having to cross the main avenue. This monument is also popular for its ceremony of the changing of the Royal Guard, easily recognizable by their colorful tunic.It was just after attending this short ceremony that we took the passage to reach the market. Namdaemun is a vast market, opened in 1964. There are stalls selling clothes, household items and lots of local products.There are people, and a bit of animation in the street, like this couple with colorful clothes and makeup singing along to the rhythm. However, we didn't linger there too long because it was just a nicer way to reach our next destination, the cable car to reach the Seoul Tower.Seoul Tower (N Seoul Tower) and Namsan ParkWe passed a few small streets where we came across a bakery, with "Belgian Bakery" written above it, we had to stop by. After this short break, we arrived shortly after at the foot of a few steps leading to the Namsan Cable Car (for the elderly or in wheelchairs, there is a small funicular to avoid the stairs).Opening time : 10:00 a.m. – 23:00 p.m. (for the cable car)Round trip fares (adult): 15₩ (€000)Website : https://www.nseoultower.co.kr/eng/visit/traffic2.aspGetting a little height offers a different perspective on Seoul. Even without climbing to the top of the tower, you could enjoy magnificent panoramas of the entire city and Namsan Park, which encompasses the hill on which the N Seoul Tower sits. Namsan Park offers various hiking trails with different viewpoints. There are also visible remains of the old fortifications that surrounded the city on some sections. In our case, we were limited to the area around the tower.Although it was May, we were treated to trees with beautiful red leaves. The wooden paths leading to the tower from the cable car station are decorated with a multitude of padlocks. This tradition that once made the Pont des Arts in Paris famous, where couples symbolized their love by hanging padlocks (although I didn't check if the keys were thrown away...).“Meet Vincent Van Gogh” exhibitionComing back down the hill, we passed by Namdaemun Market again, passing a beautiful fountain, with an old bank opposite, housed in an imposing Renaissance-style building. This building now houses the Bank of Korea Money Museum.Continuing on our way to Sungnyemun Gate, we came across an old Korean-style two-story shophouse, surprisingly preserved despite the construction of a new building right behind it (look for " Two-story Korean-style Shop House » on Google Maps).This wasn't a planned visit at all, but as we were heading to Sungnyemun Gate a few hours earlier, we saw signs for an exhibition going on in a nearby building, "Meet Vincent Van Gogh." This exhibition is touring the world, and by coincidence, it was in Seoul at the time of our visit.Jitima in full admiration.« Meet Vincent Van Gogh » is an interactive exhibition, retracing the artist's life through his works. It was mainly Jitima who was interested, and at first, I preferred to continue our visits of the day as planned. But it turns out that we had just seen what was planned after the visit of the tower, so I didn't see any problem in taking a little artistic break.This kept us busy for a good hour. It was barely 16:30 pm, but we were starting to get hungry, because, prioritizing sightseeing as we often do, we had skipped lunch. To enjoy a wide range of culinary choices, we decided to return to the vibrant Myeongdong district.This time, we let ourselves be tempted by the restaurant Yoogane whose specialty is "Chicken Galbi", a braised chicken, served here with Korean fried rice (Teppan Fried Rice) in a giant pan, a portion sufficient for two (even if no chicken for Jitima who does not eat meat).Despite this generous dish in quantity, we still had room for dessert after walking a little in the always lively streets of Myeongdong.Day 3: Immersion in Korean cultureChangdeok Palace and its “secret” gardenOpening time : 9:00 am - 17:00 am / closed every monday.Entry fee : 3₩ for the palace only, 000₩ for the gardenAccess : easily accessible by metro, the nearest station being Anguk station on line 3.Note that a “garden” bridge was recently built to easily reach the Jongmyo sanctuary located not far from there.The day after returning from Busan, we wanted to start our day at the Jongmyo Shrine, located a stone's throw from our hotel, which was this time in the trendy Ikseon-dong district. Since we didn't check beforehand, we arrived in front of a closed door, since it was a Tuesday...We then quickly looked to see if the other palace located nearby was open, and it was all good, so we finally went to Changdeokgung. In doing so, we walked along the surrounding wall of the Jongmyo sanctuary, passing through a charming street, lined with some beautiful houses in the Korean style, a mixture of brick and wood. We took the opportunity to have lunch, even if it was more like breakfast…Changdeokgung, one of the Five Grand Palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), is located east of Gyeongbokgung, earning it the nickname " Eastern Palace " although its name means " Palace of Prosperity"Like other historic palaces in Seoul, it suffered extensive destruction during the Japanese invasion in the late 16th century, as well as fires and other attacks requiring its reconstruction on several occasions.Unlike Gyeongbokgung, its "neighbor" whose architecture is characterized by an orderly and formal arrangement, Changdeokgung presents a more disparate layout, inherited from Confucian ideology. This architecture gives the palace an appearance defined as more simplistic and harmonious with its environment but which is mainly reflected in a more random location of the different halls and pavilions.This complex area of 45 hectares was entered by Donhwamun Gate, the main gate of the palace, the current version of which dates from 1608. There you quickly find the ladies (and a few gentlemen) in hanbok and you enter a maze of pavilions, surrounded by generous nature.Donhwamun Gate, seen from inside the palace.It's much greener than Gyeongbok Palace, which makes us particularly appreciate the place. Our walk first took us past Injeongjeon Hall, the throne room dating from 1804 and classified as a National Treasure of South Korea. We then explored the queen's quarters, including Daejojeon HallWe then explored the Queen's quarters, including the Daejojeon Hall rebuilt with materials from Gyeongbokgung after the fire of 1917. Nearby, we stopped in the courtyard of the Seongjeonggak Hall, recognizable by its annex on stilts, which was used for the king's daily meetings with his ministers.Despite an exploration that will last more than an hour and a half, we will not even pass one of the important structures of the site, the Geumcheongyo Bridge, which happens to be the oldest still standing in Seoul (built in 1411!).The only photo I took where you can see the Geumcheongyo stone bridge.We wanted to take the tour a little deeper and so we booked the "secret gardens" tour, knowing that there are only two tours in English per day (at 10:30 in the morning, and the one we were doing, at 14:30 p.m.). More commonly called "Huwon" (back garden), this 32-hectare space was initially designed for the royal family and the women of the palace.This garden features a lotus pond, pavilions, the largest of which is Buyongjeong. It also includes landscaped green spaces with canals, a small waterfall, as well as many species of trees and flowers.Its nickname of secret garden comes in particular from the fact that it was for a long time reserved exclusively for the king. Its access was strictly restricted and even high officials could not enter without the king's permission (it was also called "Geumwon", the "forbidden garden").This additional visit added an hour to our visit to this palace, listed in the Unesco World Heritage since 1997. You have all the details of this visit in full on my dedicated article:Changdeokgung: a palace and its secret garden in the heart of SeoulBukchon Hanok Traditional VillageAfter exploring Changdeokgung and its secret gardens, we took the back exit of the complex, leading us to Wonseo-dong. This area is characterized by several traditional houses, offering a glimpse of what awaited us at Bukchon Hanok.We visited the home of Korean artist Go Hui-dong (1886-1965), recognized as the first Korean artist to incorporate Western techniques into his art. He designed his own home in 1918.We then had only 400 meters to go to reach Bukchon Hanok. The street, hilly, was lined with flowers, we passed guesthouses and an old record store, an almost bucolic side. Further on we noticed a beautiful wooden facade on two floors, a café called Hangyeongheon.Calling for our caffeine fix and curious to see the inside of this home, we decided to stop by. Although charming, the space was cramped and the coffee didn't live up to our expectations, so we quickly resumed our exploration.A few steps away, we arrived at Bukchon Hanok. The historic district is divided into two areas by Bukchon-ro Avenue. The part where we were was one of the sections of the district, the main one being on the other side of the avenue.Bukchon Hanok Village is home to nearly 900 hanoks, traditional Korean houses, built during the Joseon period (1392 to 1897). These houses are characterized by their sloping roofs, wooden structures, and courtyards. The village's architecture reflects the lifestyle and culture of the Joseon era, making Bukchon Hanok Village one of Seoul's most picturesque historic neighborhoods.Some hanoks have been transformed into museums or cultural spaces open to the public, allowing visitors to discover the interior of these traditional houses. And just after our arrival, we came across the Bukchon Hanok Hall, a house dedicated to crafts (free access). From there, we had a breathtaking view of the curved roofs of the village, contrasting with the modern buildings in the background.The works exhibited at that time being mainly pots, we didn't hang around and set off again into the photogenic alleys of Bukchon Hanok. Some houses have become guesthouses and, if you look carefully, it is possible to find small cafes. However, the area remains mainly residential.Therefore, it is better to visit in silence so as not to disturb the lives of the locals. While hanging around, in addition to the views of the rooftops, you can see in the distance the National Folk Museum of Korea, recognizable by its multi-story pagoda, and on the other side, the mountains, including the summit of Mount Baegakmaru.View of Mount Baegakmaru from Bukchon Hanok Village.At the end of the day, we ended up on the sloping street with the iconic view of Seoul. Despite the presence of a few photographers, including people in traditional dress, the place was relatively calm and enjoyable.All in all, I take away that Bukchon Hanok Village offers an interesting immersion into Korean history and culture, and is a peaceful getaway from the bustling metropolis of Seoul. A getaway that took us just over an hour.On the same principle as the day before, it is 16:30 p.m., hunger is making itself felt... I give it to you straight away, direction Myeongdong ! Never two without three as they say! After having mainly nibbled at the street stalls, we returned to our hotel.Although we had already settled in the night before, we hadn't really realized that it was located in a particularly lively area in the evening, full of restaurants and well-filled tables, which aroused our curiosity about the environment around us.One of the restaurants around our hotel.Day 4: Exploring the many facets of SeoulIkseon-dong Hanok VillageAs we saw the day before that it could be lively around our hotel, we decided to take a tour in this district called Ikseon-dong, which turns out to be a trendy district with a village atmosphere including traditional buildings, shops and restaurants.It must be admitted that it is a nice surprise, because with its small cobbled streets, lined with flowery cafes and shops, the neighborhood clearly has its charm (we even come across a French bistro). As it was not a planned visit at the base, we were there early in the morning, which added to the relaxed atmosphere.InsadongAs for every day, we had planned to start with a cultural and historical visit, in this case the Jongmyo sanctuary, another major site in Seoul classified as a UNESCO world heritage site.The latter was only 400 meters from our hotel, we could have gone there quickly in stride. However, after our little exploration of Ikseon-dong, Jitima wanted to discover another emblematic district nearby, Insadong. Famous for its lively streets lined with art galleries, antique shops, bookstores and traditional tea houses, Insadong is also dotted with second-hand dealers and souvenir shops.We also bought a few bits and pieces there and soon enough, we reached the edge of a small local park, Tapgol Park. Around it were clothing merchants, mainly frequented by an older clientele.In front of the park, it was a relaxed atmosphere, with a group of ladies in full percussion session, and a line of stands with yellow umbrellas, offering various handicrafts. We were content with this quick overview, but know that Insadong is home to many museums dedicated to art, such as the Kyungin Museum of Fine Art, as well as an interesting temple, the Jogyesa Temple.For our part, instead of following the main road without much interest from the park, we preferred to join the Cheonggyecheon stream which we followed for 700 meters towards the sanctuary, it is much more pleasant and we discovered other developments along the way since it is a different section from last time.We arrived at an elevated shopping area known as Makercity Sewoon. From the shopping mall platform, we overlook the park located at the entrance to the Jongmyo Shrine complex, with the mountains visible in the background, there is only one road to cross to reach our destination.View of the mountain in the distance, with the shrine looming ahead.Jongmyo ShrineOpening time : 9:00 am - 18:00 am / closed every Tuesday.Entry fee : 1₩Access : easily accessible by subway, the nearest station being Jongno 3-ga (line 1, 3 and 5).Same remark as above, you can now take a “garden” bridge to easily reach Changdeok Palace.This time, as its name suggests, it is not a palace but a shrine. More precisely, it is a Confucian place of worship dedicated to the members of the royal family of the Joseon Dynasty. Classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995, Jongmyo Shrine is recognized as the oldest Confucian royal shrine, founded in 1394.The current structure dates from 1601, when Jongmyo was rebuilt following the ravages of the Imjin War, the Japanese invasion of Korea between 1592 and 1598. Ceremonies are still held there, continuing a tradition established in the XNUMXth century.Although the site includes a few pavilions and secondary structures, its centerpiece is the Yeongnyeongjeon Hall. This long building is composed of 19 rooms, each housing a royal tablet. The whole is nestled in the heart of a beautiful forest, offering a shady stroll in a peaceful setting.Lucky for us, it was the last Wednesday of the month, which happens to be “Culture Day”, so we were able to enjoy the sanctuary for free.See all the information on the different buildings making up the sanctuary in my dedicated article:Jongmyo: Everything you need to know about Seoul's royal shrineGangnam District and Banpo Hangang ParkObviously, everyone (at least of a certain generation) remembers the legendary song "Gangnam Style" by Psy. With its catchy chorus and atypical dance, Psy was a true global phenomenon (his music video was once the most viewed video in the world on YouTube).And for those who don't know yet, this song refers to the lifestyle associated with the Gangnam district in Seoul, a trendy neighborhood with its modern skyscrapers, luxury boutiques and lively nightlife. Without being a fan of the artist, nor particularly of the song, I would be a shame not to take a tour of the place that triggered this ephemeral global craze.We took the subway directly from the Jongmyo shrine, and exited in the very center of the eponymous district via Gangnam station. We found ourselves facing a large avenue, with in one corner a sculpture dedicated to Psy, who made this little corner of Seoul known to the whole world.It is a busy boulevard with lots of people, both on the sidewalks and on the road. However, moving away a little by a small parallel street, the atmosphere becomes more relaxed, leading us through the Yeongdong Traditional Market, a typical local market.As such, this quick tour was more than enough for us so we didn't push our visit of Gangnam any further. Note that apart from its modern aspect, you will discover small parks scattered here and there, as well as a notable temple, the Bongeunsa. This peaceful Buddhist sanctuary is nestled in the heart of Gangnam's skyscrapers.To end this stay in Seoul, I wanted to go to the riverside. I had spotted Banpo Hangang Park for that, which is only 3 km from Gangnam so it was a good combination. However, even if I am a walker, Jitima is a little less so, so we went to the Nonhyeon subway station on line 7, close to where we were.We took the subway directly to the station closest to the park, Express Bus Terminal. You should know that some subway stations are particularly spread out, forming a maze of underground shops. So we wandered around a bit and had a snack as we passed. Back in the open air, we had a little kilometer left to reach the banks of the Han River.In front of us stands an imposing bridge, actually made up of two separate bridges. The Jamsu Bridge, completed in 1976, has a special feature: it is located just a few meters above the waterline, allowing it to be submerged without damaging its structure during heavy rainfall.Only six years later, the Banpo Bridge was added across the Jamsu, creating a two-tiered bridge. The Banpo Bridge is an attraction in itself. Its designers incorporated a fountain that stretches 1 meters into it. In addition to acting as a giant watering can, a brief spectacle that was witnessed when one least expected it, this fountain, called the "Rainbow Bridge," offers regular light shows in the spring and summer evenings.The 20-minute show usually takes place between late April and late August at noon, 20 p.m., 20:30 p.m. and 21 p.m. Monday through Friday; and noon, 18 p.m., 19:30 p.m., 20 p.m., 20:30 p.m. and 21 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.While the place is known for relaxing, the area around Banpo is unfortunately quite concreted. For more greenery, you have to move a little further away. The development of the riverbank extends for several kilometers, allowing a walk between the Dongjak Bridge and the Hannam Bridge (Banpo being positioned between these two bridges).On the other side of the bridge, you can see a group of artificial islands with buildings on them. I later learned that it was a cultural complex consisting of three artificial floating islands.These islands, collectively called “Sevit,” were designed on the theme of “Han River Flowers” and symbolize a flower at different stages of its life. Chavit Island is the most visible from our position, with its building resembling a flower bud.Rather than going back by subway, I wanted to cross the bridge to get another view of the river. While the Banpo Bridge, located just above, is a 3x3 lane, the Jimsu Bridge has only one lane in each direction. Thus, the rest of the width is reserved for pedestrians and bicycles.This is really the kind of development, including river banks, that Bangkok is sorely lacking…I spot the number, 405, and we wait. But no bus arrives. At first, we doubt the direction of the route, wondering whether to take it on the side where we are or cross to go to the stop opposite… Faced with the uncertainty and the absence of buses, we change plans. Plan B is to go to the small Seobing-Go station, located only 200 meters from our position.In the absence of experiencing the bus, we had the opportunity to test a part of the journey by suburban train, before joining the metro two stations further. We find one last time the animation of our neighborhood very lively in the evening, enjoying a good restaurant to conclude this stay in Seoul, and by the same token, our trip to South Korea.Where to stay in SeoulTo summarize, the most optimal part to stay in is in a rectangle that could be drawn between Gyeongbok Palace in the northwest corner, Changdeok forming the northeast corner and then the foot of the hill where Seoul Tower is located for the southeast corner. The area around Seoul Station closing this square to the southwest.Basically, this includes all the neighborhoods we visited, Ikseadong, Insadong, Myeongdong and we could even include Bukchon village. It is the equivalent of Jung-gu and Jongno-gu districts, according to the administrative division of the city.The interesting area to sleep in Seoul.Map of Seoul districts. Ypsilon from Finland, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsBelow I present to you the first hotel we tested. The second, named Star Hostel Insadong (you can see its location), is unfortunately no longer available on Agoda, so it seems that it is only possible to book it through Korean-language sites.G2 Hotel MyeongdongNote: 8,8 / 10Budget: from 67€The first hotel we tried when we arrived was not far from the famous Myeongdong district. The room was spacious and of a good standard, however the reception was more like a building lobby and there was no breakfast.It was still a convenient location since we had Euljiro 3(sam)ga subway station just 400m away, where lines 2 and 3 intersect. Learn more and book the G2 HotelGetting around SeoulDuring our stay in Seoul, we mainly used the subway, which is both convenient and easy to use. The city has an extensive and efficient subway network that allows you to quickly get from one point to another.For the metro, we bought the T Money prepaid card from the start, a rechargeable transport card, sort of the equivalent of the Navigo card in Paris. It was super practical because it avoided the problem of buying an individual ticket each time and therefore having enough cash each time.You also get a small discount of 100₩ for each ride. Cards can be purchased at convenience stores like 7-Eleven and you will have machines to recharge in each subway station. There is very little information in English but here is what they put as explanations on the official website.For fun, I'm putting below the complete map of the subway and trains (including for Greater Seoul). It's just incomprehensible despite being provided by one of the official sites, but I reassure you, fortunately there are better apps and sites to help you find your way around!Useful apps and sites:Subway Korea : Specifically designed for the Seoul subway, this app provides information on schedules, routes, and connections. It is the most convenient without a shadow of a doubt. You can download it on Android ou Apple .Seoul Metro : the equivalent of Subway Korea, but online, that's where the map above is from, but fortunately the online version is much clearer. You can view your starting and ending point and thus know the time and cost of the journey, or simply look at the route of each line independently. It's this way.Bus Go : this is the only interesting site I could find for buses. The problem is that it is only available in Korean… It remains usable since by locating the line number via Google Maps and entering it in the site's search bar, it at least allowed you to know where the bus is going. If ever, it's over there.Seoul Public Bike : Like any city worthy of the name, Seoul also offers public bicycles for rent for “on the fly” travel. An ideal solution for those who prefer a more active mode of transport. You have the details of the prices and information here.Self-service bicycles in Seoul.I would just mention Moovit, the app widely used by locals because it is full of invasive ads, in addition to not being very "English friendly" and therefore complicated to use. There is also NAVER Map, Navigation, but it's the same, it tends to bug and is not very suitable for foreigners, too bad...There are of course taxis, but apart from for a very specific journey, I doubt that it is really necessary for this city, so we have not tested it and do not know the prices (but you have it on the metropolis website in the link just above).Finally, I can give you the link to the Seoul metropolitan area website, which provides several practical pieces of information about the city, including transport (including the operation and prices of buses, the metro and also taxis): https://english.seoul.go.kr/policy/transportation/modes-of-transport/ Did you like the article? Vote on the article Note globale 4.8 / 5. Number of votes: 4 No votes yet. Be the first to rate this article! Did you like the article? Follow me on social media Capital Essentials to visit Urban exploration Museum Palaces and monuments Historic Districts 0 3 Roman 13/04/2024
