Inked Footprints is a travel agency that focuses on selling travel as a passion and providing lifelong cherishing experiences.

TOP
Image Alt

Seoul

Seoul

/ per person
(0 Reviews)

Seoul is the capital city of South Korea and densely populated city with shimmering skyscrapers, K-pop culture, 5 palaces, mouthwatering street food delicacies, outdoor & indoor adventures thereby combining ancient history with modern technology. There’s just so much to do in this dazzling city and it’s a true haven for shopaholics.

 

Shopping in Seoul gives you a feel of shop till you drop. The best places to shop are:

  1. Myeongdong – Majorly for skincare and cosmetic products and amazing street food.
  2. Namdaemun Market – It’s the oldest and largest traditional market selling various goods at affordable prices.
  3. Dongdaemun – It consists of 26 malls and more than 30000 shops; wholesale shopping and it also has DDP Dongdaemun Design Plaza.

 

Seoul city is divided into 2 parts by Han River – Gangbuk (Northern Region) & Gangnam (Southern Part).

 

Gangbuk District is home to Downtown Seoul, government offices, traditional buildings, teahouses, and historical Palaces.  The best location for stays includes Dongdaemun, Myeong-dong, Itaewon, etc.

 

Gangnam District is a luxurious location with high-rise buildings & broad highways boasting a high-end lifestyle filled with shopping and international dining. It’s the place where the rich live.

Sightseeing

 

It was the Royal Palace of the Joseon Dynasty. It’s the most beautiful and largest of all the 5 grand palaces. “Gyeongbokgung” means a palace greatly blessed by Heaven that was built in heart of Seoul surrounded by Bugaksan & Namsan Mountain.

 

The Palace was restored after the Japanese left it destructed and still more than half of the buildings haven’t been restored as their former glory. Royal Guards dressed in traditional costumes perform Royal Guards Exchange Ceremony at 10 am & 2 pm in front of Gwanghwamun gate except for Tuesdays. The residential compounds are worth a visit showcasing thoughtful and simple beliefs of the Royals.

 

One exciting fact is that travelers can rent Hanok (traditional Korean attire) and click pictures within the palace making it a memorable trip. You can enter the palace for free while wearing it.

 

It’s the best-preserved palace of Joseon Dynasty palaces and it was used as a secondary palace initially but later served as a Royal Residence when the Gyeongbokgung Palace was destroyed for almost 270 years.

 

Huwon Secret Garden entry isn’t included in the entrance ticket so one needs to buy tickets “Integrated Tickets of Palaces” which includes that. Huwon is an attractive large rear garden that was used by royalties for resting and relaxation.

 

Changdeokgung Palace is the best-preserved example of Korean architecture irrespective of being damaged and rebuilt throughout its history.

 

The preserved ancient neighbourhood gives us a feel of traditional Korean culture and architecture. This quaint village lies in a hilly neighbourhood right in central Seoul between the Gyeongbokgung & Changdeokgung Palace.

 

A Hanok is a traditional wooden house with unique designs which were prominent across entire Korea in ancient times with narrow streets having historically significant architecture. Tourists flock to this village for some Instagram photos and to enjoy Korean architectural beauty. People need to be quiet while exploring this village as it's still occupied by residents.

 

Some Hanok’s have turned into museums and some into guesthouses and bed & breakfasts. To enjoy the Korean cultural experience this Bukchon Village has enthralling tea houses, museums, and restaurants.

 

It’s the national museum of Korea located within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace showcasing replicas of historical objects & artifacts depicting the Korean life and traditions of Korean culture in ancient times. The artifacts displayed which were used in farms and local households are very fascinating giving one an idea about its agricultural lifestyles.

 

It’s a popular neighbourhood and main street stretching about 700 meters. Narrow alleys and streets are filled with art galleries, wooden tea houses, cafes, restaurants, unique souvenir shops selling arts and crafts. It’s a good place to buy souvenirs back home for your friends and yourself.

 

It’s the official residence of the President of South Korea. However, in ancient times it was a royal villa where crown princes & princesses used to reside during wedding ceremonies. It’s a short walk from Gyeongbokgung Palace and one can even see Blue House from across the road. Tours need to be pre-booked due to its high volume of tourists and one can see meeting & reception rooms and the gardens of the house.

 

It’s a large island on the Han River in Seoul and serves as the main financial district. Yeouido Island is often referred to as “Korea’s Manhattan” and home to the National Assembly (Parliament) of Korea. Many big Korean companies have their official headquarters on this Island.

 

Yeouido Hangsang Park is a famous park on this Island and it’s a treat to the eye especially during Cherry Blossom season and it’s a must to visit during spring for its display of white & pink blossoms.

 

Garosugil means “tree-lined street” with Ginko Trees planted along the streets. This hip area is the most famous street in Gangnam with high-end shopping malls, fashion streets, upscale boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. One can enjoy authentic Korean Cuisine and relish yummy chocolate desserts here.

 

It’s Asia’s largest underground shopping mall. It’s a shopping mecca for global branded fashion, accessories, cosmetics, and more. It also houses a large movie theatre complex (Megabox), a massive aquarium, and Kimchi Museum. Starfield Library is a must-see attraction in Coex mall as its gigantic and extremely pleasing visually. The two-story well-lit fascinating library is a bookie-paradise within the mall.

 

It’s a Buddhist Temple that was constructed during Silla Dynasty. The highlight is the 91-foot-long stone statue of the Future Buddha & it’s one of the tallest stone statues in the country.

 

The temple is a peaceful retreat and hosts a quieter atmosphere surrounded by high-rise modern buildings makes it an interesting mix of traditional & modern Seoul. One can experience the daily life of the monk here and can enjoy tea ceremonies, Buddhist meals, and temple tours.

 

Seoul Tower has been a leading structure of the skyline of Seoul’s downtown. It was also known as the Namsan Tower but after its refurbishment, it's called “N (New) Seoul Tower”. There is a Namsan Cable Car to reach up to the tower and there’s also a hiking trail with pretty views and also leading to Namsan Park & Tower.

 

The perfect time to visit the tower is during sunset to experience the panoramic views of the day & lit night. It’s usually crowded at this time so it’s advisable to plan accordingly and even on weekends it's packed as compared to weekdays.

 

There are 2 restaurants at the top of the tower out of which 1 is a rotating restaurant and they also have a digital observatory wherein people can experience 360-degree views through LED screens.

 

It’s a renowned entertainment complex in South Korea with the largest indoor amusement park in the world named “Lotte World Adventure”. It’s super entertaining for kids and worth a visit for family travelers as they can shop when their kids chill here.

 

It has an ice rink that is operational for the entire year which is great for a date (couples) and families who are looking for adventure. It also has an outdoor amusement park named “Lotte World Magic Island” which is apt for all sorts of travelers.

 

It’s one of the newest attractions in Seoul dominating its skyscraper. It’s the fifth tallest building in the world as of now. Seoul Sky has an outdoor observation area lying on the 123rd floor offering spectacular 360-degree views of the city both during day and night.

 

There’s a Sky Deck on the 118th floor which has a magical floor changing from clear to opaque thereby making visitors wonder. One of the highlights is its elevator which is the fastest double-decker elevator with windows on 1 side and LED screens on the rest 3 and the roof giving an enthralling experience to its visitors.

 

Boarding the Hangang River Cruise is the best way of admiring the Seoul Skyline and enjoying the lovely Han River. Hangang Cruise has different themed cruises – Story Cruise (to relax & unwind), Moonlight Cruise (enjoying moonlight & live music – Apr-Oct only), Music Cruise (Night view with live music performances), and Firework Cruise (beautiful display of fireworks).

 

Story Cruise does operate a few times a day and others are usually post 7 pm. The best view to enjoy on the cruise during nighttime is the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain show. Visitors enjoy the dancing waters accompanied by music and LED lights on this pretty double-decker bridge – This can be explored on the cruise as well as on the waterfront areas and is worth experiencing for spending some quality time with your loved ones.

 

 

It’s a non-verbal comedy show running longest in Korean History and attracting visitors all over the world. It combines Korean Folk Music with modern musical forms to create a unique yet familiar experience for the international audience. 

 

It’s an interactive 2D / 3D optical illusion museum inviting people worldwide for an exciting photo clicking experience. Each artwork is unique giving you some classic photos depending on your poses. This place is perfect for laughter and puts visitors in a good mood while creating lifelong experiences.

 

It’s an 11km waterway and public space right in the heart of downtown Seoul. It’s a pretty little stream wherein locals and tourists stroll and spend some quality time with their loved ones. Suddenly one would feel that they are away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

You don't have permission to register