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Gyeongbokgung PalaceCity/Region: Seoul
The jewel of Seoul's five historic palaces, Gyeongbokgung was built in 1395 by Lee Seong-Gye, founder of the Joseon Dynasty, who established the city as the capital of Korea. The magnificent rectangular palace, which now contains the National Museum of Korea, features Royal apartments and staterooms, gardens and elegant lotus ponds. The palace is still in process of restoration.
Address: 1 Sejong-no, Jongno-gu
Phone Number: (0)2 734 2458
Transport: Five-minute walk
from exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung station (Seoul Subway Line 3)
Hours: Daily except Tuesdays 9am to 6pm, closes at 5pm November to February
Admission: 3,000 won (adults 19-64 years old); 1,500 won (children 7-18 years old)
Namsangol Hanok VillageCity/Region: Seoul
Set among the skyscrapers, the Namsangol traditional Korean village comes as a pleasant surprise. Centerd on five restored Korean historical homes depicting various social levels from the Joseon Dynasty, the village is a time capsule in the midst of the city with its peaceful pond and pavilion. Visitors can not only explore the houses, but also enjoy traditional tea, shop for souvenirs, browse traditional crafts, or try their hand at ancient games like 'neolttwigi' (jumping on a see-saw) or arrow throwing. At weekends in summer traditional wedding ceremonies are held at midday.
Address: 84-1 Pildong 2-ga, Jung-gu
Phone Number: (0)2 2266 6923
Transport: Subway station Chungmuro line 3 and 4, and a five-minute walk from Exit 3
Hours: Daily (except Tuesdays) 9am to 10pm, 9am to 8pm (November to March)
Admission: Free
Lotte WorldCity/Region: Seoul
Fun and thrills are the order of the day at Seoul's main theme park, which draws about six million visitors annually. The park is divided into an indoor and outdoor section. Inside, 'Adventure Land' covers acres of streets representing different countries, filled with hundreds of activities, entertainments, shops, restaurants and ongoing parades. Outdoor, Magic Island with its fairy-tale castle, offers thrilling high-altitude rides, laser shows and pleasant walking trails around a lake. There is also an indoor ice-rink and a fascinating Folk Museum complete with miniature villages.
Address: 40-1 Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu
Phone Number: (0)2 411 2000
Website: www.lotteworld.com/Global_eng/
Transport: Jamsil Subway Station (Line 2 and 8). Take exit 4 directly to Lotte World
Hours: Daily 9.30am to 11pm
Admission: Day Pass: 34,000 won (adults); 28,000 won (youths 13-18); 25,000 won (children under 12). Cheaper admission after 5pm
Insa-dongCity/Region: Seoul
No visit to Seoul is complete without exploring the capital's heart and artistic soul: the alleyways of the Insa-dong district, known colloquially as 'Mary's Alley'. More than 100 antique shops and countless art galleries are tucked away here, delighting collectors and casual browsers alike. From ancient Chinese pottery to yellowed books and delicate jewelry, most visitors manage to find a treasured souvenir or special gift among the quaint stores. There are plenty of restaurants, taverns and traditional teahouses in the area, too, to ensure shoppers stay refreshed.
Address: Insadong Junction, Jongro-gu
Phone Number: (0)2 731 1621 (Insadong Tourist Information Desk)
Transport: Subway to Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line No.3)
Hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Namsan ParkCity/Region: Seoul
Mount Namsan, the mountain that stands sentinel in the center of Seoul, is a popular recreational feature in the city. A cable car, and stairway, takes visitors to the summit, where there are several attractions to enjoy, including the Maritime Aquarium, botanical gardens, fountains and the Seoul Tower, which, rising 1,575ft (480m), offers a fantastic view of the city and surrounds. The revolving restaurant on top of the tower is particularly popular for dinner because of the breathtaking view it affords of Seoul by night.
Address: 100-177 Hoehyun-dong 1-ga Jung-gu
Phone Number: (0)2 775 6222 (Seoul Tower)
Transport: A 10-minute walk in the direction of Lila Elementary School from Myeong-dong Station on Seoul Subway Line 4 (Exit 2 or 3)
Hours: Namsan Park is open 24 hours every day. The cable car operates daily: 10am to 10pm daily (closing at 9pm from March to October). Seoul Tower: 9.30am to 11.30pm (March to October), 9am to 10.30pm (November to February)
Admission: Cable car: 6,300 won return (adults), 4,000 won (children under 13)
Myeong-dongCity/Region: Seoul
Paradise for shoppers, Myeong-dong is Seoul's retail haven covering a vast area that spreads out from the Myeong-dong subway station. Massive department stores, boutiques, restaurants, fast-food outlets and malls are crammed into this buzzing district. Brand name clothing and accessories can be had at good prices at venues like the Lotte or Shinsegae Department stores, and malls like U-too Zone, or seek out bargains at outlet stores like Migliore and Avatar. If you need to rest your feet and your credit card take a look at the famed Gothic style Myeong-dong Catholic Church, where you'll find a peaceful garden.
Phone Number: (0)2 757 0088 (Myeong-dong Tourist Information)
Transport: Myeong-dong station (Seoul Subway Line 4)
IncheonCity/Region: Seoul
Hop a bus and visit Incheon, a major Korean port city on the West Sea about an hour from Seoul, where the surrounding irregular coastline with its islets and mountainous inland terrain provide a popular getaway from the city. Incheon is home to the International Airport, but this does not stop it from being a charming city, surrounded by rice fields, source of the renowned Incheon flavorsome rice. Since the days of the Joseon Dynasty the city has also been famed for its therapeutic hot springs, and the downtown hotels all operate public bath facilities and swimming pools where visitors can bathe in the spa waters, claimed to benefit skin ailments, eye problems, neuralgia and gynaecological diseases. This is also the place to buy ceramics. In the Incheon Ceramics Village there are hundreds of studios and shops with traditional wood-fired kilns producing traditional porcelain.
Transport: Buses depart for Incheon from Dongseoul Express Bus Terminal every 15 minutes between 6.30am and 9.40pm, and from Gangnam Express Bus Terminal every 30 minutes between 6.20am and 9.20pm
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