Contents Facts about Korea - Korea's fight against COVID-19 - Hallyu (Korean Wave) - Korean Food: Hansik - Tourism in Seoul (New)
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Contents
Facts about Korea
- Korea’s fight against COVID-19
- Hallyu (Korean Wave)
- Korean Food: Hansik
- Tourism in Seoul (New)
Tourism in Seoul
Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea, is itself an important part of
Korea’s cultural heritage and the most popular attraction among overseas
visitors to Korea. Although it is now one of the very largest modern
metropolises in the world, its downtown area is enclosed by historic walls
that were originally built over 600 years ago and contains a number of
valuable historical heritage including Royal Palaces, fortress gates,
and old residential districts.
HISTORICAL HERITAGE
Bangkok
Gyeongbokgung Palace. The main Royal Palace of Joseon located at the heart of Seoul
Gyeongbokgung Palace than fifty years later, it fell into the hands of Japanese colonia-
lists who destroyed the front part of the palace to build the Ja-
Located at the foot of Bugaksan, the main mountain overlooking panese Government-General Building on the site. The latter
downtown Seoul, Gyeongbokgung was the principal Royal building, a neo-classical structure, continued to be used to
Palace for about 200 years from its construction in 1395, just house government offices even after Korea was liberated in
three years after the foundation of the Joseon Dynasty (1392- 1945 until it was demolished in 1996 as part of an effort to re-
1910), until it was burnt down just after the commencement of move the remaining vestiges of the colonial period. Some of
the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. Thereafter it remained the ruins of the building were moved to the Independence Hall
in ruins for 275 years until 1867 when it was restored; but, less of Korea in Cheonan, Korea for public display.
Changdeokgung
Palace Garden. A
view of the rear
garden of
Changdeokgung
Palace, including
Buyongjeong and
Juhamnu Pavilions,
with Buyongji Pond
situated between
them
Under a major renovation project to restore the palace starting Today, the clearest reminder of Deoksugung’s short-lived glory
in 1990, some of its buildings were restored and its main gate, as the only imperial palace in Korean history is the changing of the
Gwanghwamun, was moved to its original location. Today, the palace guard ceremony, which takes place three times a day except
palace features some of the country’s most popular tourist at- for Mondays. The promenade along the southern wall of the pa-
tractions, including the majestic architectural pieces, Geunjeon- lace has been particularly popular among young people seeking
gjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. romantic ambiance.
Changdeokgung Palace Garden Deoksugung Palace.
Unlike other Royal Palaces of Joseon,
The rear garden of Changdeokgung Palace, one of the Royal Deoksugung contains both Western
style stone buildings and traditional
Palaces of Joseon (1392-1910) still standing in Seoul, has been widely wooden structures.
praised for the harmony between exquisite architectural structures
and its natural surroundings, and is now one of the most popular
tourist attractions in Seoul. The garden, known as the “secret gar-
den” (biwon), the “forbidden” (geumwon) or “rear garden” (huwon),
was a preferred venue for royal events such as banquets and picnics.
It features a pond and several exquisite pavilions that were built
around it over a long period of time. The garden was open to the
general public until the mid-1970s, but this caused severe damage
which led to its closure for several years to restore it to its original
condition. Only a part of the garden was reopened to the public
in May 2004, but at present visitors need to make reservations in
order to visit.
Deoksugung Palace
To most Korean people today Deoksugung Palace is largely con-
nected with the desperate struggle of the Joseon Dynasty to sur-
vive amid the incursions of the major imperial powers at the turn
of the 19th century. It was in 1897 that King Gojong proclaimed the
launch of the Korean Empire and designated Deoksugung as the
imperial palace after leaving the Russian legation where he had
taken refuge one year earlier in a desperate attempt to keep his
government free from the interference of Imperial Japan.
With the proclamation of the Korean Empire the palace began to
Gwanghwamun Plaza
The 555m–long and 34m–wide Gwanghwamun Plaza is a the Seoul Metropolitan Government transformed what used
large square located in the middle of the road between to be a roadway into a plaza and opened it to the public in 2009.
Gwanghwamun Gate and Sejongro Junction. In hopes to return At its center stand the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi
the heart of the 600-year-old historic city of Seoul to its citizens, Sun-sin. Major media companies and hotels are located nearby.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND SHOPPING CENTERS
Insa-dong. One of
the most popular
destinations among
foreign tourists in
Seoul, the district is
packed with antique
shops, art galleries,
craft workshops,
traditional
teahouses,
restaurants
and bars.
Insa-dong in the 1970s and 1980s, was frequented by Korea’s most ener-
getic, fashion-conscious, outgoing people.
Insa-dong is a district in downtown Seoul that is packed with
antique shops, antiquarian booksellers, art galleries, scroll mou- The position of Myeong-dong in the Korean fashion industry
nters, craft workshops, brush shops, traditional teahouses, has dwindled somewhat in recent times, but its influence on
restaurants and bars that provide tourists with ample oppor- the Korean fashion market remains significant. Many of the
tunities for an exciting cultural experience. The district had world’s top fashion brands maintain or have opened new sto-
many places frequented by Korea artists, writers and journalists res in the district, winning back fashionminded shoppers from
which have now begun to attract tourists from around the the newly emerging fashion streets in the Gangnam area as
country and beyond. The Seoul Metropolitan Government well tourists from overseas. The district also contains Myeong-
designated Insa-dong as a District of Traditional Culture in 1988 dong Cathedral, established in 1898 and a central figure to all
and turns it into a car-free zone every weekend to create a more Korean Catholics, and the historic Chinese Embassy.
comfortable environment for visitors.
Jongno and Cheonggyecheon
Myeong-dong
Jongno was one of the two districts, the other being Myeong-
Myeong-dong has long been the busiest and most thriving dong, that typified the early economic and cultural vibrancy
shopping district in Korea where high-end shops and luxurious of Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. There were, and still are, bet-
boutiques attract shoppers from all across Korea and tourists ween today’s Jongno 2(i)-ga and 3(sam)- ga some of Seoul’s
from different countries in Asia with luxury goods, brand gar- oldest movie theaters, the nation’s major bookstores, and fa-
ments, cosmetics, shoes, fashion accessories and souvenirs. mous private educational institutions including foreign lan-
The district has also been the national hub of finance and cul- guage schools which keep the districts perpetually crowded
ture as well as commerce since the Korean War (1950-1953) and, with students.
verse needs of shoppers. In October, the street is transformed
into the main venue for the Apgujeong Culture Festival which
presents movies, hair shows, fashion shows, dance competitions
and other exciting cultural events.
Daehangno
This street is home to various cultural and artistic institutions
and theaters that not only show performing arts, such as plays,
concerts, and musicals, but also screen movies. On weekends,
a variety of outdoor performances also take place in and around
the park, plaza, and streets, creating a youthful and romantic
atmosphere.
Seochon (Sejong Village) Alleys
Seochon, also known as Sejong Village, is not only the birth-
place of King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty but has also been
home to many other historical figures.
It is also called the village of culture and arts as famous Korean
writers and artists produced a variety works while living there
after the Japanese Occupation.
Myeong-dong. Korea’s busiest fashion district and the
number one attraction among international shoppers visiting
Seoul.
Cheonggyecheon, a historic stream cutting across the heart
of Seoul, was restored and remodeled a few years ago and
quickly emerged as one of the city’s top attractions. In the past
the stream was a source of water for the families living around
it, but it began to be covered over in the 1950s, and the overpass
built over it came to be regarded as a symbol of Korea’s indus-
trial growth during the 1960s and 1970s. The overpass, however,
was demolished in 2003 as part of the project to restore the
stream, which was completed two years later.
Apgujeong Rodeo Street
Named after Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and home to some
of the most prestigious fashion stores in the region, Rodeo
Street in Apgujeong-dong is widely regarded as the “mecca of
Korean fashion” and a trendsetter in Korea. Rodeo Street is
packed with luxury stores, including the flagship stores of the
world’s top fashion brands, and upscale restaurants, cafes and
bars. The street also contains stores selling special fashion items Cheonggyecheon Stream Plaza. An attractive space for
sought after by young fashionistas, and fully meets all the di- relaxation and refreshment in the heart of downtown Seoul.
Bukchon Hongdae Street (Hongik University Street)
As the country went through liberation, the Korean War, and It was during the early 1990s that Hongdae, or the area around
rapid development in the 1970s, many hanok (traditional Korean Hongik University, saw an explosion of cafes and live music
house) disappeared from the streets of Bukchon between 1980s clubs drawing young music lovers from all across Seoul, gra-
and 2000s. However, the government’s support and policy to dually turning it into one of Seoul’s most dynamic cultural areas
preserve hanok have encouraged residents to return to tradition. packed with fun-seeking youngsters. What differentiate the
Efforts to remodel hanok were focused on the residential area streets of Hongdae from other similar districts are the live per-
of Gahoedong, which boasts of a magnificent view. As a result, formances of indie bands held at the clubs scattered around
the hanok in the area were restored to embrace convenient the district. The bands cover a variety of popular music genres,
modern features while maintaining traditional techniques and including rock, funk and techno music, for the young audiences
beauty, creating a representative hanok village in Jongno. that gather there every evening.
The Hongdae district also contains numerous art galleries
committed to displaying original works by emerging young
artists. Some of these artists join with others devoted to other
forms of art such as music and dance, to put on collaboration
performances in the streets.
Yeouido
Yeouido, which used to be a sandy island on the Hangang
River in Seoul, went through a rapid development in the 1970s
and is now home to many brokerage firms as well as the Korea
Exchange (KRX). Other landmark buildings on Yeouido include
the 63 Building, International Finance Center (IFC) Seoul, Fede-
ration of Korean Industries (FKI) Tower, and LG Twin Towers. The
National Assembly Building and the headquarters of the Korean
Broadcasting System (KBS) are also situated in the area. The island
fills up with tourists during the Cherry Blossom Festival in spring
and the Seoul International Fireworks Festival in October.
Garosu-gil Street of Sinsa-dong
Hongdae District. Streets crowded with young and Literally “the tree-lined street of Sinsa-dong”, Sinsa-dong
ambitious artists and spectators. Garosu-gil is a street in Sinsa-dong in Gangnam-gu that is lined
with gingko trees on both sides. The street and nearby alleys
have recently grown into one of Seoul’s main attractions, at-
tracting tens of thousands of fashion-minded people to its array
of high-end coffee houses, art galleries, luxury boutiques and
other fashion stores every day.
In the 1990s Garosu-gil began to attract ambitious young
fashion designers, who opened shops along the road, even-
tually transforming it into a “fashion street.” The success of their
shops was followed by the opening of other shops vending
exquisite interior objects, furniture and personal fashion items.
Itaewon
Itaewon, located south of Namsan Mountain in the heart of
Seoul, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city,
particularly among foreign tourists seeking shopping, fun and
thrills in more comfortable surroundings.
The development of the district and the growth of its repu-
tation among international travelers visiting Korea are largely
related with the presence, since the Korean War (1950-1953), of
the Eighth United States Army Base in nearby Yongsan, which
Garosu-gil of Sinsa-dong. A street busy with fashion- relocated its headquarters to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggido Pro-
minded young shoppers. vince in July 2017. Today, the district contains a number of fo-
Itaewon. The Korean hub of international cultures.
reign embassies including those of Denmark, Belgium, Argen- Lotte World Tower
tina, Romania, Lebanon, Hungary, Qatar, and the Philippines,
as well as the Seoul Central Mosque and diverse foreign com- Lotte World Tower is a 555m–tall skyscraper located in Sin-
munities. cheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. The tower has 123 floors abo-
veground and 6 floors belowground, and has a total floor area
Itaewon’s streets are packed with shops selling fashionable of 420,000 m2. Completed in December 2016, the multifunctio-
clothes and fashion items, nightclubs, bars and restaurants, nal complex features offices, accommodation, and tourism and
many of them providing exotic, at least to Korean visitors, foods shopping spaces. As of its opening day, Lotte World Tower is
from Mexico, India, Vietnam and Turkey among other countries, the fifth tallest building in the world after United Arab Emirate’s
and a distinctly cosmopolitan atmosphere. The district was Burj Khalifa (828m), China’s Shanghai Tower (632m), Saudi
designated by the Korean government as a Special Tourist Zone Arabia’s Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower (601m), and China’s Ping An
in 1997, and has since then held the Global Village Festival every Finance Centre (600m).
October. Furthermore, street performances are held for foreign
tourists on a daily basis. The tower’s architecture was inspired by the curvature found
in traditional Korean porcelain and brushwork.
Lotte World Tower. The 555m-tall, 123-floor skyscraper is the world’s fifth tallest building. Its Seoul Sky Observatory (the
world’s third tallest, 500m high) at the top offers a 360° bird’s-eye view of Seoul.
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