Introduciton:
In March of 2018, I spent a month backpacking around South Korea as a fun little adventure. While I loved multiple cities in Korea, my absolute favorite was their capitol, Seoul.
Here are some of my highlights from my trip to Seoul.
Namsan Tower
My first stop in Seoul was the famous Namsan Tower which marks the second highest point in Seoul.
Built in 1971, the Namsan Tower is South Korea's first general radio wave tower, providing TV and radio broadcasting in Seoul.
This was my first full offcial day in Korea and as such, my body was still getting adjusted to the timezone difference. I remember hiking so much, not even bothing to look at my map. I saw the big tower off in the distance from the hostel I was staying in and decided that was where I was heading to.
Gangnam District
You heard it back in 2012 with the world wide hit by Psy, but shockenly enough, Gangnam is actually one of the 25 local government districts which make up Seoul. Translating to "South of the River", Gangnam is the third largest district in Seoul and is often thought of the Korean Hollywood.
Shopping, Shopping and more Shopping. Gangnam is full of city lights and markets. It was so big that I had to go back a second time just to see everything.
Changdeokgung Palace
창덕궁
Changdeokgung Palace is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. Though it has been treasured by Koreans for centuries, Changdeokgung Palace was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee in December of 1997.
I visited all Five Grand Palaces in Seoul but by far Changdeokgung was the most impressive.
National Museum of Korea
National Museum of Korea is the flagship museum of Korean history and art in South Korea and is the cultural organization that represents Korea. Since its establishment in 1945, the museum has been committed to various studies and research activities in the fields of archaeology, history, and art, continuously developing a variety of exhibitions and education programs.It is one of the largest museums in Asia.
This by far was one of the most infromative parts of my trip. I love museums and learning about a culture's history.
SM Entertainment
SM Entertainment is one of South Korea's largest entertainment company worth approximately $44 million in US currency.
Home to many stars and idols it is a shinning becon for tourists.
This part of my trip was more of a guilty pleasure trip. I have been an avid fan of K-Pop since 2010 and so to go and tour this building and all the artist that is affiliated with was a dream come true.
Bukhansan National Park
This mountain is located north of Seoul and offers hundreds of different trails to explore.Bukhansan National Park has dozens of gorges and granite peaks with crystal clear streams flowing between them, creating a beautiful harmony between mountain and water. There are more than 1,300 species of flora and fauna. There are also many historical and cultural sites including Bukhansanseong Fortress with over 2,000 years of history, over 100 Buddhist temples and monk’s cells. In short, it’s a great place of learning in terms of ecology, culture, and history.
