Must-Visit Attractions in Seoul: From DMZ to Traditional Villages

Intro

As part of my Round the World Trip 2024, I found myself venturing from China to Korea, with Seoul marking the end of my South Korean adventure. After a refreshing time in Jeju, I headed to the vibrant heart of South Korea – Seoul. With a hotel conveniently near City Hall, I couldn’t wait to explore some of the city’s most iconic sights and a tour to the DMZ.

Deoksugung Palace

In this Round the World Trip 2024, I had been around China, and now Korea, but it was still the very start of this adventure.

After visiting Jeju, now I was exploring Seoul, the capital. I decided to go to some of the most prominent spots of this city, and take a tour to the DMZ, the closest I could be to North Korea.

For now, I was in my hotel close to City Hall, and went out for a walk…

And not far from there, you can find the Deoksugung Palace.

Deoksugung Palace, located in Seoul, South Korea, is a historic royal palace that blends traditional Korean and Western architectural styles. Originally built in the 15th century, it served as a royal residence during the Joseon Dynasty. The palace is renowned for its serene gardens, stone-walled pathways, and iconic structures like Jeonggwanheon Hall. Visitors often enjoy the Changing of the Royal Guard ceremony, a colorful and culturally rich event held at its gates.

The architecture and design are stunning.

On the other side of the Palace, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is located.

Myeongdong Shopping Street

Myeongdong Shopping Street, located in the heart of Seoul, South Korea, is a bustling hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, it offers a mix of trendy fashion boutiques, global brand stores, and Korean beauty shops. Visitors can also enjoy street food stalls serving local delicacies like tteokbokki and hotteok. The area is popular for its lively energy, making it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists.

Took the metro to this area, but my main goal to come here was to go into a Korean Barbecue. I went to the Wangbijip Myeongdong Main store, not too far in this same neighborhood, and it was great. The service was amazing too.

My next destination was the furthest one from this day of attractions, and to go there I took the metro. It was confusing for me, maybe because I have not seen this, but they give you a refund after the trip using these machines, since they charge extra at the beginning. I do not really understand why that is.

Seoul Sky Floor Guide at LOTTE WORLD TOWER

As a fan of observation decks in high-rises, I had to go to the tallest one in Korea. Even in this trip I had been to one in Shanghai.

Now I was going 123 floors above ground at LOTTE WORLD TOWER, one of the tallest buildings in the world. This architectural marvel houses luxury apartments, offices, a shopping mall, a 7-star hotel, and Seoul Sky, an observation deck offering breathtaking views of the city. The tower also features cultural attractions, fine dining, and a glass-bottomed skywalk, making it a must-visit destination for entertainment, shopping, and panoramic experiences.

The Lotte World Magic Island is crazy because it looks very similar to Magic Kingdom lol.

This is one of the biggest observation decks I have been to. Really spacious, not crowded at all like many others either.

Dare to step on glass 555 m, 1823 ft above ground?

The Olympic Park for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

So many activities in the Seoul Sky, and levels also.

Before heading down, I had to get a coffee and an ice cream, I deserved it lol.

Time to explore outside since I had gotten out of the metro station from the inside. The surroundings of the tower were amazing.

And the tower itself looks huge, I kinda got dizzy trying to find the top.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

Another newer attraction in Seoul is the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), a futuristic cultural landmark renowned for its innovative design by architect Zaha Hadid. Featuring sleek, curving lines and a metallic facade, the DDP houses exhibition halls, a design museum, and spaces for art, fashion, and cultural events. It is also a hub for Seoul’s vibrant nightlife, with its LED-lit facade creating a striking visual at night.

I got another coffee at the Starbucks on this location and walked around the stores. It was really cute.

Bukchon Hanok Village

Last place on this day of exploration of Seoul was Bukchon Hanok Village, a charming historic neighborhood known for its well-preserved hanok (traditional Korean houses). Once home to noble families during the Joseon Dynasty, the area offers a glimpse into Korea’s cultural heritage. Visitors can stroll through its narrow alleyways, admire the traditional architecture, and enjoy picturesque views of the city. Bukchon is also dotted with cultural centers, tea houses, and craft workshops, making it a popular destination for history enthusiasts and photographers.

People would get dressed up and do photo sessions on these beautiful streets.

The views from up here are amazing, and you can even see the N Seoul Tower located to the southern part of the city.

Sunset was almost here, but the village looked better and better the more I would walked it. Coming here on the train was difficult, so I decided to take an Uber from some spot on top and go back to my hotel.

After resting I went around the corner of my hotel since I was craving some wings. City Hof Chicken 1992 was great, it was like a sport/music bar with great beer too.

DMZ Tour

The next day I had scheduled a tour to go to the DMZ. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a 160-mile-long buffer zone dividing North Korea and South Korea, established at the end of the Korean War in 1953. Despite its name, it is one of the most militarized areas in the world. The DMZ serves as a symbol of the tense relations between the two nations but also a space for diplomacy.

Visitors can explore key sites such as the Third Infiltration Tunnel, and observation points offering views into North Korea. The DMZ has also become a unique ecological haven, home to diverse wildlife due to limited human activity. Tours provide insight into Korean history, geopolitics, and the ongoing hope for reunification.

The bus would pick us up early in the morning at the City Hall subway station, which was very close to my hotel.

I was once again glad that the tour was on a bus since I wanted to relax on the way there, although the entire time the tour guide gave us a lot of information of the situation with North Korea. Unfortunately, the Joint Security Area (JSA) has been closed to tourists since July 2023 after an American soldier deserted across the border to escape legal charges.

I was upset because I wanted to step on North Korea, and count it as a new country, but it was ok, I still got to see if from afar. The first spot was the Korean Peninsula Ecological Peace Tourism Information Center. Here we got food, drinks, and the tickets to the gondolas or cable car.

These gondolas are no Skyliner, but they do their job and allow us to see a little bit more of the scenery of this area.

After arriving to the Norther station, there are many signs of mines, a reminder that they all have not been removing in this area

Next, we went to The Third Tunnel, discovered in 1978, one of four known tunnels dug by North Korea beneath the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) with the aim of conducting surprise attacks on South Korea. It stretches over a mile (1.7 km) long, is about 6.6 feet (2 meters) wide, and could have allowed thousands of troops to pass through quickly.

Today, it is a popular tourist site where visitors can walk part of the tunnel wearing hard hats, view its structure, and learn about its history through displays and videos. The tunnel’s strategic design and discovery highlight the tensions and complexities of the Korean conflict.

The walk down was long and tedious, and it is not recommended for people with limited mobility issues. The walk back up is even worse, taking a long time, but I was able to do without breaks.

We passed by the Unification Village, where people was able to use the toilets and have some bites. This is a small farming community symbolizing peace and hope for Korean reunification. Residents live under special government provisions, and the village serves as a unique example of life near one of the world’s most fortified borders.

Here, I found these little birds, proof that the fauna has a great opportunity in the DMZ, as is not as inhabited by humans.

The last place we visited on this tour was The Dora Observatory, with the goal of at least see North Korea from afar.

There are many spots on this tour where filming or taking pictures is not allowed so I was glad at least we could do this here.

North Korea was visible from this observatory, and made me hopeful that maybe one day I could be able to go to that country.

Back inside, we got some food from the cafeteria, and relaxed before the return to Seoul.

The museum at the Observatory gave me more information about South Korea and how it is so advance in the present.

Bye Bye Korea

The tour was over and we were back in Seoul. After grabbing my suitcase back from the hotel, I went to have some mid afternoon gyozas around the block. My flight to the next country was not until midnight, so I booked a cheaper hotel just to relax while I was waiting to go to the airport.

And by cheaper I meant the value was also cheap lol. The space was small and the area not so good. It took me forever to find it since it was in the middle of a maze kind of neighborhood.

I was able to shower and relax, before I went back into the subway to the other airport of Seoul: Incheon International Airport. My next country will be Phillipines! And I was exciting to go back to the Pinoy Nation.