Seoul Botanic Park (서울식물원) – Homepage botanicpark.seoul.go.kr The Seoul Botanical Garden was created in Magok, the last remaining development site in Seoul, to introduce native plants and horticulture of 12 different cities from around the world and raise ecological awareness in the city. Seoul Botanic Park integrates a botanical garden and a public park, and…

Bukchon Cultural Center (북촌문화센터) – Homepage hanok.seoul.go.kr Bukchon Cultural Center, located in a hanok, was established to offer traditional cultural experience opportunities for visitors to the area. The programs include tea ceremony, handicraft, and gugak as well as a Public Relations Exhibition Hall introducing Bukchon culture and hanok. Also, the center houses a space and…

Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을) – Homepage hanok.seoul.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon dynasty. The name Bukchon, which literally translates to “northern village,” came about as the neighborhood lies north…

Museum Kimchikan (뮤지엄 김치간) – Homepage www.kimchimuseum.com/en Museum Kimchikan is a museum dedicated to kimchi in Insa-dong’s Maru Art Center. The exhibition details the culture, history, trajectory, and efficacy of kimchi and teaches the visitors how to make kimchi through videos. Visitors can also sample different types of kimchi. The museum offers both individual and…

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁) – Homepage royal.khs.go.kr Registered as a Historic Site, Deoksugung Palace was initially not a royal palace, but the residential home of Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494) of the Joseon dynasty. It wasn’t until 1593 that the palace was used as a temporary palace of the royal…

Jingwansa Temple (Seoul) [진관사(서울)] – Homepage jinkwansa.org (Korean only) Jingwansa Temple is one of the four Buddhist temples that surround Seoul. It was known as the center of Buddhism and academics. Jingwansa Temple is home to a variety of buildings, such as Daeungjeon Hall, Myeongbujeon Hall, and Nahanjeon Hall, all surrounded by the beautiful nature…

Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을) – Homepage hanokmaeul.or.kr Namsangol Hanok Village opened in 1998 on the northern side of Namsan Mountain in the center of the capital. This village has five restored hanok (traditional Korean house) premises, a pavilion, a traditional garden, a performance art stage, and a time capsule plaza, making it a perfect spot…

Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계유산]) – Homepage royal.khs.go.kr Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The…

Chunpoong Brewery (춘풍양조장) – Homepage www.chunpoong.co.kr Chungpoong Brewery, a specialized brewery producing makgeolli, offers brewery tours and tasting sessions, conveying the value of Korean alcohol. Through these programs, the brewery shares Korean alcohol culture and provides information about traditional Korean alcohol. Visitors can also enjoy a dining and alcohol experience here.  – Address : 101-3…

The Street in front of Cheongwadae (The Blue House) (청와대 앞길) – Homepage tour.jongno.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) – Tel +82-2-120 The street in front of Cheongwadae (the Blue House) is open to the public and includes both Hyoja Samgeori (Hyoja three-way intersection) in Hyoja-dong and Palpan Samgeori (Palpan three-way inetersection) in Palpan-dong. When walking…