Korea is a country rich in tourism resources. Traditional and modern cultures coexist, allowing tourists to have a variety of experiences, and each region has a distinct identity, allowing them to enjoy diverse cultures, natural environments, and food.
Among Korea's famous tourist destinations, there are many that give modern value to cultural heritages with historical significance, or, conversely, add traditional elements to modern spaces. For Koreans, they are valuable cultural heritages and vibrant living spaces, and for foreigners, they are the starting point of Korean tourism.
Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village
If you climb the hill of Bukchon Hanok Village, you can enjoy a unique landscape where traditional Korean houses and Seoul's modern architecture harmoniously blend together.
Jeonju Hanok Village
There are various types of Hanok villages in Korea. Recently, Hanok villages where you can experience both traditional Hanok and modern Hanok have been gaining attention as new tourist attractions.
Bukchon Hanok Village and Namsangol Hanok Village are located in the middle of Seoul, a city full of buildings, allowing you to experience the coexistence of the past and the present. Jeonju Hanok Village, the largest Hanok village in Korea, has 625 old tile-roofed houses and modern Hanok with a modern feel. It is not just a cultural product to see, but is also loved by many because tourists can experience traditional experiences such as tea ceremonies and Hanji making in traditional spaces.
In addition, Gongju Hanok Village in Chungcheongnam-do, Gangneung Ojukheon Hanok Village in Gangwon-do, and Gurim Hanok Village in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do are more modest than Jeonju Hanok Village, but they are still sufficient for experiencing Korean culture.
Although it is not a Hanok village, you can experience traditional Hanok at Seongyojang located in Gangneung, Gangwon-do. Seongyojang is a house of the upper class of Joseon Dynasty, and its original form has been well preserved for over 300 years, and descendants still live there.
Palace Night Tour
The night view of Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of Korea's representative tourist attractions.
The palaces, which are a must-see for Korean tourists, have distinctly different moods during the day and at night. During the day, tourists flock to the palaces to experience the quiet atmosphere and serenity. Then, when darkness falls, the palaces begin to renovate. With the addition of soft lighting and mysterious sounds, they exude a different charm from the daytime. As these charms become known through SNS and other means, the palaces have recently emerged as new nighttime attractions. The
palaces that are open at night include the four grand palaces of Seoul (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Deoksugung) and Hwaseong Haenggung in Suwon. Each palace has different tour programs, and reservations must be made on their websites.
Changdeokgung Palace becomes even more splendid at night when it is illuminated by moonlight.
Sungnyemun & Namdaemun Market
The southern main gate of the old Seoul City Wall, usually called Namdaemun, but its original name was 'Sungnyemun'. It is designated as National Treasure No. 1 and is the largest existing Korean city gate building. It was damaged by a fire in 2008, but was restored to its original appearance.
To the east of Sungnyemun is Namdaemun Market. It is a famous place where shoppers and tourists flock because it has many things to see, shop, and eat. You can buy various products such as clothing, kitchenware, home appliances, and daily necessities at low prices, and it is also famous for food alleys such as Galchijorim Alley and Kalguksu Alley.
Sungnyemun
The city walls of Seoul were built to protect Hanseongbu, where important national facilities were located in the past. Sungnyemun, which means “gate that respects etiquette,” is designated as National Treasure No. 1.
Heunginjimun & Dongdaemun Market
The eastern gate of old Seoul, which modern people usually call Dongdaemun, but its original name is 'Heunginjimun'. Nearby, there is a large commercial area called Dongdaemun Market.
Dongdaemun Market is a collective name for Gwangjang Market, Pyeonghwa Market, Shinpyeonghwa Market, and Dongdaemun General Market. Since most of the sales are clothing, the term 'Dongdaemun Fashion' was created. In addition, due to the nighttime operation as a wholesale market, as well as the daytime operation, a new clothing culture consumption is created, and it greatly contributes to the market's revitalization.
In 2014, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), the world's largest atypical building, opened near Dongdaemun Market. Thanks to the futuristic design of Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the casual and common atmosphere of Dongdaemun Market has changed somewhat to a modern one, and the main consumer base is expanding to include young people and foreigners.
Heunginjimun
Heunginjimun is the only one of the eight gates that has a ongseong (a semicircular fortress to protect and strengthen the gate).
Cultural Station Seoul 284
is a space where the old Seoul Station was reborn as a complex cultural and artistic space.
Gwanghwamun Square
This is a large square in the middle of the road from Gwanghwamun in Seoul to Sejong-ro Intersection. It was previously used as a road, but it was transformed into a park and opened to the public in 2009.
As it contains the meaning of returning the central street of Seoul, with a long history of over 600 years, to the citizens, Gwanghwamun Square has been completely transformed into a historical and cultural space for the citizens. Statues of King Sejong and General Yi Sun-sin have been erected, and it has been designed to provide a view of the nearby natural landscapes, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukaksan Mountain.
Culture Station Seoul 284 & Seoullo 7017
Culture Station Seoul 284 is where the old Seoul Station was reborn as a complex cultural and arts space. In order to commemorate the historical significance of being the oldest railway building in Korea, it has maintained its original appearance from when it opened in 1925.
Seoullo 7017 is where the old Seoul Station overpass was renovated and reborn as a walking path. You can see Seoul's historical sites at a glance, such as Cultural Station Seoul 284, Namdaemun, and Seoul Station.