Seoul is often mentioned alongside Bangkok, Tokyo, Bali, and Hong Kong as one of Asia’s must-see cities, attracting travelers from around the world. It consistently ranks as one of the top cities to visit.

You might also be thinking of a trip to Seoul. Do you know what the city is known for?

Seoul is famous for its lively districts and diverse fashion scene, tasty street food, and also for being the home of K-pop as well as Hallyu. Although it is a technologically advanced nation, Seoul is still famous for its historic sites and culture of the past.

It’s only getting started though. Gabsida (let’s go) and find out what Seoul is waiting for us!

Seoul is a city renowned for its tourist attractions and landmarks

1. The Five Royal Palaces

Seoul is famous for its long and rich history. it is evident within its Five Royal Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. They include the Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and Gyeonghuigung Palace.

These sites that are worthy of postcards are a must for any tourist’s Seoul itinerary. They are from the 1300s and 1500s, however, most of the original structures were destroyed by the Japanese invasion. Therefore, the structures that remain present day tend to be reconstructions.

However, going to these palaces is like going back to the past. You can dress like a historical figure and wear a Hanbok to gain admission for free to these palaces!

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2. Hangang (Han River)

If you love watching K-dramas as I do, then you’ll know that a river flows through the middle of Seoul. It’s called the Hangang (or Han River, which runs from east to west, and is divided by Seoul into the northern region as well as the south-facing business districts.

The Han River is the fourth-longest river on the Korean peninsula. As a witness to the Korean past, it was utilized for trade routes towards China by way of the Yellow Sea.

In the present, Hangang remains a water source for South Koreans. It’s also a picturesque backdrop for many Korean movies, shows and music videos.

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3. Namsan Tower

Seoul is famous for its N Seoul Tower, commonly called Namsan Tower The observation and communication tower, is located on Namsan Mountain. Namsan (South Mount).

“The Seoul landmark, built in 1969, served as Korea’s first signal tower, transmitting audio and video signals to Seoul’s metropolitan region.” At 479.7 meters above sea level, Namsan Tower provides a stunning view of Seoul that is beautiful at any time of the day.

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4. Shopping districts

Shopping addicts rejoice! Seoul is a city that has numerous shopping options. In addition to traditional marketplaces, there are duty-free stores, top brands, and bargain bargains, Seoul has it all.

If you’re looking for authentic antiques and artifacts, the Insadong area is an absolute must-visit. If you’re looking for fancy department stores and trendy local stores, and a myriad of skincare and cosmetics, Myeongdong and Dongdaemun Are among the top options.

If you’re looking for trendy and fashionable fashions The campus areas that are Edae or Hongdae are hard to beat. Don’t do it like me, make sure you have enough baggage space if you’re planning to shop in these regions.

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5. Starfield COEX Mall

In the context of shopping malls Did you know that Seoul is known as Asia’s biggest underground mall?

Starfield COEX (which stands for COnvention centers as well as EXhibition halls) is an underground shopping complex located in Gangnam. With a total area of 154 square meters, this underground shopping center is a paradise for shoppers and is a research in modern design.

The mall is home to mega food courts and the COEX Aquarium The 17-screen Megabox Cinema as well as concerts and the breathtaking Starfield Library, and a myriad of shops that sell footwear, clothing, accessories as well as beauty products, and more!

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6. Lotte World Tower

At 555 meters the 123-story Lotte World Tower is the highest structure in South Korea and the sixth highest in the world.

It is a Korean landmark and is an artwork and technology. A contemporary aesthetic influenced by Korean brushwork and ceramics and driven by cutting-edge technology. 

Inside there are galleries, cafes, a luxurious hotel, and shopping malls along with a skywalk as well as an observation deck.

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7. Seoul National University

Established in 1946, Seoul National University (SNU) also known as Seouldae has been the clear leader in the higher-education system in South Korea.

The school produces some of South Korea’s top name names within South Korean academe, government, and business. It has produced the former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former ICC President Song Sang-Hyun and the former Samsung Chief Executive Officer Kwon Oh-Hyun, and the current South Korean President Yoon Suk-yell.

Admission to this prestigious college is highly competitive. According to reports, just 0.5 percent of all high school students get into SNU. It is one of the most prestigious schools around the globe and it almost ensures that you’ll earn higher than those who study at other schools.

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8. Gangnam

You might have heard of Gangnam because of the record-breaking hit song by Psy, but Seoul’s most glamorous neighborhood has been at the top of the pop and business culture.

Literally, meaning “south of the river”, Gangnam is a mainly commercial area located to the south of Hangang. The district comprises multinational corporations, banks and financial institutions, retail stores, technology companies, designer brands, chic nightclubs, and some of South Korea’s priciest residences.

Seoul is renowned for its distinct tradition and unique culture

9. K-pop

Seoul is recognized as the birthplace of K-pop, one of South Korea’s largest cultural exports.

Featuring catchy songs, dynamic choreographies, captivating music videos, and charismatic idols, K-pop has gained global popularity.

Currently, the most famous K-pop stars include BTS, BlackPink, Twice, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, Seventeen, and Astro.

10. Korean films, K-drama Korean films

Seoul (and South Korea as a whole) is the origin of Korean dramas, commonly referred to as K-dramas. These dramas typically consist of 16 to 20 episodes. These TV shows range from heartbreaking to funny and everything in between.

Because of streaming platforms like Netflix, the shows that are addicting are becoming more well-known around the globe. Some of the shows that have been trending over the past couple of times are Squid Game, Crash Landing on You, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.

Similarly to that, Korean films are also getting noticed, and even receiving international awards. Parasite, Train to Busan barely even scratches the surface in regards to the quality of films made by Korea.

If you’re planning to visit Seoul make sure you do yourself a favor by searching “K-drama or Korean movie locations” prior to your trip can fill your schedule quickly but you’ll return home with a ton of Instagram-worthy images.

11. The art scene is thriving

In the realm of performing and visual arts Seoul is a thriving and vibrant art scene.

Seoul’s modern facilities host everything that ranges from Broadway shows and classical performances to classical performances, as well as contemporary art exhibits. Galleries in Seoul are masterpieces in themselves, as many are housed in awe-inspiring modern buildings.

12. The preservation of culture and history

One thing I was most interested in during my trip to Seoul was the way in which the past effortlessly blends with the modern. Although it is a global innovator in technology and innovation, Seoul has done a great job of keeping Korean heritage and culture alive.

It is visible in famous tourist destinations such as the Great Palaces, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong, the temples scattered throughout the capital, and also in museums such as The National Museum of Korea.

Also impressive is the way Seoul has been able to bring traditional clothes into fashion by promoting hanbok rentals near tourist attractions.

13. Nightlife

As the sun sets, Seoul lights up and pulses with a different type of energy. The nightlife is a major part of Seoul and is as varied as Seoul itself.

There are plenty of glamorous bars and clubs, particularly located in Gangnam as well as Hongdae. Seoul’s nightlife, however, is not only for partygoers. Seoul has plenty of night markets, parks, observatories and all-night cafes K-bbq eateries, and a Karaoke bar (more on this in the future) that will keep you entertained till late into the night.

If you’re looking for a place to sleep in Seoul jjimjilbang (sauna) is an absolute must-try. These unique places don’t only offer massages and saunas but as well overnight stays!

14. Proxy drivers

Are you feeling a bit sluggish after a night out? You’re lucky, Seoul (and other major cities in South Korea) has daeri unjeon, which is a substitute driver service.

It was commonplace to hire replacement drivers were first introduced in the 1990s, focusing on office workers and business professionals who needed to go back in their cars after a night of heavy drinking.

Seoul is a city known for its high drinking, with many employees ending their days with company meals and drinks. The act of drinking under the influence of alcohol is a crime in Korea like in other countries, so many drunk automobile owners depend on proxy drivers who you can contact through a quick phone call or through an application.

15. Fashion

Seoul is renowned as one of the world’s trendiest cities and hosts its own Fashion Week. In this vibrant city, youthful streetwear effortlessly blends with high-end brands, and K-pop superstars often set the latest trends.

While a lot of travelers shop at Myeongdong fashionable shoppers have plenty of other options. You can find trendy items and local designer brands at Garosugil, Sinsadong, and Samcheongdong-gil. For brands that are luxurious look into Apgujeong as well as Dongdaemun.

16. Hiking

Seoul is a bustling city, but did anyone have the knowledge that Seoul is well-known for its mountains as well? The pursuit of hiking has been a favorite pastime throughout South Korea. About a third of South Koreans are able to climb a mountain every month!

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, has a handful of mountains that offer scenic and challenging trails for visitors and locals alike.  Other mountains that are popular are Gwanaksan, Inwangsan, and Bugaksan.

17. Collectivism

This isn’t exclusive to Seoul or even just South Korea. However, it’s worth knowing if should you be planning on staying in Seoul.

In Korea, it’s a fundamental requirement to think of the collective good as superior to the individual’s rights. Koreans are part of a group and remain committed to the group in order to preserve harmony and inhwa. In many cases, it helps to in achieving common objectives.

However, it’s this collective culture that makes it hard for foreigners to adapt to Korea. On the other side, Koreans often don’t have social expectations for foreigners (which is good initially). However, they maintain an eminent distance and don’t build stronger connections with foreigners.

I’m not saying that Koreans do not like foreigners. However, foreigners, particularly those who come from cultures that are individualistic, generally stand out, and there’s the possibility of a large cultural divide to bridge in the event of interacting in more profound ways.

18. 1988 Summer Olympics

Seoul is famous to host the 1988 Summer Olympics, the second time that the Summer Olympic Games were held in Asia. Seoul Olympic Stadium and Olympic Park were two of the most important venues.

The festival ran from September 17 through October 2nd October 2, 1988. In 1988, South Korea was still an emerging country. The Olympics offered an opportunity for Korea to establish relationships with both economic and diplomatic other nations. In the end, it was an opportunity to bring world attention to South Korea.

Seoul is renowned for its delicious food

19. Street food

Korea is renowned for its tasty food. The foodies of Seoul will not go hungry since Seoul is a large open-air eatery.

Traditional Korean street food like mandu, kimbap hotteok, tteokbokki and odeng are easy to discover in Seoul. Sundae, a snarky dessert, (blood sausage) and beondegi (silkworm pupa) are also readily available.

It is easy to indulge in these delicious and affordable snacks in traditional markets, shopping districts such as Myeongdong and Dongdaemun and even night markets such as those at the Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market.

20. Gwangjang Market

When it comes to street food you’ve watched the Netflix series ” Street Food: Asia” and you’re aware of Gwangjang Market Gwangjang Market, is among the top well-known local markets that is traditional to Seoul.

The market, which dates back to the 1800s, sells almost everything from seafood and agricultural items to handicrafts, textiles household goods and even souvenirs.

21. Fried Chicken

You’ve likely heard of another KFC Korean Fried Chicken — or chicken that is fried in a colloquial way. The Korean version of chicken fried is lighter than other styles and stands out due to its crisp exterior, as well as soft and moist meat. Did you know that the dish was first introduced in Seoul?

Lims Chicken, the originator of Korean-style fried chicken, began as a small shop in the Shinsegae Department Store in Seoul. It offered a unique twist on the traditional tong dak or whole chicken that was familiar to Koreans.”

The business quickly gained popularity and Lims was soon a franchise model. At one time there were more than 400 locations!

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22. Seolleongtang

Seoul is famous for seolleongtang, also known as ox bone soup. A popular local dish from the capital city, seolleongtang has been around since the Joseon Dynasty.

. The soup may also include noodles or rice, and it is often accompanied by a side of rice and kimchi.

 However, if you’re looking for an element of history to accompany your bowl make sure to visit Imun Seolnongtang, which has been serving seolleongtang for over a decade and is the longest-running eatery in Korea.

Seoul is renowned for its cutting-edge technology

23. Wired city

Seoul is considered to be the world’s most connected city. In fact, South Korea is often listed as one of the nations that have the most speedy internet connection. It also was the first country to be the first to offer 5G network connectivity across the entire country.

It’s awe-inspiring that, as compared to other countries where the internet is available, Korea is more affordable. In actual fact, you’ll find it difficult to find a café in Seoul that doesn’t provide free WiFi.

24. Digital Media City

A city with early adopters. Seoul has also been home to the cutting-edge Digital Media City.

Some of the most well-known companies that have offices located in DMC include game developers Gravity and media firms like CJ E&M, MBC, JTBC, YTN, and CJ CGV, and the Telecommunications company LG UPlus.

25. Transportation system

Seoul boasts an impressive transportation network, earning its first Sustainable Transport Award in 2006.

To handle its bustling population, Seoul relies on a highly efficient transportation system. The Seoul Metropolitan Subway keeps the city well-connected and easily accessible

Seoul Metropolitan Subway has 22 lines connecting every neighborhood in Seoul and the surrounding areas.

In addition, there are plenty of public transit buses for both short and long distances. Taxis are also quite common.

Seoulites typically make use of T-money, the local transportation card to pay for trips in the subways as well as buses that are public. Taxis also accept this type of payment.

The list of Seoul’s notable features only includes 25 items. In reality, there are many more fascinating things to do, see and eat while in Seoul. The best way to learn the truth is to go there!

In the meantime, while you wait for that trip to come to pass it is possible to learn more about Korean culture by reading this list of the things South Korea is famous for and these interesting facts concerning Korean culture.

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