I have been, from time to time, asked to recommend the best of Seoul to foreign tourists. I lived Seoul more than 15 years and it should be easy to list them. But, the reality is that it's not easy at all. Especially, when I consider what tourists like could be different from what its residents like, my thinking process to list them just stops. One way or another, I could list the best from my own perspective without considering tourist's preference.
- Bukchon, Samcheong Dong, and a few palaces (MUST VISIT) – There are lots of Korean traditional houses alongside many small alleys where people actually live and small and trendy shops and cafés are just a few minutes away. You can enjoy a cup of fresh coffee and many kinds of desserts there. Furthermore, a few palaces such as Gyeongbokgung and Changyeonggung are close to Bukchon and it is easy to access them from there. Personally, this area is one of my favorite places in Seoul. I used to go there just for hanging around and seeing people. Please visit http://bukchon.seoul.go.kr/jap/index.jsp where you can plan where to walk around.
- YongSuSan (NICE to try)– Korean cuisine restaurant near Bukchon. You can print the map below and show it to a taxi driver or ask people on the street. I bet most of people you meet there will kindly guide you how to get there.
- Tosokchon (MUST to try unless you dislike a shabby restaurant) – The best Korean ginseng chicken soup I have ever tasted. The restaurant looks a bit shabby but the taste is great! Ex-Korean president (Mr. Roh) used to have lunch there. Please visit http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=852651 for more information. If you visit there weekend, you may need to wait more than one hour.
- Baesangmyun Juga (NICE to try) – If you want to taste Korean rice wine, a.k.a., Makgeolli which is one of the most popular traditional liquors in Korea, this is the best place. It’s located at the first basement of Seoul Finance Center, Gwang Hwa Mun. It takes around 5 to 10 min. to get there from Bukchon by taxi. Please show a taxi driver the map below.
- Namsangol Hanok village (NICE to visit) – If you want to visit more formal place to see and go inside Korea traditional houses, this could be alternative. Please visit http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264116 for more information.
- Namsan and Seoul N-Tower (NICE to visit) – This is one of the Seoul’s most famous landmarks. You can go up to the top of the tower and enjoy 360 degree view of Seoul only on sunny day. In addition, if you have some time, you can walk along the walking path around the Namsan. Please visit http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264550 for more information.
- Leeum (Nice to visit) – This is the museum of art owned by Samsung and will appeal to your vanity. It is located on the slopes of the Namsan and the museum itself could be one of the artworks. Please visit http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268217 for more information.
- Hangang (river) - The river flows across Seoul and divides into north part of Seoul and south part of Seoul. There are lots of attractions alongside of the river, but I recommend the following attractions.
> Floating island: http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1013413
> Ferry cruise: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=266932
- Myungdong (Worth visiting if you’ve never been there) – You may know this area, which is one of the trendiest districts in Seoul for shopping. Japanese and Chinese are spoken in most of shops and you feel more comfortable shopping there, but it could be dull for people who have ever been to Seoul because it is widely known for tourists. You can get more information by visiting http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/whereToShop/whereToShop.jsp?action=about&cid=995821
- Timessquare (worth visiting if you like a trendy shopping mall) – This is a brand new shopping mall and the largest one in Korea. http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SH/SH_EN_7_2.jsp?cid=834090
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