DOWNTOWN SEOUL

A:Admission Fee   C:Closing Day   H:Hours   L:Location   T:Transportation

City Hall stands in the main downtown plaza and may be considered the city center. Near it are five of Seoul's major deluxe hotels: the Westin Joseon, Radisson Seoul Plaza, Lotte, President, , and Koreana. The Sejong Cultural Center, Deoksugung Palace, and several foreign embassies are within walking distance. The downtown area is also a heaven for shoppers. There are numerous department stores, arcades, and boutiques, each offering a wide variety of the latest high fashion goods.

Deoksugung Palace (Tel:(02)752-0735) is just beside City Hall. This palace complex is dotted with commanding structures: Daehanmun, the main gate;Junghwajeon, the throne room or audience hall; and Sukjojeon, the first Renaissance-style building in Korea, which now houses the Royal Museum, an exhibition of items used by the royal court. The palace is open to the public Year-round.

L: Across from City Hall Within walking distance of five deluxe hotels
T: Subway Line 1 or 2, City Hall Station
H: 09:00 -- 18:00(17:30 Nov.-Feb.)
A: 700Won
C: Mon

A stroll up Sejongno Street offers a look at the old and new Seoul. The lovely red brick Anglican Cathedral sits snugly behind Deoksugung Palace. The cathedral, built in1926, is nest to the British Embassy, built in 1890.
In Jeong-dong, several architectural structures, such as the Methodist Church and Ewha Girl's High School, recall the Korea of the late 19th century .
The Korea Press Center (Tel:(02)733-7011)with its Foreign Correspondent's Club, is just north of City Hall. The statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, Korea's great naval hero, marks the site of the Gwanghwamun Intersection, and a convenient pedestrian tunnel connects the Sejong Cultural Center and the Kyobo Building, two distinctive structural landmarks that face each other across the main Sejongno Street.
The Sejong Cultural Center(Tel:(02)399-1512)is one of Korea's most well-equipped centers for major international and national cultural events. It has both large and small auditoriums for concerts,plays, and conferences. 
The Kyobo Building (Tel:(02)721-3210)is the home of Seoul's largest bookstores. Located in the basement, Kyobo Bookstore(Tel:(02)397-3500)offers a large selection of foreign books and magazines and is equipped with a stationery department, several restaurants and a cafeteria. Foreign visitors who wish to acquire an understanding of Korea should browse through the "Books on Korea" section. 
Gwanghwamun Gate, at the end of Sejongno Street, was the original entrance to Gyeongbokgung Palace. The two entrances to the Gyeongbokgung Palace are now located along the east and west walls. 
Gyeongbokgung Palace(Tel:(02)732-1931).a 40 acre complex, was built in 1394, the third year of the Joseon Dynasty. Geunjeongjeon, the largest and most impressive building in the palace, served as the throne room and audince hall. Gyeonghoiru, a spacious two-story pavilion, overlooks a picturesque man-made pond just northwest of the throne hall. It served as a feasting hall for gatherings of royal ministers and diplomats, Hyangwonjeong, a secluded pavilion nestled in the middle of a lotus pond at the northern end of the palace complex, is where the royal families could enjoy special private occasions.

L: Behind Gwanghwamun Gate. Within walking distance of City Hall and Insa-dong.
T: Subway Line 3, Gyeongbokgung Station.
H: 09:00-18:00(-17:00 Nov.-Feb.)
A: 700 Won
C: Tues. 

The National Folk Museum (Tel: (02)734-1346)is in the Gyeongbokgung Palace complex. It is located next to the palace and shows the religious rituals, housing, household tools and implements, food, and social dynamics of traditional Korean life.

T: Subway Line 3, Gyeongbokgung Station
H: Same as Gyeongokgung Palace
A: 700 Won, Included in the admission fee to Gyeongbokgung
C: Tues.

Changdeokgung Palace (Tel : (02)762-8262),east of Gyeongbokgung Palace, is a popular tourist destination. It is best known for the Secret Garden, or Biwon composed of 78 acres of gardens superbly landscaped with pavilions, ponds,and wooded areas.Daily guided tours of the garden are available in English, Japanese, and Korean. English tours are scheduled at 11:30,13:30, and 15:30, and Japanese tours at 10:30, 12:30 and 14:30,16:30

L: Adjacent to Changgyeonggung Palace
T: Subway Line 3, An-guk Station
H: 09:15-17:15
A: 2,200won
C: Mon.

Adjacent to Changdeokgung Palace is Changgyeonggung Palace (Tel:(02)762-4868), another well-preserved royal complex with magnificent gates and elaborate bridges, evoking visions of an earlier era.

L: Across Yulgongno from Jongno
T: Subway Line 4, Hyehwa Station or Subway Line 1, Jongno 3-ga or Jongno 5-ga Station
H: 09:00-18:00( Mar.-Oct.),09:00-17:30(Nov.-Feb.)
A: 700Won.
C: Tues.

Jongmyo Shrine(Tel: (02)765-0195), located just across Yulgongno Street form Changgyeonggung Palace, is a heavily wooded garden containing the royal ancestral tablets of the Joseon Dynasty.
On the first Sunday in May, the inner courtyards and shrines of Jongmyo are opened to the public for an annual Confucian ceremonial rite, one of the most interesting ceremonies in Korea.
In 1995, Jongmyo Shrine was named to UNESCO's prestigious World Heritage List.

L: Across from the Seun Arcade between Jongno 3-ga and Jongno 4-ga
T: Subway Line 1 or Subway Line 3, Jongno 3-ga Station.
H: 06:00-18:00(Mar.-Oct.) 06:30-17:30(Nov.-Feb.)
A: 700Won.
C: Tues.

Heunginjimun (East Gate or Dongdaemun)is the original east gate of the ancient city wall. Dongdaemun and its market are two of the most interesting and fascinating places along Jongno Street. The public market sprawls east, west , and south of Dongdaemun and offers a variety of bargains in everything from clothes and bolts of colorful fabric to household goods. Furniture, bedding, sports equipment, cooking utensils, electronics, and food are in plentiful array.

T: Subway Line 1or 4, Dongdaemun Station.

Close by Jongno 5-ga, Daehangno(University Street) used to be the site of Seoul National University. The street is now home to the Korean Culture and Arts Foundation and is Subway Lined with many large and small theaters and galleries. Small sidewalk cafes and a park add to the artistic atmosphere. Students and visitors alike enjoy the works of local artists, dance groups, poets, and other performers.

L: Daehangno runs south from Hyehwa-dong to Jongno 5-ga T: Subway Line 4, Hyehwa Station

Sunggyungwan (Tel: (02)765-0501)was originally the National Confucian Academy and the site of Munmyo, the Confucian Shrine. It became the focal point of Confucian studies and ceremonies, especially during the Joseon Dynasty. Great scholars from all over the country gathered here to debate the classics and conduct research. State ceremonies are still performed at Munmyo, and memorial services are held twice each year in May and September.

L: On the Sunggyungwan University campus, north of Changgyeonggung Palace
T: Subway Line 4, Hyehwa Station
H: 09:00-16:00
A: Free

Tapgol Park (Tel:(02)742-0553)is also known as "Pagoda Park" because of the Joseon Dynasty pagoda situated in its center.Located on Jongno Street, the park is an tistoric landmark in the struggle against Japanese colonial rule. From this park on March 1, 1919, a nationwide non-violent demonstration was launched by the Independence Movement to protest Japanese occupation.

T: Subway Line 1, Jongno 3-ga Station
H: 08:00-19:00
A: Free

A short walk from the park brings you to Insa-dong, a narrow street Subway Lined with antique stores, art galleries, and secondhand book stores, where visitors can wander and browse at leisure. Dubbed "May's Alley" by foreign residents of Seoul, Insa-dong is the most reliable to purchase antiques and reproductions in the city, particulary the many types of Joseon Dynasty chests.
There are also bargains in calligraphy, paintings, and a wide variety of implements and articles from Korea's past.
The streets are closed on Sundays to all cars from 10:00 to 22:00 and various events including traditional fairs, traditional Korean food festivals and traditional performances are held.
West of Insa-dong is Jogyesa Temple(Tel: (02)732-2115), one of the largest Buddhist temples to be found within the city limits. Headquarters of the Jogyejong sect, Jogyesa Temple is famous for its Lantern Festival which is held every spring to commemorate Buddha's birthday.

T: Subway Line1, Jonggak Station
A: Free 

Jongno Street is home to another great landmark; Bosingak, an historic bell pavilion. The original bell, cast in 1468, once tolled the closing of the city gates at dusk and their opening at dawn. The original bell is in the National Museum and the replacement, dedicated in 1985, is rung on New Year's Day and other special occasions.

T: Subway Line 1, Jonggak Station

The Korea National Tourism Organization(Tel: (02)7299-600)(KNTO)operates a Tourist information Center and Complaint Center in the basement of its building on Cheonggyecheonno Street. The center provides visitors with video presentations and detailed travel information. Its giant relief maps permit visitors to survey both the city and the county and locate historical and cultural sites as well as other sightseeing attractions.

T: Subway Line 1, Jonggak Station or Subway Line 2, Euljiro 1-ga Station
H: 09:00-18:00(-17:00 Nov.-Feb.)

Myeong-dong is a first-rate shopping and entertainment area. It is noted for its eating, drinking, and entertainment establishments, frequented by crowds of all ages. In the Myeong-dong area are five major department stores staffed by clerks who generally speak English or Japanese with some degree of proficiency. In the department stores, all prices are set.
Many of the city's top stores Subway Line the narrow alleys of Myeong-dong. Major fashion designers have boutiques here and foreign brand-name products and shoe stores can be found in abundance. In addition to its shops, Myeong-dong contains a variety of financial institutions such as banks and stock and investment companies.

Myeong-dong Catholic Cathedral(Tel:(02)774-3890)is the oldest and most famous Catholic church in Korea and the country's best example of Gothic architecture.

T: Subway Line 2, Euljiro 1-ga Station or Subway Line 4, Myeong-dong Station
H: 06:00-20:00

Namdaemun Market is named after Namdaemun(formally Sungnyemun Gate),Korea's National Treasure No. 1. The gate and the market are only a short distance from Myeong-dong and are conveniently accessible from the major hotels. The market is popular among local residents and tourists alike for its bargains in everything from clothes to flowers and foodstuffs. Its crowded streets are Subway Lined with tiny shops which sell virtually every product imaginable.

L: 500m north of Seoul Station
T: Subway Line 4, Hoihyeon Station

Seoul Station (Tel:(02)392-7788), the main railway depot in the city, is south of Namdaemun. Frequent trains connect Seoul Station with Korea's other major cities, such as Busan, Daejeon, Gyeongju, Daegu, and Gwangju.

Namsan, a granite mountain located south of Namdaemun in the heart of the city, is surrounded by Myeong-dong and Itaewon. Its slopes are graced by such deluxe hotels as the Sofitel Ambassador, Hlilton International, Grand Hyatt, Shilla, and Tower. From the Seoul Tower(Tel: (02)775-622)on the mountain's summit, visitors can take in a panoramic view of the city while enjoying a drink or a meal at the skyline restaurant.
A beautiful public park can be found on Namsan, featuring a botanical garden and statues of famous historical figures. The mountain's interior is criss-crossed by three tunnels connecting the city's northern and southern districts.

L: Just east of Seoul Station
T: Subway Line 4, Myeong-dong Station
H: 09:30-23:30(-22:30 Nov.-Feb.) for Seoul Tower
A: 2,000Won(for seoul Tower Observatory)

Korea House(Tel: (02)2266-9101), on the north side of Mt. Namsan, is an excellent example of traditional architecture, where visitors can enjoy authentic Korean food in one of the dining rooms or banquet halls. There is also a small auditorium for traditional Korean music and dance performances. A reservation is necessary for the meal and the performance. Performance hours are 19:00 and 20:40

T: Subway Line 3 or 4, Chungmuro Station
A: 21,200 Won(performance only)

Yejiwon(Tel: (02)2253-2211) is on institute established to teach traditional Korea culture and manners. Among the classes offered by Yejiwon, the courses offering direct participation, such as the tea-ceremony, cooking, dancing, how to wear korean traditional clothing, Gimchi-marking and the etiquette of a traditional wedding ceremony, are very popular.
Special programs for tour groups are also provided. The average class lasts one or two hours and both men and women are welcome to attend.

L: Opposite the National Theater
T: Subway Line 3, Dongguk Univ. Station
A: edu(10~40) 20,000Won(per man) 

The National Theater(Tel: (02)274-1151/8) can be found on the eastern slope of Mt. Namsan. It
houses large and small performance  halls, and experimental and outdoor stages. The largest theater has a seating capacity of 1,500. All of the stage, sound and lighting systems are of world- class quality. Performances by music, dance and drama companies all take place year round.

L: Eastern slope of Mt. Namsan
T: Subway Line 3, Dongguk Univ.Station
A: 15,000Won(opera Performance) 10,000Won(etc) 

Itaewon is a popular spot for visiting bargain shoppers and entertainment seekers. It is largely responsible for Seoul's international reputation as a shopper's paradise, The area's main street runs for more than a mile and is Subway lined with stores, boutiques, and sidewalk stalls. The boutiques sell tailor-made and ready-made suits and dresses, leather and eel skin goods, shoes and handbags, brasses,leather, jewelry, and fur coats at a fraction of the normal price. There are also numerous antique shops and stores specializing in Korean art and calligraphy.
Itaewon is always bustling with activity. During the day, shoppers and merchants crowd the sidewalks; in the evening, the air is filled with the sounds of spirited entertainment and good cheer. There is an abundance of fast-food restaurants, coffee shops, small bars, large discos, and cafes that offer a wide selection of music including jazz, country, and pop, English is widely spoken and US dollars are welcome.

L: South of Mt. Namsan
T: Use city bus or hotel shuttle bus.

Opened on June 10, 1994, the War Memorial u(Tel: (02)709-3078/9)offers visitors on educational experience of the many wars in which Korea has been involved. Many documents and war memorabilia have been collected and are displayed as examples of Korea's 5,000-year history of resistance to numerous invasions, while still maintaining national self-esteem.
The War Memorial has several display rooms, such as the one dedicated to the memory of those who died defending their country, the War History Room, the Korean War Room, the Expeditionary Forces Room, the Korean Forces Development Room, and the Large-Scale Equipment Room.
There is an outdoor exhibition center displaying the weapons of other countries and a model based on the tombstone of king Gwanggaeto the Great of the Goguryeo kingdom.

L: South of Seoul Station
T: Subway Line 4, Samgakji Station
H: 09:00-18:00(-17:00 Nov. - Feb)
A: 2,000 Won
C: Mon

TheYongsan Electronics Market, specializing in electric and electronic goods, is the largest electronics market in Asia. With approximately 5,000 stores housed in 22 buildings, this shopping area is filled with practically every kind of electric and electronic product, such as TVs, VCRs, computers and cellular phones, at a selling price up to 30% lower than in other markets. In each building, stores are identified with names and numbers to enable shoppers to return easily for more bargains.
In addition, with the establishment of a computer training center and several rest areas, the Yongsan Electronics Market is gaining popularity as a great new shopping area in Seoul.

L: West of the War Memorial
T: Subway Line 1, Yongsan Station

Yongsan Family park (Tel:(02)792-5661)is located near the Itaewon shopping district and occupies an area of 297,000§³, Its basic facilities include a 4.6 km walking and jogging course, a 4,100§³ rest area, and 247,000§³ of parkland. It is also equipped with resting, convenience , and parking facilities.

L: South of the War Memorial
T: Subway Line 4, Ichon Station
H: open 24 hours.