Attractions in Seoul

Gyeongbokgung is the grandest of Seoul's Five Grand Palaces, originally built in 1395 as the main royal residence of the Joseon dynasty. Its name means 'Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven.'

Changdeokgung is a UNESCO World Heritage palace considered the most beautiful of Seoul's five palaces, with a 'Secret Garden' (Huwon) of centuries-old trees, pavilions, and lotus ponds.

Deoksugung is a compact royal palace in central Seoul uniquely blending traditional Korean and Western neoclassical architecture, famous for its evocative stone-wall road and changing of the guard ceremony.

Ewha Womans University campus contains Dominique Perrault's spectacular 'Campus Valley' — a vast glass canyon descending six stories underground, one of Asia's most stunning pieces of contemporary architecture.

Jongmyo is a UNESCO World Heritage Confucian shrine housing the spirit tablets of Joseon kings and queens. Its austere, elongated hall is the longest wooden building in Asia and hosts an annual ritual with ancient court music.

A quieter Joseon-era palace connected to Changdeokgung, with a botanical greenhouse and lotus ponds..

A neo-futuristic landmark by Zaha Hadid housing exhibitions, markets, and fashion events..

The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is Zaha Hadid's sweeping, alien-like landmark — a 86,574 m² complex of curves and flowing surfaces that has become Seoul's most photographed piece of contemporary architecture.

The Seoul Fortress Wall (Hanyangdoseong) is an 18.6-km walking trail following the remains of the 14th-century city wall that once encircled the Joseon capital, connecting four mountain peaks with panoramic Seoul views.

Jogyesa is the chief temple of the Jogye Order, the dominant school of Korean Zen Buddhism, located in central Seoul. It hosts the spectacular Lotus Lantern Festival each May when thousands of colorful lanterns fill the temple and streets.

Bongeunsa is a serene 8th-century Buddhist temple hidden among the Gangnam skyscrapers — a spiritual oasis of wooden halls, a 23-meter Maitreya Buddha statue, and temple stay programs a world away from the surrounding commercial frenzy.

Ihwa Mural Village is a charming hillside neighborhood near Naksan Park covered in colorful murals and installations as part of a community art project to revitalize a declining area.

Korea's National Treasure No. 1, a grand 14th-century city gate rebuilt after a 2008 fire..