Tag: South Korea

Namsan Seoul Tower

Namsan Seoul Tower or N Seoul Tower or Namsan Tower is a communication and observation tower located on Namsam Mountain in the heart of Seoul.

It has an elevation of about 236 meters and marks as the second-highest point in Seoul.

The best time to go to Namsam Tower is before the sunset. You can enjoy the park, shopping and food just before the sun sets in. Then enjoy the view of the sunset and when the horizon changes to colorful and sparkling lights.

What to see in Namsan Tower

You can check on the Ssentoy museum and showroom for those who love Marvel, DC or Disney Fan. There’s the Hello Kity Island and the Bear Museum.

Love Padlock Area which actually has two sides. The one is in N Terrace and the other one is near the stairs.

Viewing in the N Terrace to enjoy the sunset and the city. This is the perfect place if you don’t want to go to the observatory.

Namsam Octagonal Pavillion is where the events take place. You can enjoy the view of the park trees and stay at the benches and enjoy the view of the N Seoul Tower.

There are also restaurants in the N Seoul Tower.

How to get to Namsam Tower

The closest subway is the Chungmuro Station. You can also try the Namsan Cable Car located near Myeongdong Station. You can also try the bus and taxi.

You can also try to walk from Namsan Public Library.

For other posts about South Korea, please check: Autumn in South Korea,  Nami Island, Petite France, South Korea,

Changdeokgong Palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Dongdaemun Design Plaza or DDP is a modern iconic landmark of the Korean design industry. The architectural design was made by late Zaha Hadid, a world-renowned architect and SAMOO.

The Dongdaemun Design Plaza consists of five halls: Design Lab, Design Market, Art Hall, Museum and Dongdaemun History and Culture Park.

The DDP is located in Euljiro, Jung-gu Seoul, South Korea.

It was also the filming location of different Korean Drama – You Who Came from the Stars, Producer and She was Pretty.

How to get there

Go to Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station using Line 2, 4 or 5.

For other posts about South Korea, please check: Autumn in South Korea,  Nami Island, Petite France, South Korea,

Changdeokgong Palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395, three years after the foundation of the Joseon Dynasty.

It was the main royal palace located at Jungno District in Seoul. The palace was the largest of the “Five Great Palaces.”


Mount Bukhan is seen as the backdrop of Gyeongbokgung Palace with Gwanghwamum Gate as the main entrance of the palace upfront.


There are 5 more different gates in the palace, different Ojeon or Outer courts, Naejeon or Inner Courts, Donggung of the palace of the Crown Prince, Pavillions and bridges.
Geuojeongjeon is the throne hall of the King where visitors and audiences come to the hall during the Joseon Dynasty.


One of the events that people would love to see is the changing of the guards in Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is done twice daily when the Sumunjang or royal guard watches over the Gwanghwamun Gate.

How to get to Gyeongbokgung Palace

From the Jongno-3-ga Station, use the Line 3. Tickets are available outside the palace gate.

For other posts about South Korea, please check: Autumn in South Korea,  Nami Island, Petite France, South Korea

Changdeokgong Palace

Changdeokgong Palace

Changdeokgong Palace and Huwon are located in Jongno-gu, Seoul It is listed as UNESCO World Heritage it is one of the “Five Great Palaces” built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty.

It is also known as the East Palace. The palace was built between River Geumcheon in the front and Peak Maebong of Mount Bukhan at the back.


There are different places to see in the palace. The famous ones are the following:


Changdeokjong Injeongjeon or Changdeokjong Palace Complex is the main palace hall where the kings and officials would gather. In front of the hall are stone markers inscribed with the ranks of each court officials were.

Seonjeongjeon or King’s Council Hall was where the king and the high officials also use Seonjeongjeon to discuss state affairs.

Other places are Huijeongdang: King’s Residence and Daejeojon or Queen’s residence.

How to get to Changdeokgung Place and Huwon


Our hotel is in Hoehyeon using Line 4. We transferred to Seoul Station in Line 1 going to Jongno-3-ga Station and went to exit 6. Tickets are available outside the palace in Donhwamun or the Main Gate. There’s a separate ticket going to the Huwon or Secret Garden.

For other posts about South Korea, please check: Autumn in South Korea,  Nami Island, Petite France, South Korea

Petite France, South Korea

It is also called Le Petite Prince French Cultural Village. Located between Nami Island and Cheongpyeong Lake and near Homyeongri.

French Cultural Village

It was a filming site for famous Korean Drama like Secret Garden and Man from the Stars and also for Running Man, a Korean Variety Show. There are memorabilia from the different Korean Drama in the cultural village.

Saint-Exupery and Little Prince

Aside from the picturesque French village, it is the home for the gallery of the famous French author Antoine Marie Roger De Saint Exupery. 

You can check out the Saint-Exupery Memorial Hall. There are life-size images of Saint-Exupery’s renowned book of Little Prince.


My favorite spot in the cultural village is Fountain Square and the Butterfly Garden which is overlooking the Cheongpyeong Lake.


You can also go inside the different buildings and check out the decorations, art paintings, galleries and also to appreciate the European style houses.

There are special French art performances in the Amphitheater. For more information, you can check the website for the performance times.

There’s a miniature Eiffel Tower of Paris in the cultural village.

How to get there

From Nami Island you can ride a shuttle bus with the Gapyeong Tourist Attraction. It is a 15 – 20 minutes bus ride from the island bus stop. You can see the bus stop along the road. You will also see the entrance tunnel in Petite France.


Going back to Seoul, you can also wait for the shuttle bus going to Cheongpyeong Station and take the subway going back.

You can check the previous post from Autumn in South Korea

Nami Island

Nami Island is one of the favorite destinations. It is located at the Chucheon area. Nami Island is the result of the construction of the Cheongpyeong Dam.


Nami Island is dedicated to General Nami who led the victory against the rebels during the Joseon Dynasty. The tomb of General Nami is the first attraction that can be seen alighting the ferry. Carved in his tomb is a poem he wrote.

The Metasequioa road and Central Korean Pine Tree Lane is the most famous attraction in Nami. This was the filming site for the famous Korean Drama “Winter Sonata.”


The Winter Sonata park is dedicated to the memorabilias inside the park inclduing the life size image of the actors and the bike they used during filming.

Nami Island is designated as a Unicef Child Friendly Park. They are one of the 14 parks in the world and the first in Korea.

Another place is visit is the handicraft studio in Nami Island.
There are different hotels in Nami Island. You can spend a night on Hotel Jeonggwanru. There are coffees and restaurants around the area.

Another attrection is the Namipungwon Garden, home of the different plants and trees.

After Nami Island, you can go to Petite France. From my previous post Autumn in South Korea you can check how to get to Nami Island.