Experiencing Seoul on a Short Trip - 5 Must Visit Places

Seoul is a beautiful place where heritage buildings lie admist skycrapers. Here, there are roads lined with vendors selling things on carts right in front of countless cosmetics and fashion stores. I was in Seoul for 7 days and stayed in the Myeongdong area. I visited palaces, shrines, temples, shopping streets, universities, markets and malls. If you're on a short visit, I would suggest visiting the following places.

 1) Palace/Temple/Shrine (Suggestion : GyeongBukGong)

Pond in GyeongBukGong

I visited 4 palaces, 1 shrine and 2 temples. The architecture is similar so if you're short on time, pick at least of these to visit, to look at the architecture and get a feel of the place. I would suggest visiting GyeongBukGong palace and follow a guided tour. This tour covers explanation about the throne room, the King and Queen's lifestyle, stories about some other buildings and also talks about the architecture. After following this guided tour, you would be able to learn a little about the history and you will also learn why palaces, temples and shrines we see in Seoul have similar architecture.


2) Local Spa and Sauna

Entrance to the elevator to Golden Hot Springs

This is a must visit. Pick one at a convenient location for you and drop by for a visit. Spare at least 2-3 hours for this experience and you would probably appreciate it more when the weather is cold or after a day of walking. I picked Golden Hot Spring in Seocho-gu as it was conveniently located close to where I was sightseeing. It was a rainy day. This place is in a multi-story building of shoplots and there is an elevator which we can take to get to the entrance of this spa(see photo on the right). At the elevator, there is a sign showing which floor to go to. They're occupying lots on 3 floors. The floor of the main entrance is where the unisex sauna and relaxation area is. One floor up is for ladies and one floor below is for men. If you're a lady, you get a locker upstairs in the ladies only area and men get lockers in the men only area. There are multiple hot pools, showers and hot rooms (saunas). There's even a restaurant where you can get food and a lounge area with a TV.

3) Noryangjin Fish Market

Noryangjin Fish Market (from the second floor)

This fish market is a wet market selling fresh seafood. Almost all the fish and other edible sea animals sold here are still alive. Even if you don't eat seafood, you've got to visit this market to experience the environment and have a look see. I came here with 2 other people and we bought a large crab for around 33000 won and a platter of sashimi for 30000 won. Even though the sashimi platter was prepared beforehand (we did not see them cutting up the fish), it was very fresh. The texture of the fish is firm and there is not the slightest hint of that slightly slimy layer which builds up after some time. Seafood which is bought can be brought to the restaurants on the 2nd floor. These can be cooked by the cooks in the restaurants for a price, depending on the way the food is cooked and the number of people.

4) Nami Island

A lovely path on Nami Island

Nami Island is where parts of the K-Drama Winter Sonata was filmed. This is one of the first K-Dramas which catapulted K-Dramas' popularity, a big boost to making K-Dramas as well-known as they are today. I know some of us are not avid watchers of K-Dramas and you might think, why would you even want to visit Nami Island then if you don't care for Winter Sonata. Visiting Nami Island is not all about going to the filming locations of Winter Sonata. Nami Island is a beautiful Island and you can get really nice portrait and landscape photographs here. They even have chalets on the Island so people can come for holidays to relax and enjoy this nice place.

5) Banpo Bridge (Night Lights)

Banpo Bridge at night

Banpo Bridge at night is beautiful and entertaining. Some people might say go up N Seoul Tower. I'd say come to the South side of Banpo Bridge. There's a musical water show around 9 PM. From here you can see N Seoul Tower and two beautifully lit bridges one either side of Banpo Bridge. I got here at 9:15 PM and still managed to watch the musical show play a few songs. Banpo Bridge is pedestrian friendly and you can walk across it if you fancy.

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