Lanterns at Buddhist Temple, Seoul, Korea
Seoul, the capital of South Korea, offers many different types of places for people to visit. The public transportation system in Seoul is excellent--taxis are cheap, and buses and the subway will carry you all over the city. The weather in Seoul is hot and humid in the summer, and cold in the winter. Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit this bustling city.
Shopping Areas
Plan to visit some of the shopping areas in Seoul for interesting sightseeing experiences. A live fish market has everything from eels to turtles swimming around in tin wash buckets. The natural medicine district contains many shops with herbs, bark and spices that the owners will mix into a special concoction if you are suffering from a ailment like a cold. Open-air markets are common in Korea. The large Namdaemun market is 600 years old and offers bargains on everything from clothing to watches. Sample the food from street vendors while you are there. An interesting fact about outdoor markets is Seoul is that many vendors simply cover their wares with tarps at night and very little stealing occurs.
North Seoul Tower
View Seoul and surrounding areas for miles around on a clear day from the North Seoul Tower, which is actually a television transmission tower. Driving access is not allowed to private cars, only to buses and deluxe taxis carrying foreigners. The tower has five levels with two observation decks. You can eat at one of two restaurants or one of the several snack shops. Souvenirs are also available.
Palaces
See the splendor of the ancient palaces in Seoul. The Changdeokgung Palace is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. Go on group tours led by English-speaking guides and see performances of dance, Korean traditional opera and court music. Seoul's famous Secret Garden is on the Changdeokgung grounds and is a quiet respite from the crowds of Seoul. In the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeongbokgung Palace was the king's home. It features a beautiful lotus pond with a pavilion.
Temples
A visit to Seoul would not be complete without visiting one of the many Buddhist temples. Many temples offer private or group retreats that include assisting the monks with grounds keeping, making prayer beads or lotus lanterns, eating simple Buddhist meals, partaking in tea ceremonies, and learning Zen chanting and meditation. You need to be in strong physical shape to sleep on mats on the floor, do the many prostrating bows and sit lotus style during meditation. All lights go out around 9 p.m., and bells will wake you around 3:00 a.m. If you are lucky enough to visit a temple on Buddha's birthday or another Buddhist holiday, you will find scores of hanging lanterns, which are especially beautiful at night.
