Walking down town in Myoung Dong, Seoul
I would like to introduce a theme of walking tour downtown in Seoul, one of the biggest cities in the world by population. It is hard to enjoy the entire city on foot, but Myungdong district has the most popular shopping and sightseeing attractions for foreign tourists to walk around. Check out my Google Map, ' My Place '. However, I need to apologize that there is no English version at Google Map; neither is Yahoo Map. Hence, I add several hyperlinks to explain in English. Enjoy 'Must Visit Top 11" place in Myungdong on foot.
There are 11 places "must visit" I suggest.
Myungdong, Seoul
Myungdong is known as a Mecca of Arts and Fashion of Korea.
Avenuel Lotte Department Store
Lotte department.store is one of major department stores in South Korea. This store sells only high end goods. When you want to shop luxury brands I recommend Lotte Avenuel where you can buy GUCCI, CHANEL, LOUIS VUITTON and Tiffany Co. etc. in one builiding.
Myungdong Shopping District
Across the Lotte Avenuel Department Store, there is the "Myungdong Shopping District," located in the center of Seoul. Within one mile radius of the district, the traditional Namdaemun Market, royal palaces, and the City Hall are located. The district embraces multiple shopping malls and restaurants. This shopping district is connected with three subway stops,which means it offers enormous and dynamic places to visit for tourists on foot. In short, you can shop and eat anything you want.
Here is Myungdong shopping street YouTube video clip helping you understand how it looks like.
Here is Myungdong shopping street YouTube video clip helping you understand how it looks like.
The first Bank of Korea
This is first building of the Bank of Korea. Now it is a museum of Bank of Korea, which is named the historical site No.280 of Korea. If you are interested in Korea's currency history and its system of banking, this is the right place to visit.
Myungdong Catholic Church
Myungdong Catholic Church was built in 1898 and is the symbol of Korea Catholicism as a unique building of Gothic style in Korea. It is historical site no.258. Many Korean Christians who do not live in Seoul are willing to visit in life.
Click the image that will show how grandiose Myungdong Catholic Church is.
Click the image that will show how grandiose Myungdong Catholic Church is.
Deoksugung (Royal Palace)
Deoksugung is a walled compound of royal palaces in Seoul. Unlike other royal palaces, Deonsugung has various style of buildings: natural wooden buildings, painted wooden buildings and western style buildings. This is also one of Five Grand Palaces in Korea. Changing guard ceremony is held three times a day, similar to Buckingham palace ceremony in Lodon.
Click the picture for more photos and information for Deoksugung
Click the picture for more photos and information for Deoksugung
Gwanghwamun Square
Gwanghwamun is the main and largest gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Gwanghwamun Square was constructed in front of Gwanghwamun and Gyeonbokgung Palace in 2009. Click the link I add that will explain more details and encourage you to visit.
Gyeongbokgung (Royal Palace)
Gyeongbokgung Palace is the main and largest royal palace in Korea .It will take a couple of hours to complete tour. Too long? But it is worth sightseeing because this is one of the five Grand Palaces built by the Chosun Dynasty in 1392.
Click the photo for more information
Click the photo for more information
Namdaemun
Namdaemun Gate was the main southern entrance to the capital city during the Chosun Dynasty. This is Korean National Treasure No. 1. It is the oldest remaining wooden structure in Seoul.
In 2008, Namdaemun was on fire and severely damaged, especially the part of wooden structure on the top of the Namdaemun gate. Now restoration work is on the process so the gate is expected to be reconstructed by December 2012.
In 2008, Namdaemun was on fire and severely damaged, especially the part of wooden structure on the top of the Namdaemun gate. Now restoration work is on the process so the gate is expected to be reconstructed by December 2012.
Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market ,which is the largest traditional market in Seoul, sells just about everything imaginable: clothes, art crafts, and a wide range of products from various regions of Korea. This is a must visit place for foreign visitors to buy souvenir. Namdaemun Market is one block north of Namdaemun gate.
Myungdong Kyoja (Famous Handmade Noodle Restaurant)
You may be starving after walking hours and hours. I suggest Myungdong Kyoja, handmade noodle restaurant in Myungdong Shopping District. Main menu is Kal Gook Soo (chopped handmade noodle with dumpling (beef))
Click the map for more information
Click the map for more information
Korea House
Korea House is a traditional Korean cuisine restaurant serving traditional Korean royal family food with art performance show. If you want to have dinner being treated like king or queen, this is the place requiring your deep pocket..