Top 10 Most Beautiful Photo Spots in Seoul, South Korea

Namsan Tower was commenced construction in 1969 and completed on 3/12/1971 with an investment of about 2.5 million USD, and opened to the public in 1980. At the time of completion, there were no significant facilities inside the tower, but by 1975, the observation deck on the 3rd floor had opened a museum, souvenir shop, and many other amenities. The height of Namsan Tower from the base to the top is 236.7m, located on the top of Namsan Mountain at 243m, raising the total height of the tower from sea level to the top of the tower to 479.7m.

On October 15, 1980, Namsan Tower officially opened to the public and became a symbol of Seoul ever since. In 2005, this television tower was renamed from Seoul Tower to N Seoul Tower. The letter N implies new, Namsan, and nature. The city of Seoul invested 15 billion won to renovate and redesign N Seoul Tower.

As imposing as Bitexco or Landmark81, Namsan is a tourist symbol of Seoul. This is the tallest television tower in the capital and the interesting thing is that the tower does not have the 4th floor (for some Feng Shui reasons) and instead is the 5th floor with a rotating restaurant, after a certain period of time (about 48 - 50 minutes) the restaurant will rotate. Oh, don't forget the super cute Teddy bear museum at the tower.

Detailed information:

• At Chungmungro station, line 3 or 4, exit 4 - Walk 2 minutes to the bus stop - take bus No. 2 or 5 - Get off at the last stop
• Opening hours: 10 am - 11 pm daily (Sundays until 12 midnight)
• Ticket price: 10000W/adult and 8000W/senior and children (The above ticket price is only applicable for going up to the 3rd observation deck, the activities on the lower floors are FREE)

Han River is one of the four major rivers in South Korea, with a total length of 514km, after the Yalu River, the Imjin River in North Korea, and the Nakdong River in Busan. The river begins with two small branches and meets in the Paju area near the capital city of Seoul.

Han River and its surrounding area play a significant role in Korean history. During the Three Kingdoms period, nations vied for control of this area as the river served as the main trade route with China via the Yellow Sea. However, today, with the Korean Peninsula divided into two, the commercial role of the river is almost nonexistent. Currently, the banks of the river are used as parks, pedestrian walkways, and bike paths.

As one of the four major rivers of the Land of the Morning Calm, this 28km-long river is a spot you shouldn't miss. While the scenery might not be particularly remarkable, I believe the harmonious blend of towering skyscrapers and picturesque riverbanks will make for an ideal photo backdrop!

Let me introduce you to Lotte World Tower, the tallest tower in South Korea and the 5th tallest in the world, located right next to the largest indoor amusement park in South Korea, Lotte World. Lotte World Tower stands at 555m tall, with 123 above-ground floors and 6 underground floors. State-of-the-art technologies have been used to construct the tower, making it a world leader in high-rise, safe, and green buildings.

Ranking 5th globally, Lotte World Tower is a vertical city of the future where traditional Korean beauty, modern technology, and nature coexist harmoniously. The total usable area of the tower equals 115 football fields, and the floor area is equivalent to 12.2 times a football field.

With a total height of 555m, Lotte World Tower is currently the tallest building in South Korea and the 5th tallest in the world! It's a complex that includes a library, cafes, hotels, and a highlight is the Seoul Sky Observatory on the 118th floor with the 'Skydeck' where you can observe Seoul from a height of 478m, it's truly breathtaking.

Details:

• Address: 29 Sincheon-dong, Songpa-gu (You can take Seoul Subway Line 2 and Line 8 at Jamsil Station to go directly to the tower)
• Opening hours: 9:30 AM – 11:00 PM
• Admission: 27,000W/adult and 24,000W/child

This is not just a landmark but also a pride of Seoul as Banpo Bridge is recognized by Guinness as the longest bridge fountain in the world! The bridge spans over 1.4km in length and is about 40m wide.

The rainbow-colored fountain on Banpo Bridge is a structure cherished and admired by the people of Seoul. They even call it the Moonlight Rainbow Bridge to express the water dance and the vibrant hues of light blending together, creating spectacular performances every day at 12 PM, 8 PM, and 9 PM. On weekends, there's an additional show at 9:30 PM, make sure to catch it.

The Moonlight Rainbow Fountain on Banpo Bridge, illuminated by LED lights, creates 200 dancing colors synchronized with music, creating a mesmerizing and enchanting scene. The fountain was built on Banpo Bridge in 2009.

Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se Hoon once declared that the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain has elevated the beauty of the capital to new heights, and the city takes pride in its environmental friendliness as the water is pumped from the Han River to the fountain and flows back to the river. 38 pumps and 380 water jets draw water from 20m below the bridge and create water curtains up to 43m wide horizontally.

Oh my, this is my favorite part! If Hollywood has its prestigious Walk of Fame for superstars, then Seoul, or more specifically the posh district of Gangnam, has its own charming yet quirky version. Yes, that's K-Star Road for you, shimmering with towering teddy bear statues representing our favorite oppas and unnies, souvenir shops, and more... Being a fan here feels like a dream come true!

The Apgujeong and Cheongdam-dong areas in Gangnam are home to renowned K-Pop training centers like SM, JYP, and Cube. After enjoying a stroll and taking pictures on the dreamy K-Star Road, why not wander around these two districts? The chances of bumping into idols shopping at convenience stores are quite high.

You can take the Bundang Line to Apgujeong Rodeo Station and use Exit 2. From Exit 2, just walk straight ahead, and when you see a colorful street in the distance, you'll know you've arrived!

First off, let me make it clear, Dongdaemun is a district of Seoul, and it's as lively and bustling as going to District 1 in Saigon. Since people usually don't spend much time here, about 1-2 hours, it's mainly about visiting the beloved Cheonggyecheon Stream, Dongdaemmun Market, or the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) for an impressive experience. You can take subway lines 1 or 4 to Dongdaemun Station and then use Exit 8 or 9 to get there.

Dongdaemun is one of the 25 districts (gu) of Seoul, South Korea. This district is located on the northern side of the Han River. Its administrative offices are in Yongdu-dong, near the Line 2 subway station. Dongdaemun District was first established in 1943 when the 'gu' system began and had a larger area than today. Seongbuk District was separated from the district in 1949, and Changsin Dong and Sungin Dong were merged into Jongno District in 1975. Additionally, 17 dongs (neighborhoods) were separated to form Jungnang District in 1988.

Dongdaemun District borders Seongbuk District to the northwest, Jungnang District to the east (with Jungnangcheon Stream forming the boundary line), Gwangjin District to the southeast, Seongdong District to the south, meets Jung-gu at a point in the west-south direction, and borders Jongno District to the west.

The busiest neighborhood in Dongdaemun District is the Cheongnyangni area - a large commercial area formed around Cheongnyangni Station, one of Seoul's secondary CBDs. Dongdaemun District is named after the eastern gate in the city walls of Seoul called Dongdaemun, but Dongdaemun itself is actually located in Jongno District. This is due to an administrative boundary change.

For those who love vibrant and lively atmospheres, who enjoy holding a refreshing cold drink and strolling through the sparkling streets filled with shops, clubs, etc., I warmly welcome you to Hongdae. Hongdae Young Street can be considered the epicenter of nightlife in Seoul with bars, pubs operating 24/7, especially on weekends.

If you visit this street during the day, you'll even see dancers and singers performing along the streets. Located in Mapo District, western Seoul, to get here from Seoul Station, you can take subway line 2 and get off at Hongdae Station.

Hongdae is situated in Mapo District, western Seoul. To reach here, travelers from Seoul Station just need to take subway line 2 and get off at Hongdae Station. The Hongik University, a renowned art school, has been the main factor shaping the youthful and vibrant atmosphere of this neighborhood. It can be said that Hongdae brings together everything - entertainment areas, shopping districts, and creative artistic spaces by talented art students from the university.

This village reminds me of the Street Art in Penang, Malaysia. With its painted walls and serene alleys, Ihwa takes us on unexpected journeys. Originally a slum area, Ihwa has transformed into one of Seoul's artistic gems.

Several small museums, art centers, and cafes have opened up, including the Lock Museum, Ihwa-dong Village Museum, Blacksmith Museum, and Gaeppul Museum showcasing wine-opening tools. There are also cafes serving tea and pastries, providing a tranquil French countryside vibe.

Starting in 2006, as part of a city beautification movement, villagers began decorating the walls. Amidst the bustling capital with its towering modern buildings, this small village with its winding alleys and vibrant walls embodies a rustic charm. It's no wonder it's a favorite spot for photographers and a fun hangout for Seoul's youth.

Nestled in the bustling heart of Seoul, Bukchon Hanok Village is an unexpected oasis of tranquility and nostalgia. This village preserves around 900 hanok houses, once home to noble families and Joseon dynasty officials over 600 years ago. The houses are nestled closely together along narrow alleys, creating a harmonious and impressive landscape, perfect for exploring the rich cultural heritage of Korea.

To reach the village, take subway line 3 to Anguk Station, exit 2, and walk 480 meters. Then, cross the street and turn left into a small alley. The village lies between Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace, and Jongmyo Shrine, with well-preserved houses and winding alleys.

Bukchon Hanok Village was built over 600 years ago with unique architectural style, characterized by sturdy yet rustic exteriors and harmonious interior decorations. Strolling through the village, you can visit traditional hanok houses, charming Korean-style tea houses, or outdoor museums.

Although one of the oldest neighborhoods in central Seoul alongside Jonggak and Myeong, Ikseon Alley remains relatively undiscovered. Recently, it has become a trend with the emergence of cafes, restaurants, and handicraft shops featuring impressive and unique decor.

Inkseon is one of the oldest neighborhoods in central Seoul. However, it is still relatively unknown to many. If you enjoy a more serene atmosphere, you should add this place to your itinerary. While not bustling, it still offers a variety of cafes, restaurants, and handicraft shops with impressive and unique decor. Explore without worrying about crowds.