SOUTH KOREA, SEOUL

SEOUL SPECIAL CITY

SEOUL is capital and largest metropolis of South Korea, forming the heart of the Seoul Capital Area which includes the surrounding Incheon Metropolis and Gyeonggi province, the world's second largest Metropolitan area with over 25.6 million people. Furthermore, it is over half of South Koreans along with 632,000 international residents. Next, Seoul is surrounded by mountains, the world most visited national park per square foot. Modern landmarks include the iconic Namsan Seoul Tower, heaven for female, Myeondong is a place for going shopping, the gold clad 63 building, Lotte World, the world's second largest indoor theme park, Moonlight Rainbow Fountaint the world's longest bridge fountain. Besides that, South Korea is a birthplace of K-Pop and the Korean Wave. Seoul was voted the world most wanted travel destination by Chinese, Japanese and Thai tourists for three consecutive years in 2009- 2011 with over 12 million visitors and in 2013 making it with 10th most visited city and 6th largest earner in tourism. Now, lets take a look about the places in Seoul that attract tourists:

1.. NAMSAN TOWER
                                                 
                       

• Namsan opened to the public on October 15,1980
• Since that this place has became a major tourist attraction
• The 236.7 m Seoul Tower sits a top Namsan Mountain (243m), Seoul Tower offers panoramic views of Seoul and surrounding areas.
• The view is so stunning that makes Namsan Seoul Tower becomes the best tower Asia in the eyes of tourists.
• The attractions from this tower is with the latest LED technology lightning which constantly changes colours and patterns, it has become, it has become a "light art" providing various media art together with an unusual cultural art experience.
• Now, Namsan Seoul Tower became a proud landmarks of Seoul.

   a) Namsan Cable car

                                     

Namsan Cable car runs from the base of Namsan Mountain (located in central Seoul) up to the Namsan Tower, one of the most representative tourist attractions in Seoul, loved by tourists and residents alike. 

   

b)Love padlocks at Namsan Tower

           

Namsan Seoul Tower is one of the iconic symbols of Seoul. This place has now become a popular date spots, Like the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris, couples head to the tower to lock their "padlock of love" onto the railing that their love will last forever.

2. MYEONG-DONG

   

•  is one of the primary shopping districts in Seoul.
•  many brand name shops and department stores line the streets and alleys, such as Etude House, Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore, Noon Square and M Plaza 
• The department stores carry many premium labels and other fashionable goods at reasonable prices.
• That's why this place known as "shopping paradise" for women.

3. INSADONG

  

•  Located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display.
• Furthermore, there are traditional performances and exhibits as well despite that, this place popular with foreign tourists.
• The available facilities in Insadong such as we can get souvenir, restaurants.

4. HONGDAE AREA

• is a region in Seoul.

   a) Hello Kitty Cafe Hongdae
       

This place located in Hongdae Area. This one of the attraction places that attract tourist to come. Furthermore, what make it become interesting is they also decorated the food and drink accordance with the concept Hello Kitty.

5. 63 BUILDING

   

• with 63 floors measuring a height of 264m, the 63 Building is Korea's tallest and most recognized building.
• boasts spectacular views of the Hangang River and the surrounding mountains of Bugaksan Namsan and Gwanaksan.
• has undergone considerable renovation and the basement floor boasts convenient facilities including 63 Sea World, 63 IMAX theater, Korea's greatest buffet restaurant "Buffet Pavilion," and a host of other of other restaurants.

6. ITAEWON

• Itaewon is a part of the greater Seoul area that is often described as a foreign country within Korea.
• Though Muslims visitors to Seoul may be hard-pressedto find food and places of prayer in other regions, visitors can cast these worries aside.

The mosque opened in 1976 to promote friendly ties between Korea and Muslims countries. Despite that, to introduce Islamic culture to Korean people.

     

Also there no need to worries for Muslims because there also provide halal food restaurant here.

7. LOTTE WORLD THEME PARK
   

   "Perfect Place for Thrilling Entertainment Fun and Rides"

It is a theme park filled with thrilling rides, an ice rink, different kinds of parades as well as a folk museum, a lake and much more. One of the major reasons tourists are attracted to Lotte World is the amusement rides. These top two rides is Gyro Swing and Gyro Drop are the top pleasers

8. HAN RIVER

• Is a major river in South Korea and the fourth longest river on the Korea Peninsula.
• The Han River and it's surrounding area have played an important role in Korean history,such when The Three Kingdoms of Korea strove to take control of this, where the river was used as a trade route to China ( via the Yellow Sea). 

  a) Hangang River Ferry Cruise

Hangang River Ferry Cruise is one of the best ways to enjoy the scenery around Hangang River that flows through Seoul. Furthermore, cool wind from the river, the surrounding scenery, which get more beautiful in the evenings, are the rewards from ferry cruise can offer the tourists. On the cruise, you can see Hangang River's  beautiful scenery, the surrounding islands, Jeoldusan Park, 63 City Building, N Seoul Tower, Jamsil's Multi Sports Complex, and other famous tourist spots.

b) Ttukseom Hangang Theme Park

In summer, which was originally designed as a large swimming pool, boasts special features including a fountain in the adult pool and along winding pool resembling a stream.

While in winter, the area is covered in snow, giving visitors the chance to go sledding, build snowmen and enjoy snowball fights.

9. CHEONGGYECHEON STREAM

  

Until it was restored in 2005, Cheonggyecheon Stream existed only as a neglected watercourse hidden by an overpass. Today, it has been transformed into a heaven of natural beauty amidst the bustle of city life. This sream close to Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, the Sejong Center, Insa-dong Street, allowing visitors to easily visit major tourist sites after a leisurely stroll along the stream. 

10. GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE

Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main Royal Palace of the Joseon Dynasty. It was built in 1395 and it's located in northern Seoul. It was the largest of the Five Grand Palace, built by the Joseon Dynasty. Furthermore, Gyeongbokgung Palace served as the home of of the Kings of Joseon. today, the access of this palace is it was opened to the public and houses the National Folk Museum of Korean, the National Palce Museum of Korea and Traditional Korean Gardens.