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★ Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage
This is the only palace that has preserved Joseon Dynasty’s original royal architecture. The hidden treasure is surely the Secret Garden, an intimate Korean-style retreat located behind the palace.

Location: Take Subway Line 3 to Anguk Station, and go out of Exit 3 (a 2-minute walk)
Sightseeing time: Approximately 1.5 hours, Foreign language services: available in English, Japanese, Chinese

→ For more information on Changdeokgung Palace

★ Streets of Traditional Culture in Insa-dong
Located only 10 minutes away from the Changdeokgung Palace, the streets of Insa-dong, well-known for its traditional culture, bustle with tourists day and night. Here visitors can find a great selection of traditional items and souvenir gifts at inexpensive prices. Also, many popular Korean restaurants nearby are highly recommended.

Location: Take Subway Line 3 to Anguk Station, and go out of Exit 6. Walk up to the tourist information center (less than 1 minute). Insa-dong street starts there.

→ Best restaurants in Insa-dong
→ Shopping in Insa-dong

★ Cheonggyecheon Stream
After a good Korean meal in Insa-dong, head towards Cheonggyecheon Stream for an urban landscape tour. A mere 10- minute walk from Insa-dong, Cheonggyecheon Stream was where housewives of long ago gathered to do the laundry. In the early 70s, as part of rapid modernization and industrialization, Korean authorities had concrete roads built over the stream.
In 2005, however, the stream was restored, and has since become a leading tourist attraction. The area is especially beautiful in the evening.

Location: Take Subway Line 1 to Jonggak Station, and go out of Exit 5. Walk 20 meters ahead.

→ Cheonggyecheon’s Walking Tour

★ N Seoul Tower
Offering a birds’ eye view of Seoul, this is a particularly popular destination for young couples. Enjoy a fantastic night view and a romantic dinner at N Seoul Tower.

→ N Seoul Tower Guide

☞ How to Get from Cheonggyeocheon Plaza to N Seoul Tower
Take a City Tour bus in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Gwanghwamun (Subway Line 5, Gwanghwamun Station, Exit 6).
Enjoy the city night life inside a City Tour bus!
Departure Time: 19:50/ 20:00, No bus on Mondays
Departure Location: In front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Gwanghwamun
Itinerary of Tour: Gwanghwamun – Deoksugung Palace - Hangang River – N Seoul Tower (One round takes 2 hours)
To get to N Seoul Tower, take the Downtown Tour Bus that leaves every 30 minutes.

→ More on Seoul City’s Tour Bus

★ Fashion Mecca - Night Shopping in Dongdaemun Market
If you are a young tourist full of energy, why not go night-shopping in Dongdaemun! Also, if you think it is too early to call it a day at N Seoul Tower, this is a great way to wrap the evening up.
The market in Dongdaemun is bustling with shoppers day and night. Stores offer every fashion item you’ll need to adorn yourself from head to toe, and you will get a good idea of the latest fashion trends in Seoul. Prices are also very quite good especially for the budget shopper.

Location: Take Subway Line 2, 4, or 5 to Dongdaemun Stadium station, and go out of Exit 14. Walk about 100 meters in the direction of Dongdaemun Market and you will find big shops like Hello apm, Milliore, and Doota.
Business Hours: 10:00~22:00 (Opened all year-round)

★ Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, Film Location for ‘Jewel in the Palace’
King Jeongjo, a Joseon Dynasty king, stayed at Hwaseong Haenggung Palace whenever he visited the royal tombs. Comparatively small, it was nonetheless the perfect filming location for ‘Jewel in the Palace’. The interior and exterior will remind you of scenes from the TV drama.

A variety of regular events are slated for the weekdays and weekends. Since the palace is not that large, an hour is enough to look around. If you want to enjoy an event, some extra time is required. After your visit, go back to the bus stop near Paldalmun Gate, and take a bus to Everland. On the other hand, if you want to arrive at Everland after 5pm in time for the evening hours, it may be a good idea to see the Hwaseong Fortress beforehand.

Viewing Time: About 3.5 hours (including Hwaseong Fortress and Hwaseong Haenggung Palace)

☞ How to Get from Seoul to Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
By Subway: Take Subway Line 1 to Suwon Station. At the bus stop across the station, take bus 5 or 7 and get off at Paldalmun Gate (15 minutes). Visit the Tourist Information Center at the Suwon Station for more information.

Viewing Tip: There are numerous events organized at Suwon Fortress, allowing visitors to better appreciate Korean traditions and culture. From regular hands-on events to weekend special events, experience the reenactment of a traditional guard-changing ceremony at the fortress gates or try on a royal costume. Or you may want to hone your culinary skills at traditional Korean cooking classes. Suwon Tourist Information Center: It is located to the left-hand side outside the station about 50 meters. Information is available in English, Japanese and Chinese. The staff will explain how to get to Suwon’s Hwaseong Fortress. Hwaseong Tourist Information Center: There are 5 tourist information centers in total here, which are all located near the gates.

→ For more information on Hwaseong Haenggung Palace
→ Hwaseong Train Guide

★ Everland, Korea’s Largest Theme Park

The largest theme park in Korea, Everland offers special events for every season.
Visitors love the wide variety of rides, and it is reputable for its friendly attendants, good service and hospitality.
If you are visiting with your children, make sure to stop here for some unforgettable fun.

☞ How to Get from Suwon Hwaseong Fortress to Everland
Take bus 6000 at the bus stop in front of Paldalmun gate. The bus also leaves from Suwon Station. Everland is the last stop. (a 70 minute bus ride)

☞ How to Get from Seoul to Everland
By bus: From Gangnam Station (Subway Line 2, Exit 6), take bus 5002 at the bus stop. (Bus leaves every 15 minutes; a 40 minute bus ride)

→ For more information on Everland

★ Gangchon Resort, Excitement on the Ski Slopes
Gangchon Resort is a multi-purpose resort with a golf course, ski slopes, and condominium facilities. Located on the Bukhan River, it also offers a great scenery. Here, visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of Gangwon-do Province at any time of the year. From golf in summer to skiing in winter, this resort has still many things to offer.

[Staying in a Condominium]
Guests must make advance reservations two months before the scheduled date (first-come, first-served). Unit sizes are 99 or 198 square meters. On weekends during the ski season, the facilities are usually fully booked and rates go up. Rooms are more available on weekdays from Monday through Friday. Rates range between 140,000 won and 200,000 won (5 people per 1 room).
Reservation: +82-33-260-2330 (English)

[Ski Resort]
Ski tickets can be purchased four different times in one day: in the morning, afternoon, evening, and late-night. Slopes are closed for grooming and maintenance between 4:30 pm and 6 pm. Late-night skiing starts from 10pm and lasts until 2am between December 22 and February 17. There are six ski lifts in operation.

[Facilities]
The resort offers all sorts of restaurants, an outdoor pub for beer and live music, and a rest area on the summit of the ski slopes. It also has an outdoor swimming pool, a golf practice area, bicycle paths, and hiking trails. For visitors ’ convenience, there is a produce market, a bar, a sauna, a children’s playroom, and a noraebang (singing room).