Matt Kelley, Author at Discovering Korea

The Royal Tombs of Samneung Park in Seoul

The entrance to Seoul Royal Tombs, with a wooden building to the right of the frame, with a traditional curved roof, to the center of the frame is a large round mound of grass surrounded by a stone wall, in the foreground are neat lawns and in the background a pine forest.

The Royal Tombs of Samneung Park are among the 40 royal Korean mausoleums built over five centuries that were named UNESCO treasures in 2009.

Banpo Hangang Riverside Park in Seoul

Banpo Hangang Riverside Park in Seoul is one of the city’s most popular parks, thanks to its excellent facilities and the Rainbow Waterfall Bridge.

Gangnam Underground Shopping Arcade

A large white building with Korean lettering on the outside, Gangnam shopping arcade, with a long line of tour buses parked on the concrete outside.

The Gangnam Underground Shopping Arcade is a huge mall that’s located beneath the Express Bus Terminal in Seoul, Korea.

Goodbye to Old Seoul’s Pimatgol Alley

To the left of the frame is a painted concrete wall, showing a man with a cow, to the right of the frame is a glass high rise modern building in Seoul.

After centuries as a convenient thoroughfare for Seoul’s working class, old Seoul’s Pimatgol Alley is being destroyed in the name of “urban renewal.”

The Seoul of Design

A bus stop made out of a curved metal railing with stone walkways either side, with trees in the background.

You’re forgiven if the word “design” doesn’t come to mind when observing Seoul’s urban grit. Seoul’s mayor is hoping to change that.

The Korea Queer Culture Festival

A man in a light blue t shirt carrying a rainbow flag over his shoulder, walking through a crowd of people.

Despite Korea’s conservative culture, the annual Korea Queer Culture Festival in Seoul is one of Asia’s longest-running gay and lesbian pride events.

Seonyudo Island and a Hangang River Renaissance

A close up view of grass and grass seeds towards a pylon in the background on a cloudy day.

Seonyudo Island is a great example of the Hangang Renaissance Project, an ambitious project to restore Seoul’s main waterway and promote eco-consciousness.

Seoul Bongwonsa Buddhist Temple

Three women in long, white robes with pagoda-shaped hats holding orange, green, yellow and pink flowers at the Bongwosa Buddhist temple, taking part in Yeongsanjae ceremony.

Seoul Bongwonsa Buddhist Temple was founded in 889 by the great Doseon. The west Seoul temple is famous for its UNESCO-recognized Yeongsanjae ceremony.

Seoul Pet Cafes in Hongdae

A young Korean man in a blue baseball cap, wearing glasses, cuddles a small white and tan dog at Hongdae's pet cafe.

Seoul Pet Cafes in Hongdae have become a popular destination for animal lovers who may not have the space to have a furry friend of their own.

A Hangang River Cruise Through Seoul

Hangang River with a boat in the foreground and cityscape in the background, with a blue sky and wispy clouds.

A Hangang river cruise through Seoul is a great way to view the city as you pass beneath a dozen or more bridges and past the dramatic Yeouido skyline.

Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace in Seoul

Outside view of Gyeongbokgung, showing a tiled wall, and red siding. Turquoise and red ornate eaves.

Gyeongbokgung Royal Palace in Seoul was the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty and remains a spectacular destination for visitors to Seoul and Korea.

Namsan Park and N Seoul Tower

Seoul Tower to the left of the frame, in the center is a sketch of a man with his arms out, as though flying.

Namsan Park and N. Seoul Tower are among the city’s two most conspicuous icons – one natural and the other human-made.