Discovering Korea | Page 6 of 13 | All things Korea travel: A deep dive in the the culture and history of the land of the Morning Calm

Wongudan Altar in Seoul

Side by side images, to the left is a black and white historical picture showing the Wongudan Altar opposite a large building with the city in the background. On the right is a modern picture showing it as a three story building, with traditional Korean roofing, red pillars and stone steps going up, with grass in the foreground and blue sky behind.

At the turn of the 19th century, Korea’s autonomy was threatened by several world powers. Located on Seoul Plaza, the Wongudan Altar was the Temple of Heaven, a symbol of independence for Korea’s short-lived Daehan Empire.

Yongsan’s Foreign Footprints

On the left of the frame is a magazine cover "Seoul" with a woman playing a guitar sitting on a fence amongst vegetation. To the right is a Korean dish, deep fried udong, in a broth with green vegetables, on a wooden surface with condiments in the background.

South of Namsan are some of Seoul’s most multicultural neighborhoods like Ichon-dong and Haebangchon – areas that bear Yongsan’s foreign footprints.

Seoul Lotus Lantern Festival

The Seoul Lotus Lantern Festival is among the year’s biggest events, when thousands of Seoulites come together to celebrate the birth of the Buddha.

Seoul Folk Flea Market

A close up of two Korean statues, ladies with their hair in a bun, wearing blue kimonos, embroidered with red flowers and green leaves, standing with their hands out, palms facing upward. Behind are various statues and vases at the Seoul Folk Flea Market.

This Seoul Folk Flea Market sells everything under the sun, from Joseon-era pottery to a real tiger pelt. It’s a great place to get one-of-a-kind gifts.

The Jongmyo Royal Shrine’s Great Rite

Men in a line, dressed in black and multicolored robes, take part in the Jongmyo Great Rite, outside the royal shrine.

When the Joseon Dynasty was founded in 1394, the Jongmyo Royal Shrine was built to honor its royal family. Each May, these rites are open to the public.

“Around the Block” Bicycle Tour

Yellow background printed with black and red Korean lettering and a woman on a bike in the center.

Jin’s “Around the Block” bicycle tour of Korea begins with a windy journey from Seoul to Suwon, then south from Suwon to Cheonan and the Onyang Hot Springs.

The Saseongam Four Sages Hermitage

Two dolls, both dressed in blue outfits, one standing, one kneeling, holding up a sign with Korean lettering, on a dark, soft focus background.

The Saseongam Four Sages Hermitage is a small Buddhist temple set dramatically into a wall of exposed granite on Korea’s sacred Jirisan mountain.

Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival in Seoul

A close up image of spring cherry blossom on Yeouido Island, in the background is a street with cars in soft focus.

The Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival celebrates Seoul’s most spectacular collection of king cherry trees, which erupt into ephemeral clouds of pink for a few short days each spring.

Bicycle Tour of Yeouido and Seonyudo

To the left of the frame, a magazine with a woman holding flowers on the cover, on the left a yellow flower with a gravel path and vegetation in soft focus behind it.

With spring on its way, why not take a bicycle tour of Yeouido and Seonyudo, two beautiful Seoul islands in the midst of the Hangang river.

Sampling Samcheong-dong’s Charms in Seoul

A street view of Samcheong dong neighborhood in Seoul. A pedestrian area with people walking, with the main street to the left of the frame. In the background is a white and gray building with a bicycle parked outside it, and various shop fronts extending down the main street.

Samcheong-dong’s charming mix of traditional hanok-style buildings, modern art galleries, comfy cafés and excellent restaurants have made it a huge draw.

Sinchon is Seoul’s Student District

Statue of a man on a large stone plinth with an ivy-clad brick building behind. the building has a large central tower with two flags on the top. Surrounded by manicured gardens and neat low hedges.

Just a short walk from my first apartment in Seoul is the popular neighborhood of Sinchon (신촌). The name means “new village,” and yet it’s actually one of Seoul’s older areas. But if you ask most people what comes to mind when they hear Sinchon, they’ll invariably say young people. Located around three prominent universities – …

Deoksugung Palace of Virtue in Seoul

A sepia image of the Korean royal family with Emperor Gojong in the center. Five people sitting in a row, traditionally dressed in long gowns.

In the years before Japan’s colonization of Korea, the Deoksugung palace of virtue in Seoul was the site of fascinating political intrigue and tragedy.