Seoul

Hiking Seoul Fortress

Stone block wall with an arched doorway, at Seoul fortress, a roof visible in the background, and trees and blue sky behind.

Upon Seoul’s founding in 1394, a fortress was built to join the four mountains that surrounded the city. Today, hiking Seoul Fortress affords great views and makes for great exercise.

The Historic Jeong-dong Neighborhood in Seoul

On the left, a high stone wall, with a footpath in red brick running alongside. Low stools at the base of the wall, a pedestrian in the distance, and trees to the right of the frame.

Some of Seoul’s best walking streets are in the historic and verdant Jeong-dong neighborhood, site of the city’s earliest foreign churches, missionary schools and foreign legations.

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

Ladies dressed in long pink robes, and men in long green robes, with elaborate hats, carrying fans gather at the 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.

“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.

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.

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 – …

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