Seoul’s Best 100
The top 100 MUST SEE sights of Seoul:
Zone 1
001 Gyeongbokgung (Palace)
002 Changdeokgung (palace)
003 Changdeokgung Garden
004 Jongmyo (Royal Shrine)
005 Changgyeonggung (Palace)
006 Deoksugung (Palace)
007 Gyeonghuigung (Palace)
008 Seoul Museum of History
009 Sungkok Art Museum
010 Seoul Plaza and Gwanghwamun Square
011 Unhyeongung
012 Byeolgunggil
013 Insadong
014 Ssamziegil
015 Bukchon Hanok Village
016 Samcheongdonggil
To be continued…
{ 103 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello Betchay,
I’m finally going to Korea next month for 2 months. I’m wondering if there is a Filipino store in Seoul as I will be away from home, there will be times that I will miss Filipino food and would like to cook some. With the number of Filipinos living in Korea right now, I think there might be more than one and also Filipino restaurants.
Please advise. Thank you.
Ms. Rosita, help naman po. We’re planning to visit Seoul din po kasi. Plan namin is August or September 2011. How much po ba show money for a tourist visa? 3 or 4 days lang naman kami kasi may work din po kami dito sa Pinas. First time po namin magtravel international ng friends ko eh. Hope you could advise us. Thanks po :p
Email: marquez_ivankarlo@yahoo.com
Facebook: Ivan Karlo Marquez
hi Ivan. I’ll reply to more emails Friday night. Sobrang busy kasi this week.
Hello po, try ITAEWON ( ee-te-won ) po marami dun
ako dn naghanap ng philippine foods advise nman jan mga kabayan,,thanx po
Good morning Betchay, i just want to ask if you can help me find a job here in korea.Im living here in Songpa,Seoul Korea and im looking for a job even part time is ok. I’m married to a korean but my husband is working in other country. I finished Bachelors Degree in college major in Customs Administration.
I hope you can help me,
Thank you,
Joan Doh
joan doh, nakakuha ka na ba ng part time job dito sa Korea?
ok ifu need job in koreau call me r mail me 01028931784
Hi there! I am an English tutor teaching Koreans for quite a long time now, and I am just wondering how much money
(in pesos) do I need to get to and from Korea and how much pocket money should I take with me for a week’s vacation. Please advice. Am really eager to know. Thanks! Grace Q.
hi Grace! pocket money is relative eh pero siguro this weekend eh magpo-post ako ng sample budget for tourists and sample itinerary na rin… along with a list of must try korean food, etc… ay sana magawa ko… LOL
as for your money in the bank… wala naman daw kasi guarantee kung magkano ang dapat na pera mo para makakuha ng visa… minsan kahit 30,000 pesos ang nasa banko eh nakakakuha ng visa… meron din iba na nade-deny kahit 300,000 pesos ang pera nila sa banko…
Let me add to the list:
-Chonggyecheon
-Dongdaemun
-Itaewon
-Dream Forest
-COEX mall
hi Peppermint! Oo nga, I haven’t updated this page.
Add ko ulit (mag-suggest ulit ako)
- Lee-Um Art Museum
- Nami Island (is that still part of Seoul?)
- Hyewa dong
- Myongdong
- Namsan Tower
Hi can you suggest an itinerary for 3 days?
Hmm…i’ll try.
Day 1 — Namsan Tower, Myongdong for shopping, (malapit naman kasi yun sa Namsan. and believe me, you’ll need long hours of shopping at Myongdong, sobrang dami kasi ng shops na fashionable dun)
Day 2–COEX, go to COEX aquarium. Or… try Han River Cruise if you’re sick and tired of shopping / mall.
Day 3 — Itaewon for sight-seeing, dining and / or souvernir shopping. Then go to Lee-Um Art Museum since it is near Itaewon.
do you know any affordable but easy to locate hotels in seoul? thank you
i wish i read this post month ago – when i was walking along the streets of Seoul =(
Hi Ms. Betchay!
My friends and I are planning to visit South Korea by early next year. Do we need to get a visa though we’ll stay there for only a week?
Hi Jenny Rose! Yes, you need to get a visa even if you’re only planning to stay for a week.
hi…just wanna know..coz im planning to visit in korea this Christmas break..sponsored lang po ako ng friend ko who works in Korea. im a student. my parents don’t have any bank account. is it ok if i could use the bank account of my sponsor? kasi nabasa ko sa requirements.
God bless
hi ms. betchay….I hope you don’t mind if I ask a few more questions. My friend with 4 kids of 7-15 years will be visiting Korea from Dec 16-20. They plan to go for snow skiing, go to Lotte World, Everland, DMZ and day tour. They’re looking for website for guest houses (cheaper J). Do you recommend any specific place to stay in Korea where it will be convenient for them to go to places by train/bus? Can you please recommend good guest houses that suitable for her family stay?
Thank you so much.
Hi, Ms. Betchay!
We are going in SoKor this Nov.23-26 for a business trip in another city away from Seoul, May I ask lang po what type of clothes should we wear and bring with us? And on the 26th going back na kami, could we make an early check in as early as 10am? for Cebu Pacific, if our flight is 10pm pa, so we could have time to go shopping or sight seeing pa.
Thank you and God bless u as always!
Hello Ms. Betchay,
ask ko po kung posible po bang maireport ko kung halimbawang may alam akong tao na gumawa ng bagong passport sa ibang pangalan na papunta ngayon sa korea? di kasi magandang halimbawa sa iba na ganun na lang pala kadali gumawa ng ibang papeles sa ibang pangalan para lang makapunta ng ibang bansa. ano po ang dapat kung gawin? salamat.
hi maricel! sa DFA mo ata pwedeng i-report yan… mali nga naman yun
not continued yet
Hi. I will be visiting korea on April 2011 (Holy week). Can you recommend a place to stay. Cheap but clean hotel in a nice location. May nabasa ako Toyoko Inn Seoul Dongdaemun, is this ok? I will be going with my husband and 2 daughters.
Are there travel agencies we can go to for local tours of Must-see attractions in Seoul and nearby towns. thanks
Hi Marlette! Toyoko Inn is quite new and most of their clients are Japanese. It’s near the Dongdaemun shopping area and just a few meters from the subway. Hotel Astoria in Chungmuro is also in a nice location (at the base of Namsan). I think if you plan ahead and do some research, you won’t need to hire the services of a travel agency. You can tour on your own. The locals are quite helpful with tourists even if they could hardly speak English.
hello for more info you can go and visit itaewon stn.tourist information center and you can also get your some tourist travellers book and subway map from dongdaemun taxi fare is around 10 thou korean won.
ms. marlette – will be travelling to korea ALSO this holy week (monday to good friday) with family and 18-month old son. reply with your email and i can send you some tips, places, and itinerary my friend made for us (he is based there). by the way, have you applied for your visa already? did you have to apply individually including for your daughters (i.e. are they minors)? can give you tips for accommodations also as we have been looking around for a places with good deals also
Hi Ms. Betchay,
I will be going to South Korea on April 30-May 3, 2011. What clothes should I bring? also are there any special events in Seoul by these dates?
Thank you.
hi u coem korea in apriel so its ok no so cold wather is good in april 01028931784 call me
hello punta po ako korea feb 11 to look for a wedding gowns san po ba pwede pumunta sa seoul? may alam po ba kayo?? thanks…
hello po..mag-ask po sana ko ng advice sa mga nakapagspent na po ng christmas sa seoul.dadalhin ko po kasi ang parents ko this christmas pero di ko po sure kung san maganda punta sa seoul kapag winter. ask din po sana ko kung sobrang taas na po ng snow pag christmas to new year. tska kung tama ok kulang po ang 150k(php) para sa aming 3. salamat po.
hi carla! sandali lang naman ang snow sa Seoul… pero medyo madulas ang daan di ba… enough na yung 150K… why not travel in autumn? mas maganda ang weather
Hi Betchay, sorry po natagalan ako bago nakasagot sa reply niyo..pangarap ko po kasi na makakita ng snow ang parents ko and naisip ko po na pinakamadali na ang Seoul na puntahan para maka-experience sila ng snow kahit sandali lang…may mairerecommend po ba kayong lugar na maganda sa ganitong weather? salamat po uli
Hello po Ms. Betchay!
I am visiting Korea this May for 5 days. Any suggested itineraries po or an Agency maybe that accommodates. I just wanna experience Korea’s nature, food and culture.
I have been wanting to go to Korea for the last couple of years as I find the people friendly, health-conscious and nature lover. Hope you can suggest.
Thank you so much! =)
Hi Ms. Betchay,
Just browsing re SoKor and found your blog. We’ll be visting Korea this June for 9 days with our 2yo daughter. Can you suggest accommodation na convenient para sa mga a must places to visit. Hope you can help me sa pag gawa ng itinerary. Thanks!
ms. aileen – will be travelling to korea this holy week with family and 18-month old son. reply with your email and i can send you some tips, places, and itinerary my friend made for us (he is based there). by the way, have you applie dfor your visa already? did you have to apply individually including for your daughter?
hi rob sorry for late reply. will apply this end of april for the visa. here’s my email alc219@gmail. com
pa add nmn po just in case na nasa korea na ako me contact po ako sa mga filipino na tga korea salamat poh:)) im just only woundering if how korean life they had.. theres a lot of differences between our country and there country
advice naman poh natatakot kase ako pag nsa korea na ako ee baka mag bago attitude ng asawa ko to frankly im afraid to hurt me if im stay w/ him n korea n his country madame na poh kc ako naririnig na domestic violence in korea it because of there husband..kc nga wala sila sa sariling bansa keya hindi sila lumalaban advice nmn poh flight ko na kc for this coming week nag da doubt ako na will one of them…. advice poh thanks^^
Hi, what is a gd place to get discounted authentic Coach bags in Seoul?
Unfortunately, the only place I know where you can get authentic Coach bags are at the department stores. My sister sent me one from the US. It was tagged 328 USD but at Lotte Dept. Store it is 430,000 won.
hi Betchay,
I’m Jve from Malaysia…
I will visit to Korea on next month 20th can i check with u , isn’t still can see the Cherry Blossom at Gangneung City , Yeouido Island or Everland Theme Park…?
This is my 1st time visit to Korea with my family … my mum would like to see the Cherry Blossom so i afraid her so dissapoint…We hope can see the Cherry Blossom at Korea.
Hi Jve! The cherry blossoms festival at Yeouido will end on April 19 but you can check Gangneung. Or better yet go to Seoul Grand Park (subway line 4)… It isn’t as crowded as Yeouido but the scenery is as beautiful ;p
Hi! where is the best place to stay in seoul? ibis hotel is kinda expensive for a small room and also the hotel skypark. We are going there on may 13 to 18. can someone give us an itinerary for 5 days. Thanks
hi guest house is much cheaper and there is a lot of hotel that is not too costlyvisit this site http://www.travellerspoint.com/accomodationseoulkorea
for your itenerary you try to visit the blue house (presidential House )namsan tower,cheongyocheon stream,byeongbukgong palace ,korean war memorial park ,insadong and dnt forget to drop by at the myeondong shopping district ….im sure you will love the place have fun we will be there in korea on may 17 to may 31.
Hi Ms. Betchay,
I will be going to Seoul Korea on April 30-May 3, 2011. What clothes should I bring? Hoping for your fast response. Thank you.
hi betchay.. do you happen to know kung saan yung dream forest. napanood ko kasi ito sa save the last dance.. ang tagal na namin hinahanap ng friend ko yung place na to sa internet
best list I ever saw!
Jerick Mac´s last [type] ..LTO Professional License Renewal Requirements and Fees
hi po ms. betchay ask ko lng po kung magkano pamasahe sa seol korea? tiaka ano pong mga important na requirements?
For airfare, depends what airlines you’re taking. Try mo kumuha pag merong seat sale lalo na pag sa Cebu Pacific. Makaka-save ka talaga.
For the requirements, check mo yung tab na “KOREAN VISA FOR FILIPINOS” sa taas ng page.
I really want to visit everything!! D: I hope I can go to Korea some day! ;o;
Hercy´s last [type] ..Suggestions o
hi,
suggestion please, i got my visa last april 19, 2011, im planning to visit korea for 5 days before classes starts on june, is 50k enough to cover the expenses? (like plane tickets, food, hotel and busfares). tnx if u can help me.
hi Anj,
magcocomment lang ako… kung pupunta ka dito sa Korea, ok na yang 50k kung nde ka gaanong magsho-shopping… pero I should warn you, maraming shopping places dito sa Korea…
Kung about naman sa affordable places na pwedeng pasyalan, marami kang mapupuntahan dito lalo na kung ikaw ung tipo na mahilig mag-nature tripping… dun siguro, makakatipid ka.
Pero kung pupunta ka sa major places dito like Jeju Island, Nami Island, Lotte World, Everland, etc., kukulangin yung 50k mo… considering na kasama na sa 50k ung plane tickets, hotel, food, etc.
mr. r-nel, how much ba ung estimated expenses for like a week or 2 trip in korea..ung parang site seeing lang…
hello, betchay…can you help me find a job in south korea? what are the qualifications and requirements for me to have a good job there? please help me.. here’s my email: kathleen_vallescas@yahoo.com.. thanks a lot. God bless!
Hope you’ll add more places in this list soon..
hello po maam betchay ask ko lng po saan ako pwede mkabili ng ph.food my balak po ako magtinda ng ph food..comments nman ,,maraming salamat po
hi ms. betchay!saw your nami island pics!ganda!i’m planning to go there 1st week of november,autumn na ba by that time?and what’s the easiest way to get there?by bus or by train?i’m planning to stay at hongdae area,hope you can help me.please!!!
btw are you familiar with KoreaHas in KOrea?yung goodmorning tours,since they offer jisan ski tour,and balak namin iavail,may snow na ba as early as november?hehehe,dami ko question,sorry!hope you can help me..have a nice day!
hi angel you office ne namiseon is located in insadong by bus is much better 19 thou won two way un fare plus un entrance fee sa island and sa ferry boat(:
Hi Ms. betchay
I really really want to visit korea.
ask ko po sana kung magkano ang budget for a tour mga 5days or a week.
Approximately budget with fare and pang shopping.
mga 30,000php will do na kaya ?
I just saw other inquiries here.. so mga 50k ++ pla need
hi betchay, well be going to busan next year february. Do u have any suggestion on which hotel we can stay (not too much expensive but ok)? and whats the best way or mode of transportation we can use to go to seoul from busan? thanks
Hi Ms. Betchay, punta kami Seoul with my friends end of August. 5-6 days yata. Ano sample itinerary? May open na ba na ski resort? Salamat.
*mali, end of October pala..
Hi Lee! Mga late Nov open ng ski resorts pero pwede mo try PlayDoCi. Yung itinerary will depend on your interests. Some of you might not be interested in historical places, which I would recommend. I will also be making an itinerary for my two sis who will also visit us in late October and I will post it here. Wait for that…
I hope you write the itinerary soon.
We purchased our tickets for 1st week of october. Do you recommend any budget friendly accommodations? or areas na safe? Thanks!
Hello Emi try to visit seoul walker guest house and Hey backpackers in hongdae area this 2 guest house is nice owner is really so helpful and the location is near everywhere(;
Hi Mia, Thanks for the recommendations. I’ll check them out.
Hi po, ano po ba ang weather dun around march? Makakakita po ba kami ng cherry blossoms during that time? At three days lang po kami halos so mahal po ba ang gagastusin namin in case gusto namin mgpunta sa Jeju-do at Seoul?
Thanks
Hi Julas! Late winter na pero hindi pa rin kayo makakakita ng cherry blossoms. Usually first week ng April namumulaklak ang mga puno na ‘to.
Ano po ba weather diyan ngayon? We’ll be going there next week (Friday to Monday). Should we bring jackets? Thanks!
Mainit daw next week, mga 33degrees, pero may typhoon na parating.
Olympic park..
Hi Ms. Betchay, hope you can help me with this.^^
We plan to be in Seoul by Mar 10-13, and we want to watch Strong Heart! (BIG Lee Seung Gi fanatic!^^) Would you know how can we watch it in the studio? Thanks a lot!^^
Hi! I’ll try to find out for you ;p
WOW! Thank you very much for replying! Your blog is very informative and friendly! Hope to hear again from you soon!^^
Hi Betchay,
I will be visiting Seoul 3-7/9 (first trip, solo) and I wonder if you could help to give me some guides?
Thanks,
Joe, Malaysia.
hi po ms betchay,
me and my mom are planning to visit seoul. anong month po ba magandang pumunta dun? yung month/s po na nagssnow sana…?tsaka how much po ang kailangan for 4 days 3 nights stay…? thanks po..
hi eve! the best time to visit korea is in the spring or autumn… i wouldn’t recommend winter… it’s terribly cold and the trees are hibernating… parang walang buhay… pag spring ang sarap sarap lumabas… pag autumn naman ganda rin ng paligid kasi colorful ang mga puno
as for how much ang kailangan for 4 days 3 nights stay… depende sa inyo yun… pwede kang mag-budget ng 100 USD a day kasama na hostel
hi im aileen, gusto ko sana pong magvacation sa korea, gusto ko lng poh na makahingi ng info about visa process, cost of plane ticket….and other info poh….thank u,im hoping for you reply.god bless you
Goodmorning Ms.Betchay. I’ll be waiting for your ‘sample budget for tourists and sample itinerary’ post. We’ll be visiting Korea this Oct.14. I hope you can help us.. do you know some nice and affordable place to stay in Seoul? =) Thanks so much!
hi ms betchay,
do you know or recommend a travel agency we can inquire on korean tour packages? thanks
Can you suggest the bus route/number from Gangnam to Madu
Hi Miss Betchay,
Munta kami ken magtour Oct 2-7. Bisa kami sana manalbe korean variety show or music show, makananu po ba kukuwa ticket? Thanks!
hi ms betchay..
i enjoyed reading your blog. ahh can i ask u to write a itinerary for me.. we will be travelling on korea (4pax) on oct 26-30. we want to visit nami island, everland or lotte world, seoul tower, temples and shopping markets… we are booked at kim’s friends guesthouse near the hongik university…pls pls do help me… ill be waiting for you mail. thanks a lot. god bless!
hello, :0)
my husband and i are planning to have our very late honeymon in seoul..help us naman please, like how much pocket money ang kailangan namin dalhin, and do you know any cheap inn or hotels that we can stay for 5 days?..by the way are you currently residing in Korea?
you may wanna try to check out http://www.sunshineguesthouse.com
it’s in the center of downtown seoul and they offer cheap accomodation.
ms betchay..
suggest k nmn ng places esp during christmas time.. winter… iinvite ksi ng sajang ko ung family ko for 7days…
sobra lamig yun .. sana maka adjust cla sa temperature dito sa korea… ung idea ko plang eh sa everland sa christmas.. ok dw ung fireworks then lotte world its a dome..theme park… then seoul towr… norebang for sing along… at cyempre korean restaurants… location ko yong in…
ern´s last [type] ..Hangeul Day
Krizzia
DAY 1 Gyeongbokgung palace,changdeokgung Palace, Jongmyo Royal Shrine – since magkakatabi sila. then proceed to Namsangol Korean Village after that spend the night in Namsan Seoul Tower
DAY 2 check out the parks for nature tripping olympic park and dream forest then proceed to COEXmall and agpujeong
DAy3 Everland since it’s outside seoul you will be spending 1 whole day sa theme park
DAY 4 check out world cup park/stadium then proceed to Playdoci ( indoor ski and sledding) then try han river cruise by 6pm
DAY 5 check out insadong, itaewon and dongdaenum for shopping
hope it helps
Hey thanks!
Hi,
I hope you can help me out. Would you know where can I buy korean won here in metro manila that has a good exchange rate?
Thanks!
Gel
help naman po sa itinerary.booked a 3d/2n trip on december. will be staying in Yongsan-gu i think. thanks in advance
Hi kiki,
you can check out the itinerary for krizzia, Since madaming attractions sa seoul 3 days is not enough for you to see them all. It now depends on yoiur preference. you can check it out and decide.
rap
@rap thank you!
is it advisable to stay sa hanok house if mid december?di ba super lamig? any place that you can recommend sa bukchon area?
is there a specific place in seoul we might get a glimpse of my fave singer kim hyun joong?
Dear Ms Betchay’
Balak ko po sana pumunta Sa Seoul Next year khit 4days lng to visit my Bf. What po ba mga requirmnts na kailangan ko po i prepare at magkano po kaya magagastos ko. Thanks po -Pamie
hi,
we were given a visa for incheon this nov. 21-24,2011,we are coming mostly for sightseeing and a lil shopping.what clothing wear is suitable in this time of year there?thanks
Hello Kabayan,
I will be going to Seoul by Dec 22 to Jan 02 2012, mag isa lang po ako gusto ko pong mag celebrate ng Christmas Eve sa isang lugar where Christmas Spirit are there. Paki advise po.. Thanks
waiting for the next list to complete korea’s best 100…
Hi!
we were going to korea this feb, e mejo tight budget kami. Is 18k budget ok per person? 4 kaming pupunta. We already booked a cheap hostel. Beewon Guesthouse. We are planning to go to Nami Island, Everland and den sa mga Palaces na. Thanks!
Hi Cherry! Ilang araw kayo?
Hi Ms. Betchay!
ALmost 4 days po kami. Feb. 17 -20. Feb 17 po ng gabi ang dating namin sa Korea. Gusto dn po sana naming magskiing pero mjeo kulang n dn ng oras and budget.. Hehehe.. And nabasa namin n may snowbuster n sa Everland.
Thanks!