Top 10 Free Attractions in Seoul

Planning an itinerary for your Seoul trip?
Looking for free attractions?

Here’s a short compilation of my version of Top 10 Free Attractions in Seoul though.
(maybe I will do other cities or Jeju in the future! :P)

1. Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House)

Cheong Wa Dae(와대), which is known as the Blue House, has the meaning of “Pavillion of Blue tiles”. Ye, you’re right! This is the place where executive office and the President works. Right in the blue house consists of the Main Office, Yeongbingwan (Guest House), Chunchugwan (Spring and Autumn Pavilion), Nokjiwon (Green grass), the Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) Valley, Royal Garden and the Seven Palaces. Each different buildings are unique and beautifully designed in the Korean Traditional architectural with some modern elements in it; thus it would be interesting to see that these buildings that have these distinctive shapes.

I remembered this place clearly while watching ‘City Hunter‘ few years back!
FYI, You need to make a reservation IF you wish to have a tour in Cheong Wa Dae.
Reservation could be made via HERE or via email.

Directions:
Seoul-si Jongno-gu Sejong-ro 1
서울 종로구 청와대로 1

2.  The War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)

Yearning to learn more about the history of the Korea and it’s Army troop? Do keep a note down and pay this place a visit when you’re in Korea. They have both indoor and outdoor exhibition for the tourists to have a view on the different kinds of weapons and military equipment that were used in the past and present.
I had my share of taking a peep over at this War Memorial and it is pretty interesting. ^^

29, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 용산구 이태원로 29 (용산동1가)

Direction:
Samgakji Station (Subway Lines 4, 6) – Exit 12.
It’s a 5min walk away from the station

3.  National Folk Museum of Korea (국립민속박물관)

With the display of 98,000 artifacts in the 3 main Exhibition halls, you can get to learn more about the history, daily lifestyle and the cultural of the Korea Natives, all the way back from Joseon Dynasty.
**This museum also have an Open-air exhibits that display replicas of spirit posts where villagers used to pray, stone piles for worship, grinding mills, rice storage shelters and pits for kimchi pots. (cr: wiki)

37, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 종로구 삼청로 37 (세종로)

Directions:
Gyeongbokgung Palace station (Line 3) – Exit #5/
Anguk station, exit #1/
Gwanghwamun station and come out of exit #2

4.  Seoul Forest(서울숲)

Seoul Forest is a massive park dotted with over 400,000 trees and 100 different animals.
At the same time, Seoul Forest has been divided into 5 Areas:
1. Cultural Art Park (eg. decorative flower beds, skate park, an outdoor stage, an in-forest open space)
2. Ecological Forest (You can see diff. types of Natural habitat for wildlife animal!!)
3. Nature Learning Field (eg. Insect botanical garden, surrounding protective forest)
4. Wetlands Ecological Field (eg. Ecological playground, an outdoor nature classroom)
5. Han River Waterside Park

Tired from the busy city and need a short hours break in Seoul?
Do spare some time and start exploring this little forest! I believed you will feel much refreshed while walking in this nature of green.
I had been aiming this place for a period of time and this will definitely be on my list for my next trip! ^^

Look at some of the pretty photos I found on Naver blog(s)!

Formosan deer

685, Seongsu1-ga 1-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
서울 성동구 성수1가1동 685번지 일대

Directions:
[Subway]
1) Seoul Forest Station (Subway Bundang Line), Exit 3. (5min-walk)
2) Ttukseom Station (Seoul Subway Line 2), Exit 8. (15min-walk)

[Bus]
Take bus 2014, 2412, 2413 or 2224, and get off at Seoul Forest.

5. Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain (반포대교 달빛무지개분수)

Known as the World’s Longest Bridge Fountain, I realized that there were a few timing for the performance!
(But I guess the view during the night would be better of course! =P)
The fountain is programmed to play different shows during the day and night. During the day, the fountain shows a hundred different configurations meant to evoke waving willow branches and willow leaves. When the sun goes down, 200 lights illuminate the fountain as it sends up dancing, rainbow-colored jets of water in the air in synchronization with music.

PS: Do take note, the show will be cancelled if it’s on rainy days or bad weather day!!!

Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul-si
서울 서초구 반포동

Directions:
Dongjak Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 1 or 2.
OR
Take Bus 405 or 8340 and get off at Banpo Hangang Park.

6. N Seoul Tower(N 서울타워)

I guess I don’t have to say much on this yeah? 😛
Do remember to bring a lock up and ‘lock’ it with your ‘the one’! ^^

Sharing a pretty Love-Lock photo from Conan Seow. (Sorry dude! Too pretty not to post & share!)

105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 용산구 남산공원길 105 (용산동2가)

Directions:
1) by foot (F-R-E-E and a good chance to exercise! =D)
2) Bus (check out on VisitKorea)
3) Cable Car:
Exit 3 of Myeong-dong Station (line 4), 6kwon (1-way), 8kwon (return)

7.  Bukchon Hanok Village(북촌한옥마을)

The name, ‘Bukchon,’ which literally translates to ‘northern village,’ came about as the neighborhoods that the village covers lie to the north of the two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse in Korean traditional culture. (cr: KTO)

Yes! I had my share of wondering this pretty Village during my latest trip in Korea. Check out my entry HERE. 🙂

Gahoe-dong, Jae-dong, Samcheong-dong, Gye-dong, Wonseo-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si
서울 종로구 가회동 , 재동, 삼청동, 계동, 원서동

Directions:
Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2.

8.  Samsung Digital D’Light (삼성전자 홍보관(딜라이트))

Consider one of the largest company in Korea, how could you give this space a miss in Korea?
Located over at Gangnam area, this building is too obvious to be missed out as well!
I had a chanced to pay a visit to this cool place during my Touch Korea Tour Trip!

11, Seocho-daero 74-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 서초구 서초대로74길 11 (서초동)

Directions:
Gangnam Station(Line 2) – Exit 8

9.  Namdaemun Market(남대문 시장)

Namdaemun Market is largest traditional market installed with various good at affordable prices and wholesale prices! And when I say it’s cheap, it’s REALLY CHEAP!
I had paid a visit on my 2nd trip and had spent a great time shopping over there! 😛
Compare to the other traditional local market, I would love to head back this market and shop again. The prices over here is really cheap(caters most to the locals) and in my POV, I felt sad that this market has been under-rated though.

Those who wish to buy some utensil(s)(range 500w above)/ramyeon pots(range 3,500k won above) etc can head over there too!
Ladies! If you’re looking for accessories, do look for a white building in-between the market!
(Can’t remember the exact details but I am very sure that there are PLENTY of accessories from head to toe, cost super cheap when you buy in bulk!(some stores even allows you to mix & match!) 😉

21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 중구 남대문시장4길 21 (남창동)

Directions:
Hoehyeon Station (Line 4) – Exit 5

10.  Noryangjin Seafood Market(노량진수산시장)

Fancy of eating cheap Seafood but not enough time to travel down to Busan or Jeju Island?
Why not settle yourself in the largest seafood market in Seoul instead then? (Of course not as cheap compare to the 2 places, but it’s rather cheap compare to the restaurants and save your travelling time if you have short schedule!)

There are tonnes of varies of seafood for you to choose!! Read more over HERE and HERE.

688, Nodeul-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 동작구 노들로 688 (노량진동)

Directions:
Noryangjin Station – Exit 1
Walk 100m and cross over the bridge

Bonus:

11. Gwanghwamun plaza (광화문광장)

No visitors could ever miss visiting Gwanghwamun Square when they travel to Korea.

The road in front of Gwanghwamun had been referred to as Yukjo (six ministries) Street as it was lined with buildings of six ministries along with others in the Joseon period. Under Japanese rule, all the buildings were dismantled and the road lost its symbolic significance. With the creation of Gwanghwamun Square, Yukjo Street has been restored and various symbolic features (statue of King Sejong and Sejong Story Exhibition Hall, Haechi Madang, Waterways of History, and Haechi statue, among others) are on display, establishing the square as a restored historical site.(cr: Seoul Metropolitan Government)

(PS: YES! You’re right. PSY ‘Gangnam Style’ Open-space concert was held there in 2011 too! )

Directions:
Sejong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si
Gwanghwamun Station(Line 5) – Exit #2 (3 min walk)

12.  Free Tour Available in Seoul!! (cr: Seoulistic)

YES! Your eyes ain’t playing tricks on you.
The following 2 sites does provide FREE Tour in Seoul. 🙂

– http://freetourseoul.com/
– http://www.meteoryouth.org

I had finally managed to mention a total of 10 12 FREE places you could tour around in Seoul!
I hope that this short guide will help a little in your planning guide then!

Till then, have fun planning guys! 😀

PS: Photo(s) and Link(s) are credit back to original owners. 😀

xoxo,
yyann