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• Coconut box is a play lounge where you can enjoy exhibitions and performances in the concept of a vacation spot in the city. Travel to a small Southeast Asia 'coconut box' in Hongdae!

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• If you love Korean food, you don’t want to miss eating your way through Gwangjang Market in Seoul.

• It’s one of the ultimate places to experience traditional Korean street food and culture all under one delicious roof.

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• The Ikseon-dong Hanok Village spans a length of around 801 m., connecting Ibis Ambassador, Insadong, and Nakwon Sanga, or Nakwon Music Market, and is home to all kinds of fusion-concept cafes, restaurants, and shops that contrast with the more traditional vibe of the neighboring Insadong area.

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• 💡 The six-story building of the National Museum of Korea is ranked as the sixth largest museum in the world and welcomes nearly 3.5 million people each year.

• The museum preserves and presents over 12,000 collections from ancient times, featured across various Permanent Exhibition sections.

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• Exhibits at this museum show the visitor how everyday citizens lived both past and present including the lifestyles and traditions of everyday Korean people during a time when the country was mainly agricultural.

• The museum dates back to April 25, 1946. In 1975, the museum moved to the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace. The museum moved to its current location on February 17, 1993. Today, it features over 4,000 artifacts on display which immerse visitors in the rich history.

• The museum features three permanent exhibits along with two special exhibits, an open air exhibition and a children’s museum:  Exhibition Hall I → History of Korean People, Exhibition Hall II → The Korean Way of Life, Exhibition Hall III → Life Cycle of Koreans.

• 💡 Traditional Village (A Street to the Past) : This part of the museum takes the visitor back in time to the late 19th century when a new modern culture was arriving in Korea. This replica of a street in a traditional village recreates what life was like at a time when electricity was first made available. Present here is a streetcar and hanok style buildings and stores for dry goods, herbs and medicine, bamboo goods, and a hat shop.

• 💡 7080 Street of Memories : With the popularity of K-dramas such as the "Reply" series, Korea's 1970s and 1980s are familiar to the younger generation and foreigners. If you are curious about the actual scenery in the drama, let's go to 7080 Memories Street, an outdoor exhibition hall of the National Folk Museum of Korea. The 7080 memory street is more than just a photo zone. It is full of things you can experience firsthand as if you went back on a time machine. In the Promise Cafe, where you can sit and rest, the actual DJ receives song requests and plays songs every Friday.

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• Bongeunsa is a Buddhist temple founded in 794 during the Silla (one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea) period. The temple has more than 1,000 years of history and has many interesting historic and cultural features, including woodblock carvings of the Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Garland Sutra).

• 💡 The highlight of the temple though is a 28 meter (91 foot) stone statue of Maitreya, the Future Buddha. This statue is one of the tallest stone statues in the country.

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• The most popular Hanok village in Seoul is the Bukchon Hanok Village. This area, with its over 900 traditional homes dating back to the Joseon Dynasty, is a popular destination in the heart of Seoul. It's located in a residential area, so when you walk around, you will notice signs reminding you to speak with your voices lowered to respect the people who reside there.

• The number one most notable and traditional feature that makes up this beautiful village are it’s hanoks, or traditional Korean houses. Hanoks are created only using earthy materials: Korean red pine wood, earth, and stone.

• 💡 You can visit Bukchon Hanok Village for free from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and on Saturdays and Sundays, it operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• 💡 When visiting Bukchon Hanok Village, please be mindful to keep your voices down in consideration of the residents living there.

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• Changgyeonggung Palace was built by King Seongjong in 1483 on the site of Suganggug Place where King Sejong built in 1418 (ascension of king) for his father, King Taejong, who abdicated the throne for him. King Seongjong expanded Suganggung Palace for his grandmother, mother and aunt and changed the name to Changgyeonggung Palace.

• Changgyeonggung Palace was first built by the 4th ruler of Joseon Dynasty, King Sejong for this retiring father, King Taejong. It often served as residential quarters for queens and concubines. During the reign of King Seongjong, 9th ruler of Joseon Dynasty, the palace was renovated and renamed to Changgyeonggung Palace.

• Compared to other palaces, Changgyeonggung Palace is simple and compact. The palace is surrounded by a forest with about 50.000 trees including Japanese apricot, zelkova, maples, cherry and peach trees.

• Changgyeonggung Palace, along with Changdeokgung Palace, were together known as Donggwol, or the East Palace. Both shared the rear garden.

• 💡 Changing of Guard Times: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

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• The 10.84 km Cheonggyecheon Stream flows through the heart of Seoul, from Gwanghwamun to Dongdaemun. It is a transformed ecological park of natural beauty after 3 years of restoration project to complete in 2005.

• 💡 Cheonggyecheon Stream at Night → At night, visitors can enjoy the fantastic display of light and water at the start point of the stream at Cheonggye Plaza. A favourite of many is the Candle Fountain which features the magnificent synchronisation of three different lighting fixtures and a 4m high, two-tiered waterfall. Along the two sides of the waterfall are the Palseokdam wishing wells, made of 8 different stones from each of the nation's 8 provinces.

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• To truly heighten your experience, you must consider renting a hanbok - a beautiful traditional Korean outfit. Numerous shops cluster near the palace, offering a wide range of styles and sizes.

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• Hongdae is a popular hang-out for local youths and a must-visit for many foreign tourists to Seoul. Hongdae is the short form of Hongik University. Hongik University is a renowned art college and naturally, the streets around Hongdae evolved with unique free-spirit culture of amateur busking performances, art markets, street art murals, cosy galleries, exhibits of young artists and of course, clubs.

• The main road (i.e. Eoulmadang-ro) was painted red (also known as 'Red Road'), the colour of passion and youth.

• 💡 For the convenience of pedestrians, Eoulmadang-ro goes car-free on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 - 23:00.

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• 💡 Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. are the ideal times to visit Insadong Street. Parts of the street are closed during these hours. As a result, there is no traffic and it truly becomes an artsy cultural space!

• Its most recognizable feature is the use of Hangeul (Korean script) in storefronts, which allows the visitors to really see just what makes this place so special.

• Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.

• The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area offering every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures.

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• Ssamzigil is a unique shopping experience located in the corner of Insadong. It is constructed as an open-space, spiral shopping mall complex with green plants and vines surrounding the building and small, romantic cafes and designer boutiques inside the mall. It is a small oasis of tranquility in the centre of Seoul.

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• Deoksugung Palace is the smallest of the five palaces in Seoul. It is the final residence of King Gojong, the last King of the Joseon Dynasty and the first Emperor of Korea.

• Started as Jeongneungdong Temporary Palace, the place was first used by King Seonjo, the 14th King of the Joseon Dynasty. It was renamed as Gyeongungung Palace when Prince Gwanghae moved in.

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• The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is one of the most important recent public buildings in South Korea. It offers a range of exhibition spaces, seminar rooms, event halls, library, education center, serving as a hub for design-related shows and conferences, exhibitions, and other events and gatherings.

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• The horse dance in Psy's music video for 'Gangnam Style' has been iconified as a giant pair of bronze hands on a stage on the east side outside COEX Mall.

• 💡 The song plays as you approach it, and it's lit up at night.

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• This is the center of Gyeongbokgung. It is known as the Throne Hall, or Geunjeongjeon. It used to be a place that was exclusively for the king and his officials, But now over 38 million tourists visit every year.

• The Geunjeongjeon Hall is surrounded by 36 mythical figures that are there to protect the building. These figures demonstrate the architect’s desire to protect the king from evil influences. They include the twelve zodiac animals – mouse, ox, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, and chicken, among others – not to mention the spirits who guard the north, south, east and west. Their faces all wear silly expressions. Joseon architects often included statues with silly and humorous facial expressions in buildings intended for very serious purposes.

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• This main gate holds a rich history of its own; during the 1592 Japanese invasion, it was destroyed by fire and left in ruins for over 250 years. After being rebuilt in 1867, its wooden structure was ruined again in the Korean War, and the stone base lay in neglect. It definitely has seen a lot of history, and many tumultuous events.

• 💡 Do come to buy your tickets before 10 a.m. to catch the "Changing of the Guards" ceremony (the reenactment happens every day, except Tuesdays, twice a day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and takes about 20 minutes) It is happening at the courtyard, where the ticket booth is, before you show your ticket to enter the palace, however tons of people come for this ceremony, so to avoid queues and find your spot, be a little earlier. Keep in mind that you can watch the ceremony without buying the palace ticket. So you can come here another day as well.

• 💡 "Gate guard duty performance" → 11:00 and 13:00 directly outside the Gwanghwamun Gate. "Changing of the guard ceremony" → 10:00 and 14:00 in the square inside Gwanghwamun Gate.

• Gwanghwamun Gate consists of three arched gates,  the center gate is meant for the king, while the other two were used by the crown prince and royal officials. In front of the gate, there's a woldae (elevated ceremonial stage), which historically was used in major royal events for communication between the king and the people. In front of the woldae, there's 2 adorable Haetae sculptures guarding the gates.

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• Gwanghwamun Square is a large public space that stretches 555 m. long and 34 m. wide. From the square, you can enjoy fantastic view of the largest palace in Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace and the iconic Bugaksan Mountain behind it.

• At the center of Gwanghwamun Square stands the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sunshin. King Sejong the Great is the fourth and most respected king of the Joseon Dynasty and creator of Hangeul (Korea's alphabet). Admiral Yi Sun-shin is a naval commander noted for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598) and a hero among Koreans.

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• Gyeongbokgung means the palace “greatly blessed by heaven.”

• The architectural layout of Gyeongbokgung Palace reflects the principles of Confucianism, which was the state ideology during the Joseon Dynasty. The palace complex is organized into various sections, each with its specific purpose, from administrative to residential.

• The palace was first built in 1395 and was the main palace throughout the Joseon Dynasty until the grounds were destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War) from years 1592–1598. The premises were abandoned for two centuries until 1867 when Regent Heungseon Daewongun led efforts to restore the palace. According to the official website and documentation from the Royal Palace of Korea, the grand-scale restoration was completed with 500 buildings on a site of over 40 hectares. Unfortunately, the palace was again destroyed by the Japanese in the 20th century, during their colonization of Korea. Specifically, more than 90% of the palace buildings were torn down in 1915 by the Japanese. Korea was liberated from Japan after WWII, and the restoration of Gyeongbokgung started in 1990 and is still ongoing today.

• Visitors can enter Gyeongbokgung Palace through all four sides of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Gwanghwamun Gate (main gate) on the south, Yongchumun Gate on the west, Sinmumun Gate on the north and National Folk Museum of Korea entrance on the east.

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• This extension of the Gyeongui Line Forest Park is a book-themed pathway of bookshops housed in train-carriage-like containers. The street commemorates the high concentration of publishing companies in the area – over 1000! Most use it as a leafy space to stroll between Sinchon and Hongik University station or as a peaceful refuge, where young lovers whisper sweet nothings in the evenings on the steps. Along the way there are creepily realistic statues, and signs telling the history of the train line.

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• Hongdae is a popular hang-out for local youths and a must-visit for many foreign tourists to Seoul, South Korea. Hongdae is the short form of Hongik University, pronounced as ‘Hongik Dae Hak Kyo’ in Korean. The locals used the term, Hongdae as an easier way to reference the area around Hongik University.

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• Hyangwonjeong Pavilion stands on an islet at the center of a square pond named Hyangwonji, which is located in the rear garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace. According to Sejo sillok (Annals of King Sejo), a pavilion named Chwirojeong was constructed in the area now occupied by Hyangwonji Pond in 1456 (the 2nd year of the reign of King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty) with lotus flowers planted around it.

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• The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History opened on December 26, 2012, and showcases Korea's modern history, from the opening of Incheon Port to current times. The museum provides an in-depth look at the changes in the nation through exhibitions and educational programs, as well as researching, developing, and collecting materials.

• The museum is comprised of four exhibition halls; Prelude to the Republic of Korea, Foundation of the Republic of Korea, Development of the Republic of Korea, and Modernization of South Korea, toward the World.

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• The National Palace Museum of Korea showcases 500 years of history with roughly 45.000 artifacts from the Joseon Dynasty. Artifacts on display include texts and poems that were handwritten by kings of the past, robes worn by royalty, jewelry, and other items from the royal courts of Korea.

• Three floors of exhibits: 2F - Kings of Joseon Dynasty, Joseon Palaces & Royal Court Life. 1F - Korean Empire & Joseon Science. B1F - Royal Court Paintings, Jongmyo (the royal ancestral shrine), Royal Procession, Royal Court Music & Joseon Science.

• 💡 Highlights from the museum collection are many, one highlight is the royal vehicle of Emperor Sunjong, the last king of the Joseon Dynasty. Another highlight of the colelction is the rain gauge pedestal. The rain gauge pedestal was an invention that dated back to the Joseon era.

• 💡 Borugak Jagyeongnu: Only a few pieces remain of a grand 16th-century water clock that once announced the changing hours with the sound of bells, gongs, and drums.

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• Line Friends flagship store is a large shop that offers all kinds of Line cartoon character merchandise. The store is divided into three floors. The first floor sells a variety of Line Friends merchandise, while the second floor specializes in the BT21 series of merchandise featuring cartoon characters inspired by the popular boy band, BTS. The basement floor is home to a Line Friends themed cafe, where customers can enjoy delicious and exquisite desserts.

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• Sejong was the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. His reign of power was from September 18th, 1418 until he died of diabetes on May 18th, 1450.

• What Sejong is most well-known for is Hangul, the Korean writing system.

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• Mecenatpolis Mall houses popular fashion brands, beauty shops, and a large grocery store, as well as various restaurants and coffee shops. It contains cultural areas like Lotte Card Center performance area and Lotte Cinema. There are also often performances held at Mecen Garden and the central square.

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