Capturing the Soul of Seoul

Grand, sprawling palaces, temple stays and a host of unique artistic and spa offerings are just a few must-sees if a sojourn in Seoul is your next great escape.

Despite having a population of over 10 million, the city is most commonly associated with a peaceful and laid-back touring vibe, helping to foster a calm and serene experience, says N.J. Park, Korea Tourism Organization’s director for Canada.

“It’s quite different from other cities,”  he says. “After 5,000 years of culture, it is still a rapidly changing city, the perfect mixture of old and new, and offers escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s like a little bit of heaven.”

With such an array of options for nearly every type of traveller, a tour of Seoul offers the excitement of a new city in an all-in-one getaway.

For the wayward wanderer, Insadong’s quaint cobblestone streets allow one to blend in without feeling lost and are lined with a multitude of art galleries, shops and traditional restaurants. Or, pick up the pace a little in busy Namdaemun Market — one of the biggest retail markets in Seoul — which is described as sprawling and equally animated.

For the art historian, or simply an admirer of ancient monuments, the city also houses five of Korea’s most famous royal palaces, aptly named the “Five Grand Palaces.” Amidst all the cultural hot spots, perhaps none are more frequently visited or greatly admired than these monuments to the Joseon kings. While spring is arguably the most ideal season to visit, as the palace grounds are decorated with cherry blossoms and azaleas, the premises remain a safe haven from the fast pace of city life all year round.

If continuing the search for inner peace and tranquility is your motivation while in Seoul, experience a day or two as a Korean Buddhist monk on a temple stay before the long trip home.

No matter where you choose to begin exploring, the highlights only get better, promises Park, who lists his favourite city stopovers.

Seoul Tower
Located atop the peak of Namsan  mountain, the Seoul Tower is a clear metropolitan landmark. For more than 25 years, the tower has allowed citizens and tourists to be whisked away by the scenic view of the city, while also enjoying the nature of Namsan, according to Seoul Tower’s official website.


SHOPPING

Dongdaemun Market
Described as the fashion mecca of the city by The Korea Times newspaper, with its 27 shopping malls offering a wide assortment of clothing, accessories and shoes from Korean manufacturers, it comes as little surprise Dongdaemun Market is the one place where there is something for everyone. Much to a shopaholic’s delight, the wholesale and retail shopping area is open 24 hours.

Namdaemun Market
Named for the famed historic gateway nearby, Namdaemun Market has over 600 years of history behind it and is one of Korea’s largest wholesale markets, covering over 10 acres. Here, shoppers can stroll the many walkways and peruse everything from clothing to cameras and tableware. The area also boasts an impressive line of outdoor markets, where shoppers can select produce, meats, seafood and other traditional Korean foods.

Insa-dong
With an array of stores offering authentic goods that can only be purchased in Korea, Insa-dong Street is an experience one will always remember when looking to bring back a few focal points of Korean culture. Hanbok (traditional clothing), hanji (traditional paper), teas, pottery and folk crafts are just a few examples.

Myeong-dong
With over one million shoppers passing through every day, Myeong-dong is one of the busiest places in Seoul. Aside from shopping, visitors can check out the Myeon-dong Cathedral and the nearby Namdaemun Market.


HISTORY AND ART

Palaces
Breathtaking courtyards, pavilions, gateways and many more surprises await at the five ancient royal palaces. Gyeongbokgung, for example, was built in the 14th century and ranks among the highest in grandiosity. All may either be explored solo or by a guided tour.

Hwaseong Fortress/Suwon Folk Village
Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon is an official structure from the latter days of the Joseon period, which spanned from 1392 to 1910. Built over a two-year period beginning in 1794, it is said to have been built to demonstrate the king’s filial piety towards his father, as well as to build a new city with its own economic power.

Non-verbal performances
Korea has a number of artistic performances (both verbal and non-verbal), but the latter are an attraction of their own. Nanta and Jump are both ongoing performances that allow a night of relaxation and a wonderful show.

Nanta, which literally translates as “random drumbeats,” is a non-verbal performance based on the rhythms of the samulnori (traditional Korean percussions). In the story, four chefs are busy preparing for a wedding, and re-enact the sounds of samulnori using a variety of kitchen utensils. From there, the stage quickly takes a turn for the comedic as new hiccups in their preparations unfold that none of the chefs are happy with.

Also a non-verbal performance, the musical Jump is based on the traditional movements found in the Korean martial art of taekwondo. Along with great reviews and sold-out shows, the show’s successful run includes receiving the prestigious top box office award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2005.

War Memorial/DMZ (the Demilitarized Zone)
At the end of the Korean War, South Korea and North Korea negotiated and designated a buffer zone 240 kilometres long and four kilometres wide, with its borders falling two kilometres from the truce line on each side of the border. As one of the last relics of the Cold War, the DMZ — found roughly 55 kilometres north of Seoul — attracts a great deal of public interest, while the War Memorial gives an inside look at the history of the conflict.

63 Building
One of Korea’s tallest skyscrapers, the 63 Building oversees the park-lined Han River and is located in the hub of the financial district. Visit the basement for a tour of the aquarium or the top floor for an incredible view of the city and the surrounding mountains of Bugaksan, Namsan and Gwanaksan.


INNER OASIS

Temple stay
Since its arrival in Korea in the fourth century, Buddhism has held an incredible influence, and over the years has given rise to a number of Buddhist temples, buildings and artwork.  Overnight stays in Korean temples have recently become very popular, allowing foreigners to explore the calming, serene life of a monk for a day or two.

Jjimjilbang
Replenish yourself with a traditional Korean jjimjilbang treatment. In Korea, a jjimjilbang is a place where one can not only enjoy the spa, shower and sauna but also sleep overnight at a reasonable price. It’s no wonder these rejuvenating retreats are a popular getaway for families, couples, and friends.

Tourism in Korea is going strong, with 8.7 million visitors in 2010, according to the Korean Tourism Board — a 12 per cent increase from the previous year. With such encouraging numbers, it’s clear that there is no shortage of excitement, fun and adventure to be found in Seoul. As Park notes, there is always something waiting to be discovered around the corner. All you need to do is to follow your inner traveller and begin. •

Photos courtesy Korea Tourism Organization