Achasan Sunrise Festival (아차산 해맞이 축제)

5.6Km 2024-12-19

Achasan, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
+82-2-450-7596

Achasan Mountain offers a great view of the sunrise in Seoul, preventing the need to travel all the way to the East Sea to enjoy this beautiful sight. Achasan Mountain is a popular spot to watch the sunrise as it is easily accessible using public transportation and takes only about 15 minutes to hike up to the viewing spot. Hikers and non-hikers alike gather on New Year's Day to greet the sun as the hiking trail consists of well-managed, gradual slopes.

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

5.6Km 2025-07-11

99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-737-6444

Deoksugung Palace has held a guard changing ceremony since 1996 after thorough historical research by leading historians. The ceremony, which is held in front of Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung Palace, is a tradition similar to the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and offers a rare opportunity to experience royal culture. The royal gate is opened and closed at pre-determined times, and the gatekeepers in charge of guard duty and patrols hold a shift ceremony three times a day.

The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a highly recommended event for tourists. It is held three times a day, with each ceremony following the same procedure and lasts for forty minutes to an hour, and the ceremony is free of charge. There are no ceremonies on Mondays as well as on severely cold or hot days.

As the ceremony begins, the changing of the guards commences replete with traditional musical instruments, and exchanges a password for verification. An eight-minute guard ceremony ensues, followed by a seven-minute change ceremony, and finally a patrol that completes the ceremony. The procedure takes a dramatic turn when 18 guards in six official positions beat a drum and bellow some orders.

The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene. The guards’ splendid costumes, with their brilliant primary colors, are a pleasure to view. Once the ceremony is over, visitors can take pictures with the gatekeepers.

Fatum (파툼)

5.6Km 2019-12-20

86-5, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-739-9888

FATUM is famous for its great view of Samcheong-dong. Each floor is decorated with a different theme, from natural rocks on the first floor, comfort on the second floor, and indoor viewing places on the third and fourth floors, and outdoor seats on the fifth floor. The view features beautiful scenery including Bugaksan Mountain, Inwangsan Mountain, and Gyeongbokgung Palace at once, as well as a fantastic sunset from the café.

Riverside Spa Land (강변스파랜드)

5.6Km 2024-03-19

2nd basement level, 45, Guuigangbyeon-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
+82-2-455-3737

Riverside Spa Land opened in 1988. It contains a Korean-style sauna (jjimjilbang), restaurant, and a large game center. The spa facilities utilize underground mineral water rich in sulfur, which is said to be effective toward atopy and other skin disorders. Because it is located at the heart of Seoul, it is very accessible, and Riverside Spa Land’s wide range of facilities and services make it a popular destination for many.

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History (대한민국역사박물관)

5.6Km 2022-12-27

198, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3703-9200

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. In addition, the Korean History Dream Village features a hands-on program hall for children to learn modern and contemporary history. In addition to special exhibitions, the museum also offers educational and cultural programs for children.

Seoul Hiking Tourism Center - Bugaksan Branch (서울도심등산관광센터(북악산))

5.6Km 2024-03-05

88 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Bugaksan branch of Seoul Hiking Tourism Center is located on Samcheong-dong Culture Street and provides various services to hikers. It provides hiking course guidance and information (available in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese) about the mountains of Seoul, including Bukhansan, Bugaksan, and Inwangsan Mountains, as well as promotional materials such as Seoul hiking tourism guidebooks and maps. Also, it operates hiking tour programs with various themes every week for foreigners and offers hiking gear rental services such as hiking boots, hiking attire, trekking poles, gloves, and crampons for foreigners. (Koreans accompanied by foreigners can also rent the gear.) In addition, there is a storage locker and lounge for visitors, so they can pack up and rest before hiking.

Koreana Hotel (코리아나 호텔)

5.6Km 2021-06-21

135, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2171-7000

Koreana Hotel has been one of the top notch traveler's picks for more than 30 years, having the business motto 'comfort for our customers.'

The hotel is located at the Gwanghwamun fourway intersection, at the heart of Seoul, and provides 345 guest rooms. Amongst its dining facilities, the hotel boasts a Korean restaurant, Chinese restaurant, Japanese restaurant, and a Western restaurant, as well as a bar, coffee shops, and bakery. Eight banquet halls and a sauna are also available.

The hotel has operated as the main press center restaurant for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and subsequently operated as the Olympic Village Restaurant for the Special Olympics. As a result of their successful operations, the hotel received lavish praise from the organizers, as well as from the players and staff for the high quality food and spectacular service.

Great Shanghai (대상해)

5.6Km 2020-02-07

135, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2171-7869

Great Shanghai is a Chinese restaurant serving deliciously genuine Sichuan and Beijing-style cuisine, located within the Koreana Hotel. Their specialty is shark's fin, directly imported from Sanji, and prepared by the head chef who has over 30 years of experience. Aside from shark's fin, the healthy buldojang, mapadubu and ddanddanmyeon are also top menus. Great Shanghai is decorated with high-quality interior design, and features rooms of various sizes for groups and business dinners.

Kukje Gallery (국제갤러리)

5.6Km 2021-07-29

54, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-8449

The Kukje Galley has been committed to presenting the work of significant Korean and international contemporary artists to the public since 1982. The gallery has established itself as a leading venue for international exhibits such as Helen Frankenthaler, Sam Francis, Jim Dine, Frank Stella, Robert Mangold, Anthony Caro, Cy Twombly, Edward Ruscha, Anselm Kiefer, Joseph Beuys, and Bill Viola, attracting enthusiastic responses from both the public and the media.

The gallery has placed emphasis on collaborations between artists, galleries, and art dealers around the world and nurturing upcoming artists by sponsoring their artwork and giving them international exposure.

La:ppland [Tax Refund Shop] (라플란드)

5.6Km 2024-04-16

Bldg. Ga. 1F, 83, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Achasan Sunrise Festival (아차산 해맞이 축제) - Area information - Korea travel information