Culture of Seoul. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Seoul is one of the oldest cities in the world. Thus, the number of historical landmarks in its territory can’t be counted. Among the remarkable tourist destinations, it is also worth noting modern architectural landmarks and interesting natural attractions. Tourists will not be disappointed if they include them in their tour program.

The Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty remains one of the most popular historical landmarks of the capital. An extensive and incredibly amazing architectural complex consists of four palaces. The complex was built in the 15th century, and, nowadays, it is a location of several major museums. The gorgeous palace complex still has fragments of ancient fortifications and several historical parks, a stroll in which will be very interesting and memorable for guests of Seoul.

The Gyeongbokgung Palace is considered the most beautiful part of the complex. Currently, it hosts the exhibition of the biggest museum in Korea – the Museum of Ethnography. It is the place where tourists can see thousands of priceless artifacts that acquaint visitors with the peculiarities of lifestyle and culture of locals, typical for medieval times. The Palace Daehanmun is the location of several cultural centers, such as art and agriculture museums, a theatre, and a magnificent concert hall. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Having admired the beauty of the main architectural complex of Seoul, don’t forget to visit the Huwon Secret Garden. No doubt, it is one of the most beautiful places in South Korea. The garden was founded in 1463 by the order of King Sejo. During a war with Japan, it was completely ruined but quickly restored afterwards. Several new buildings also appeared in the garden at that time. During the reign of King Jeongjo, the Royal library was built in the garden, as well as attractive pavilions for social events. Modern tourists are usually in love with the ancient gate that is also located in the garden. According to a legend, anyone who passes this gate will gain health and longevity.

Among numerous cultural centers in Seoul, the Horim Museum is definitely one of the most notable. Its exposition consists of nearly 10 000 unique artifacts. The collection of archaeological findings is particularly interesting, as well as a large collection of ceramics. Old books represent a significant part of the exhibition – many of these unique scriptures exist only in a single copy.

The Namdaemun Gate is a very unusual historical monument. It is also famous under another name – the South Gate. Built in 1398, it has become one of the landmarks of the national level. In 2008, the historical monument was badly damaged by fire, and its wooden part was completely destroyed as a result. However, the gate has not lost its popularity and still attracts a large number of tourists. The landmark looks even more unusual and attractive because of the surrounding modern buildings with gleaming facades.

The N Seoul Tower is, without a doubt, one of the most outstanding modern landmarks. It is located in the heart of Seoul, on the hill with the same name. The tower was built in 1980. It is a 237-meter high building, the upper floors of which have comfortable observation platforms. Taking into account the height of the hill, the total height of the observation platforms is approximately 480 meters. The Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain is one more important symbol of the city. It is the largest bridge-fountain in the world, the length of which is 1 140 meters. It is recommended to visit the fountain when it’s getting dark and a beautiful illumination highlights the landmark.