Trendy Trip Through Downtown Seoul!

Transcription

1 Trendy Trip Through Downtown Seoul! Region Seoul Duration 2 DAYS/1 NIGHT Share Photo: Sinsa dong Street OVERVIEW Seoul is a fast paced city, sensitive to the whimsical changes of fads. All one has to do to feel this atmosphere is watch the Seoulites passing by, effortlessly navigating between what is in and what has faded. The constant change keeps Seoul exciting so that even a long stay here will feel new every day. For tourists who don t have time to spare, it can be difficult to choose where to go. Read on for our suggested two day itinerary, jam packed with all the hottest places Seoul has to offer. Day 1 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 2:00 PM Brunch at Hapjeong dong Café Street Shopping in Hongdae (Hongik University Street) Sangam Digial Media City (DMC) 3:00 PM Cafe hopping along Gyeongnidangil Road 5:00 PM 5 6 Window shopping on Usadan ro Road 7:00 PM Dinner at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) 10:00 AM, Brunch at Hapjeong dong Café Street 1/11

2 Photo: Brunch menu Photo: Cafes along Hapjeong dong s Café Street The streets of Hapjeong dong are lined with quaint cafes. Each café has a unique atmosphere and personality, drawing in many young people looking for a special experience not found at large chains. From coffee made by certified baristas to delicious bingsu and various sweets, the cafes here have it all. Start your trip right by finding the perfect, hidden café for a cup of coffee and a light brunch to store up energy for the day ahead! Directions (Arrival in Korea Hapjeong dong Café Street) Departing from Incheon International Airport : Take the Airport Railroad from Incheon Int l Airport Station and get off at Hongik Univ. Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, Gyeongui Jungang Line, Airport Railroad) Transfer to Seoul Subway Line 2 and get off at Hapjeong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 6) Walk 50m from Exit 5 (approx. 1 hr 20 min). Departing from Gimpo International Airport : Take the Airport Railroad from Gimpo Int l Airport Station and get off at Hongik Univ. Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, Gyeongui Jungang Line, Airport Railroad) Transfer to Seoul Subway Line 2 and get off at Hapjeong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 6) Walk 50m from Exit 5 (approx. 50 min). 11:00 AM, Shopping in Hongdae (Hongik University Street) Photo: Fashion shops in Hongdae Ask anyone where you can find Seoul s most youthful atmosphere and the answer will most definitely be Hongdae. This area, centered around Hongik University, is filled with shops selling various fashion styles, restaurants, pubs, clubs and more. With so much to do, it s no wonder this district is bustling with 2/11

3 visitors both day and night. Visit the free market at Hongdae playground, watch one of the many street performers showcase all they have, or just peoplewatch, keeping your eyes open for the fashion conscious celebrities that visit the area. Hongdae is popular among trend setters because you can easily find and purchase the latest trends in a variety of fashion styles. Particularly in recent years, the area has seen an increase in the number of multi shops. Multi shops feature dynamic brands and items, selected according to the merchandiser s style, making it fun to browse and compare not just shops but the shop owners as well. Directions (Hapjeong dong Café Street Hongdae, approx. 10 min) : Walk along Eoulmadang ro Road from Hapjeong dong Café Street to Hongdae (Hongik University Street). 2:00 PM, Digital Media City (DMC) Photo: Sculpture at Digital Media City Digital Media City (DMC) is an industrial complex located in Sangam dong, Mapo gu, Seoul. The area is home to the offices and media centers of many broadcasting companies, including Korea s three main media networks. The largest building and the one sure to catch the eye is the new MBC building. The unique exterior isn t the only great thing about this building; the building is also home to Garden Studio, an open studio where visitors can watch a live radio broadcast. The area is often visited by hallyu fans, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars between broadcasts. The modern vibe of the buildings and sculptures at DMC were enough to earn them a spot in the filming of the international blockbuster hit, Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015). Address : DMC Gallery, 366, Worldcupbuk ro, Mapo gu, Seoul. Directions (Hongdae Digital Media City (DMC), approx. 20 min) : Take Gyeonggui Jungang Line from Hongik Univ. Station and get off at Susaek Station Walk 300m from Exit 1. Website : dmc.seoul.kr (Korean, English) 3:00 PM, Cafe hopping along Gyeongnidan gil Road 3/11

4 Photo: Common sights along Gyeongnidan gil Road Gyeongnidan gil Road located in Itaewon gained popularity thanks to being featured in variety programs like Infinity Challenge, and has recently taken the spotlight as a hot place. The area is famous for the vast number of restaurants, pubs, and cafes lining the street, drawing in many visitors looking for a delicious meal. The exotic exteriors of the cafes and street art decorating the walls make this place great for taking photos. Buy churros and ice cream to eat as you enjoy all Gyeongnidan gil Road has to offer! Directions (Digital Media City Gyeongnidan gil Road, approx. 45 min) : Take Seoul Subway Line 6 from Digital Media City Station and get off at Noksapyeong Station (Seoul Subway Line 6) Walk about 940m from Exit 2 3:00 PM, Window shopping along Usadan ro Road 4/11

5 Photo: Scenes of Usandan ro Road With the commercial district of Itaewon moving from the area around Itaewon Station to Gyeongnidan gil Road, another street as emerged as a hot spot Usandan ro Road is located on the opposite side of Itaewon ro Road from Gyeongnidan gil Road. Running to Seoul Central Masjid, Usadan ro Road offers a unique vacation experience. Rather than being flashy and commercialized, the road is famous for its plethora of antique shops. Walking among the mix of red bricked houses and small shops,you will definitely enjoy the warm, vintage feel that cannot be mass produced. Directions (Gyeongnidan gil Road Usadan ro Road, approx. 25 min) : From Yongsan Hanshin Apt. Bus Stop, take circulation Bus No. 3 and get off at Itaewon 119 Safety Center Bus Stop Walk about 390m to Usadan ro 10 gil. 7:00 PM, Dinner and night scene at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) 5/11

6 Photo: Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) night view Attracting attention at first sight of its exterior alone, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is one of Seoul s most vibrant night views. Built with large, curving lines over a wide area stretching from Pyounghwa Fashion Town to the newer shopping complexes, when the sun sets, the silver plating takes in and reflects back all the colorful lights of the surrounding shopping centers. The plaza regularly hosts fashion shows from international designers, exhibitions, and other cultural activities, and has many famous restaurants and designer shops. Whether for food or shopping, the stream of visitors to DDP seems never ending. Photo: LED Rose Garden outside DDP The DDP s largest attraction at night is the expansive field of LED roses, creating the perfect romantic atmosphere to end your day. There are 25,550 roses, one rose for each day of the 70 years since Korea s independence from Japan. The roses will be here for one year only, so be sure to visit when you can to enjoy a festival like atmosphere while celebrating Korea s liberation. Address : 281, Eulji ro, Jung gu, Seoul Directions (Usadan ro Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), approx. 25 min) : Take Seoul Subway Line 6 from Itaewon Station and get off at Sindang Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 6), Exit 9. Walk for about 175m to Chungmu Art Center.Sports Center.Fire Station Bus Stop Take Bus No and get off at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Bus Stop and walk for about 45m to Design Plaza (DDP). Website : (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) Day 2 1 9:00 AM Fun at Lotte World and Lotte World Tower & Mall 2 1:00 PM 3 Stroll at Songpa Naru Park (Seokchonhosu Lake) 3:00 PM Tea and shopping at Sinsadong Garosu gil Road 4 6:30 PM All aboard the Hangang River Ferry Cruise 6/11

7 5 7:30 PM Night view from Seoul 63 Square 9:00 AM, Fun at Lotte World and Lotte World Tower & Mall Photo: Lotte World s Magic Island Conveniently located near Jamsil Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 and 8, Lotte World Tower & Lotte World Mall along with Lotte World is a multipurpose shopping mall featuring department stores, duty free shops, a movie theater, aquarium, amusement park, ice skating rink and more. Since the recent opening of Lotte World Tower & Mall in 2014, it has truly become a one stop entertainment destination. Even an entire day spent here would not be enough time to enjoy all that Lotte World Tower has to offer, but for our tour schedule, let s enjoy a taste of the fun before continuing on our journey! 7/11

8 Photo: Interior of Lotte World Tower The mall offers a great shopping experience, with a variety of shops selling everything from internationally renowned fashion brands to vintage items, and cosmetics to SPA brands. Duty free shops featuring over 400favorite brands of international tourists are additionally available, and Star Avenue has gained popularity for providing a fun hallyu culture experience. No shopping trip is complete without a nice meal, and Lotte World Tower does not disappoint. After getting your fill of shopping and entertainment, sit down to fill your belly at one of the mall s many restaurants. The themed restaurant Seoul 3080 allows one to travel back in time along reproduced 1930 s Jongno Street and Myeong dong from 's. If you want the feeling of traveling the world, stop by 29th Street, designed with the concept of walking down the streets of a foreign country in mind. Address Lotte World : 240, Olympic ro, Songpa gu, Seoul Lotte World Tower & Lotte World Mall : 300, Olympic ro, Songpa gu, Seoul Directions (Dongdaemun Design Plaza Lotte World, approx. 40 min) : Take the subway at Dongademun History & Culture Park (Seoul Subway Line 2) and get off at Jamsil Station (Seoul Subway Line 2) Exit 4 and walk for about 365mn to Lotte World. Directions (Lotte World Lotte World Tower & Lotte World Mall, approx. 10 min) : From Lotte World, walk towards Lotte World Tower for about 635m. Operating hours (Lotte World) : Mon Thu 09:30 22:00 / Fri Sun 09:30 23:00 Fees (Lotte World) : 48,000 won / Teenagers 42,000 won / Children 38,000 won / Baby 12,000 won Prices are based on 1 Day Pass Websites Lotte World : global.lotteworld.com (Korean, English) Lotte World Tower & Lotte World Mall : (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) 1:00 PM, Relaxing stroll at Songpa Naru Park (Seokchonhosu Lake) Photo: Seokchonhosu Lake in spring Photo: Seokchonhosu Lake in autumn Seokchonhosu Lake resembles a figure 8, being divided in two sections of dongho (East Lake) and seoho (West Lake). From the east lake, Korea s tallest building, Lotte World Tower, can be observed up close while the west lake offers a view of Lotte World s fairy tale like Magic Island. The lake is also known for its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and colorful foliage in autumn. If lucky, you can catch the amusement park s firework show reflecting off the lake at night. During the day, it is quite common to spot Seoulites out for a jog or office workers enjoying their lunch break at the park. Address : 180, Jamsil ro, Songpa gu, Seoul (Songpa Tourist Information Center) Directions (Lotte World Seokchonhosu Lake, approx. 10 min) : From Lotte World, walk south for about 665m along Songpa daero Boulevard. 3:00 PM, Cup of tea and shopping at Sinsadong Garosu gil Road 8/11

9 3:00 PM, Cup of tea and shopping at Sinsadong Garosu gil Road Photo: Scenes of Sinsadong Garosu gil Road The hippest trend setters and fashionistas are easily spotted at Sinsadong Garosu gil Road, as if the whole road were a long cat walk. The street is lined with stores selling the latest and most unique fashion items. Editorial shops are quite common and if you re lucky, you might be able to snag a limited edition item! Give your tired legs a rest after your shopping spree by relaxing at one of the many cafes on this tree lined street. For the best way to soak in the atmosphere of Garosu gil, look for a café with a patio or open window seats. With the number of cozy and uniquely decorated cafes and dessert shops along the boulevard, it s easy to feel overwhelmed about your decision, but rest assured that no matter which café you chose, you will enjoy yourself. Address : Areas of Sinsa dong, Gangnam gu, Seoul Directions (Seokchonhosu Lake Sinsadong Garosu gil Road, approx. 50 min) : Take Seoul Subway Line 2 from Jamsil Station to Seoul National Univ. of Education Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 3) Transfer to Seoul Subway Line 3 and get off at Sinsa Station (Seoul Subway Line 3) Walk about 450m from Exit 8. 6:30 PM, All aboard the Hangang River Ferry Cruise Photo: Hangang River Ferry Cruise dock Fans of the hit drama, My Love from the Stars (2014) will recognize this location from the scene where the main character Jeon Ji hyun attended a party cruise. You can enjoy the same spectacular night view of Seoul from the Hangang River Ferry Cruise. Take in the bustling city as you float by on the leisurely flowing Hangang River, running through the heart of the city. 9/11

10 Address : 290, Yeouidong ro, Yeongdeungpo gu, Seoul Directions (Sinsadong Garosu gil Road Hangang River Ferry Cruise, approx. 1 hr 10 min) : Take Seoul Subway Line 3 from Sinsa Station to Jongno 3(sam) ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 3, 5) Transfer to Seoul Subway Line 5 and get off at Yeouinaru Station (Seoul Subway Line 5) Walk 1km from Exit 3. Operating hours (Hangang River Ferry Cruise) : Daily 11:30 23:00 Ferry runs on an interval between 1 hr and 1 hr 30 min. Fees : Adults 12,000 won / Teenagers 12,000 won / Children 8,400 won Prices are based on regular hangang river ferry cruise. Prices may differ for other types of cruise programs. Website : (Korean only) 7:30 PM, Night view from Seoul 63 Square Photo: Night view from the observation deck of 63 Sky Art One view of Seoul that should not be missed is the city s night view. Starlight is replaced by the powerful lights of the tall buildings and the many cars still filling the streets. Seoul 63 Square, a landmark of the city, offers one of the best spots to view this bright nightscape. Seoul 63 Square, also known as 63 Building, has an art museum, 63 Art, on its 60th floor, the art museum closest to the sky. The museum also serves as an observation deck, allowing visitors to enjoy a 360 degree panorama of the city. The ever popular N Seoul Tower can be spotted to the northeast and the newly built Lotte World Tower is located in the southeast. In October of every year, the night sky bursts into color during the Seoul International Fireworks Festival. Address : 50, 63 ro, Yeongdeungpo gu, Seoul Directions (Hangang River Ferry Cruise Seoul 63 Square, approx. 3 min) : Walk for about 150m. Operating hours (63 Sky Art) : Daily 10:00 22:00 Fees (63 Sky Art) : Adults 13,000 won / Teenagers 12,000 won / Children 11,000 won Website : (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) More info Seoul Culture & Tourism Website : english.visitseoul.net (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) 1330 Korea Travel Hotline : (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) * This page was last updated in August 2016, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details from the official websites before visiting. <Last updated on August 5, 2016> 10/11