A Step Back In Time: 10 Must-Visit Historical Places In Seoul

Nidhi Kadere

Gyeongbokgung Palace

It is the oldest and largest of the five royal palaces in Seoul. Built in 1395, it served as the main residence of the kings for over 500 years. Today, it's a popular tourist attraction that has been restored to its former glory.

Gyeongbokgung Palace | Shutterstock

Changdeokgung Palace

One of the five royal palaces in Seoul, it was constructed in the year 1405 as a secondary palace for the Joseon kings. It holds the UNESCO World Heritage Site status for its exceptional architectural and landscape design.

Changdeokgung Palace | Shutterstock

Changgyeonggung Palace

It was originally built in 1483 as a residence for the queens and concubines of the Joseon kings. It later became the official palace of the king’s family and the site of the royal ancestral shrines.

Changgyeonggung Palace | Shutterstock

Deoksugung Palace

The smallest and the newest of the five royal palaces in Seoul, it was built in the late 16th century as a temporary residence for the king after the other palaces were burned down by the Japanese invasion.

Deoksugung Palace | Shutterstock

Bukchon Hanok Village

A hanok is a traditional Korean house that features a wooden structure, a tiled roof, and a courtyard. Bukchon Hanok Village is a neighbourhood that houses hundreds of hanoks dating back to the Joseon Dynasty.

Bukchon Hanok Village | Shutterstock

Namsangol Hanok Village

This village is a cultural park that displays five hanoks relocated from different parts of Seoul. Each hanok belongs to a different social class, from the noble to the commoner, and exhibits various artifacts and furniture. 

Namsangol Hanok Village | Shutterstock

N Seoul Tower

It is a communication and observation tower that stands on top of Namsan Mountain. It is 236 metres tall, and has four observation decks, a revolving restaurant, a digital art gallery, and a teddy bear museum.

N Seoul Tower | Shutterstock

Cheonggyecheon Stream

Once a neglected and polluted stream that was covered by a highway, it was restored in 2005 as part of an urban renewal project. You can visit the Cheonggyecheon Museum and the Dongdaemun Design Plaza nearby.

Cheonggyecheon Stream | Shutterstock

Gwanghwamun Gate

It is the main and the largest gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and also the symbol of Seoul. It was built in 1395, and has witnessed many historical events and changes in Korea.

A soldier guarding the Gwanghwamun gate | Shutterstock

War Memorial Of Korea

A museum that commemorates the Korean War and the other wars that involved Korea, it has six indoor exhibition halls and an outdoor exhibition area that displays weapons, equipment, uniforms, and artefacts from the wars.

A Korean soldier looking straight ahead | Shutterstock

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