Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is home to 10 million people and in 2015 was rated Asia’s most livable city. It is an interesting mix of old and new with modern skyscrapers built around ancient Hanok villages, Buddhist temples and shrines. My husband and I visited in November, and although Seoul was never high on our list of vacation destinations, we would return in a heartbeat.
Seoul’s city wall, Hanyangdoseong is an interesting place to visit. It was built in 1396 and protected the city for 514 years, longer than any other city wall in the world. We took a city bus tour to Seoul Tower where we walked along the wall and enjoyed an expansive view of the city.
The city bus tour also took us to Namsangol Hanok Village which was built in the Joseon dynasty. Some traditional buildings from around Seoul were re-located to this area to create a Hanok village. It is in a beautiful setting and is a nice place to stroll and take photos.
We stayed in the Insadong neighborhood which is centrally located and is a great place to shop, eat and take photos. We throughly enjoyed wandering through the narrow streets and alleys.
We also visited Baek In-Je House while we were there. This well preserved Hanok house is in a lovely location and is an example of how the wealthy lived.
Another interesting sight is the changing of the guards at Cyeongbokgung Palace. The ceremony takes place twice each day at 10:00 and 2:00. The colorful uniforms and flags are spectacular.
The autumn colors were gorgeous while we were there.
Check out my previous blog posts on the Seoul Lantern Festival and other highlights of the city.
Seoul is a friendly, welcoming city to visit as well as a great destination for those on a budget. Many of the residents speak English which is a plus for those of us who don’t speak Korean. đŸ™‚ It is filled with history, character, charm, great food and helpful people. I highly recommend a visit to Seoul.
Travels Through My Lens 
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