Nang Man Gimbap
45-3 Myeong-Dong 1(Il)-Ga
Myeong-Dong Shopping Street
Jung-Gu
Seoul
South Korea

Soondubu Jjigae / Silken Tofu Stew (KRW ₩6,500 / SGD $8)

Dae Gyeong (Restaurant)
34-40 Namchang-Dong
Galchi Jorim Alley
Namdaemun Market
Namchang-Dong
Jung-Gu
Seoul
South Korea

Bulgogi / Char-Grilled Marinated Beef (KRW ₩10,000 / SGD $12)

Hong Bar
Level 3F
3-35 Myeong-Dong 10(Sib)-Gil
Myeong-Dong Shopping Street
Jung-Gu
Seoul
South Korea

Grilling

Tae Hee Restaurant
Level 4F
22-5 Myeong-Dong 8(Pal)-Gil
Myeong-Dong Shopping Street
Jung-Gu
Seoul
South Korea

Haemul Pajeon / Seafood Pancake (KRW ₩7,000 / SGD $8)

Top 5 Seoul Attractions

City: Seoul
State: Seoul Capital Area / Sudogwon
Country: South Korea / Republic Of Korea

The largest metropolis of South Korea and the capital, Seoul is a global city, whose history stretches back more than 2,000 years. A leading technological hub and the most wired city in the world, Seoul is also among the most livable cities, offering a high quality of life. Besides being the business and financial heart of South Korea, the city is also home to many parks, and over 100 museums.

Here are the Top 5 Tourist Attractions to visit in Seoul, all of which hold important cultural or historical significance. All these are permanent locations which can be visited and viewed at any time throughout the year.


1. Gyeongbokgung Palace

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The Gyeongbokgung Palace in downtown Seoul, also known as Gyeongbok Palace, was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, and the largest grand palace in South Korea. Housing the National Palace Museum Of South Korea, and the National Folk Museum within its premises, it is also notable for Gwanghwamun, the main palace gate where re-enactments of the changing of the royal guard is showcased, and the larger-than-life bronze statue of King Sejong The Great. Other notable structures here include the Gangnyeongjeon (King's Quarters), Geunjeongjeon Hall (Throne Hall), Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (Royal Banquet Pavilion), Gyotaejeon (Queen's Quarters), and Sajeongjeon (Executive Hall).



2. Namsan Tower

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The Namsan Tower, named for its location in Mount Namsan Park in South Korea, is also known as the N Seoul Tower. Officially named the YTN Seoul Tower, it is a communication and observation tower, and with its height of 236 metres, is the highest point in the city. It is particularly beautiful at night when lit, and part of the experience is to ride the Namsan Cable Car up to the tower. The 4 observation decks offer fantastic views of the city, while the surrounding park also has a 'Locks Of Love' area, where lovers hang padlocks on specially built structures. There is also a Teddy Bear Museum located here, along with several gift shops and restaurants.



3. National Museum Of South Korea

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As the flagship museum of Korean culture and art, the National Museum Of South Korea is naturally the largest museum in Seoul, housing over 310,000 artifacts in 3 floors, with the left side of the museum representing the past, and the right side of the museum representing the future. The grounds have a variety of ponds, gardens, waterfalls, pagodas, stupas, and lanterns. The 1st floor is the Prehistory and Ancient History Gallery, the 2nd floor houses the Donation Gallery, the Calligraphy and Painting Gallery, while the 3rd floor contains the Sculpture and Crafts Gallery, the Asian Arts Gallery. Highlights include the 5th century Silla gold crown and waist belt, the Gyeongcheonsa Ten-Story Pagoda, exhibits on maedeup / Korean handicraft knots, and royal porcelain jars. The National Hangeul Museum is also located on the grounds.



4. Yeouido Park

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The Yeouido Park, also known as the Yeouido Hangang Park, located in central Seoul, is a large, recreational park lined with trees and seasonal flowers. The park is a popular place for filming South Korea television programmes, especially drama or soap opera series, due to its beautiful waterfront and city views. It's also a popular place for sporting and recreational activities, such as cycling, skateboarding, painting, or picnics. The highlight are the various festivals held here, in particular, the Cherry Blossom Festival held in April every year, when the cherry blossom flowers are in full bloom, making the park incredibly pretty! The International Fireworks Festival is also held here every October, and is worth seeing at night!



5. Seoul Shopping Districts

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A highlight of visiting South Korea are the Seoul Shopping Districts. There are many such places throughout the city, rows upon rows of small shops lining pedestrian walking streets, retailing all manner of products and services, in contrast to the shopping malls of other countries. The most famous of these include Myeong-Dong Shopping Street, for its large range of beauty, cosmetics, skin care, hair care, and general wellness items; Dongdaemun Shopping Town, for its wholesale fashion, clothing, and accessories; Namdaemun Market, the oldest continually running market; Yongsan Electronics Market, with 20 buildings housing 5,000 stores, retailing all manner of electrical and technological items; and Cheongdam Fashion Street, an upmarket, luxury shopping area in the Gangnam district.





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Seoul Street Food - Part 1


Seoul Street Food is part of the larger tapestry of Korean cuisine in South Korea. Unique for being a largely standalone cuisine, with little outside influence, Korean cuisine originated from an agricultural society, and through interaction with the natural environment. Seoul Street Food can be broadly classified into 3 categories; main staple dishes, side dishes, and desserts.

Bibimbap / Mixed Rice

Oriens Hotel & Residences
50 Samil-Daero 2(Ee)-Gil
Myeong-Dong
Jung-Gu
Seoul
South Korea

http://www.orienshotel.com/


Convenient Service Apartments In The City Center

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 6
Visited: Apr-2016
Ambience & Setting: 4
Food & Beverage: 3
Service: 7
Value for Money: 9
Spent about SGD $220 per person.
- $220 Accomodation 5D4N
- $0 Room Service


Nearby Attractions: Gyeongbokgung Palace & National Folk Museum Of (South) Korea, N Seoul Tower / Namsan Tower, Mount Namsan Park, National Museum Of (South) Korea, War Memorial Of (South) Korea, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Yeouido Park, Bukchon Hanok Village, Jongmyo Shrine, Namiseom Island, Everland Theme Park, Lotte World, Seoraksan / Mount Seorak, Dongdaemun Shopping District & Heunginjimun, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park, Namdaemun Shopping District & Sungnyemun, Seoul Museum Of Art, Seoul Museum Of History, Seoul World Cup Sangam Stadium, Seoul Olympic Park, Myeong-Dong Shopping District & Myeong-Dong Cathedral, Korea Furniture Museum, National Theater Of (South) Korea, Leeum Samsung Museum Of Art, Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain


Hotel Facilities: Business Centre, Free Wi-Fi, Conference Rooms, Gymnasium, Self-Service Laundry Service, In-Room Kitchenette, Cable TV, Currency Exchange Service


Hotel Activities: Work Out, Internet Surfing, Meetings


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Introduction
Located about 90 minutes drive away from the Incheon International Airport in Seoul, Oriens Hotel & Residences is a simple, fuss-free, functional service apartment style hotel. Despite having little to no facilities as in other hotels, the biggest draw for Oriens Hotel & Residences is their spacious, comfortable rooms, and their extremely convenient location in the city center at really affordable prices.


Ambience
Ambience at Oriens Hotel & Residences is plain, with little decor to speak of. There is a simple, modern, clean look, and the dark colours of wood against warm ambient lighting create an intimate, tranquil, homely feel. Besides several well-placed flowers around the lobby, there is almost no other ambience here. At least the room rates are much cheaper than most other places in the city center, making a stay here great value for money!


Room
Rooms at Oriens Hotel & Residences are clean, comfortable, and spacious. I was very pleased with the large, soft beds, big enough to roll around in! There is an in-room kitchenette which is well stocked, a large refrigerator for your groceries, and the cable television has a good range of channels. However, while the bathrooms were decent, I expected it to be more modern and well equipped, as the actual bathtubs are rather small in size, and there is no shower screens for the standing shower.


Food
Food at Oriens Hotel & Residences is limited. There is no room service, and no restaurant as well. The only food options here are available during breakfast hours, when the dining area opens for guests. A small selection of dishes are served, these are pretty tasty, but you can get better food elsewhere.


Service
Service at Oriens Hotel & Residences is very good. Staff are friendly, professional, and polite, displaying the vaunted Asian hospitality. You feel welcome right from the moment you step in. Calls for various requests are quickly fulfilled, and staff are able to converse fluently in English. They can also offer advice on the surrounding area, including things to see or do.


Facilities & Activities
The facilities and activities at Oriens Hotel & Residences are mostly limited to a small conference room, and a well equipped gymnasium. The free internet wifi, available throughout the place, is incredibly fast and stable. But beyond these, there is no other facilities or activities offered. The best thing about Oriens Hotel & Residences is their convenient location, less than 10 minutes walk away from the Myeong-Dong shopping district, the foot of Mount Namsan Park, and the Chungmuro metro train station.


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Seoul Shops

Some examples of the shops in Seoul, whether along the streets or within the shopping malls.

Holika Holika

Seoul Shopping Malls

Snapshots of some of the shopping malls and markets in Seoul.

ETLAND / Electronics Land