DAY
Seoul in Hanbok / 3 hours
Tour Highlights
- Gyeongbokgung palace
- National folk museum of Korea
- Gwanghwamun Plaza
- Cheonggye Square
- Insadong
Seoul (- - -)
Touring Seoul in a beautiful Korean traditional dress or Hanbok is an amazing experience for anyone to try. Upon rental your dress, begin your outing with a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, a particularly charming spot that represents a colorful and turbulent side of the capital's 500-year history, bringing color to all corners of the ancient royal residence.
Your visit to the National Folk Museum of Korea will familiarize you with wealthy culture of this friendly and picturesque nation. It is an excellent facility to illustrate the history of traditional life of the Korean people from the prehistoric age to the Joseon dynasty. The permanent exhibition features life and work, costumes and ornaments, handicrafts and technology, educations, living quarters, dietary life, oriental medicine, performing arts and games, beliefs and rituals, and socio cultural life.
Afterward, freely roam around the pedestrian-friendly Gwanghwamun Plaza hemmed in on three sides by rushing traffic, then squeeze in a stop at Cheongye Square where a colorful spiral sculpture created by Coosje Van Bruggen and Claes Oldenburg stands.
Insadong, at one time the center of traditional Korean art and antiques, features a mixture of historical and modern atmosphere representing the cultural glimpse of the nation. Clustered along the main street and alleys are lined with street vendors, wooden tea houses, restaurants and numerous galleries and shops dealing in antiques, oriental art supplies, and modern Korean art of all types and styles. Soak in the paintings, upscale artworks, antiques and potteries while you can. Get lucky and you just might meet the artist themselves. It can be plenty of fun walking on the main street, but you venture into the hidden alleys that do spring some unexpected surprises. While here, you may want to buy some souvenirs or simply wander and browse at leisure admiring cultural ambience.
A couple of blocks away from the alley is Cheonggyecheon Stream. After the Korean War (1950-1953), more people migrated into Seoul to make their living and settled down along the stream in shabby makeshift houses. The accompanying trash and waste, and deteriorating conditions resulted in an eyesore for the city. The stream was covered with layers of concrete in the mid 1950s and roadway until the massive urban renewal project freed it in 2005. Today, a 5.8km creek tumbles gently through downtown Seoul, providing a much needed source of peace and relaxation for the citizens of this fast-paced city. You will definitely view the sculpture standing tall at the head of the stream on a small plaza. Created by Dutch artist Coosje Van Bruggen and Swedish artist Claes Oldenburg, a shell rising upward like pagoda symbolizes new life.
The colors of Hanbok shine ever brighter when they are seen on the grounds of an ancient royal palace as well as anywhere in the modern city - a unique experience and a lasting memory to remember.
