13 Iconic Photos of Seoul (& Where to Take Them) – Seoulistic

13 Iconic Photos of Seoul (& Where to Take Them)

Photo by wwian

If you’re a tourist, you’ll probably want a few pictures of Seoul to take back with you. But some people are better than others when it comes to photography skills. As luck has it, there’s a few spots in Seoul where you can whip any old camera and get an iconic picture of Seoul. Just go there and say kimchi!

1. Gwanghwamun Square

This is the center of all tourist activities in Seoul. It’s immediately adjacent to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Korea’s main royal palace, as well as two statues of Korea’s greatest heroes, Admril Yi Susin and King Sejong the Great. Even if you don’t have the best camera or you’re not the best photographer in the world, there’s plenty of opportunity to snag some good looking pictures with the iconic backdrop of the palace gates as well as Bugaksan Mountain. These statues are pretty majestic.

How to get there: Gwanghwamun Station (line 5), exit 2

 

2. Gyeongbokgung Palace

Photo by wwian

Photo by wwian

Head inside of Gyeongbokgung, the main palace of Korea’s last royal dynasty, and you’ll find plenty of picture taking spots for amateur and professional photographers alike. You’ll get a closer view of Bugaksan Mountain, the chance to take pictures with the Gyeongbokgung guards, as well as plenty of traditional Korean architecture to photograph. There’s a plethora of beautiful photo opportunities, but one of the most iconic pictures of Seoul you can take is of Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, a private place in the back of the royal grounds.

Tip: You can photograph the outer gates at night (they’re lit up), but entrance inside the palace at night is only allowed a few times a year. For 2014 the dates are from February 12th to 17th (from 6PM to 9PM).

How to get there: Gyeongbokgung Station (line 3), exit 5 or Gwanghwamun Station (line 5), exit 2

 

3. Changdeokgung (Secret Garden)

Gyeongbokgung is the main palace, but Changdeokgung is considered the prettiest of them all. And anybody taking photos of Seoul would be amiss to forget visiting this beautiful palace full of photo ops. It’s less crowded than Gyeongbokgung so you don’t have to wait as much for other people to get out of your shot. And there’s also the Secret Garden in the back of the palace. There you’ll find perfect harmony between nature and traditional architecture.

How to get there: Anguk Station (line 3), exit 3

 

4. Bukchon Hanok Village

Photo by maya jasmin

Photo by maya jasmin

In contrast to the grandiose of the palaces, taking pictures of Bukchon Hanok Village can be quaint and charming. Somehow, pictures of this iconic Seoul neighborhood exudes its actual tranquility, and you too can take these photos pretty easily. No matter the camera you’re holding or your photography skills, the city of Seoul makes it easy by marking the best photo spots on the ground.

How to get there: Anguk Station (line 3), exit 2

Keith
Keith
Keith Kim is a Korean-American who has been living in Korea for almost a decade. Being in a unique position as both a Korean and a non-Korean, he's put all his experience and knowledge for surviving in Korea in Survival Korean . Read it to learn how you can survive in Korea. Follow him on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

5 Comments

  1. Tina says:

    waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw

  2. Helena says:

    The “detailed itinerary” link for the city wall doesn’t go anywhere.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Hello, you used to write magnificent, but the last few posts have been kinda boring?I miss your super writings. Past few posts are just a little out of track! come on!

  4. Kate says:

    Hi! When visiting such places, it is very important to take care of your leisure time in advance. I found a useful article for myself here https://newmiddleclassdad.com/best-destinations-to-visit-in-the-world/ , which tells not only about the best places for your vacation, but also about what you should do there

  5. Jeffery Berry says:

    The secret garden in seoul is really beautiful. And when you visit this place is really breathtaking. It is interesting for me to visit such places in order to be inspired and write even more high-quality articles on order for professional academic writing services https://essaypay.com/ and most of all for such a holiday I appreciate peace of mind. Also, such places inspire me to write on historical topics, which is very trendy now.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *