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

9. Jogyesa Temple & Flowers

Photo by Rose Ferrer

Jogyesa Temple is another Buddhist temple located in the middle of the city. But here, you have to look inwards for the best pictures. The temple is home to an array of beautiful flowers the monks garden, which produce the brightest colors seen in most temples. The reds, yellows, greens and blues are dynamic and vivid and are also easily captured in images (best time is spring and summer). But the most iconic photos from this temple is from the Lotus Lantern Festival, which celebrates Buddha’s birthday with colorful lanterns strewn across the temple grounds. The festival has yet to announce it’s dates for 2014, but it should be the first weekend before Buddha’s birthday (first weekend of May, 2014).

How to get there: Jonggak Station (line 1), exit 2 | Anguk Station (line 3), exit 6

10. Cheongyecheon Stream

Photo by Young Sok Yun 윤영석

If you’ve ever searched pictures of Seoul, you’re bound to have come across Cheongyecheon Stream, a popular urban oasis with flowing stream water and shaded rest in the middle of bustling Seoul. It’s a great place to rest and hang out, but it’s also a great photo opportunity, especially at night when it’s all lit up and Christmas-like. The flowing water and night lights are perfect for those with a few camera tricks up their sleeves.

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

11. Banpo Bridge

Photo by H.B. Kang

Another spot that’s frequented by tripod toting photographers is Banpo Bridge. It’s where the Rainbow Fountain sprays its colorful jets at night, making for awesome night photography. The Rainbow Fountain Show is only during warmer months (April – October) and at certain hours (12PM, 5PM, 7:30PM), displaying more often during summer months (July – August, 8PM, 8:30PM, 9PM, 9:30PM).

How to get there: Express Bus Terminal Station (line 3, 7, 9), exit 8-1 → Walk towards the Han River

12. Namdaemun & Dongdaemun Gates

Photo by tourpic

Namdaemun and Dongdaemun are of course popular markets where locals and tourists go to. But these markets are named after the gates that protected them hundreds of years ago. These gates are located on islands with cars literally zooming past them every second. It’s a dream if you’re into time lapse photography. But even if you’re camera stupid, you can hardly mess up. These gates are beautiful from any angle!

How to get there: Namdaemun – Hoehyeon Station (line 4), exit 5 | City Hall Station (line 1, 2), exit 7
How to get there: Dongdaemun – Dongdaemun Station (line 1, 4), exit 6

13. Seoul Fortress Wall

Photo by Jongwoo Park

Sometimes the pictures you have to work for are the best. Seoul used to have a fortress wall surrounding the city. Although most of it was destroyed, there are still remnants of them scattered throughout the city. The part of the fortress wall that still remains over Seoul’s mountains is part of what makes this photo opportunity so great. Taking a picture up atop one of the mountains allows you to get a view of the entire city while peering into the city’s ancient past at the same time.

How to get there: Many locations around the city. Read here for a detailed itinerary.

Have your own favorite iconic photo of Seoul? Let us know in the comment section!