Anyone enrolled in Korean language courses will want to travel to South Korea someday. Thanks to the ever-increasing popularity of K-pop, K-drama, and Korean talk shows, this country has captivated the hearts of millions of people in Asia and worldwide.
Seoul is the most popular tourist destination in South Korea because of its fascinating ancient culture, fashion, modern art, and incredible food choices. Aside from these factors, Seoul is an immensely charming city because it is surrounded by a hilly landscape and five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. However, if you truly want to experience this city’s beauty, you should check out Jongno.
Jongno (종로) is the heart of Seoul. It is where you will find South Korea’s past and present charms. It is also home to some of the most beautiful palaces, temples, parks, shrines, neighbourhoods, and traditional tourist attractions. Jongno-gu also holds four of Seoul’s five Grand Palaces, including Changgyeong-gung, Changdeok-gung, Gyeonghui-gung, and Gyeongbok-gung. Something about this place that makes it so interestingly unique and 100% worth visiting.
Here are some more reasons to explore Jongno and appreciate the magical beauty of Seoul:
- Cheonggyecheon Stream and Plaza
This is the perfect tourist spot if you want a scenic stroll around downtown Seoul. Despite the stream’s industrialised design, you’ll undoubtedly be mesmerised by the space and relaxation it offers to people.
- Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang Market is a 100-year-old traditional Korean market in Yeji-dong. This market is especially popular for textile retailers and wholesalers of hanbok, traditional Korean clothes. Plus, it has a wide array of street food stalls that sell anything from mung bean pancakes to beef tartare. Here, you can practice what you’ve learned from studying Korean in Singapore by talking to locals about their food, culture, and lifestyle.
- Jonggak: Avenue of Youth
Jonggak is not known as the Avenue of Youth for nothing. It is where you’ll find the hottest restaurants, pubs, and street food stalls that you can indulge in. In short, Jonggak is the place to be for nightlife and late-night explorations.
- Changdeokgung Palace
This 600-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site is Seoul’s jewel and was built by King Taejong in 1405 during the Joseon Dynasty. It’s most famous for the astounding architectural details of the palace and its expansive gardens. This was the most dignified place where kings and their ministers attended significant state events.
- Jogyesa Temple
Jogyesa is a beautiful Buddhist temple right in the heart of Seoul. Unlike other temples where you need to travel to mountainous and remote areas, you can conveniently pay tribute or learn about the religion, experience the Lotus Lantern Festival, and take a refreshing stroll around the property here.
- National Folk Museum of Korea
The National Folk Museum of Korea aims to become an educational venue where tourists can learn how Koreans have lived then and now. It is an institution that researches, investigates, and acquires artefacts and other resources about people’s daily lives. It has three exhibition halls about “Korean Traditional Daily Life,” “A Year in Korea,” and “Korean Life Passages.”
- Naksan Park
Naksan Park got its name because of its shape – a camel’s back. This park is famous for being a favorite film location for Korean TV dramas like “The Heirs.” It has a spectacular view of Daehango, the college or university street, giving it a youthful vibe.
Conclusion
Jongno is always bustling with people thanks to its abundance of local attractions and various establishments. Aside from that, it is full of contrasts, making it the perfect place to visit while in South Korea.
Since English is not the predominant language spoken in the country, it’s best to enroll in Korean language courses. Sejong is one of the best Korean language schools in Singapore, and also offers private lessons on weekday afternoons, equivalent to 18 classroom contact hours. Give us a call today to learn more!