There is hardly any other landmark in the city of Seoul, South Korea, which is more iconic and striking than the YTN Seoul Tower. Also, referred to as Namsan Seoul Tower, this world-famous tourist attraction is set on the summit of Mt. Namsan. You can enjoy an incredibly picturesque view of the entire city. It is not only a popular attraction for outsiders but also with the local crowd, especially the lovebirds of the city. The tower also happens to be the city’s highest point and was previously a broadcast tower. Seoul tower was used to transmit radio and TV signals originally. However, at present, it is a tourist attraction boasting an unequaled 360-degree view of Seoul. The tower is open to the public daily. You are allowed to go up if you buy the ticket. If you are planning to visit Seoul soon, the Seoul Tower should be on your bucket list for sure. Here is a guide to Seoul Tower so that you know what to do here before visiting the site.
Things to do / highlights
Apart from the observatory tower, there are a host of things to do in Seoul Tower. There are restaurants, as well as a gift shop on its ground floor.
Seoul Tower Observatory
Once you are done with your photography session and the much-needed rest at the love bench, go up to the observatory so that you can catch a panoramic view of Seoul during sunset. In all, the tower has four observation decks. One of the observatory decks also has a revolving restaurant.
Locks of Love
It refers to the thousands of locks, which are hung as well as placed on a wall right next to Seoul Tower. These locks are the epitome of endless love between all those people who hang them. According to the legend, when lovers make a wish at the summit of Namsan Mountain, it comes true. You can come here with your own lock and place it with several other locks that are already hanging here.
Alive Museum
After marveling at the mesmerizing views of the city, you can visit the Alive Museum. It is also known as the Trick Eye Museum and is an art gallery with a difference. There is a string of paintings created using a special technique that gives the two-dimensional art pieces here the feel of being three-dimensional.
Namsan Park
Namsan Park is located just next to Seoul Tower where you will find excellent walking trails leading to the tower. Several tourists opt to take a stroll through this park and reach the tower rather than taking the cable wagon or shuttle.
What to eat
You can enjoy some great views while savoring a lip-smacking meal at the Seoul Tower. There are many restaurants in Seoul Tower and here are some of them listed below:
n-Grill
Get immersed in a panoramic, 360-degree view from this beautiful revolving restaurant, which is set at the top of the Seoul Tower. Relish the finest full-course French dinner or lunch featuring premium delicacies, and enjoy an experience of a lifetime as you enjoy the stunning views. One entire revolution takes around 48 minutes to complete.
HANCOOK
Enjoy a mix of modern and traditional Korean delicacies in HANCOOK, a vintage Korean restaurant. Set on the Tower 3F, it offers 30 different types of Korean buffet for the guests so that you get a wide variety of choices to take your pick from while enjoying some of the finest views. The aim of this restaurant is to introduce Korean culture and food to the world.
N burger
If you are looking for American-style burgers, N burger can be your best bet. Set on Tower 1F, you can enjoy some of the original American burgers here that were popular in the thirties.
Things to buy
If you intend to take gifts and souvenirs back home you must visit one of the two or both the shops mentioned here:
THE BA:NG
The flagship store called THE BA:NG is located in the observatory and boasts a great collection of items featuring themes like travel, the tower, and love. These are the perfect souvenirs to gift your loved ones back home.
N GIFT
If you are looking for some romantic items to gift to that special person in your life while visiting Seoul Tower, N GIFT is the perfect shop to go to. They sell souvenirs and items that will remind the visitor of the Seoul Tower for a long time.
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Travelers tips
Best times to drop by Seoul Tower
Evening and night are the best times to visit Seoul Tower as you can get the best views then.
Make sure to visit the tower's roof terrace
You should climb up the roof terrace so that you do not miss the chance of witnessing the mesmerizing views of the entire city and enjoy the fresh air and the beauty of nature.
Write your wish on a padlock of your own
Take your own padlock to write a wish and lock it to a fence so that the dream comes true. There are thousands of padlocks hanging there with messages of wishes or eternal love.
Purchase some food at the tower's ground floor
Make sure that you purchase some tidbits to munch on from the tower’s ground floor and eat them while enjoying the stunning view of Seoul.
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How to get there
Cable Car
Take the subway and reach the station called Myeong-Dong. When you come across the Pacific Hotel. walk for about 15 minutes while keeping to your right. You will find an elevator; take it and reach the boarding point. The operating hours for the cable car are from 10 am to 11 pm and the travel duration is around 7 minutes.
Namsan Circulation Bus
It is the recommended transport medium to reach Seoul Tower and runs every 15 to 20 minutes. However, the buses do not halt in front of the tower. You have to walk uphill for around 5 to 10 minutes depending on how fast your walking speed is.
From Subway Line 3, you can get down at Dongguk University Station, come out through Exit 6 and opt for the bus 02 or 03 or 05
From Subway Line 4, get down at Seoul Station, take Exit 9 and take the bus number 03
From Subway Line 4, reach Myeongdong Station, take Exit 3, and ride bus number 05, or
From Subway Line 3 or 4, reach Chungmuro Station, take Exit 2, which is right in front of the Daehan Cinema and opt for the bus number 05/02
Where to purchase tickets (from USD 10.0)
Tickets can be purchased from the ticket counters located at level T1 of Seoul Tower. However, on specific hours of the day or on certain occasions the queues can be quite long. You can skip the queue and purchase the tickets online by getting them at third party booking websites, such as GetYourGuide.
Seoul: N Seoul Tower Observatory Ticket
Seoul Tower information
Seoul Tower
Address: 105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan 2(i)ga-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: Sun - Fri: 10am - 11pm; Sat: 10am - 12pm
Official Website: Seoul Tower
Department of tourism: Visit Seoul
History
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