Biyahilo - Tourist Attractions

Seoul is the capital of Korea with over 600 years of history. It is the heart of Korea’s culture and as well as politics and economics. Seoul is unique in that historical sites such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and modern cultural facilities coexist in harmony. Seoul is a world-class city with numerous amenities and shopping districts such as Myeong-dong and Apgujeong.

Here are some of best destinations to visit in Seoul:

Insadong

Insadong has been at the heart of the nation’s capital for 600 years and it has been the center of culture since the time of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). This is also where the Ministry of Art was once situated. Insadong usually refers to the area from Anguk-dong Rotary to Tapgol Park in Jongno 2(i)-ga, past the Insadong Intersection. The notable features of Insadong are the countless alleys that branch out from the main street. With art galleries, traditional craft stores, antique art dealers, traditional tea houses, and traditional restaurants, it is simply the place in Seoul for tourists wanting to experience traditional Korea.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

In 1392, Seoul (or Hanyang as it was then called) became the capital of Korea, Gyeongbokgung Palace was built for Korea’s ruling family. Then king T’aejo was warned that the mountain across the river was exerting a fire influence on the palace grounds. This is the reason that two mythical beats, carved from stone, were placed outside the main gate, Gwanghwanum. Nevertheless, it was destroyed several times, both by Japanese invaders and by Korean serfs who wanted to destroy the records kept inside. It was always rebuilt, lastly so in 1969 when, however, former wooden structures were replaced by concrete.

Deoksugung Palace

Deoksugung is a walled compound of palaces that was inhabited by various Korean royalty until the Japanese occupation near the turn of the 20th century. The buildings are of varying construction, including some of natural sugi, painted wood, and stucco. Some buildings were built in Western style.

Deoksugung Palace is famous for its elegant stone-wall road. It is the only one that has western buildings beside it, and it adds to the uniqueness of the scenery. There is also an art museum, forested gardens, and a statue of King Sejong the Great.

Changdeokgung Palace

Changdeokgung, one of the five palaces of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), was constructed in 1405, as an auxiliary palace. In contrast to Gyeongbokgung, the main palace, the complex’s layout is free from symmetrical or lineal arrangement of structures and instead is designed in accordance with the surrounding topography. Notably a hill and two flat areas to both sides of it were taken into consideration when determining the layout of the main gate, main hall and inner hall. Since the Three Kingdoms period construction techniques accounted for terrain features. The builders of Changdeokgung, fully employing the ancient techniques, created a structure which is uniquely Korean in terms of design.

Lotte World

Lotte World is a recreation complex in Seoul, South Korea. It consists of a large indoor theme park, an outdoor amusement park, an island linked by monorail, shopping malls, a hotel, a Korean folk museum, sports facilities and movie theatres in one area. The Lotte World indoor theme park is the largest indoor amusement park in the world, and ranked seventh worldwide in attendance according to the 2002 census.[1] Opened on July 12, 1989, it receives about 5 million visitors each year. It can be easily accessed from Jamsil Station, on Line 2 and Line 8 of the Seoul Subway. Located near the park is Seok-Chon lake.

Lotte World was one of the several spots used for filming the Korean drama Stairway to Heaven.

On the other hand, The Folk Museum is the most popular museum for foreign tourists. Folk cultural items are displayed and the items go back 5,000 years in Korean history as well as miniature villages, and a playground. The museum layout was arranged to attract the visitors’ attention and the displays are easily understandable. In addition, audio-visual devices and miniature models will make it more enjoyable.

Popularity: 49% [?]

Hong Kong is a business center as well as a city for tourism. It is known as a fine place for food, shopping, entertainment and recreation.

Many foreign visitors to Hong Kong find that there are so much to do and see in Hong Kong. They end-up stayed in Hong Kong longer than they had planned.

Some Scenic Spots you shouldn’t miss:

Man Mo Temple
Hong Kong’s magnificent Man Mo Temple is among the oldest and most well-known temples in the territory. It was built in 1848, during the early years of British rule in Hong Kong. Though it’s been rebuilt a number of times, much of the original structure still remains.

In these days, the temple is still popular. During the Spring Festival, many children, accompanied by their parents, pay a visit to the temple to pray for good grades in a new semester. Usually, the pilgrims to the temple are people from the business circles and the financial community, donating from two or three hundred yuan to more than ten thousand yuan.

Victoria Peak

The Peak is one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong. The view here has been further enhanced by the Peak Tower, a seven-story, futuristic-looking building, incorporating a viewing area, restaurant and entertainment center. Reached by the Peak Tram, that rises 386m (1266ft) up the mountainside within eight minutes, the summit offers an exceptional panorama, whether by day or night. At the foot of the tram lies Government House, the residence of 25 British Governors from 1855 until Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997.

Peak Tram

Hong Kong Night view from Victoria Peak

St. John Cathedral

This beautiful Cathedral, built in the shape of a cross, is in the Central district of Hong Kong Island on Garden Road, just down the hill from the Peak Tram station.

Ocean Park
Website: Ocean Park

The Ocean Park is the amusement and entertainment center of the broadest scale in the whole south-east Asia. There are roller coaster rides, large reef aquariums, performing dolphins and killer whales, as well as giant pandas. Repulse Bay is renowned for its pristine beach, overlooked by the Tin Hau Temple, and Stanley is well worth a trip for its outdoor markets, and the Maritime Museum.

Avenue of Stars

The Avenue of Stars features commemorative plaques, handprints of movie celebrities, descriptive milestones, kiosks with movie memorabilia, a towering Hong Kong Film Awards statuette, and a life-size statue of the legendary kung-fu action star, Bruce Lee. The location on the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade offers incredible panoramic views of the famed Victoria Harbour and the memorable Hong Kong skyline. It is also a good place to watch the spectacular A Symphony of Lights, a nightly multimedia show with added pyrotechnics on special occasions.

Temple Street Night Market

Temple Street Night Market is well known for its night market and the busiest flea market at night in the territory. The night market is in the Yau Ma Tei, Jordan areas of the street and not the Mong Kok area of the street. Popular with both tourists and locals alike in the evening, it is common to see the place crowded at dusk. It sells cheap merchandise and food items. The place is sometimes known as Men’s Street.

Disneyland
Website: Disneyland Hong Kong

The fifth Disneyland style park, the park is located on reclaimed land in Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island. After years of negotiations and construction, the park opened to visitors on September 12, 2005, considered an auspicious date according to Chinese almanacs for the opening of a new business.

Visitors can meet characters old and new, from Mickey Mouse to Buzz Lightyear, and can tour the park aboard the Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad. Attractions range from the adventurous Jungle River Cruise to the magical Sleeping Beauty Castle to the dizzying heights of Orbitron, where guests can pilot their own rocket. Live entertainment includes the Festival of the Lion King, inspired by the Disney film, while cuisine caters for Western and Asian tastes. The park can be reached via the new MTR Disneyland Resort Station

Popularity: 59% [?]