5 photogenic places in Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is a mixture of ultra modern and ancient and what better place to capture both sides of the city than in Bukchon Hanok Village. The village stands on a hill, close to the Jongmyo Royal Shrine, Changdeok Palace and Gyeongbok Palace. The origins date back 600 years and the narrow, winding alleyways give a true impression of Korean Life. Even better, the modern skyline of the city can be viewed on the horizon.

If you feel like you are looking at a spaceship, don’t feel alone, especially with the image displayed top of page. The Dongdaemun Design Plaza is among the most iconic, ultramodern landmarks in the city and was built to host design-related exhibitions, shows and conferences. It also houses a design museum, a history and culture park and an art hall. In 2015, the New York Times selected the plaza as being one of the top 52 places to visit in the world.

Myeong-dong is a busy shopping district of Seoul offering a range of worldwide fashion brands, cosmetic stores and department stores. There are also a number of casual dining places offering local specialities along with plenty of Korean street food to choose from. Myeong-dong Nanta Theatre gives the opportunity to watch folk music displays and drama performances. There is also a 19th century cathedral to visit with a Gothic-style bell tower.

A more traditional shopping and dining experience is Insa-dong, especially its pedestrianised main street with many Korean eateries, teahouses and shops selling traditional pottery, handmade hanji paper and tea. The Ssamziegil complex in the area offers many cosy cafes, a roof terrace reached via mural-painted walls and the Hakgojae gallery, showing modern art. The Tapgol Park in Insa-dong is worth a visit to see its huge stone pagoda.

Lotte World is an entertainment and recreational complex in Seoul which features the largest indoor theme park in the world, along with Magic Island, an outdoor amusement park and an artificial island on a lake which can be visited by monorail. There are also cinemas, shopping malls, a folk museum and a luxury hotel in the complex. The image below shows the complex lit up at night. Disney might have competition!