Architecture in Seoul

Armillary Sphere

Seoul

Banpo Bridge

Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace

Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace is one of the Five Grand Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897) and is regarded as one of the most beautiful surviving palaces in Korea. Located in the Jongno district of Seoul, east of Gyeongbokgung, it is known together with Changgyeonggung as the "East Palace." Unlike other palaces built on a strict axis, Changdeokgung follows the natural terrain — pavilions, ponds, and pathways blend harmoniously into the landscape. The centerpiece is the Biwon, the "Secret Garden": a vast, naturalistic garden ensemble with ancient trees, ponds, and pleasure pavilions, reserved for centuries exclusively for the king and his entourage. Since 1997 the palace complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is especially popular in autumn, when the Biwon blazes with red and gold foliage.

Changgyeonggung (Palace)

Seoul

Changgyeonggung is one of Seoul's five grand palaces from the Joseon Dynasty, originally constructed in 1419 under the name Suganggung to house royal relatives. After a major renovation in 1483, it received its current name. The palace served a more domestic role than the ceremonial Gyeongbokgung, housing queen dowagers and royal children in its quieter courtyards and pavilions. Destroyed during the Imjin War in the late 16th century, it was rebuilt in 1616. During Japanese colonial rule, the grounds were humiliatingly converted into a public zoo and botanical garden — a transformation only reversed in 1983 when the site was restored to its historical palace function. Today, Changgyeonggung offers a more peaceful alternative to the crowded Gyeongbokgung nearby, with its lotus ponds, ancient trees, and traditional Korean architecture largely intact and unhurried.

Deoksugung Palace

Seoul

Deoksugung is one of the five great royal palaces of Seoul from the Joseon dynasty and the only one located in the heart of the modern city centre, surrounded by skyscrapers and city hall. Its name means "Palace of Enduring Virtue." Originally a royal villa, it served as the main royal residence in the late 19th and early 20th century during the turbulent years of the Japanese protectorate. The changing of the guard at the main gate Daehanmun, which takes place daily, is a popular attraction. The palace grounds are also well known as a tree-lined walking path and offer a rare peaceful retreat in the heart of the megacity.

Gimpo International Airport

Seoul

Gimpo Airport in western Seoul served as South Korea's primary international gateway until Incheon Airport opened in 2001. Today it operates mainly as a hub for domestic flights and short-haul international routes to the East Asian region, including Tokyo-Haneda, Beijing, and Shanghai. During the Korean War it was used as a US military base designated K-14. For city visitors, Gimpo offers quicker and often cheaper access to central Seoul compared to the more distant Incheon Airport.

Gocheok Sky Dome

Seoul

The Gocheok Sky Dome is South Korea's first and only domed baseball stadium — a futuristic structure in Seoul's Gocheok-dong district that opened in 2015. It seats around 16,800 spectators, with capacity rising to 25,000 for concerts and major events. Since 2016 it has been home to the Kiwoom Heroes, one of the most popular teams in the Korean Baseball League. The dome provides shelter from Korea's often unpredictable seasonal weather, making it a venue that combines baseball with a comfortable big-city experience. Even non-fans will find it worth a visit — the architecture, atmosphere and street food scene around the stadium are remarkable.

Gogang dong Church

Seoul

Gogang-dong Church is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Bucheon district of Seoul, belonging to the Diocese of Incheon. Established in 1961, it reflects the rapid spread of Catholicism in South Korea during the post-war era. The building embodies the modest yet enduring presence of the Catholic community in a neighborhood that transitioned from rural to urban. Today it remains an active parish center for the surrounding faithful.

Gwanghwamun Plaza

Seoul

Gwanghwamun Plaza in the heart of Seoul is South Korea's most symbolically significant public square. Opened in 2009 and comprehensively redesigned in 2021–2022, it stretches in front of the Gwanghwamun Gate, the main entrance to Gyeongbokgung Palace, and is flanked by Sejongdaero Avenue. Two iconic monuments define the space: the statue of King Sejong the Great, creator of the Korean Hangul alphabet, and the statue of Admiral Yi Sunsin, the 16th-century national hero. Beneath the square lies a museum dedicated to King Sejong as well as an installation about the Gwanghwamun Gate itself. The plaza serves simultaneously as a gathering place, a forum for public demonstration and the backdrop for major national celebrations.

Gyeongbokgung

Seoul

Gyeongbokgung – the "Palace of Shining Happiness" – is the first and grandest of Seoul's five great royal palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty. Founded in 1395, it served as the primary royal residence for around 200 years before being almost completely burned down by Japanese invaders during the Imjin War (1592–1598). A large-scale reconstruction took place only in the 19th century. The palace complex, with more than 500 buildings and pavilions, ponds and ceremonial gardens, is one of Korea's most significant historic sites. Particularly well known is the hourly changing of the guard at the Gwanghwamun main gate, performed in historical costume. Restoration work continues to bring more and more buildings back to the public.

Gyeonghuigung Palace

Seoul

Gyeonghuigung (경희궁) is one of the five grand royal palaces built in Seoul during the Joseon dynasty. Located in the western inner city, it served as a secondary residence for Korean kings — particularly at times when the main palace, Gyeongbokgung, was unavailable. At its height the complex comprised over 100 buildings; today, after destruction wrought by the Japanese colonial administration (1910–1945) and the Korean War, only a few structures survive. An extensive restoration programme has brought back key pavilions and gates. The grounds now also house the Seoul Museum of History and a tranquil park popular with locals as a recreational destination. Gyeonghuigung is the least visited of Seoul's palaces, offering a far more peaceful experience than the tourist-heavy Gyeongbokgung.

Incheon International Airport

Seoul

Incheon International Airport is consistently ranked among the world's best airports since opening in 2001. Located on the artificially expanded island of Yeongjongdo in the Yellow Sea, 52 kilometres west of Seoul, it handled over 71 million passengers in 2024 — ranking 13th globally and sixth for air cargo. The airport serves as the main hub for Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. Beyond seamless transit infrastructure, Incheon offers an impressive array of shopping, a cultural centre, an ice rink, and hands-on traditional Korean cultural programmes designed for long layovers.

Jogyesa Temple

Seoul

Jogyesa Temple in the heart of Seoul is the spiritual center of Korean Seon Buddhism. Founded in 1395 during the Joseon dynasty, it was designated the chief temple of the Jogye Order in 1936, Korea's largest Buddhist organization. The main hall Daeungjeon houses three gilded Buddha statues and is flanked by ancient white pines and plane trees that predate the buildings by centuries. Set within the busy Jongno-gu district, the temple grounds offer unexpected calm amid the urban bustle. During the spring Lotus Lantern Festival, the courtyard transforms into a sea of colorful light.

Parc1

Seoul