visitseoul.net

May's Main Article

Fun Seoul Outings in May

Take advantage of Seoul's beautiful May weather with fun outings and visits to unique museums! The grand opening of Seoul's newest public park, Seoullo 7017 will take place in May and visitors to Seoul will be able to visit Seoullo and reserve new Seoullo 7017-centered walking tours from Seoul City Walking Tours. Explore Seoul's newest attraction and unique museums in May.

Seoul City Walking Tours - Seoullo 7017 Course

May 20th, 2017 will mark the grand opening of Seoullo 7017. Once an elevated highway, it has been transformed into an elevated public park. Where cars once sped along, people will now be free to wander. "7017" from the name is a nod to its original foundation in 1970 as a highway, and its rebirth in 2017 as a park. Seoullo 7017 will connect Namdaemun Market, Myeong-dong∙Namsan to the Seoul Station area. Seoullo 7017 will be a park, pedestrian path, and a cultural space. There will be 3 courses available as part of the Seoul City Walking tours; guided cultural tours of Seoul.

Course 1. From Hanyang to Seoullo 
- From a walled fortress city, to a city of millions. Traverse 600 years of history.
Walk along Seoullo 7017 and learn about the changes that have occured in Seoul over the centuries. During the Joseon Dynasty, Seoul was known as Hanyang and the city was encircled by fortress walls. Sungnyemun Gate was the main entrance to the city. On this course, visitors will see the gate and the ways that time can change a city.

Course : Culture Station Seoul 284 (Former Seoul Station)  – Seoullo 7017 – Severance Hospital – Sungnyemun Gate (Namdaemun) – Seoul City Wall  – Baekbeom Square – Patriot Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall  – Samsoon Stairs – Hoehyeon 2 Sibeom Apartment – Namsan Pedestrian Overpass

* Reserve this tour here  



Course 2. Modern Architecture in Seoullo 
- Explore Seoul's architecture from the post-enlightenment and modern eras.
Starting from Seoullo 7017 and the Seoul Station area, this course takes walkers along to see traces of Korea's enlightenment as expressed in architecture. The course starts from Seoul Station and ends at Chungjeong-ro. Visitors will be able to see the range of architecture that was built in Korea during the late 19th and early 20th century.

Course : Culture Station Seoul 284 (Former Seoul Station) – Seoullo 7017 – Son Kee Chung Memorial Hall  – Yakhyeon Catholic Church  – St. Joseph Apartment – Chungjeonggak House
 

Course 3. Seoullo Night Tour  
- Experience Seoul's history at night.
Walk Seoullo 7017 at night and enjoy Seoul's beautiful nighttime scenery. Visitors can learn about Seoul Station and its 90-year-history as the city's figurative gatekeeper. The course will also enable visitors to enjoy Seoul at night along Seoullo 7017 and Hanyangdoseong, the Seoul City Wall.

Course : Seoul Station Exit 15 – Seoullo 7017 – Namdaemun Church - Seoul City Wall - Baekbeom Square – Sungnyemun Gate (Namdaemun)

* Reserve this tour here   

Unique Museums

The  National Hangeul Museum  showcases the history of the written Korean word, Hangeul. The National Hangeul Museum shows that a museum can be fun as well as educational. It's one of the only places in the world where one can learn so much about Hangeul and the museum is full of fun, quirky exhibitions. Museum-goers can learn about the Hangeul writing system and Korean culture while having a fun day out. Hangeul is about 570 years old and at the museum, it's possible to learn about the invention of Hangeul, its evolution over the centuries, and the fundamentals of the Korean language. The museum's library is on the 1st floor, the gift shop and cafe are on the 2nd floor, the 3rd floor is where special exhibitions are held. Also on the 3rd floor are the children's Hangeul Playground and the Hangeul Learning Center. The museum is suitable for all ages.

The Beautiful Tea Museum showcases a range of teas from around the world. The museum is located in Insa-dong, not far from Insa-dong's main intersection. The Beautiful Tea Museum's building is a large hanok that was remodeled for the museum's specifications. In addition to informational displays about tea, the museum hosts exhibitions of modern ceramic artists. Visitors can purchase tea at the museum's cafe, located under a glass ceiling in the center of the museum. In addition to soothing traditional teas, the cafe offers green tea bingsu (shaved ice), danpat juk (sweet red bean porridge), and tteok (rice cakes). The museum's laid-back atmosphere is perfect for taking a break and re-charging during the day.