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Glorious Spots to Watch the Sunrise

When the new year comes, a popular activity is to see the first sunrise of the new year. Despite the cold, many people make the trek up a mountain to see the first sun come up. Once the sun is in full view, many people make a wish and hope that the new year will also be filled with good moments. Spots to see the sunrise can be easily found within the city. We introduce the very places that you can visit for this unique experience. Namsan Mountain is famous for being home to Namsan Seoul Tower and is considered one of Seoul's main landmarks. It is possible to take the cable car up to the tower but there is also a well-paved walking path that starts from Namsan Park. Many families and couples love to walk this path. Another good location to see the sunrise is Mt. Bugaksan which is located north of the Gyeongbokgung Palace. A popular way to get there is through the Bugak Skyway. While cruising through the skyway, you will come across a pavilion that has a large parking lot and rest facilities offering a wide, panoramic view of Seoul. Other places that offer a great view of the sunrise is Cheonun park at Inwangsan, Mapo-gu's Haneul park, Mangwolbong at Olympic Park, Bukhansan, and Achasan. You can do a bunch of activities such as hang your wishes on a tree, fly a kite, watch traditional Korean performances, and many other events to welcome in the New Year. Even if its not for the sunrise, the clean fresh air coupled with the amazing view makes the trip worth it.

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Let Your Body and Mind Freely Roam..on Ice!

You might have only experienced an indoor ice rink before, but now what about an outdoor one? The city of Seoul presents to you the Seoul Plaza Skating Rink in the middle of downtown, surrounded by a view of tall skyscrapers and the futuristic looking city hall. At night time, the view becomes even more grandiose as the city is lit up in a spectacular way. All of a sudden the cold weather doesn't seem too bad. For families with young children, the ice rink inside of the Yongsan I-PARK mall may be a bit more fitting. Designed with animated themes, this is the perfect spot for children to ease into their first skating experience. Even if you're not a child, let yourself go for a moment and have fun with the different kinds of photo booths and statues. Olympic park also has an ice skating rink that allows you to freely roam about in its large spaces. Although the winter wind can prove to be harsh, you'll have so much fun that you won't even think about it.

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Fun in the Snow

You've re-gained your spirits by watching the sunrise from the mountain, you've skated within the city limits, and now we introduce our final suggestion. Ski resorts! Although these ski resorts are not necessarily located in Seoul, we introduce them because transportation is so convenient. As soon as the weekend hits, everyone including those from out of town hit the slopes. Even if you do not have the skill to smoothly glide down the snowy mountain, don't fret. Beginners can have just as much of a satisfying experience on a gentler and slower ski slope. As you get more comfortable, challenge yourself with more difficult slopes or switch to a snowboard. These days, ski resorts include extra facilities such as a casino, a golf course, a shopping mall, and other facilities. This makes it a great place for families as well.

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