Published Date : Dec 29, 2017 / Edited Date : Jun 03, 2024
January's Main Article
Explore Seoul in the New Year
The New Year means new opportunities to explore Seoul to the fullest! Take in the sunrise, play in the snow, and enjoy other cool Seoul activities in 2018.
1st Sunrise of the New Year
Watching the sunrise on January 1st is a popular New Year's activity in Korea. Even though the weather is cold, visitors to Seoul will find mountains and parks full of people waiting for the sun to rise on the first day of the New Year. Two of the city's most popular sunrise-viewing spots are Cheongun Park on Inwangsan Mountain and the Namsan Palgakjeong Pavilion at the base of Namsan Seoul Tower. Both locations are centrally located and easily accessible via public transportation. On Jan. 1st, there will be New Year's sunrise events taking place at the park and the pavilion.
At Cheongun Park, there will be a live performance from a pungmul band (folk music) and activities such as writing New Year's wishes, getting a family motto written in calligraphy, and drum performances. Namsan Seoul Tower is one of the city's most beloved tourist attractions. Atop Namsan Mountain, at the base of the tower, visitors can take in the sunrise at Namsan Palgakjeong Pavilion. Take in sweeping views of the sun and the city on the first day of 2018!
More Info
Cheongun Park on Inwangsan Mountain
24hrs
3-55, Cheongun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-5002 (Jongno-gu Office)
Namsan Palgakjeong Pavilion (located at base of Namsan Seoul Tower)
24hrs
1-3, Yejang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
Chungmuro Station (subway line 3, 4) exit 2, take bus No. 02 or 05 and get off at Namsan Seoul Tower
+82-2-3783-5900
Fortunes and Horoscopes for the New Year
English-speakers may be familiar with the tradition of New Year's resolutions, wherein a person will resolve to accomplish self-set goals in the New Year. In Korea, a popular tradition is getting fortunes read in order to see what the year ahead may have in store. Job prospects, love and marriage prospects, and general guidance on the future are the questions most people ask about during a fortune telling session. Though some people place great weight in the fortune telling, for most Koreans it's a fun cultural activity and way to mark the start of a new year. Visitors to Seoul can indulge in this cultural activity during their time here as there is an abundance of fortune tellers all over the city. Fortune tellers are especially easy to find in Hongdae and Gangnam. Saju, horoscopes, palm reading, and face reading are the most commonly found fortune telling methods in Korea. Stop in and visit a fortune teller to see what the future holds!
The 5 Grand Palaces & Snow in Seoul
It wouldn't be winter in Korea without snow and a visit to Seoul in January means the odds of seeing snowfall are quite high. Experiencing snow at one of Seoul's five grand palaces is sure to make for an extra special travel memory. Not many cities can boast five ancient palaces, but Seoul is home to Changgyeonggung, Changdeokgung, Gyeongbokgung, Gyeonghuigung, and Deoksugung Palace. Each palace is beautiful and majestic in its own way and there's no cooler photo backdrop than a snow-covered palace. Visitors may want to rent hanbok to fully immerse themselves in the palace atmosphere. There are many hanbok rental stores near the city's palaces and visitors wearing hanbok get free entry to all of Seoul's palaces.
More Info
Changgyeonggung Palace
185, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
09:00-21:00 KST (closed Mondays)
Adult 1,000 won / Child 500 won
+82-2-762-4868
Changdeokgung Palace
99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
November to January: 09:00-17:30 / February to May, September to October: 09:00-18:00 / June to August: 09:00-18:30
(*closed Mondays)
Adult 3,000 won / Child 1,500 won (Huwon Secret Garden: 5,000 won / Child 2,500 won)
+82-2-3668-2300
Gyeongbokgung Palace
161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
November to February: 09:00-17:00 / March to May, September to October: 09:00-18:00 / June to August: 09:00-18:30 (*closed Tuesdays)
Adult 3,000 won / Child 1,500 won
+82-2-3700-3900
Gyeonghuigung Palace
45, Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
09:00-18:00 KST (closed Mondays)
Free admission
+82-2-724-0274
Deoksugung Palace
99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
09:00-21:00 KST (closed Mondays)
Adult 1,000 won / Child 500 won
+82-2-771-9951
Sannakji & Yukhoe
Korean cuisine is incredibly diverse and uses an astonishing array of ingredients and flavors. Though there are many dishes are familiar to foreign palates like galbi or bibimbap, two of the more unusual Korean dishes that visitors can try are sannakji (sliced raw octopus) and yukhoe (beef tartare). There's a saying that raw foods are tastier in the winter, so what better time to try sannakji and yukhoe than now? The famed Gwangjang Market is a beloved attraction in Seoul and it's also full of great restaurants and food stalls. Visitors may want to schedule a trip to the market to match meal times as they will be able to sample sannakji, yukhoe, and a host of other delicious Korean foods at Gwangjang.
Sannakji (sliced raw octopus) is a whole octopus that is killed and sliced just before serving. Due to the extremely short time frame from cutting board to plate, sannakji comes out wriggling. The visuals alone make for a lasting impression. Sannakji is typically seasoned with sesame oil and sesame seeds and served with a spicy dipping sauce. Yukhoe (beef tartare) is high-quality beef that has been thinly sliced, seasoned, then served raw. Yukhoe aficionados say that yukhoe is the best way to experience the authentic taste of beef. Korean diners often pair sannakji and yukhoe with soju. Gwangjang Market is a feast for all the senses and a great place to try new foods.
본 코스는 보행약자(거동이 불편한 고령자, 장애인, 유모차 이용자 등)를 위한 코스입니다.
보호자를 동반하지 않을 시 이용이 불가능 합니다.※ 보행약자 1명당 보호자 최소 1인 이상 동반 ※ 전동보장구(전동휠체어, 전동스쿠터 등) 사용자의 경우 보호자 1인당 보행약자 최대 4인까지 동반 가능
희망하시는 날짜 및 코스에 활동가능한 해설사가 없는 경우 예약은 취소될 수 있습니다.
예약확인을 위해 도보관광 사무국(02-6925-0777)에서 확인 연락이 진행됩니다.(최소 5일~한달 전)3회 이상 전화통화가 이뤄지지 않을 시 예약이 취소될 수 있습니다.
해설 진행 시 발생하는 안전사고에 대해서 도보관광 사무국과 서울문화관광해설사는 책임을 지지 않습니다.
미세먼지 비상저감조치 발령 및 기타 기상악화(폭염, 태풍, 폭우 등)로 인해 도보관광 운영이 어려운 경우 모든 예약은 일괄 취소됩니다. (관광일 전날 기준)
Reservations must be made at least three days prior to the tour date.
Additional reservations, one or two days before the tour starts, are only allowed for the tour that is already fixed.
In the case of group tour, more than 10people, please contact us by e-mail.
Reservations for the following month are available from the 15th of the current month.
Please refrain from participating in any tour programs should you be experiencing any symptoms, including fever, coughing, congestion, muscle pain, stuffy nose, and/or sore throat.
Reservations for tourists 14 years & under without an accompanying adult or guardian shall be canceled on site.
All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
(https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
The Seoul Guided Walking Tour administration office and tour guide affiliates are not responsible for any accidents that happen to occur during the tour program.
Reservation shall be made at least 1 week before the tour day.
The course is for tourists with mobility problems (Senior, people with disability, stroller user).
You may not use the course without an assistant (or companion) ※ At least one assistant shall accompany a tourist with mobility problem ※ In case of electric assisting device users (electric wheelchair, electric scooter users), one assistant may accompany up to 4 tourists with mobility problem
Reservation may be canceled when a guide is unavailable on the desired date and course.
Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office (02-6925-0777) will contact you to confirm reservation. (At least 5 days~1 month before tour day) Reservation may be canceled when Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office cannot reach you for more than 3 times.
Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office and Seoul culture and tourism guide are not liable for the safety accidents during the Seoul Guided Walking Tour.
All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
(https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)