Namsan Park: Seoul Tower

N Seoul Tower is built at Namsan Mountain in 1969, at a cost of approximately $2.5 million and only opened to public in 1980. The tower is about 236.7m (777 ft) and it is not ranked even in the Top 200 of the World's Tallest Building. It is only about less than half of the height of the Taipei 101 building, which is ranked the No. 3 in the World's Tallest Building, measuring 509m (1,670 ft).

Personally, MooMoo thinks that if you have the time, you should make a trip to the Seoul Tower when you are in Korea. It makes your trip more complete. Anyway, the price of the ticket is not that expensive. You can take a leisure walk around there, taking pictures, enjoying the view, buying some souvenirs and having fun sending postcards to your friends at the top of the tower. MooMoo went there during day time but she thinks that the panaromic view will be superb during night time compare to day time.

You can take the cable car up the mountain and walk to the tower. If you do not want to spend time walking, MooMoo thinks that it is more worth it to buy the round trip for the Cable Car tickets, which cost only 7,500 Won. Else, you can walk about 15-20 minutes all the way up to the mountain. Minnie will kill me if MooMoo make her walk all the way up there in the hot sun. Hahaha.

You will need to pay for the tickets to the Tower Observation Deck. You can purchase the tickets at the ticket counter at the base of the tower.

Observatory Admission:

Children (Ages 4-12): 3,000 won

Teenagers (Ages 13-18)/Adults (Ages 19-64): 7,000 won

Seniors (Ages 65+): 5,000 won

There’s also a Teddy Bear Museum there but MooMoo decided to go to the one at Jeju-Island instead.

Here's some random pictures taken during the Seoul Tower visit. ^=^

On the way to the Namsan Park: Seoul Tower

Taking the lift up to the mountain base to take the cable car

Bought return tickets to take the Cable Car

Taking Cable Car up the mountain

Walking up the stairs towards the Seoul Tower

Guards at the Fortress Wall...

MooMoo took a picture with this ah-jussi (uncle) in traditional costume

A pix of the Namsan Tower

Welcome.... Welcome....

2 little cute teddy bears welcoming us...

Ms. Mo would love this BIG Heart Shape..

Lots of 'LOVE LOCKS'... all locked up on the fence by the lovers...for everlasting LOVE...

Cute MooMoo padlocks...

Another picture of the Seoul Tower at another angle but bad lighting...skill no good...LOL

Look at these love-locks Christmas trees....Cool huh?!?

Entrance to the 'Observatory Tower'

Ticket to the Observatory Tower

At the waiting area for the Lift up the tower

Taking the lift up the tower

A view from the top of the tower

Souvenir shop at the Obsevatory deck at the top of the tower

You can buy and send postcard to your friends...

You can also buy a tile and write some notes and stick it at the wall at the tower

* Though the people there are not very polite due to their culture, MooMoo happen to meet some good people there. On the way to Namsan Park, this friendly uncle actually offered to show MooMoo and Minnie the way to the Namsan Tower from the MRT station exit. He even showed us the directions to all the famous tourist spots. ^=^

Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden (Huwon)

Few years back, MooMoo had visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is the main and largest palace of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty during her tour. Therefore, this time, MooMoo decided to visit the Changdeokgung Palace instead.

Gyeongbokgung Palace is the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty, while Changdeokgung is the 2nd royal villa built to serve as residence for the royal family when Gyeongbokgung Palace was undergoing routine repairs or was damaged by the fire. The palace is listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site for its historical significance, simplicity and subtleness.

MooMoo bought the tickets for both Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon, which is also known as the Secret Garden. The ticket cost 8,000 Won.

Please do check out the timing and details if you want to sign up the tour, especially if you need English speaking tour guide.

Here's some useful information for guide if you wish to visit the place. You can also go to this website for more information on the palace, history and all. (http://eng.cdg.go.kr/main/main.htm)

Admission Fees

Regular Tour (Changdeokgung Palace) - Individuals:

Adults (ages 19-64) 3,000 Won

Children (ages 7-18) 1,5000 Won

Groups (10 or more people): Adults 2,400 Won/Children 1,200 Won

Huwon Tour (Secret Garden area)

Adults (ages 19 and over) 5,000 Won

Children (ages 7-18) 2,500 Won

Operating Hours

Regular Tour (Changdeokgung Palace)

April-October: 0900-18:30

March & November: 09:00-17:30

December-February: 09:00-17:00

Huwon Course (Guided Tour only)

April-October: 09:00-16:30

March & November: 09:00-15:30

December-February: 09:00-15:00

※ Last admission is one hour before closing.

English Speaking Tour Timing:

Changdeokgung Palace (English: 10:30, 14:30)

Huwon (English: 11:30, 14:30)

Directions:

Anguk Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 3
Go straight for 5min.

OR

Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station (Subway Line 1, 3 or 5), Exit 7.
Go straight along Donhwamun-ro Street for 10min.

MooMoo’s English speaking guide for the Changdeokgung is really a ‘TIGRESS’. She’s a pretty lady whom speaks real good English but is pretty fierce and can be quite rude in times. It really surprises MooMoo as the people there do not even treat the tourist politely.

Here's some random pictures taken during the Changdeokgung tour around the palace.

You just have to be careful when you walk across some doorways as there are some which are very low. Minnie knocked her head once at one of the door there...

These little Fork thingy installed at the roof of the palaces is to keep the birds away from building birds nest.

The number of animals on the rooptop actually denotes the status of the residence in the building.

They have specified places for all the generals to stand according to the ranks along the pathways.

This woman is going all the way to take nice pictures... lying on the hot burning tile floor...

After finishing the Changdeokgung Palace tour, we headed to the 2nd half of the tour at the Secret Garden. The 'TIGRESS' quickly rush off back to her aircond office before her 'ICI' melt on her face.

The Secret Garden tour guide is more friendly compared to the 'TIGRESS' guide at the main palace.

This tree is the oldest tree there, over 300 years old... still standing big and strong...

* MooMoo and Minnie got a bit burnt after the palace tour in the hot sun for a couple of hours...