There's a wealth of tourist sites across the country, but you'll see the most in the least amount of time by exploring Seoul and its surroundings. Here, courtesy of the Korean National Tourism Organization (english.tour2korea.com), are ways to experience the traditional culture of Korea while staying in the capital city:
Insa-dong
With art galleries, traditional craft stores, antique art dealers, traditional tea houses, and traditional restaurants, it's the best place in Seoul for tourists to experience Korea's yesteryear. The area is especially good for finding antiques. Because the streets of Insa-dong are narrow and complex, make sure to pick up a map at the tourist information center before starting out.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main residence and palace of the royal family during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), and boasts an impressive 600 years of history. Gyeongbokgung Palace includes the main hall where official ceremonies took place and government officials could see the king, and an artificial island created inside a pond. The National Folk Museum is located here, as is the presidential mansion of South Korea.
Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market is a truly massive, all-inclusive place where wholesalers and tourists mingle. The market has managed to retain the feel of a traditional marketplace and has a certain earthy appeal. Mt. Namsan (below) is nearby, making the pair an ideal combination for a day outing.
Mt. Namsan
Mt. Namsan is located in the center of Seoul. While is has a relatively low elevation, the views are still fantastic. At the top of Mt. Namsan are the Palgakjeong Pavilion, Seoul Tower and a marine aquarium. On the way to the summit are the Namsan Library, fountain and botanical garden. The summit can be reached by hiking trail or cable car. Located nearby is the Namsangol Traditional Korean Village and Namdaemun Market.
ongdaemun Market
Dongdaemun Market is a fashion mecca with a large number of shopping malls and smaller retailers that concentrate on the latest and greatest in clothing and accessories. Fashionistas may prefer to visit during the day if they want a little bit of elbow room--the market is more crowded at night because small boutique and shop owners from around South Korea flock here to buy for their stores.
