Namdaemun Gate is one of Seoul’s oldest monuments- generally regarded as a national treasure, it is actually The National Treasure! This was once the city’s main gate as evident by the grandeur and dignity of the structure.  

Kyongbokgung Palace is one of the four Choson dynasty palaces in Seoul - the others are Toksugung, Changdokgung and Changyonggung. The Kyongbokgung Palace is a beautiful example of traditional Korean architecture. The construction of the palace or palaces - the grounds of the Kyongbokgung contain a number of buildings began during the time of the Yi dynasty, but the bulk of the building work being done under the aegis of the Choson Emperors. The palace consists of around 500 buildings, nearly all of which are reconstructions of the original - the actual palace was virtually razed to the ground during the Japanese invasion, and later again in the Korean War.

Within the grounds of the Kyongbokgung Palace are some truly exquisite pagodas, parks and rooms. Make it a point to see the two-storeyed throne room, the Chongmyo Shrine, the Changyonggung Palace and the National Folk Museum. The National Folk Museum, which lies within the palace complex, has a good collection of antiques relating to Korean life through the centuries. If you’re interested in museums and artefacts, you could also visit Changyonggung Palace, which has some fascinating astronomical instruments, amidst its botanical gardens. 

 Tapkol Park is named after a marble pagoda locally called a `tapkol’, which stands within the park and is a historical place- this is the park where the Declaration of Independence was read out in 1919. The park has murals depicting the events of the independence movement, scenes that evoke very patriotic emotions. 

Even if you’re not particularly interested in Korean history, the park is a nice place to spend an evening in- especially if you want to see the locals enjoying their leisure hours. Also in the park is the third tallest tower in the world, Seoul Tower, very glittery and touristy- with a games room, an amusement centre and an aquarium.

Other than these, you could pay a visit particularly if you’ve got children in tow, to Lotte World, which is Seoul’s most popular amusement park. Other places worth visiting are the War Memorial at Yongsan-gu military base, the Shamanic temple of Kuksadang, and the royal shrine of Chongmyo (which dates back to 1394 and is dedicated to the kings of the Choson dynasty).