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On
October 12, 1897, Korean Emperor
Gojong celebrated the completion
of the Altar of Heaven with a
formal |
| ceremony.
In 1910, the occupying Japanese
Government razed the symbolic
monument, selecting the demolition
site for a new hotel. The Temple
of Heaven and King Kojong’s three
granite drums were preserved and
are now Korean Cultural Asset
#157. A magnificent view of Wongudan
can be seen from The Ninth Gate
restaurant on the lobby floor.
Subway Line
#1-City Hall Stn, Subway
Line #2-City
Hall Stn or Euljiro 1-ga Stn.
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Just
steps from the hotel lobby is
the entrance to this underground
shopping labyrinth. Find clothing,
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antiques, jewelry, traditional
handicrafts and ginseng specialty
stores. Subway
Line #1-City
Hall Stn, Subway
Line #2-City
Hall Stn or Euljiro 1-ga Stn |
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A haven in the
middle of downtown, this strolling
park is located in front of Seoul
City Hall and boasts a 13,000
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This “citizen’s park” was newly
opened in May 2004. Subway
Line #1-City
Hall Stn |
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One
of the five royal palaces during
the Joseon Dynasty, this complex
contains Daehanmun, the main gate; |
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Junghwajeon, the throne hall and
audience hall; and Seokjojeon,
the only Western-style building
found in any of the palaces, and
home of the Royal Museum. Subway
Line #1
or Line
#2-City Hall Stn |
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Watch
traditional Korean performances,
drum dance, pansori (epic vocal
solo) sword dance and more. |
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big screen displays English and
Japanese translations. Take pictures
with some of the performers, arrayed
in their traditional Korean attire.
Subway Line
#1 or Line
#2-City Hall Stn |
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For
generations, Myeongdong has been
famous for its trend-setting fashion.
Small boutique stores stand next
to high-rise |
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shopping centers like Migliore
and Avatar. Numerous coffee shops,
restaurants and beauty shops make
this neighborhood a haven for
young people. Subway
Line #2-Euljiro
1-ga Stn or Subway
Line #4-Myeongdong
Stn |
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This
upscale department store is located
across from trendy Myeongdong
shopping district. Features Tiffany’s
and Mikimoto |
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on the ground floor and many other
import stores on the duty free
shopping level, including Louis
Vuitton, Cartier and Escada. Subway
Line #2-Euljiro
1-ga Stn |
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Located
in Myeongdong, this upscale store
has over a thousand traditional
Korean souvenirs and handicrafts.
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| Browse
embroidered goods, ceramics, paintings
and jewelry, unique to Korean
culture. Subway
Line #4-Myeongdong
Stn |
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Built
in 1898, this brick cathedral
is the oldest structure in Korea
designed in Western style. |
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French priest is credited for
the design of this neo-Renaissance
building, which features a 45m
steeple. Subway Line
#4-Myeongdong Stn |
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Located
next to Namdaemun Market is the
site of the original Shinsegae
store, established seventy years
ago. |
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to the historic flagship store,
a luxurious and spacious new annex
opened in August 2005 featuring
designer boutiques and an international
food court. Shinsegae is the number
one retailer in Korea. Subway
Line #4-Hoehyeon
Stn |
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This
600 year old, open-air market
is Korea’s wholesale center. You
can find clothes, accessories,
household |
| goods,
traditional souvenirs, herbal
goods and even live eels and turtles
for adventurous gourmands. Still
basically a traditional market,
the atmosphere in Namdaemun is
changing, with new, high-rise
shopping centers. Subway
Line #4-Hoehyeon
Stn |
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This
humorous non-verbal percussion
performance is Korea’s longest
running show. Nanta Theater is
reserved |
| exclusively
for this acclaimed show. Known
internationally as “Cookin’” in
17 different countries, it is
now an off-Broadway hit. Nanta
is appropriate for all ages. Subway
Line #5-Seodaemun
Stn |
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One
of Seoul’s most popular bookstores,
Kyobo Center boasts one of the
largest selections of foreign
literature. |
| Browse
software, videos, music cd’s,
stationery, gifts and souvenirs.
The food court is also a popular
haunt for locals. Located on the
basement floor of the Kyobo building.
Subway Line
#5-Gwanghwamun Stn |
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This
modern complex features a wide-variety
of cultural events. The Sejong
Center seats 3800 people and claims
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biggest pipe organ in Asia. Also
within this complex are the Small
Theater and Sejong Art Hall. Subway
Line #5-Gwanghwamun
Stn |
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The
newest attraction in Seoul has
a history that is centuries old.
Cheonggyecheon stream traversed
the center of |
| downtown
but for 58 years was buried under
a freeway. In October 2005, Cheonggyecheon
re-opened with sparkling, free-flowing
water, a new cultural museum and
performance parks. Jog along this
surprising oasis, take a romantic
stroll in nature or revisit restored
monuments of days gone by. |
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