bus in seoul

5 days in Seoul, Korea-5/17-5/22/2023

Day 4: Hop on, Hop off tour bus- 5/20/23

City Tour Bus is a great way to see the city at a quick glance. You get to see the hot spots of Seoul form the upper lever of a bright yellow bus.

The tour start at Dongdaemun Design plaza. There is a bus I think every 20 minutes or so.

Staying in line to get in the bus.

We are on the bus and ready top tour the city.

The bus is now leaving and we passed by a large bronze statue in front of Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is a major urban development landmark in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, the 2004 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. It serves as a venue for exhibitions, fashion shows, forums, and domestic and international events. DDP is known for its unique design, regarded as the “world’s largest atypical 3D structure.”

Large shopping center in front of DDP.

Myeongdong Home improvement stores

Carpet, fences, cabinets, bathroom furnitures, etc... you can find anything here for your home

The is area is full of floor tiles.

A large statue of a man holding up a ball

High rise building along the way...

Lotte City Hotel is locate between Myeongdong and the center of business and shopping in downtown Seoul

The city is preparing for the Buddhist Lantern Festival

As Buddha's birthday approaches, tents and decorations are set up.

Statue of Admiral Yi-Sun-Sin.

Admiral Yi-Sun-Sin is a naval commander and revered from his victories over the Japanese during the late 16th century

Gwanghwamun Square is located in the heart of Seoul.

Statue of King Sejong in Gwanghwamun Square.

King Sejong is the 3rd Kong o Joseon Dynasty and inventor of the Korean alphabet.

Gwanghwamun square

Peace on Mind Buddha tree

Closer view of the Peace on Mind Buddha tree.

Seoul outdoor library in Gwanghwamun square with colorful giant bean bags for people to sit.

Lots of preparation with giant statues on display on Gwanghwamun square

Colorful Lanterns are hang along the street.

Sungnyemun gate is one of Seoul's historic four great gates and it was designated National Tresure by the Korean goverment in 1962.

Though its official name is Sungnyemum, it is also popularly known as Namdeamun Gate due to its location at what was once the southern end of Seoul.

The gate is the largest city gate witn an arched entrance in the city. On top of the gate stands a 2 story wodden structure. The gate is Seoul's oldest wooden structure but on Feb. 10, 2008 much of the gate's wooden structure was destroyed by fire. Following several years of restoration, Sungnyemum Gate is now back to its former glory.

People dressed in Hanbok to visit the gate.

Phoenix fountain in front of the South Korean presidential residence

Seoullo 7017 which means “Seoul Road” and the combination of 1970 when the road was originally built and 2017 when it was reopened as a pedestrian walkway, is a must visit when you’re near Seoul Station. Now a public park, this walkway was a road that was set to be demolished in 2015 but Mayor Park Won Soon suggested turning it into an urban park similar to New York City’s High Line Park and the seed was planted. The path has 17 exits that lead into the nearby districts and along the way are planters that provide an industrial forest to walk through.

Former Seoul railroad station was built from 1922 to 1925 during the Japanese Occupation. It is now a culture space for exhibition, lecture, performance, and movies.